Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Winter Murders ❯ Death Revealed ( Chapter 3 )

Winter Murders

Hiei ran as fast as he could after Kurama's ki. It was faint, but he knew he was almost there. He felt a sudden rise in Kurama's ki and felt hope surge through his chest. He was lucky, any lower and Kurama would have died. Hiei picked up his pace. He stopped when he reached a clearing. It was a battlefield, or mass murder site. Kurama was tied to the ground by some strange substance, he was struggling. Death was standing a few yards away.

"*tisk *tisk *tisk" Death muttered. "Who told you you could stand? I certainly didn't."

Kurama struggled, but only succeeded in getting himself even further stuck. Death let out a maniacal laugh.

"Let him go!" Hiei shouted. Death sent a glare in his direction. Hiei pulled out his katana. Kurama desperately searched for him, it seemed he couldn't see.

"Hiei!" Kurama shouted. Hiei appeared at Kurama's side. He began working on his friend's bonds.

"A party crasher eh?" Death said. It raised an arm and Hiei hurtled into the air and crashed into a tree several yards away. "I'm not done with him. You can have him when I'm done."

Hiei shouted in pain as his back hit the tree. His form fell limply to the ground. Hiei brought up his head to look at Kurama. He had to free him, or die trying. Death ran a gloved hand down Kurama's arm. Hiei growled as Kurama shivered. Death drew back its hand and replaced it with a dagger. The paper-thin blade ran up Kurama's sleeve, cutting the fabric.

"He wants to take care of you personally, but I want to mark you, just in case you know. I might want to kill you myself," Death said. Hiei cringed. Who could Kurama have pissed off this time? The dagger buried itself in Kurama's left side. Kurama screamed in pain.

"Kurama!" Hiei shouted before he even knew it was him who was screaming. He couldn't move, he could just watch. He watched as Kurama writhed in pain. He watched as Death seemingly went into a trance. He watched.

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Kurama's world blacked out. He opened his eyes and immediately knew he was in his own mind. He looked around the void. There was nothing. He gazed into the black nothingness, wondering what he should do next. Death appeared. Surrounded by a glowing white aura, Death appeared. A breeze fluttered its cloak, its face wasn't covered and Kurama gazed at the face of Death. It was a woman. She looked so sad. She held her scythe, but had her arms crossed, hugging herself. Her eyes spoke of the deepest sadness. Kurama felt an overwhelming pity for one so hurt.

"Death," he said aloud before he realized he had. Death raised her eyes to him. She smiled faintly. Kurama tried to smile back, but found he could not.

"Hello fox," a whimsical voice rang out in the dark. Kurama remembered hearing a voice so beautiful once, long ago. Her voice would put singing angels to shame it was so beautiful. Kurama looked at this person with awe.

"Are we in my mind?" Kurama barely spoke.

"Yes and no. We are in both your mind and in mine, what I have retained."

"Retained?"

"Yes, the one who I `work' for is controlling my every thought, and movement. I cannot break free."

"How did it happen?"

"I honestly can't tell you. I don't know myself."

"Why would someone do that?"

"Power. I am a goddess after all, and a damn powerful one at that. I am Death, Goddess of the Ice. I am powerful. And I need your help."

"My help?"

"Your group of randomly picked people can free me from my imprisonment, and then I will help you kill the one who is creating all these problems. Revenge will be sweet."

"How can we help?"

"You need to meet me at my next assignment. It is in a park across town tomorrow at two pm, there will be forty people assembled. Be in the crowd. The key to my mind control is the scarf around my neck. I assume you all can take that off."

"We will try."

"You will succeed. You will need everyone of your odd bunch though; just four of you stand no chance against me. I am more powerful than the most powerful S-class demon. I am a God after all."

"Alright. But, how did we get here?"

"I stabbed you with my dagger. It won't bleed that much, but I suspect it will be a scar for life. I truly am sorry about that, I could think of no other way to speak to you."

"I can live with it. But how will I survive the cold?"

"A friend of yours showed up at the end of the fight. I think you said his name was `Hiei'."

"Hiei…"

"Remember…"

The darkness began to become lighter. The sun shone from high above.

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Hiei watched for five minutes at least, he watched until Death pulled away. The dagger was dripping with blood, Kurama's blood. Something in Hiei snapped. He forgot every injury he had and ran to his fox's body. Death ignored him and disappeared into the snow.

