Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Requited Fluff ❯ Fluffy Reunion ( Chapter 9 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Chapter 9

“Five weeks,” Hiei said dully, jumping up on the counter. “Five weeks since he got captured.”

Shiori sighed and tossed him a carton of chocolate brownie fudge ice cream and a spoon. “I know. How can we be sure he's not…?”

“He's not dead,” Hiei said firmly, opening the carton to pick at its contents. Somehow, even eating his beloved sweet snow wasn't any fun anymore. He can't be… “Shiori?” he asked, eating a bit of brownie and forcing himself to swallow it past the lump in his throat.

“Hm?”

“Why are you being so calm about this?”

Shiori looked at him in surprise. “Calm? I'm the very opposite of calm! Hiei, I'm scared out of my mind! I have been for five weeks!”

“That's not true,” Hiei said, confused. “You haven't shown a single moment of weakness!”

“Oh…well, I guess that's because I know I can't afford to lose my head. If I cry, I won't be able to stop. So I pretend to be taking things well, to myself more than anyone else. I guess I just thought you'd pick up on it easily…”

“Oh…” Hiei said thoughtfully, taking another bite of ice cream. “Shiori?”

“What?”

“I'm glad Kurama got the chance to have you as a mother.”

Shiori smiled. “And I'm glad he had someone like you to love, Hiei.”

“Really? Even though I'm not…you know…”

“Female?”

“Yes.”

“Hiei, that doesn't matter to me! It never did! I know that true love is rare, and that when you get the chance for it, you need to grab it, and hold onto it. I don't think gender matters a bit.”

“And do all humans think this way?” Hiei asked, baffled, thinking of all the times people had pointed and glared at them when they walked hand-in-hand down the streets of Tokyo.

Shiori's face fell a little. “I'm afraid not. Most people think that it's morally wrong for men to love men. I just happen to be a little weird. And—”

Shiori was interrupted by the ringing of the phone. Sighing, she walked over to pick it up. “Moshi moshi, Minamono res—” Shiori fell silent, and her eyes grew huge, and filled with tears. “S-Suichi?!”

Hiei's head snapped up. The carton went flying and the spoon clattered to the floor as he flew off the counter and grabbed the phone out of Shiori's trembling hand. “Kurama?” he barked into it.

“Hiei! Oh, Hiei…”

At the sound of Kurama's voice, Hiei's world spun and he slumped against the wall, putting one shaking hand over his face. Once he'd managed to calm down a little, he said, “Kurama, where are you right now? Are you all right?'

“I'm at Tokyo Memorial Hospital. Room 305. Please, come as fast as you can.”

“I will.” Hiei hung up the phone, stared at the wall for a moment, then whirled and grabbed Shiori in a sudden hug. It was the first time he had ever hugged a human—or anyone, other than Kurama—but he was surprised how normal and easy it felt at the moment. Shiori had a way of calming him just by her presence—much like Kurama, only more…maternal. He had always felt more comfortable around her than he ever would around anyone else in the Ningenkai or the Makai, aside from, of course, Kurama, and now he knew it was because of her absolute acceptance, love, and loyalty toward everything important in her son's life.

XXX

When Hiei and Shiori got to Kurama's hospital room minutes later, they stopped just inside the door, uncertain whether Kurama was hurt badly enough to need to remain undisturbed.

But they found that Kurama was wide awake and waiting. There was a large sling on his arm, and a bandage on his cheek, but he was there, and he was alive.

Hiei stared at Kurama for a long moment, then cursed under his breath and crossed the room in one leap and slammed into him with the force of a small hurricane, kissing him all over his face. He buried his head in Kurama's shoulder, shaking.

Kurama lifted his good arm and held Hiei tightly, pressing his lips against his hair. He gasped as a single black tear gem fell to the floor with a little ping.

“Oh, love, don't…”

“We were so worried…” Hiei whispered. “You were gone so long…damn you, you stupid fox…”

“I know, Hiei, I know. But I'm back now, so don't cry, all right?” Kurama said quietly, leaning back to wipe away Hiei's remaining tears. Hiei looked into his eyes for a moment, and then kissed him.

