Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Nearer To Fire ❯ Nearer To Fire ( Chapter 1 )

AN: I know this is kind of cliché, but blame weather outside. Isn't supposed to be hot in summer? I wish I had my own fire demon, too.

Well, another one shot. Perhaps one day I be able to write something less pointless and fluffy. But for now…

Yu Yu Hakusho and it's characters are property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Fugi TV, Shueisha, Jump Comics and Studio Pierrot

“Speach”

Telepathy

Thoughts

Nearer To Fire

“I'm gonna get diaper boy for this one.” gritted Yusuke through the clenched teeth as he tried, unsuccessfully, to stop their chattering.

Said Diaper boy - more precisely his father- some time ago dared Yusuke to prove his `tameness` by community work for Reikai. Though the grudge against king Enma (issued a death warrant on his head and all), Yusuke - never the one to turn down challenge - accepted. So he was reestablished as a reikai tantei and his team was reformed.

There were holidays in Ningenkai so Koenma, seeing that Kurama and Kuwabara don't need to go to school, decided to send them on long-term mission. Their aim was to exterminate demons inductive of troubles all along border between Makai and Ningenkai. Something that should have been done long ago, but due the lack of tanteis hasn't. 

They were on way little more than a week and almost done. Last target was upper B-class demon, shape shifter, who has been causing havoc in the area for more than tree weeks. Their hunt made them go far to the north and, in the end, cross the border to Makai. And wound up in chill, hard snowstorm.

“We should find some shelter. It would be unwise to go back in Ningenkai in this weather. We are too far from border. But this territory is unfamiliar to me. I've never been this northward. But Hiei…” Kurama turned to a firedemon. He was sure that Hiei had been in this area before - looking for Ice-Maidens' Island .

“Hn,” commented Hiei as he looked around (it's not like he could see anything through the snowflakes even with his demon sight) trying to remember.

“Hurry up, shrimp, or I'm gonna freeze.” It was true. Kuwabara, the only one full human among them, has a real issues facing more and more decreasing temperature and biting wind. Yusuke and Kurama felt coldness too but their demon heritage give them slightly more endurance. Only Hiei, being a fire demon, has no problems, though he really despised such weather. It make much more difficult for him to summon any kind of his fire.

“Ningenkai would be one idiot shorter. What a shame,” Hiei shot back, but to speed up the process he uncovered his Jagan and searched for some kind of shelter. Then, without another word, he set off to the west.

“How far?” asked kitsune and glanced with hint of worry over Kuwabara. He had now very unhealthy colour and it seemed that just walking in that wind was causing him pain.

“Just a mile. It's a small cave - dry, inconspicuous, poorly visible even in a good weather.”

 

 

When they finally arrived to their destination they were soaked wet and froze almost to death. Fortunately their spare clothes, though not so thick as the current ones, was dry.

“Guys? Are you sure that this place is uninhabitated?” Asked Kuwabara when he found rest of the campfire as well as stock of wood.

“Whatever had lived here it's gone. Traces of youki as well as scent are very weak, almost none.” Kuwabara was satisfied with answer.

“Hey, give those here, Urameshi. One would think that during your 20-year-long life you have learned how to use matches.” The tallest boy snatch box of matches from their team leader who several times tried to light a fire and failed miserably.

“Yes, one would think, but I'm surprised you are capable of that such an act,” commented Hiei casually as he was sitting down close to cave entry and as far as he could from hopefully-soon-to be-fire and two boys.

“Shut up, shrimp. Wanna try it yourself?”

“Hn”

“It isn't so easy, you see,” snickered Yusuke when Kuwabara' s attemptts proved unsuccessful too, “With no accelerator or at least piece of paper… and our hands trembling from cold like that… Damn! I'm really gonna kill Koenma as soon as we come back. `Sort of spring-cleaning' he said. This fucked weather is far from springy.” bitched Yusuke. “You can't do that either. Give me back that matches!”

Kurama rolled his eyes and sat down next to the Hiei when two other boys started to fight over matches.

“Idiots,” commented fire demon.

“Perhaps, but at least they warm themselves up,” chuckled redhead “But the others, unfortunately, are doomed to the coldness.”

“You are.”

“Well basically… yes. But you wouldn't let me suffer, would you?” Kuarama grinned at Hiei, “Could you, please, ignite that fire?”

Hiei cocked an eyebrow at him. ”My powers are used for killing, intimidation and destruction not for…sparking off a campfire”

“Hieiiiii,” Kurama gave him his best puppy(youko) eyes.

Hiei turned away from kitsune but he still could feel that gaze. It was burning him.

“Ow, fine…,” he burst out, “if that make you and that idiots to shut up.” he sent a small fireball to the set-up wood. Kurama grinned. Kuwabara and Yusuke stopped fighting in instant.

Hiei, man, why you didn't do it ages ago? You could spare Kuwabara some limps,” laughed Yusuke.

“Yeah, shrimp. You could spare us lots of troubles. But I guessed that it's not your style, you like seeing us suffering…”

“No, Hiei is kind. All you had to do was ask,” Kurama chuckled; his green eyes sparkled with amusement when he received one of Hiei's death glares. You care; it's true, you can't fool me with that glare of yours. But you can try. It's far more entertaining that way. Gloated fox.

