Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Requited Fluff ❯ Anxiety ( Chapter 1 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters in this story. This includes Hiei, Kurama, Yusuke, Kuwabara, etc. cries But I doown the plot, and, though it is rather crappy and boring and not very original, admittedly, I amkind of proud of it, and I willhunt plagiarizers down and make them give this story back!

Characters: Kurama/Hiei pairing, Shiori

Setting: After the Dark Tournament, but before the Sensui episodes

Warnings: Torture, implied rape, and also shounen-ai. So, if any of that makes you squeamish—well, you can go away, I guess, but that'd make me sad…

Key: /La/--Kurama's thoughts to Hiei; ::La::--Hiei's thoughts to Kurama

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Chapter 1

“Good morning, love!” Kurama said brightly. “Time to get up!”

Hiei groaned as Kurama snapped up the blinds, letting light into the room. “Fox, it's early! And I'm tired!”

“Well, you got in so late last night,” Kurama scolded, pulling the blankets off the bed. “Come on, up!”

“How can you possibly be so awake at eight A.M.?” Hiei asked, sitting up. “And for your information, I was out last night at those human shops I hate so much, looking for your gift for that stupid holiday you won't shut up about.”

“Christmas?”

“Sure, why not.”

“Oh, Hiei, you don't have to get me anything.”

“I know, but you said that on Christmas, you give gifts to the ones you love, and I love you, so I'm getting you a gift.”

Kurama smiled. “But I already have your love, and that's the best gift you could give me. And you gave me this, too,” he added softly, pulling a leather band out from under his collar. Hanging from the end was a blue, perfectly round stone.

Hiei's face turned serious. “So has it helped yet?”

“Helping. I haven't made a decision yet, but…it's making me less afraid to come to one.”

Hiei smiled. “I'm glad. So…is breakfast ready?”

“Yep, and getting cold. Now UP!”

XXX

“Suichi, come and help me with this garland,” Shiori called.

“Coming, Mother!” Kurama called back. He put the last of the dried breakfast dishes away and then went to the living room.

Shiori was sitting in her wheelchair in front of the Christmas tree they had put up the night before. In front of her was the box of garland. Kurama would have to get the garland around the top, as well as hang the higher ornaments, since Shiori could no longer reach.

Kurama, bending down to get the garland, felt a spark of sadness. Only last year, Shiori had put up all the ornaments on her own. Putting up the tree was her favorite holiday tradition. But now, she had to watch it being done, because she was confined to a wheelchair. It wasn't fair.

You can do something about it, a little voice in his head said.

He pushed the thought away. He didn't want to debate that right now.

“So where's Hiei?” Shiori asked as Kurama hung garland.

“He had to go to Mushiyori City,” lied Kurama with practiced ease. Actually, Hiei had gone back to Makai for a couple of days to do a job for Mukuro. Though he had quit as her heir when he had decided to live in the Ningenkai until Suichi died and Kurama was converted back to his Yoko form, he still got paid to do jobs for her sometimes. He never had told Kurama why, but as long as Hiei got back in one piece—which was his most major and constant concern and worry, no matter where Hiei was—Kurama would hold off on the questioning.

Shiori tossed a suspicious look in his general direction. “Uh-huh. Okay. So why did he go?”

“I'm not sure. He just left a note. He does this a lot. He'll be back.”

“When?”

“A couple days, I think.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Well, there, it's done,” Kurama said. “I'll be in my room. I have a paper due tomorrow before break. You can manage on your own for a while, right?”

“Of course. I'm crippled, not incompetent. You go and finish your paper.”

Of course, Kurama didn't actually have any homework. You don't get homework two days before winter break. Actually, he wanted to think.

There were two matters preying on his mind. The first was what had been on his mind constantly since Shiori's accident. He wasn't any closer to deciding, no matter what he told Hiei. He wasn't as afraid anymore, but he was still undecided, and cautious.

The second thing on his mind was Hiei.