Hiei picked up Kurama's head gently. He moved his body so that he was cradling Kurama's head in his lap, and supporting his friend's back with his leg. He was slightly curious that Kurama's wound wasn't bleeding, but he ignored it. He looked at his fox's face. He almost looked calm. Hiei felt a tear run down his face. It materialized and fell into Kurama's hair. Hiei starred at it. He didn't cry. Yet, it was proof that he cared for the kitsune more than he let on, even to himself. It proved that he loved him. Proved that he would do anything, go anywhere, be whatever his fox wanted him to be, just to be with him. Hiei could no longer convince himself that Kurama's feelings for him didn't matter. He needed Kurama's friendship, he needed to be with him, and he needed Kurama, plain and simple. It shook him that at any moment he could lose the one person he really cared for, and they wouldn't even know how much he cared. Another tear ran down Hiei's face. Hiei wanted Kurama's love. He couldn't stand being so close to his kitsune and yet be so far away. It hurt him. It hurt him to the point of it being physical. Hiei had it bad. Unrequited love.

Kurama stirred in his arms. Hiei looked down at his friend's face. The color was coming back and soon he would be awake. Hiei made a soft sad, yet happy sound. Tears rolled freely down his face. Kurama's eyes slowly, agonizingly slowly, opened. They were as clear as the clearest of water. They were as green as the grass and plants he loved so much. Hiei tried to stop his tears and barely succeeded. He brushed them out of Kurama's hair and put them in his pocket. Kurama groaned softly.

"Hiei…" Kurama whispered. Hiei gulped. His hands shook. He feared what his fox might say.

"I'm here Kurama," Hiei whispered, his own voice barely audible. He ran his fingers tentatively through his friend's hair. He gazed into those eyes he loved so much. His breath caught. He could no longer live without Kurama by his side. He waited for his fox to speak.

"Hiei…" was all the kitsune managed. He could see his friend, but he feared what had happened to him in the time he had been unconscious. He couldn't move his body.

Hiei tried to speak, but found he had nothing to say. He looked into Kurama's eyes. What he saw in those eyes left him speechless. His fox was ignoring his own wounds and was worried about what had happened to Hiei. Hiei felt the tears surge in an attempt to come forth again. He held them back, he would not let Kurama see him weak like this. Hiei closed his eyes and hugged his friend's prone body.

Kurama was startled when Hiei pulled his body close. He felt his body getting warmer, but had the feeling that wasn't why his friend had pulled him close. He tried to bring a hand to Hiei's back, his friend must have been worried about him. His hand lightly touched Hiei's back and he felt Hiei jump. A smile crept across his face, even in dire straights Hiei would shy away from the friendliest touches. That was why Kurama was shocked when he felt Hiei hug him tighter. Kurama sighed, knowing full well he would be cared for and promptly fell asleep.

Hie felt Kurama fall limp in his arms. Then he looked down on his fox's face and knew that he was only asleep. Hiei heaved a sigh of relief. He gently picked up the sleeping kitsune and headed back to Genkai's temple. His strength was waning and he could feel fatigue set in as he opened the door. Hiei lumbered to the living room and gently set his fox on the couch. Hiei ripped open Kurama's shirt, and immediately blushed. His fox was so beautiful. Hiei ran his fingers along the supple body before he knew what he was doing. He quickly drew his hands back, he had to concentrate on the task at hand, bandaging his fox. Hiei removed the rest of Kurama's shirt. He started ripping it into strips to use as bandages as he ran an upraising eye over the fox. He didn't look too damaged aside from the dagger wound, which wasn't bleeding. Hiei eyed it suspiciously. It didn't look different from a normal wound… he figured he'd treat it the same as a bleeding wound.

Hiei wandered into Genkai's bathroom. He pulled out various cleaning solutions. Then he meandered back to Kurama. Hiei took the cleaning solutions, put them on a strip and began to clean Kurama's wound. His fox's body reacted to the stinging solution, but his emerald eyes didn't open, and he didn't hear an upbraiding word. Hiei sighed softly. His fox was freezing cold. Hiei knew he'd have to employ the technique Kurama had used to warm his friend up. Hiei broke into a big smile. He would enjoy that, but for now he'd have to content himself to just patch up Kurama's wound. He wrapped the other strips around the wound and stood up. He would find Kurama a shirt and then bundle the two of them up in an effort to warm the taller of the two up. Hiei walked away to a different room. He found a shirt that would fit his fox and moved back to where Kurama was. Hiei quickly pulled the shirt over Kurama's well muscled body, he took the advantage to once again finger his friend's form. Hiei left the room again to grab a blanket. He came back and was startled to find his fox lying on the ground. Hiei ran to Kurama's side. His fox must have rolled off of the couch. Hiei pushed his hands under Kurama's back and knees and lifted the sleeping fox. He lifted and groaned, his fox was heavier, or at least seemed that way. Hiei stumbled and fell backwards onto the couch.

