Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Last Song ❯ Will The Hushed Tones Disappear ( Chapter 15 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Hey Hiei," starts the silver haired driver.

The two of them are laying on the hood of the car under the maybe too warm rays of sunlight, while eating their gas station microwave heated breakfast sandwiches. They taste just terrible after having sat in a poorly ventilated car for so long, and the humidity in the air wasn't helping it; last thing Hiei wanted to do is talk. At least his soda is still cold. Speaking of which he takes a good drink of it. Youko was nuts to think this was a good way to eat anything when there were ample picnic tables and green grass back at the rest stop. It was surprisingly intimate, though, the solitude of it all.

Finally, the former vocalist says. "What?"

"If we laid really still and some buzzards went by,"

Is he serious? Wonders the dark haired male.

"Do you think they'd think we were dead?"

With a sigh, Hiei humors him, barely, by saying. "I don't. There are no buzzards in Japan."

"Sure there are."

"Have you ever seen any?"

Opening his eyes to glance them Hiei's way, he replies. "No. But that doesn't mean that there aren't any."

"I thought that that was exactly what that meant."

Finally sick of it, the silver haired male sits up, tongue out as he says. "Bleh. This doesn't taste good anymore." He tosses it on the side of the road. Seeing the look Hiei gave him, he shrugs. "A stray will come along and eat it, trust me." Sliding from the hood, he opens the door on the passengers side. "Get in, we're going."

Taking his sweet time, Hiei eventually gets off the hood but when he spots Youko in his seat he rolls his eyes, so not in the mood for jokes when its this hot outside. "Funny. You know I don't know how to drive, scoot over."

"I'm tired of driving, you take the wheel." He turns on his side, back facing Hiei as he pretends to fall asleep. "So tired..."

"Youko." Warned the former vocalist.

"Tired."

"Youko." He clenched his fist in and out. This guy is showing his ass again.

Seeing that Hiei wasn't in the mood for fun, he sighed in defeat. "Come on, its easy." He says casually then smiles. "Besides, I'm right here. What could go wrong?"

"We die." He said rather bluntly.

Cocking a brow, Youko says. "Always a risk even for the best drivers." But he slides over into the drivers seat anyhow.

Opening his door, Hiei says. "Only because some idiot smashed into them."

"Wow. Someone sucked all the life from you and just.... spit the remaines to society." He starts the car. "It's almost romantic how you're allowing them to get a good laugh by keeping up with what they've done to you because only a lost lover can hurt a person this much."

Glaring now, Hiei said with venom in his words. "You don't know anything about my romantic past, so shut it."

Shrugging, Youko says quietly. "You could talk about it if you wanted. I'm a pretty good liste-" Head turning suddenly, the silver haired male says. "Look a stray dog is eating the food!" He snickers with child-like enthusiasm over something as stupid as a hungry stray doing what they do best. Try to survive.

"Yeah, I'm sure you're a great listener." He crosses his arms. "Pay attention when you drive, please. I've at least got goals in life."

Hardly insulted by the shorter males hidden insult, he asks. "Such as?"

"Going home, finding a job, and getting on with my life like my past never happened." He closes his eyes, head resting on the back of the seat.

"Hm." Intones the driver. "That's a good plan, except you're missing one thing on that list."

"Which is?"

"Getting over your ex." His expression dares the glaring Hiei to say that he is over whoever the person was that hurt him. And when the glare died down to nothing more then a snort and closing of his eyes, he smirked victoriously. He can always tell when someone had a nasty break-up. He had one himself, that creep was always mocking him in some way just because at the moment he had no real goals in life except to live it; always laughing at nothing- which as he soon realized it was He that was the 'nothing' his ex was laughing at, he split on the creep and hasn't had a relationship since. It isn't his ex's victory, Youko simply has a certain taste and if he can't find it than why date. Besides, he lives in a car- not real romantic. "Just curious, though," says Youko suddenly.

"Mm." Eyes still closed as sleep starts taking over. The hum of the car and gentle movement he can feel is really soothing even if the company isn't.