He was worried. His lover had been gone longer than usual. He was only supposed to be gone for a couple of days. He had been gone for twelve. Usually, he would have contacted Kurama by now. Where could he possibly be? And was he all right? After all, Makai was a dangerous place, especially for the Forbidden Child. And Hiei would have to travel through Koorime territory to get to Mukuro's fortress, and again on the way back to the portal to the Ningenkai, which was decidedly worse than just going through Makai.

Kurama could barely concentrate in school the next day. Fortunately, since it was the last day of the semester, he didn't really need to. He was free to think for most of the school day. He tried not to, but…

By the time he got out of school, shook off the annoying fan girls, and got back home, he was on the verge of panic. Something was wrong. He felt it. Something was wrong with Hiei.

He went to his room as soon as he got inside, put his bag in the closet, threw himself down on the bed, took off Hiei's Hieroseki, and allowed full and complete panic to wash over him. He had held it off too long, and it was killing him.

For hours, all he did was sit and muse. The sun set outside his window, casting long shadows over his floor, and still he didn't move from his bed. It wasn't until Shiori called him down to dinner that he got up at all, and even then he moved in a daze.

“What's on your mind, Suichi?” Shiori asked.

“Hm? Oh…it's nothing.”

“You're lying,” she chimed.

“Yes, I am.”

She laughed. “So what's wrong?”

Kurama sighed. “It's Hiei.”

“Ah. I thought it might be. You are so smitten.”

“He was supposed to be back days ago! He would have called, at least. I'm worried.”

“You think something happened to him?” Shiori asked.

“I don't know,” Kurama answered. “Something just feels wrong.”

“Well, you two are soul mates. If your heart says something's wrong, you'd better listen, and do something about it.”

“That's just it! I can't do anything! I don't know exactly where he is. I'll just…wait for him to call, I guess.” He sighed.

“Okay. I'll accept that for now. But if he doesn't call within the next twenty-four hours, I want you to take the car, drive to Mushiyori City, and find him yourself. I give you full permission. In fact, I'm telling you right now that if you don't go and find him, and just sit here worrying yourself to death over it, I will ground you for the first time in your life.”

Kurama cracked a smile. “I think I can do that.”

XXX

“Yusuke, have you seen Hiei at all lately?” Kurama asked into the phone.

He had walked outside, alone, in the snow, for hours, and now he was back at home. He had sat in his room for another hour before he called Yusuke.

“Er…no. Should I have?”

“I had hoped so. I don't know where he is.”

“He's not back from Makai yet?”

“No. And he should have been back days ago.”

“Well…you don't think he's hurt, do you?” Yusuke asked, alarmed.

“I don't know. I hope not.”

“I'll call Yukina and Kuwabara and check with them, and then I'll call you back.”

“All right. Thanks, Yusuke.”

“No problem.”

But when Yusuke called back fifteen minutes later, it was with bad news. Neither Kuwabara nor Yukina had seen any sign of Hiei. Completely depressed now, Kurama hung up and, sighing heavily, went to take a shower.

XXX

A couple of hours later, a few miles away, Yukina was just about to drift off when she was roused by a pounding at the door. She sighed and left her comfortable bed to go answer it.

As soon as she pulled the door open, though, she grew wide-awake.

Standing on her doorstep was Hiei. He was panting for breath. There was blood, dried and fresh, all over him. He was supporting himself on one leg, with the help of the doorframe. His back seemed to be the worst, though. His shirt couldn't even be seen under all the blood there.

“Hiei-oniisan!” Yukina gasped. “What happened?”

“C-call Kurama,” Hiei said, sounding as if every word caused him pain. Then, slowly, he collapsed.

XXX

Ring…

Kurama groaned. “No…not now…”

Ring…

“Stupid phone,” Kurama muttered.

Ring…

“All right, already. I'm coming…” Sighing, Kurama slid out of bed and went to pick up his phone.

“Kurama?”

“Who is this?”

“Yukina. You need to come to the dojo. Hiei-oniisan is here.”

“What?! He's there? Right now?”

“Yes.”

“Is he all right? Is he hurt? Did he tell you where he's been?!”

“We'll talk when you get here.”

There was a click as Yukina hung up.