"Oof," Hiei gasped as the air rushed out of his lungs. "Damnit Kurama!"

Kurama snuggled closer to Hiei's body. Hiei gulped. He struggled to get free but couldn't find a way out from underneath his fox's body. Hiei kept struggling. He felt a familiar ki approach.

"What did I miss?" Yusuke asked. He looked from Kurama, who was still hanging on a pinned Hiei, to a stunned and embarrassed Hiei. He smiled at Hiei. Hiei growled back. "What he do, jump ya?"

"Shut up Yusuke," Hiei growled. Yusuke laughed at him. "What's so funny?"

"Aside from the fact that Kurama is on top of you, nothing," Yusuke replied. Hiei gave him a death glare.

"He got himself in over his head," Hiei muttered. He struggled to get free from Kurama. "Could you get him off me?"

Yusuke laughed, but picked up the sleeping kitsune anyway. He sucked in air as he felt how cold his friend's body was. Hiei got up. Yusuke placed Kurama back on the couch. Hiei snagged a blanket off the ground, curled up next to Kurama, and pulled it over their bodies.

"Why is he so cold?" Yusuke asked Hiei. Hiei glanced over his shoulder at the taller youth. He huffed, might as well tell him.

"I guess he saw a lead on the TV and investigated it alone after the fight," Hiei replied. "When I woke up I saw a short news brief on the last of 50 people finally getting murdered, and then they showed a picture of him. They suspected him for the murder, but it was proven he didn't do it. He must have followed Death out into the snow without his coat, froze and it rehabilitated him, just to stab him."

Yusuke starred at his friend in amazement. "How'd you find him?"

"I followed his ki. He would've died had it not given him a burst of its own ki. I got there too early, it threw me against a tree and stabbed him," Hiei explained. Yusuke starred at him, stunned. Hiei turned away from his friend and snuggled back up to Kurama. Yusuke went and sat down next to the couch on the floor.

"You learn anything more about Death?" he asked. Hiei chuckled slightly as Kurama's hair tickled his nose.

"No, but I'm positive he did," Hiei replied seriously. Yusuke grunted. Hiei was sure worried for Kurama. Yusuke wondered if it was because Kurama was Hiei's best friend.

"When will he wake up?" Yusuke asked.

"Whenever he feels like it."

"You're joking, right?"

"No."

"Huh."

Kuwa bumbled into the living room, looked at the couch, and darted back out. Yusuke laughed. Hiei turned and looked at him, momentarily letting go of Kurama. The fox turned in his sleep and took the advantage to wrap his arms around Hiei. Hiei took a sharp intake of breath. Kurama nuzzled his head.

"What was that?" Hiei barely managed to ask Yusuke. Kurama's hands were traveling up and down his chest, and his body was touching with Hiei's at every possible point.

"That was Kuwa," Yusuke replied. "He came in, took one look at you guys and dashed out. I think he's going to be sick."

"Hn, I should do this more often," Hiei said softly, more to himself than to Yusuke. Kurama had started to nuzzle the back of his neck. Hiei felt a lick.

"If you can that kind of reaction from him, I suggest you do it all the time," Yusuke replied. He looked up at his friend, Hiei was blankly starring into space, and apparently Kurama had found an ear to nibble on. Yusuke laughed to himself. "Who do you think he's dreaming of?"

Hiei came out of his reverie. Yusuke was starring at him. He blushed. Yusuke let out another laugh. Hiei frowned, that couldn't be natural.

"You really like him, don't you?" Yusuke grunted. Just as Hiei thought he couldn't blush any more, he proved himself wrong. "I'll take that as a yes. Why don't you tell him?"

"Hn," Hiei replied. Kurama murmured something in his ear. He focused on what his friend was saying.

"…Hiei…" Kurama whispered again. He was wrapped in a feverish dream, a heavenly dream that he only wished could come true.

Hiei's eyes went wide. Yusuke noticed the change on his friend's normally impassive face. He cocked his head to one side.

"What'd he say?" Yusuke asked. Whatever it was it had stunned the hell out of Hiei.