"Which way does you door swing?"

"Closed. I'm not looking." He replied sharply.

Lifting a hand in defense, unseen by the recipient Youko then reaches that hand forward to turn the radio off, tired of the noise for right now. Yawning, he glances at the clock. Hiei would be up and bothering him all night if he lets the male sleep now, Youko smiled at the boys child-like manners. Nudging him with the back of his hand, he says. "You know, you made classic homeless mistake number one."

"And what's that?" His eyes open, figuring sleep wasn't going to be an option right now.

"You got breakfast food. It's always better to buy something like a sandwich or a cold bento- something you can put in the cooler and know that it won't taste bad when you eat it later."

"....I'll remember that next time." He said without a hint of sarcasm. He actually wasn't even aware that there was a cooler. Must be in the trunk.

Youko figured that Hiei must really be tired if he wasn't gonna fight back from his teasing. They sit in silence while they drive through another district. Youko was clearly sightseeing since he went through the city itself rather than the outskirts on the freeway. Hiei wondered what ward this was because he could still recognize familiar things.

We must be in Shizuoka then. He figured noticing the landscaping. He and the band came here to sing once for the Grand prix. It was the first time the world had ever heard their actual sound- this was before the news got wind of his sex life. It was amazing. The smoke machines blowing in his face, the racing clothes they were given to wear it was all really fun. But nothing more than a memory. Watching the buildings come up, he glances at school students piled at the bus stop, all dressed in uniform giggling and gossiping or making muscles that they raised over the weekend or headlocking one another to test out wrestling holds. Hiei could barely remember school, just work. School almost didn't exist to him, but there was Yusuke to let him know that he didn't just quit it and become a working man for his family, he has some kind of education under his belt. Maybe I could take night classes once I get home, find a better job like Koenma. Turning his attention forward, though, his eyes are still distant Hiei reaches under his seat to pull out his notebook. Finding the last page he was on, he scribbles down some more lyrics, hearing them over in his head to the music he has in mind. It may need a new arrangement but not in all a bad song.

"You know what, we're gonna have to do some serious saving if you're going to Kochi." Says Youko. "We need ferry money once we make it to Osaka."

Hiei almost said, 'we've got plenty of money', but he decided against it. He doesn't wanna expose himself to this person. Not that Hiei Jaganshi is his true self; so is it being dishonest not to tell someone about a life you choose not to have as your own. The money is his money, he is the face that made that money, the voice- the name really had nothing to do with it. As Yusuke said, Hiei could just go out there moaning to music and the people would love it.

Clearing his throat, he says casually. "We'll make it, trust me."

"More songs?" Teased the silver haired male.

"No." He replies with a smirk. "I just have a feeling."

"That what, your face sells?" With a shrug, he states coolly. "Mine sells more."

"Which ever, we're gonna make the money to go."

"Its funny, you first started out saying that you were going to Kochi, now suddenly its a we." He passes the former vocalist another triumphant grin. "Could it be that you are into men, and I've really caught your eye."

"Oh yeah, I can hardly keep my pants on." Hiei scoffs. "Just shut up and keep your attention on driving."

"Are you sure? I haven't seen action in years," says the driver. "I might have to turn you just to sate my need."

"That's what hands are for." Hiei says hoping to ward off the playful advances.

Shaking his head, Youko says. "Masterbation is a sin."

Turning his head to the male, he cocks a brow. "So is being gay!"

"No, because if it was it wouldn't feel so good and you'd die from shoving something up in a place that was only meant for an exit."

Hn. He's got me there. Everytime I slept with Kurama it was like I was on fire but I didn't want to be put out. He smiles in revelry. "I remember this one time when he had me on the counter, back to him while I was leaned o-..." He clamped his mouth shut suddenly hearing that his words were outloud rather than thought. Pale, he prayed that Youko was in la-la land and hadn't heard him just now. Stealing a glance at the male, he sighed in relief when he saw that he was looking through the glove compartment for toll change. Fishing a hand into his jeans pocket, he pulls out a buck. "Here." He taps him on the shoulder.