XXX

When Kurama ran into the dojo, scarcely five minutes later, he found Hiei and Yukina in the bedroom. Hiei was trying to push himself up from his position—lying on his stomach on the bed—and Yukina was insisting that he stay. He was missing his shirt, so Kurama could see scars on his back. He didn't get to look closely at them, though, because as soon as Hiei noticed him, he turned over on his back, wincing.

“Hiei!” Kurama said, a little louder than was necessary.

“Hey, fox,” Hiei said weakly. “Sorry Yukina woke you. I didn't know it was so late…”

Kurama crossed the room at a run and pulled Hiei against him. “I don't care about that! I'm glad she did. You scared me half to death, disappearing like that!”

“I'm sorry…”

“Don't worry about it. What matters is that you're here, and you're safe.” He released Hiei and bent to look into the youkai's eyes. “Where have you been, Hiei?”

“Later,” Yukina said firmly. “Hiei-oniisan, I want you back at Kurama's house, in bed, and I don't want you using that leg for at least a couple of days.”

“Why? What's wrong with it?” Kurama demanded, his hand still on Hiei's shoulder.

“He'll explain it all later. And I want an explanation, too,” added Yukina. “But for now, just take him home. I've done all I can. He should recover in a few days.”

“A few days?” Hiei yelped. “No, because see, I can't stay in bed for that long. I just can't. No, no, that won't work at all. I'll just be going now…” He swung his legs over the side of the bed and pushed himself up…and promptly stumbled. He almost fell, and would have if Kurama hadn't grabbed him.

“Apparently, you're in no condition to be doing anything of the sort,” Kurama told him. “I believe you'll listen to Yukina instead.”

“Hn,” was all Hiei said in response. This was followed by a yelp as he felt himself swung up into Kurama's arms. “I can walk, you know,” he muttered to the kitsune, embarrassed.

“All evidence to the contrary,” Kurama replied. “Thanks, Yukina.”

“You're welcome. Good night.”

Kurama managed to sneak Hiei into the house and up to his room without waking his mother. Hiei fell asleep on the way. Once in his room, Kurama laid the sleeping Jaganshi on his bed. Then he ran around the room, collecting random articles of clothing.

Without waking Hiei, he took Hiei's old, bloodstained boots off and changed him into human clothes.

That was when he got a good look at Hiei's injuries. His leg was bandaged neatly, but the skin around the bandage was dark with bruises that Yukina hadn't had enough energy to heal, and the scent of old—and fresher—blood all over his body was obvious.

His back, though—that was the worst. There was a spider web pattern of white scars all over Hiei's back, and there was a particularly ugly-looking one right at the base of his neck. Kurama could tell that though Yukina had been able to heal the worst of the damage, the scars would remain for the rest of Hiei's life.

Kurama felt a surge of anger that he pushed away. He had to take care of Hiei now.

Once Hiei was in clean clothes, Kurama went and quietly put his old ones in the wash. Then he left Hiei to sleep and went to make a sandwich. He wasn't really hungry, but for some reason, he felt restless and jumpy, and needed something to do. So he made a chicken sandwich with leftovers from dinner, and then, after eating it, he walked around the house, locking all the windows and doors, and, for the heck of it, rearranging the presents under the tree. Then, finally, having run out of things to do, he went back to his room.

Hiei was curled up on the bed, still sound asleep. He had burrowed under the covers, and now he looked very small and…vulnerable. Leaning over to peer into Hiei's face, Kurama noticed, not for the first time, how very different Hiei looked when he was asleep.

When he was awake, Hiei's face was a mask. No one besides Kurama and Yukina usually saw beneath that mask. But when he was asleep, his emotions were revealed for all the world to see. And now he looked…frightened. Terrified, actually. Even as Kurama watched, Hiei's hand clenched around the blanket, and a small, almost inaudible whimper escaped.

Kurama sighed and, without even changing clothes, slid under the covers. Wrapping one arm around Hiei's waist, he pulled him close and held him tight. Hiei relaxed and quieted, instinctively snuggling in close. Kurama smiled slightly and drifted off.

XXX

Hiei woke to the feeling of warm lips against his cheek. “Wake up, love,” a voice said softly.

