Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Kitsunebi ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Yuu Yuu Hakusho nor do I make any money from this piece of fan fiction.

 

Reader Warnings: Shounen-ai (AKA Slash, M/M), lime, pairings: Hiei x Kurama, Yomi x Kurama, Yuusuke x Keiko, Kuwabara x Yukina

 

AN: I almost gave up on this fic when I was having a hard time with Chapters 6 and 7. I feel that, out of all of the chapters written thus far, those two had to be strongest, and yet, I feel like they came out the weakest. I had a really hard time writing both of those chapters; they didn't write themselves the way all the others did. But I'm glad I managed to push through, because I really do enjoy telling this story, and I can only hope that you, the reader, will continue to join me through this journey. This story is far from over; I have ideas for a sequel. Enough angst from me, though. Here's Chapter 9.

 

Kitsunebi

Chapter 9

 

Kurama sits and stares off into the valley; his feet having subconsciously carried him there as he walked through the forest lost in memories. He had not been there in the years since Yuusuke's return after the Makai Tournament, but now, as the fox looks closer, he realized why his feet had walked him there in the first place. While the sky was the clear blue of the Ningenkai, the scenery was very similar to that same cliff side hideout he and Yomi had used in the Makai during their partnership. And now that there was several centuries of separation between them, Kurama could feel that distinct pull of regret in his heart, a pull that he had decidedly ignored in the first place.

 

Hearing footsteps behind him, Kurama continues staring at the scenery, knowing just who it would be. “I hope they are not angry with me,” Kurama softly says, trying to keep his voice neutral.

 

“Hn. Didn't think I'd find you here, Fox,” Hiei replies, not answering Kurama's concern.

 

“I hate myself; did you know that, Hiei?” Kurama asks out of the blue.

 

Hiei's look of surprise was totally missed by the kitsune, who was continuing to stare off into the distance. Not knowing what brought on this sudden change, Hiei thought it wisest to not answer and let the fox express what was on his mind.

 

“How did it come to this? How did the tables get turned around so easily? I used to be the one with the power, and only now am I even beginning to catch up to where he is.” A soft sigh escapes the fox's lips, almost causing Hiei to impulsively rush up behind the fox and hug him. There was no doubt in Hiei's mind who Kurama was talking about. “We used to be so close, worked so well as a team. And now, we cannot be in the same room with each other without one of us wanting to kill or possess the other.”

 

“People change, Kurama. Situations change. Everything changes. Nothing ever stays the same,” Hiei replies.

 

“Now I find myself with no choice but to fight him. A fight I cannot back down from, if only because I have no desire to be his pet, his toy, his thing,” Kurama spat out the last word in pure disgust.

 

Hiei walks up next to the kitsune in silent agreement. Hiei had not known the full extent of the youko's history with Yomi, but was not about to push for the details. As though sensing Kurama's loneliness, Hiei cautiously put his arm around Kurama's shoulder, wanting to grant him some small measure of comfort. To Hiei's surprise, Kurama leans into the gesture, resting his head against the half-Koorime's hip as he continued to stare off into the distance. Ruby eyes look down in shock at the crimson curtain below.

 

As though sensing Hiei's surprise, Kurama pulls back, meeting Hiei's questioning gaze. “I-I shouldn't have done that, I'm sorry, Hiei.”

 

Crouching down until he was eye to eye with those beautiful emerald eyes, Hiei could barely keep his voice level. It was taking most of his restraint to not kiss those lips, and take away that pain and loneliness. “No, it's alright. You needed it.”

 

Kurama could hear the raw emotion in Hiei's voice, and instinctively, he searches Hiei's eyes, looking for any trace of falsehood. Finding none, he could tell that there was more to Hiei's face. There was none of the usual arrogant standoffishness he had when he was with Kuwabara and Yuusuke; there was only a tender kindness, friendship, and, perhaps, something more in his eyes. Kurama willed himself to look again and again, wishing against all else that he was not misreading those ruby orbs that was inching ever closer, millimeter by hesitant millimeter. Those doubts were solidly whisked away, at Hiei's first hesitant brush against the fox's lips with his own. And as Kurama pulls Hiei in for a much more heated and passionate second kiss, Hiei's own doubts blew away like yellowing leaves in the autumn wind.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

It was early evening by the time they made it back to the temple. They had spent several more hours watching the sun crawl over the sky, sometimes sharing kisses, sometimes doing little more than enjoy the other's warm embrace. Nothing needed to be said; the initial kisses had exchanged far more emotion than words could ever hope to convey.

 

And when they entered the room to see a relieved Yuusuke and Kuwabara, Yuusuke thought there was something different about the pair. He could not put a finger on it, but it was clear some sort of understanding had been reached between the two. But for now, they had bigger things to worry about, and Yuusuke brushed the notion aside.

 

To be continued . . .

 

AN: Sorry for the short chapter, but I felt it would ruin the romantic mood if I added more. Don't worry, though. Chapter 10's already in the works.