"Thanks." He takes the bill. "How much did you take? Mistake number two at being a roadie, never take more than you need that day."

"I thought we were calling it homeless?"

He gives the man the bill. "No. I re-thought that previous statement, because techniqually with a car to sleep in we're not homeless."

"Ah." He continued to hold his breath as they spoke, because Youko could have a delayed memory since he had been working on the toll fee and he could run over the conversation they'd just had and come across his unwanted confession. But he said nothing as they made their way to a parking lot of a convenient store. Looking curiously out the window, he asks. "What are we doing here?"

"Dinner. You wanna get some cash, or should I?"

"If I get food money, are you getting the room?"

Youko shakes his head. "No. We're sleeping in the car tonight to save money for the boat remember?" He mutters afterwards. "I don't know what I'm gonna do with my car once we get there."

Hiei blinks a moment, then climbs out of the car. "I'll get the food."

"Okay. But remember-..."

Holding up a hand, he says. "I know, I know only things that can go into the cooler." Closing the door of the car, he stuffs his hands into his jeans pocket. "I'll be right back. Don't leave me this time."

"I won't." He leans against the car just staring up at the sky.

Watching him a moment, Hiei smiles thinking about Kuronue then he starts off behind the building. He can fake it a moment, then come back with the food. He is not going to bum for his meals. Hanging out around the side of the building, he checks his phone messages. None. Pressing his back against the smooth cement of the building, he closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath letting it out slowly through his nose.

Hn. I wonder if I could fake my death. Get out of this whole thing. Its not as if anyone would actually come to hear me sing; I'm an untouchable now. Smirking he sings softly. "Is my skin untouchable? Am I unloveable..." He snickers quietly. "Now I'm singing about being a reject. That's what I need, show them I'm pathetic." Opening his eyes, he pushed his back from the building then heads around to the entrance.

The store is small as one would expect a store to look like: white tiled floor, coollers in the back filled with soda's and cold tea's, water. Shelves in the center with snacks and boxed lunches to go on another counter in the back. The man behind the check out looks like he aims to please when all he has to do is take the money and give out change. Casting a glance the man's way, Hiei makes his way to the back of the store and pulls out six lunches so it will be 3 for the both of them. After a second thought he places the one with the cold, peanut butter flavored noodles back then picks up a sushi and fried rice ball set. He figured he'd like that a little better. Is it unsafe to get fish already cut and packaged? It had to be. Setting the items on the counter, he tells the man he'll be right back then heads over to the freezers to grab some drinks. After another glance around he gets one sub for the two of them to share and a couple bags of chips. That should do for a few days. And by the time they get to Osaka they'll only have to stock up for one night on the ferrie then he'll be home free. Its a good plan really. Who knows how long he'd of been wandering if it weren't for Youko.

"Thank you for shopping!" Chirps the man.

"Yeah." He takes the bags a little rougher than he would have liked. Now that he looked at the man he sees that he couldn't be older than his self, he just has a really old hair cut; someone should warn him about that, just not Hiei. Its really none of his concern. Walking out of the store, he heads over to the car.

Opening the door, he hears the trunk pop open Youko waves him back that way then continues to lounge while Hiei loads up the cooller with their rations. Youko has some odd things in the trunk. Rope, luggage, comic books. He moves the sack of clean clothes and finds a bat laying underneath. Cocking a brow with curiousity, he shakes it off then closes the trunk heading back to the car still holding the bags of chips in his hands. Climbing into the car, he hands one over to the driver.

Peeking a lazy eye open he asks. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Eat them between meals."

Straightening, giving a little stretch of his arms and legs the best he can, he winks at the male. "Gonna be hard to drive and eat at the same time. Wanna feed me?"

"No. You drive with one hand anyway; I doubt getting a chip will put too much of a strain on you."

"You're no fun." He pulls the bag open taking two out shoving them both into his mouth. He smiled with a satisfied smirk. "How much did you get?"

