Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ That's What Friends Do or Makai Plants Book One ❯ Hiei's Guilt and How to Comfort a Fire Demon ( Chapter 8 )

Warnings and disclaimer first chapter, also shifting POV

 

“blah” is talking, while blah is thinking

 

Chapter 8: Hiei's Guilt and How to Comfort a Fire Demon

 

The red-head looked at Hiei with such a contrite, worried expression that Hiei regained his composure long enough to snarl, “YOU have nothing to be sorry about!” before closing his eyes, bowing his head, and sobbbing. A handful of precious gems scattered on the floor, unheeded as Hiei wept uncontrollably.

 

How could that idiot Kurama be worried about me?! Me, the one who felt his life-force fading and did nothing to help. He almost died because of me! Doesn't he realize that? It's all my fault! Hiei thought viciously. He stopped sobbing immediately when Kurama put his arms around him, trying to be comforting but only succeeding at looking uncomfortable and causing Hiei another stab of guilt. Suddenly back to normal, Hiei pushed Kurama away roughly and slapped the red-head in the face. Hard.

 

Kurama looked stunned, then his eyes went dark and cold.

“Excuse me for being concerned. I never knew you could actually cry, much less that you would ever actually do it.”

 

Hiei heard Kurama sigh. The baka got out of bed and walked toward the door.

 

“Good-bye, Hiei.”

 

Appalled at how he had behaved, hurting Kurama again, Hiei lunged and caught the kitsune's arm.

 

“Let go of me, Hiei” he said in the coldest, most dispassionate voice he had ever heard from the fox demon. When he didn't immediately release him, Kurama's ki flared, a blinding, angry red.

 

“DON'T piss me off, boy!” Hiei flinched at the anger in his friend's voice.

 

“Kurama…I'm sorry.” It was Kurama's turn to flinch. He dropped his ki back to normal and sighed. Then his eyes widened. Turning back around to stare at the fire demon, he asked incredulously, “what did you say?”

 

Hiei took a deep breath and looked into those wide, green eyes.

 

“I'm sorry, kitsune,” he said quietly. “It's my fault you almost died. The only way this could be more true is if I had attacked you myself.”

 

Kurama sucked in a breath. “Could you explain that remark, please?” The kitsune asked, unconsciously shifting into a semi-fighting stance.

 

Hiei took a deep breath and started talking: “I was waiting for you to come home from school so we could train when I felt your ki. I couldn't feel what you were fighting, so I thought you were practicing. Without me.”

 

Kurama almost laughed at his friend's jealousy, then winced when he remembered why his ki had flared.

 

“You must have been fighting that…thing that looked like me. I could feel your ki draining from the poison, but I didn't do anything. I practiced without you and the next time I checked, your ki was gone.”

 

Hiei took another deep breath. “I found you with the jagan eye. At first, I was certain that you had…that you were…and it's my fault. I should have gone to help you as soon as I felt you weakening.” Hiei choked back a sob, saying, “that was the worst I had ever seen you hurt. I thought…you would die. And it would be my fault.”

 

Kurama was touched and amazed by his friend's story. (And how long he had talked!) He blamed himself? If he had joined me at once, we probably both would have died. If he wasn't there, no one could have given me life force. And he's sorry?! Where's the real Hiei?

 

Aloud he said, “I've been closer to death than THAT before, baka.”

 

“Baka?! Maybe I shouldn't have saved your ass, you ungrateful little…”

 

Kurama laughed at Hiei's quick change and the look in his eyes as he realized that he really had saved Kurama. Hiei gave a disdainful little sniff at his friend's lack of decorum and started to get up. Kurama grabbed his arm and said, “wait, Hiei! I haven't had a chance to thank you yet!”

 

“Yes you did, baka. At the tree as Yoko you thanked me.”

 

“That doesn't count,” he said firmly.

 

He yanked the little fire demon by the arm, forcing him to sit on the bed. Kurama held his wrists (so he wouldn't run away as usual) and sat on the other bed.

 

“Hiei, if it weren't for you, I would have died back there. If you had come sooner, we both would have died. I should thank Inari everyday that I have a friend like you. If you need anything, please ask me. I owe you my life, and that's no small debt.”

 

The fire demon blushed (Blushed!) at his praise and firmly shook his head at the offer for assistance. Kurama expected that, but also knew that there would come a time, probably soon, that he would get a chance to help his fiery-eyed friend. He just hoped Hiei wouldn't try to fight that…thing on his own.

 

Author's Note: Please review! I'm not sure I'm gonna write anymore of this fic. I guess that's it…