Hiei averted his gaze to Kuwabara  “You,…one more shrimp and I'm gonna to warm your ugly ass up with my fireballs.”

Kuwabara decided not to retaliate for once instead he lay down next to the fire, backwards to Hiei. Urameshi did the same before he bound them good night.

“So how Koenma persuade you to rejoin Tanteis again?” asked Kurama curiously.

“You don't need to sleep?”

“My, my…you don't want to communicate in general or it's just touchy subject.”

“Hn”

“So it's a second.”

Hiei glared at him again, but didn't said anything. Kurama waited. When he thought Hiei isn't going to answer him…

“Mukuro made me. She thinks that it's important to sustain `good relations' with Reikai,“ he grimaced slightly ” so when Koenma requested for me, she didn't hesitate. Toddler has me in command until the next tournament.”

“That means…more than one year.” Kurama said thoughtfully.

“At least.”

“Well, I'm glad.”

“What?”

“That means you will be around more often now. I was bored here. Alone,” kitsune glanced at fire demon.

“Oh, come on. You've got a bunch ningens girls around you all the time,” snorted Hiei

“They're not you, you know. I'd missed your company. You. Pretty much.” He took care to avoid the other's eyes. His would revealed too much.

Interacting with Hiei was like dealing with HE. One defective move and you're in fire. That or he'll vamoose to never return again. That's why Kurama had been halting to persude his not-quite-friendlike-more-loverlike feelings for Hiei, though he was well aware of them for long time. But past three years he was seeing Hiei so rarely that it was hardly better than not seeing him at all. So if he'd disappear completely it will not make much difference. If I try I'll be sure at least. I'm going to try, Hiei.

As expected there was deafening quiet after Kurama's statement until…

“Awww, that was sweet,” snickered Yusuke and turned around to look at them. “you're supposed to throw himself in his arms now, Hiei.”

That was that what yank Hiei out from his frozen-like state.

“Hiei,” it was only Kurama's hand on his elbow what saved Yusuke from imminent death. “He is just teasing you.” He tried to soothe fire demon.

“Yes; but I don't like it.”

“Perhaps, but there is no need to decapitate him for that. “

“I would feel better.” Kurama chuckled. “And no Urameshi means no Urameshi Team and then I can go back to Makai.”

Kurama immediately withdraw his hand and turned his head away from Hiei to cover his reaction over that statement.

That was rather insensitive. Even for you. Exclaimed Yusuke's voice in Hiei's head.

Fire demon didn't respond, but simply blocked him out. But it seemed that delinquent had nothing more to say anyway and just went back to sleep. Hiei stared at Kurama. What!?

Fox? addressed him tentatively.

Kurama looked at him reluctantly. He was able to gain back his impassive and calm composure already, though his eyes were slightly shadowed.

I didn't mean-

Yes, you did. Hiei cringed at bitter tone in kitsune's voice even if it was slight. You hate Ningenkai and didn't miss anything from there.

Shorter demon wasn't sure how to respond to that. Yes, you idiot, that was what you wanted to told him after 3 years apart. Hiei scolded himself. You screwed it up. He really wanted to tell `sorry I didn't want to sound it that way, I'm such a jerk', but actually voiced that words…apology wasn't something he did often. Hell, he didn't do it at all.

Kurama was just staring out of the cave, sitting on his legs, his hands in his lap. From every fibre of his being radiated discomfort and, Hiei winced again at this, coldness, deadlier than storm outside.

I'm an idiot. Commented Hiei in his in his head again, moved closer to his redheaded friend and haltingly reached for his hands.

Kurama almost jumped when fire demon's hand circled his own and looked at him, confused.

Your hands are cold…I'd felt when you touched me before. He refused met the taller demon's eyes. Maybe you should go nearer to the fire.

Kurama studied fire demon's face for a while and then he smiled  YOU ARE fire. So there's really no need. And because he had suicidal mood tried to … Well, maybe I'm not close enough after all.  And moved closer. Hiei's breathing speed up in instant. 

What do you think? I'm some kind of central heating body? He asked but without much venom.

Kurama chuckled, slightly surprised that Hiei know name and purpose one of `human contraptions' and almost stunned by Hiei's lack of resistance. It couldn't be so easy, could it.

No you aren't, but when we're talking about warming up...my feet are cold too.

If you're thinking-

Hieiiiii again that damn puppy eyes. Now accompanied with the pout.

You are counting on qualms of my conscience. Hiei grunted and glared at Kurama but didn't protested much further when he was dragged to laying position and his arm was used as a pillow for redhead. He shivered when one of Kurama's hands slipped from his grip and found its way under his cloak to rest on his stomach. He was well aware that shivering wasn't caused just by it's coldness.

I admit and I'm ashamed of it  Kurama commented though his mental voice held none trace of shame, just mischief. But outcome is worth it, and snuggled closer.

Yes. I swear if the fool or the detective will find us like that...

Oh, come on. Earthquake wouldn't wake them right now. And it's not like we're doing anything. Just sleeping. Oh...but what about good-night kiss?

Don't push your luck!

But-

If you're not going to shut up i will damage your precious voice box, fox. Threatened Hiei half-hearthedly

Kurama grinned but subsided. For now. Good night, Fire.

 

Fox?

Hm?

I did miss you.