Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/1959912.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      幽☆遊☆白書_|_YuYu_Hakusho:_Ghost_Files
  Relationship:
      Hiei/Kurama_|_Minamino_Shuuichi
  Character:
      Hiei_(YuYu_Hakusho), Kurama_|_Minamino_Shuuichi, Botan_(YuYu_Hakusho),
      Urameshi_Yuusuke, Minamino_Shiori
  Additional Tags:
      Alternate_Universe, Half-demons, Shenanigans, Teenagers, teenaged_bounty
      hunters, Demons, Demons_everywhere
  Stats:
      Published: 2008-09-25 Chapters: 1/? Words: 10346
****** Kurama ******
by Kleptomaniac_Can_Opener
Summary
     They have never spoken, yet one event has caused their paths to join.
Notes
     Disclaimer: Yoshihiro Togashi owns Yu Yu Hakusho, not me. I’m just a
     fan.
See the end of the work for more notes
I’ve noticed him before, Jaganshi Hiei. You wouldn’t realize he’s so short from
how he carries himself. It’s only natural for the masses to move out of his way
when he’s around. But in spite of his presence, I’ve never spoken to him. We
don’t have any classes together, so there’s never been a reason to.
Lately, for unknown reasons, I’ve become more aware of his presence.
“Minamino-san?” Someone snaps their fingers by my ear, jerking me out of my
introversive state.
“I’m sorry.” I look up at my classmate. “What was that, Takehashi-kun?”
“You were spacing out again, man. Is everything okay?” I smile.
“Of course. I was only caught up in my thoughts, that’s all.”
I glance once more to Jaganshi’s dark profile in the hall then look away. I’m
noticing him more often than I should be. Something about him screams ‘Don’t
get involved.’ It’s good advice.
“Minamino-san, would you like to go to a tea café after school with us? We hear
the Juu Go Café has a special fall seasonal menu right now.” I smile to Tendo-
chan and Uedo-chan. They ask me out almost everyday, and sometimes I accept
when I feel things will be fine.
“Sorry, I have errands and chores I need to do. Maybe another time.” I wave
goodbye as they express their disappointment then leave together.
Today isn’t a good day to hang out with other students. I can feel it deep in
my bones. There’s a burning in my gut that I have to control.
A shadow hovers in the corner of my vision. I slide my gaze to see Jaganshi-
san, standing stoic as a statue, his mismatched gaze of crimson and violet
heating my skin. He turns away and takes the stairs down to the first level of
the building.
Why was he staring at me?
I feel a little better once I’ve left the school grounds behind for the park
trails I use to get home. The scents of Kudzu, Bellflowers, and Bush Clover are
calming, but I want to hurry home and get changed. The burn is stronger today,
it’s eating me inside. It’s too hot under my collar and my hands are itching.
Mom isn’t home at the moment, so I’m able to get in and out fast without any
hold ups. I feel cooler in the loose, silk robes I use for my ‘training’. I
even feel something akin to normal once I’m immersed in the nearby forest of
the local temple. Nearby and local being relative terms, it’s a good fifteen
minute jog from my house.
People rarely come to this part of town. It’s rumored that the woods are
haunted and that the temple is run by an old crackpot of a priestess. I haven’t
formally met her, so I can’t say if that part is true or not.
But the rumors have worked in my favor. I’ve been able to keep a small clearing
all to myself when I have these urges that won’t go away.
My training dummy has been battered through the seven levels of hell, and the
ground and surrounding vegetation are scarred. The scarring is new. Since
autumn started, my hands have been moving on their own, tearing through matter
they shouldn’t be able to. It’s as frightening as it is exhilarating.
These needs scare me. I want to run free through the wilderness, to taste fresh
blood on my tongue like I’m some kind of animal.
“Damn it!” I lash out at the mannequin, my nails ripping through it like it’s
softer than butter. I don’t understand what’s happening to me. Am I a demon,
switched out at birth like in those old stories? But those are only fairy tales
for scaring children… Aren’t they? “Damn!” I curse again as I shred the dummy
to ribbons.