Hiei groaned and opened his eyes. “Hey, Kurama…where are we? W-what happened? How did I get back here?”

Kurama propped himself up on one elbow and looked down into Hiei's face. “I don't know. I was hoping you could tell me that. Why did it take you so long to get back? I was worried, you know. And what's with the injuries?”

“Wha—oh. I remember everything now. I was trying to come back to you, but…I was captured. I'm sorry. I should have been back before.”

Kurama closed the space between them and pressed his lips to Hiei's. “I told you, love, I couldn't care less about your punctuality at the moment. All I care about is the fact that you're alive to be late. So what happened?”

Hiei sat up and leaned against the headboard. “Is that really important?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to know who hurt my angel.”

Hiei sighed. “Well, good luck at finding out. I don't know who was behind it.”

“Well, tell me what happened. Maybe we can figure something out from your story.”

“Maybe…well, I was, as you know, doing work for Mukuro. It was a small job, and it only took me two days to finish it. I got Mukuro to let me go early, so that I could get back to you. But while I was heading to the portal…I guess I was inattentive, because I didn't hear anyone or sense any unfamiliar ki. They jumped me from behind, and I was knocked out by a ki blast. I never even saw my foe.

“When I woke, I was chained to the wall of what looked like a dungeon, alone, and cold. There were wards on the walls, so I couldn't use the Fists of the Mortal Flame, let alone summon the Dragon. My katana was missing, obviously.

“So I waited for someone to come, and tell me what was going on.

“I don't know how long it took, but someone finally came in. A B-class youkai, with a whip. He was grinning.

“Obviously, I demanded to know where I was, and why I was there. He just told me to shut up, that I was better off just being quiet. I asked how he figured, and he sneered and said he'd show me. And then he unchained me, but…I couldn't move. I couldn't fight or run. I was frozen. Not by a spell or anything…I was just wondering what would happen. It was…odd…

“He turned me around and chained me back up, facing the wall. Then he asked, `Where is the Forbidden Child?' And then…he whipped me.

“It hurt. He must have been an expert at torture, because he knew exactly where to hit my back to cause me the most pain. I must have turned soft or something, because I wanted to cry. Out of anger, and pain. But I didn't. I couldn't let him know I was the Forbidden Child.

“When I told him nothing, he simply told me he'd be back. He unchained me, turned me around, slammed me against the wall so that I got one final bit of pain, and left.

“I didn't keep track of time, but it must have been the next day when he came back. He asked me where the Forbidden Child was again. I told him to go to hell. So, again, he turned me around and whipped me.

“This happened every single day for a week. On the sixth day, though, he not only whipped me…he beat me, too. He gave me a black eye, broke my nose…then, on the last day before I escaped, he must have been getting fed up, he stabbed me in the leg and sliced it from my knee to my ankle. Without even looking at me, he said, `You have one more chance to tell me where he is, before you get a fate worse than death.' And then he left, and I was alone.

“I was determined, by then, to get out. I was beyond angry now, because the bastard had dared stab me and then threaten me that way. All I wanted was to see you again. So, the next time they brought me food—they had been bringing me stale bread and old water every day, and they'd untie me and force me to eat it. They always did this right after my beatings, so I was too weak to fight back, but I guess my torturer was too angry to have remembered this particular time—I took my chance. As soon as they unchained me, I attacked.

“Luckily, these were only servants—D-class—but in my condition, I thought I'd lose anyway. But after a struggle, I disposed of them, grabbed my sword up from where they'd hung it on the wall—to taunt me, I guess—and ran.

“I escaped the stronghold without too much difficulty. I figured that by the time they found out about my escape, I could be pretty near the portal. So I ran for it, and hoped I wouldn't meet trouble, because my wounds were taking their toll again.

“I ran all night, but by morning, I had to stop. I was exhausted. So I stopped just long enough to wrap my leg with a bit of cloth torn off my pants—the only bit of clothing left on me—and then I ran on.