Shiori watched the scene with the understanding smile only a mother has, wanting to go and welcome her son back, but knowing that they both needed this more than she did.

It was a few minutes before Hiei stopped kissing Kurama long enough to look up, but when he did, he immediately exclaimed, “Shiori! Oh, I'm so sorry! I completely forgot you were here!”

She just looked at him with mild amusement. “Obviously.” She walked over and hugged Kurama tightly. “Welcome home, baby.”

Kurama kissed her cheek and hugged her back. “I love you, Mother.”

“Ditto, kiddo. So, do either of you want anything to eat or drink?”

“Coffee would be fine,” Hiei said appreciatively. “And sweet snow, if they have it.”

“Sweet snow—” Kurama began, but Shiori cut him off.

“I know, Hiei explained it to me the first time he asked for it,” she said, a twinkle in her eye. “Apparently, hiyoukai don't only enjoy hot things.”

She ruffled Hiei's hair, and Kurama got a mild shock when Hiei didn't shift away—or murder her—like he usually would have with anyone except Kurama. Instead, he slapped playfully at her hand and said, “Go get the sweet snow, already. I never got to finish mine, thanks to the Minamono clan.”

“All right, all right. Do you want anything, Suichi?”

“Um…no, thanks,” Kurama answered, a bit dazed. As Shiori left, he turned to Hiei and said, “When did you two get so close?”

“While you were gone,” Hiei answered vaguely. Once they were alone, he shifted until he was next to Kurama, rather than on top of him, and cuddled as close to him as he could. “It's so good to have you back…” he murmured, closing his eyes as Kurama began to run a hand through his hair.

“It's good to be back,” Kurama replied. “I missed you, love.” He paused, then said, “You've changed, Hiei.”

“What?” Hiei murmured lazily, too relaxed to care overmuch what was being said to him.

“You've changed,” Kurama repeated. “Don't worry, it's not a bad thing…it's just that, before, you were so elusive around other people most of the time…especially around my mother…but now…you seem…I don't know…calmer around her.”

“Mmm…well, we talked a lot while you were gone…I was the only one she had left to confide in, with you gone, and vice versa. And every time we talked, I was able to let my guard down a bit more…she's such a good person, your mother. So kind, and thoughtful…I feel like I can be myself around her, and she won't judge me. It sounds stupid, but…she could very well be my best friend—after you, of course.”

“It's not stupid, Hiei. I think it's great,” Kurama informed him.

“Good…Kurama?”

“Hm?”

“You know we do have to talk about it sometime, right?”

“I know, but let's not make it tonight, all right? Tonight, I just want to be happy to be home again.”

“Fair enough.”

“It wasn't pleasant, though. I'll tell you that much.” Kurama's arm tightened around him. “I thought I was going to die, Hiei.”

Hiei felt tears spring to his eyes again, but he didn't let them fall.

He felt Kurama's chest rise in a yawn, and he pushed himself up to brush his lips across Kurama's forehead. “Sleep, fox. You need it.” He started to get up and move to a chair, but Kurama wouldn't let him go.

“Please, stay, Hiei.”

“Kurama?”

“Please? I-I don't want to be alone.”

“Of course I'll stay,” Hiei said softly, resting his head on Kurama's chest again. “You just rest. I'll be here when you wake up. I'll guard you.”

A couple of minutes later, Shiori walked into the room, saying, “Hiei, the coffee machine was jammed, so—” She stopped short upon looking at the bed, where Hiei and Kurama were curled up together, asleep.

A soft smile crossed Shiori's face, and she walked over and pulled the blankets over Hiei. She rested her hand on Kurama's cheek for a moment, and then she went to find all the unit nurses, prepared to use her “protective, angry mom” act to make sure that Hiei and her son weren't disturbed.

XXX

Hiei woke feeling pleasantly warm and cozy, and utterly relaxed. He hadn't felt that way in a while…ever since Kurama was captured. He hadn't realized just how much he'd missed it.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, and smiled at the sight that met him.