"30. Nevermind that, though," he glares at the male, sharp eyes promising struggle if the silver haired male tried anything. "Care to explain the bat and rope?"

Looking like he's been slapped with a cold frog, Youko laughed. "Sleeping in a car without protection is a stupid thing, and the rope is part of the hammock I stole from my parents house if you'd bothered to uncover the rest of it." He starts the car.

"Oh." Hardly embarrassed about accussing the male of being a killer what with all the threats he made when they first met, he returns to face forward then buckles up.

Youko stared at Hiei for a long moment, but then he starts the car up and they head off, driving until dark fell. Youko took some time locating a parking place, but he found a rest stop with a lot that was nearly empty. Pulling the car into a spot without a street light over it, he turns off the car then opens his door. Hiei thought that he planned on using the bathroom but the taller male opened the back door climbing in there. Watching, Hiei takes his acoustic when the driver passes it up to him. Setting it into the drivers seat, Hiei then looks back at Youko who is pulling a pillow from the trunk after opening the back seat.

"Wait a minute," says the former vocalist. "What about me, where am I supposed to sleep?"

"Recline the chair, you'll be comfortable- you're what? 4'2"?"

Glaring, he bites his tongue before getting snippy about his height which would make him say something rude but he settled for a sharp tone instead. "I'm 5'1"." He turns in his seat, arms crossed. Pouting, he looks out into the darkness of the lot, then turns his attention to the side of the seat when Youko's pale hand appears beside him.

The seat dropped back in an instant taking him down with it.

"Hey!"

"Ssshh. you can have the blanket since I have the pillow." He tosses it up front then rest his hand beside Hiei's ear. Youko rakes his fingers through the males starburst hair to soothe him a bit, then he slaps him lightly on the cheek as if to say 'good boy' then he rolled over onto his back and closed his eyes.

Huffy, Hiei takes the blanket from his lap then flows it out awkwardly before laying it over him. Turning onto his side he closes his eyes. He can sleep like this if he had to- no problem; but Youko didn't have to insult him because of his size. Sighing, he turns back over onto his back then tries the other side... nothing. Rolling onto his stomach was a joke since the chair is slightly elevated so it doesn't whack the driver in the face.

Fuck. I can't sleep like this. Rolling back onto his back, he sits up. Looking over the seat at Youko he's about to say something, but hearing the light breathing sounds coming from him, he thought it would be best to let the driver sleep. After all, he's going out of his way to help him get home, sleep is the least he can give him. Of course there's always the option of staying in a hotel again, but he can't leave Youko here it would be rude and Hiei doubted the male wanted to drive around still sleepy and look for one. May as well write if I can't sleep.

Not wanting to close the door loudly, Hiei settles for slipping out the open window on the driver's side. Setting his guitar to the floor, he climbs out then reaches back in for the acoustic and his notebook with a pen clipped onto the cover. Walking to the sidewalk where a street light is over head, Hiei uncaps the pen and writes out a few bars of music. Looking over the previous music he scribbled down, he starts to play. Its slow and melodic, the tune casting out into the night like full length chimes blowing in the breeze. Eyes closed he hums the few words to the song that he has written down. Stopping on a cord, he opens his eyes again to write down a few more bars then he thinks over the words a moment, then writes them above the bars of music. Doing this in the studio was so much easier but this is fine too. Fingers finding the correct strings again, he plays it over from the start, this time whispering the words still humming the most of them.

A thud in the distance caused him to open his eyes, but he closed them once he saw the slender pale, ghostly figure of a man walking his way. Not stopping his playing, he hums the words a little softer, glancing his eyes open when the other male sat down beside him then sleepily lounged sideways against the smaller males body, head titling so that his cheek rest on Hiei's soft hair like it were a pillow.

Hiei smiled, wondering why- if the male is still tired- he would come outside just to sit with him. Switching the song from his work in progress to one he's heard so many times growing up, he sings quietly in Chinese. Youko smiles faintly, his face too tired to really function properly, and his voice drawled out to speak quietly.