“Even running as fast as I was able to under the circumstances, it was midday before I saw the portal. I didn't feel anyone close by, so I ran through, and found myself back in Tokyo. My wounds were killing me—literally—so I went to Yukina for help. She healed me as best as her healing powers allowed. And…well, you know the rest,” Hiei concluded.

As Hiei told his story, Kurama felt growing anger, and horror. “Thank God you're all right,” he said softly, pulling Hiei into his arms again. Hiei leaned against him with a grateful sigh.

“Of course I'm all right. I'm me, remember? I have the devil's own luck.”

Kurama smiled. “Right. So…you hungry?”

“Starving, actually.”

“Good. I'll go make us some breakfast. And then we'll get to work on this.”

“What about your mother? Won't she ask why…”

“She won't be up yet, Hiei. It's only seven o'clock. Don't worry.”

“Oh…okay.” Hiei yawned and burrowed under the covers again. Kurama smiled at the adorable sight and left.

Unfortunately, Kurama had been wrong about his mother. She was waiting for him in the kitchen.

“Oh! Mother, what are you doing up?”

“I've been awake since midnight. A certain someone slamming the door woke me.”

Kurama flushed. Uh-oh…

“Where were you last night, Suichi?”

“I was…um…I was at the hospital.”

“Why? Are you all right?”

“I'm fine. It was Hiei.”

“Oh, no. Is he all right?”

“He was attacked on the way here. He had a minor stab wound that had to be treated. Since he has no family, they called me.”

“But he will be all right, won't he?”

“Yes. He's up in my room. He'll need to stay for a while, though, since he's not allowed to walk too much on his leg…”

“Of course. You know he's always welcome here. Is there anything I can do for him? Or you?”

“No. Not right now. Thank you, Mother.”

“No reason to thank me. Just make breakfast and we'll call it even.”

“Deal.”

XXX

For the next four days, all Hiei did was eat and sleep, recovering from his ordeal. Kurama was almost constantly by his side, because he was the only one who could keep Hiei from getting up and putting too much pressure on his leg.

Meanwhile, Christmas was drawing very close, and Hiei was quite unhappy about having to stay abed when what he really needed to be doing was looking for Kurama's Christmas gift. Kurama still insisted that he didn't need one, but Hiei had never been one to listen to anyone when his mind was made up, and he had decided that Kurama would have a Christmas gift.

So, as soon as Kurama allowed him to get up, the day before Christmas Eve, he rocketed out of the house, in a total panic, leaving Kurama, laughing, behind.

It snowed that night, and on Christmas Eve, the world was blanketed with it, and peacefully quiet. Inside the Minamino household, things were just as quiet.

It was late, and Kurama had already helped Shiori to bed. Then he had built a fire in the fireplace, and now he and Hiei were lying on the couch in front of it. Kurama was stretched out on his side, and Hiei was curled up against his chest, playing idly with Kurama's hair. Kurama had his eyes closed, close to a doze. The only sounds in the room were their soft breathing and the crackling and popping of the fire.

After a while, though, Kurama broke the peace.

“I've decided, Hiei. I'm going to tell her.”

Hiei turned his head swiftly to look at him. “You're sure?”

“I've made up my mind.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow morning. As soon as we wake up.”

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Author's Note: Well, there it is. First chapter. R&R, people! I go into withdrawal without reviews!

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Reviewer's comments:

siverrain: Well, here you go! Sequel! Thanks for the support. And I have no idea how many more chaps there will be. These fics just kind of write themselves. I don't decide that kind of thing.

IrishKitsune: Thanks for the…erm…very rushed review. LOL. Anyway, if you liked the story, here's a sequel for ya!

IceDragonKatana: Well, I did want to put Shiori in here, because even though she wasn't really there much in the show, in the episodes she was in, she seemed so nice, and I wanted to give her credit for raising “Suichi” and changing Yoko's heart so much. So here she is. Thank you so much for the reviews and the support! I hope you enjoy the sequel, too.

What2callmyself: LOL, what, did they sneak up on you? So…here's the sequel you voted for, and thanks a lot for the review. Support is always appreciated!

siverrain: Yay! Two reviews from you! Thanks again! And I don't mind late reviews. Promise. I'm just happy to get any at all.