No one would believe I’m me with how I’m acting now. This isn’t the calm and
composed Shuichi they know, this isn’t the face of the upperclassman my peers
respect and look up to.
I’m a monster. That must be what I’ve become. But I can’t decide if that is
what upsets me, or if it’s that I’m trapped in this human shell.
A crashing through the trees catches my attention.
A fight?
I smell blood, smoke and burning flesh.
“ARGG!” A man breaks through several tree branches to jump into the clearing,
but he’s not a type of person I’ve ever seen in real life before. His skin is
grey and there are horns all over his face.
“An ogre?” I gasp in disbelief.
“Out of my way, human!” the ogre bellows, running at me with a large clawed
hand raised to strike me down. I react instinctively.
I duck under the fatal blow, leaping inside his defense. My hand tears into his
body, slashing over the scorched flesh of his stomach and chest.
“Ahh! You little bastard!” I roll away from the raging ogre and land on all
fours, facing him. It doesn’t feel unnatural at all. “I’ll kill you! Argh!” His
back explodes in flames and he falls with a meaty thud onto the grass. The
smell of burnt flesh is stronger than ever, making me wrinkle my nose at the
stench.
I look away from the ogre and suck in a surprised breath. It’s Jaganshi.
“Heh.” He smirks, red maple leaves floating about him. “So,” he says with a
dark laughter dancing in his tone, “we’re alike after all.”
“What?” That smirk sharpens, and something inside me responds with heat.
“You’re part demon.”
~*~
Part demon would make sense, as much as anything in this situation would make
sense. I want to ask Jaganshi more of what he knows, but I haven’t been able to
talk to him since he tossed the ogre’s body over his shoulder like a sack of
rice and took off.
It would be easier if we shared a class or two, or if anyone knew where he went
during lunch hour.
“Minamino-san, this is for you.”
“Hm?” One of my classmates places an envelope on my desk. “Who’s this from?”
“It’s from that creepy guy in class 3-C.”
“I see, thank you.” She must mean Jaganshi. I open the letter.
[After school. Clearing.]
Well, that’s straight to the point. I like that.
I head there as soon as class lets out. Mom usually shops on Wednesdays for the
mid-week discounts, so she shouldn’t be home yet. She won’t worry if I don’t
show up for a while.
To my surprise, Jaganshi is already there when I arrive. Is there a shortcut I
don’t know about?
“Jaganshi-san.” The wind blows just then, making the autumn leaves dance around
him like some sort of omen.
“Minamino.” That’s rude, calling me without an honorific. He approaches,
obviously appraising me with his one red and one purple eye. “You don’t look
like much.”
“Neither do you.”
“Heh.” He’s amused, and it’s starting to irritate me.
“I want to ask you a few questions, Jaganshi-san.”
“Later. Right now, come with me.” I frown. He doesn’t even wait for me to agree
before he starts walking away. For the moment, I don’t have much choice but to
follow him if I want some answers.
“Where are we going?”
“The pay out center.”
“A pay out center? For what?”
“For yesterday’s bounty.”
The grey ogre comes to mind. “You’re a bounty hunter?”
“Of sorts.”
“What was that man?”
“I thought you would be smart enough to figure that much out.”
“You know what I mean,” I say in a clipped voice. “How am I supposed to believe
or accept all of this demon business?”
“Whether you do or don’t is your own problem.” I watch him side-glance, his
crimson eye staring straight through me. “I don’t care what inane theories you
come up with on your own, but I have no reason to lie.”
“Fair enough.”
He leads me to a part of town I don’t frequent. It’s too seedy for my mother’s
peace of mind. Then Jaganshi takes us to an alley in between two buildings
decorated with gaudy neon signs. At the end, behind the dumpster, is a stairway
going underground. It’s not a place I really want to enter, but Jaganshi goes
without hesitation. I take a breath of smoky air and follow.
The stairs spill into a dimly lit hall, at the end of the hall is a metal door.
The kind you see on television with the moveable eye slit. Jaganshi knocks on
it in a peculiar pattern, and it opens a moment later.