"My… name…" Hiei trailed off. Yusuke shook his head. He, of course, had known all along that Kurama had liked Hiei. Kurama had told him himself. Yusuke shook his head. Good, maybe now they'll get together.

"So now we know who he's dreaming about. Lucky bastard," Yusuke said nonchalantly. Hiei looked down at his friend, stunned. "You know, a lot of girls will kill you if they ever find out. You caught yourself the most eligible bachelor in all the three worlds."

"Hn," Hiei said. Kurama kissed his neck. Hiei shivered. Kurama began traveling towards Hiei's mouth. Hiei moved his head so that their lips wouldn't meet. He wanted Kurama to kiss him when he was conscious. Kurama moaned in disappointment. His eyes fluttered open. That's not who the dream went…

Hiei turned to look at Kurama, surprised he had stopped. Both of their eyes went wide. They turned away from each other. Yusuke watched. He groaned in frustration.

"That's it!" he declared suddenly, taking both friends by surprise. "You both like each other, so get it on already! I can't believe you two sometimes! I don't even have this kind of problem with Keiko! Just admit your feelings, you both have them you know, and get together! I've been waiting for too many years for you two to just turn away from each other! You're not only killing your own chances at a relationship, but you're killing those who really want you both to be happy, and the way for you to be happy is to be together!

Yusuke ran out of breath, He stopped to take a breather and look at the two demons. They were kissing. Yusuke sighed in relief. He wandered out of the room.

Hiei loves me! Kurama thought. He broke the kiss to get air. Then dove right back in.

Kurama loves me! Hiei joyfully thought. He kissed his friend back with all his heart. He felt Kurama's tongue slide along his bottom lip and let it in. Hiei moaned in pleasure. This was definitely heaven, or as close to heaven as Hiei wanted to get. He felt like he was finally home.

"Not on the couch," Genkai's voice boomed next to them. They instantly sprang apart. Genkai chuckled and then looked at them. "I just got it reupholstered."

Kurama chuckled. Hiei cocked his head to the side, but decided it was over his head. He didn't really care anyway. All he wanted was to snuggled up to Kurama and feel his fox's lips on his. Hiei cuddled up to Kurama and decided he'd settle for a nap instead. Yusuke came back into the room.

"Hey, you're up!" he said. Kurama rolled his eyes.

"You already knew that," Kurama said dryly. Yusuke scrunched up his face in thought. He ran his fingers along his chin, in a thoughtful gesture. Kurama rolled his eyes again. "Oh yeah…"

Genkai fell to the floor and Kurama smacked his forehead.

"So… whatcha got on Death?" Yusuke inquired. Kurama looked at him.

"Death is female," Kurama began. "She is apparently being controlled through the scarf wrapped about her face. She killed 50 people earlier today. 49 in a battle, one at the mental hospital. I followed and got in over my head. She wants us to free her from her captivity. We're to be at her next assignment tomorrow at two pm in a park. She says there will be forty people there."

"Great. We'll be there," Yusuke replied. He turned and began heading out of the room.

"Yusuke, wait!" Kurama called out. Yusuke turned. "She said that just the four of us won't defeat her. We'll need Genkai, and we should bring the girls. Though I haven't the slightest clue what they'll do."

"Gotcha."

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Hiei laughed as the `beast' turned out to be a white rabbit. Kurama was glad that Hiei was enjoying "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". He was getting every joke, and was loving every minute of it. Kurama fingered through Hiei's hair, despite the upcoming battle tomorrow, he was as calm and contented as he could be at the moment. Hiei burst out laughing as the rabbit bit the head off of the knight. Kurama chuckled. British humor was without bounds. They made fun of everything and anything.

Kuwa was sitting on the other side of the room and clutching his sides he was laughing so hard. Yukina, who sat next to Kuwa, wasn't getting most of the humor. Yusuke was sitting next to Kurama, on his left, and was gasping for air. Keiko was laughing as hard as Yusuke. Genkai was shaking her head. Hiei laughed again with the `Holy Hand Grenade'. Kurama started laughing again.

"What is your name?"

"My name is Sir Lancelot of Camelot."

"What is your quest?"

"To seek the Holy Grail."

"What is your favorite color?"

"Blue."

"Right. Off you go."

"Well thank you. Thank you very much."

"That's easy!"

……..

Hello out there in TV land! This is the author saying I own nothing! I really wish I owned YYh and Monty Python, but I don't. Thanks for the reviews. And this time I didn't end in a cliffhanger. Just for you XxAllisonxX. Anyway, sorry I so slow in posting updates, school started (no!).