Kurama was stretched out next to him, still asleep. His expression was calm, serene. His chest moved up and down slightly with each soft breath he took. He looked so peaceful, with the unmistakable look of someone who was finally at ease, after a time of pain and anguish.

He was beautiful.

With another little smile, Hiei closed the distance between them and captured the sleeping kitsune's lips in a kiss.

XXX

Kurama woke to the feeling of Hiei's lips against his own. It was quite a difference from the pain he'd grown used to waking to.

He opened his eyes, and Hiei leaned back, looking apologetic for waking him.

“What was that for?” Kurama asked sleepily.

“I just realized exactly how much I love you, fox,” Hiei answered softly.

“I love you, too,” Kurama responded. “Now more than ever. What time is it, anyway?”

“Hel if I know. I can't read those stupid human devices you call clocks,” Hiei said, but his tone was bantering rather than snappish.

“It's noon,” a voice said from the doorway. “And you two have thrown the whole nurses' schedule off by sleeping so late. They have to keep skipping your room, Suichi.”

“Good morning, Mother,” Kurama greeted her. “And why didn't the nurses just wake me up?”

“I wouldn't let them,” Shiori explained. “I barred all nurses from this room until I say otherwise. They think I'm insane.”

“And yet you blame us for throwing the schedule off…” Kurama mused.

“Oh, shut up,” Shiori said, her eyes twinkling. “Or I won't sneak takeout in. I'll make you get lunch from…the cart.” dun dun dun

Kurama gave a mock whimper. “No, Mother, not…the cart!” dun dun DUN!

Hiei looked from one to the other and shook his head. “I don't even want to know.”

XXX

The subject of Kurama's capture was carefully avoided all day. Hiei and Shiori simply sat in his hospital room, Hiei on the bed (obviously) and Shiori in a chair next to it, making small talk.

But as evening began to fall, Hiei finally sighed and said, “I hate to ask this, but I need to know what happened. No one even knows you're back yet, and I need to report to Koenma so we can get this guy. And I figured it would be easier on you if you told just me and your mother, instead of everyone.”

Kurama sighed and leaned back against the pillows. “You're right…I do have to tell you. And then…after you go and report to Koenma, can we just…forget about things…for a while? Until Koenma makes us go fight him, I don't want to have anything to do with it.”

“Kurama, what…?”

“Please, Hiei?”

Hiei studied Kurama, frowning. He had never seen Kurama so frightened…what the hell had those bastards done to him? Finally, though, he nodded. “I'll tell Koenma we're pulling out until you're ready, all right?”

“Thank you.”

“So…let's start at the end,” Hiei said. “How the hell did you escape?”

Kurama's eyes suddenly widened. “That's right, I forgot to tell you! It was Kou, Hiei! Kou saved me!”

Hiei stiffened, immediately knowing who Kurama was talking about. “You're putting me on,” he said flatly. “Kou's dead, fox.”

“Oh, how little you know,” a new voice said from the doorway. Hiei and Shiori jumped and turned to stare at the door, while Kurama smiled.

Hiei gaped and very nearly fell off the bed. “No way…Kou?”

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Author's Note: I am so sorry! I haven't updated in so long! I don't even have an excuse this time! I just…didn't want to type! It's not even that long a chapter! I swear, I am so lazy I should be strung up in the street until I am inspired to write more…sighOh, well, enough with the annoying babble…let me just promise to try harder. Oh, and by the way…I'm sorry, but a lot of reviews I received got lost somehow, so if you don't get a reply from me, it's not because I don't appreciate the reviews…I just don't havethe reviews…

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Reviewers' Comments:

darkspirals: I know, it wasanticlimactic. But truthfully, I'm no good at writing big battle scenes. It was the same way with my Soul Warstory. But in the third fic in this series, I will tryto make the battles good…thanks for the review!

Animefouryou: Thanks for the review! Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!

Anne DeMarco, icedragonkatana: One of my favorite reviewers, you are! Thanks so much for the review! It was mostly you I was worried would be unhappy with me for not updating. Hope you still want to read! And BTW, did you get my review for your Night Before This Christmasfic? Because if not, let me tell you, it was great!!!