"That sounds nice."

"...Thank you." He continues to play for him, singing softly.

.................

The next few days were spent eating, driving, and sitting in an awkward silence as Hiei wrote lyric after lyric into his notebook. The only time Youko spoke was when Hiei began to play his acoustic in the car. He would laugh that quiet almost familiar laugh, then tell him to play something with more pep. He knew folksy songs and such, and Youko would make up words to it sometimes, but beyond that the two of them said nothing. It was as if that night in the parking lot had opened their eyes to the fact that this comfort, this thing they've got isn't permanent and the reason they're together at all is so he can drop the male off at home. Youko may not live anywhere, but he isn't sure he'd ever live anywhere other than Tokyo really. So they were quiet up until.....

"Youko,"

"Hmm?"

Hiei rests an arm behind his head to comfort the back of it from the windshield beneath him. They're laying on the hood of the car again, eating lunch.

"What do you plan on doing once I'm gone?"

It was a simple question, but at the same time it made both of them wonder just how loaded it was. On the one hand, why does Hiei care? This was never a life time trip. This was never a starting thing until the other found something to do and now they're parting ways. So why isn't the answer to the question coming out.

Biding his time, he says. "What do you mean?"

"I mean once I'm back at home, where will you go? What will you do?"

Youko blinked, uncertain, again why Hiei would care. "I don't know, just drive as usual I guess."

"Mm." He intoned thoughtfully.

"Why?"

Hiei shrugged. "I don't know. I just think that your lifestyle is a little dangerous now that I've had a chance to live it."

Smiling, he closes his eyes then plays coy. "Really. Don't you think I pose any kind of threat to someone? I can be really dangerous when I want to be."

"I doubt that." Laughed the male.

"Really? Because I'm gay?"

"No, because you're kind of delicate looking." He turns his head to look at him. "Look at your arms. I've smoked bigger things than that."

"Ha. You don't smoke."

"Hn. You don't know a thing about me."

"That may be true, but I know a smoker when I see one." Sitting up, he takes a chunk of rice between his fingers then pops it into his mouth. "...So," he says quietly. "Aside from the danger, why do you care what happens to me once you're gone. I've been fine so far." He sets the bento down beside the males hip, legs folding underneath him, he sits sideways to inspect the males face as he speaks. "Just because someone knows me now doesn't mean I'm gonna have reasons to worry." With a shrug he says. "If anything you should just pretend we never met."

Opening his eyes the two of them stare at one another for the longest time, then sitting up Hiei shakes his head. "I can't do that. I can't forget any one I know, or anything and its all just gonna keep fucking haunting me until I wind up in the nut house over it."

Concerned, Youko reaches out to touch Hiei on the shoulder but draws it back. "What is wrong with you?"

"What?"

"I mean why are you so moody all the time? Because of this mystery person you broke up with?"

"Its not just that, its everyone I've ever come in contact with!" Balling up his fist, he wanted to punch the male right in the mouth for not understanding and then mocking him for it. Did he feel anything? Who's haunting him that he lives so cut and dry?

The tension in the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife and almost like it were feeding from their static the sky ripped open with a bolt of lightning right before a down pour tossed itself over them. Shrieking the two shield their already drenched heads as they slide from the car and dash back into the cover of the car, ignoring all stream bound food that was washed from the car to the ground. Laughing as they closed the doors to the back seat, they quieted down and just sat uncomfortable for a moment.

"Hey," he taps the shorter male on the arm. "Sorry about snapping at you. Truth is, I won't forget about you either, you're the first guy to get a ride from me and not leap to his doom." He snickers.

"Thought about it." He laughs. Reaching into the front seat, he grabs his guitar. "Can I play my song for you, its not done but there's enough to get a feel from it."

"Go ahead."

Hiei takes a breath then lets it out and begins to play. The word 'I' didn't even have a chance to come out sounding like anything further than a moan before Youko leans over and places his lips over the shorter males parted to sing mouth.