The room inside isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It’s pretty clean and
only smells a little musty. In the center is a desk with an overhead light
shining down on a young woman with blue hair. “Hey, Hiei.” She smiles brightly.
“I got the notice about the bounty.” She places two small stacks of 10000 yen
bills onto the table. “Here you go!” She turns to me and smiles. “You must be
the new hunter. I’m Botan. This pile is your cut for capturing Wacho.”
I glance to Jaganshi and receive only a nod in return. I smile to the woman and
accept the money. “Thank you.”
“Wow, you’re a polite one,” she giggles. “Now, you’re only allowed one freebie
week. You have to apply for your license to continue.”
This is turning into a bad movie. A license for underground demon bounty
hunting? I must be in a shonen manga.
I listen to the woman, Botan as I learn, explain the basic mechanics of the
job. It’s full of shades of grey of what’s right and wrong, to who crosses the
line and who doesn’t. My fingers itch as she speaks. I want to do it again, to
feel my claws rip through flesh. I swallow and force the urge down.
“Do you have any questions?” Botan asks when she’s finished.
“No, I understand.”
“Then fill out this application, sign the wavers and so on.” I take the short
stack and follow Jaganshi to a couch and table. I raise a brow. “Why are you
smirking?”
“Because.”
“Because why?” He leans towards me, and I can’t help but notice he has an ideal
profile. He’s proportionate to his size, and I can see his muscles ripple
beneath his clothes.
“Because Perfect Student Minamino is going to be a bounty hunter.” His smirk
becomes sharp and vicious along the edges. “Oh if Kaede or Momiji knew about
this.” He snickers as he says it. Kaede and Momiji are the twin reporters for
the school newspaper. Predictably, they’re also the school’s biggest gossips
and they’re in my fan club.
Jaganshi is closer than I’m used to having anyone not my mother now, but I
refuse to back down. “You want to go after another one already, don’t you?” The
tone in his voice makes it plain that he’s not expecting an answer. He already
knows. My fingers twitch. “You want to use those new claws of yours, to feel
blood spill over them.”
I glance to my hands at his words. I’ve always kept my nails trimmed and blunt,
I’m not unknown at the manicurist, but now they’re longer and finely shaped
points. I can’t help but think they’re perfect.
“What’s this goodie two-shoes doing here?!” I look up at the familiar voice,
and Hiei puts more space between us. On the other side of the table is a youth
my age, but brawnier with slick back black hair and dark eyes. He’s Urameshi
Yuusuke, a top-notch street fighter from Sarayashiki Junior High. I’ve
unfortunately met his acquaintance on a previous occasion involving a wallet
and a squirrel. I rather not think about it.
“He’s a demon like everyone else here, duh.” I’ve never heard Jaganshi speak so
casually before. It’s a pleasant surprise.
“Bullshit!” Urameshi glares at me, but it takes all of my manners not to laugh.
“Don’t be stupid, muscle-head. I wouldn’t have brought him here if he wasn’t.”
“I’ve never seen you bring anyone before.”
“Hn.”
It’s obvious the two know each other reasonably well. I wonder if they work
together on occasion. My fingers twitch again, and I speculate just how good of
a fighter Urameshi is. I push the thoughts away and complete the paperwork.
“Excuse me.” I walk pass Urameshi and return to Botan.
“Wow, that was fast.” She smiles and takes the forms from me. “It’s nice having
someone around here who doesn’t procrastinate. Ooh, what nice handwriting too!
I’ll have this filed in just a sec.” Her fingers blur over her keyboard for
several seconds. “Is there a specific alias you would like to work under? It’s
not necessary, but recommended.”
An alias? That does make sense. Even with a license, I get the feeling this
‘business’ isn’t totally on the up and up. I glance to Janganshi. I don’t need
to be a rocket scientist to understand that he plans to keep me around at least
for a while. Though his reasons are unclear, I’m not about to complain about
someone showing me the ropes.
Jaganshi Hiei... hm. A wicked pun comes to mind.
“Kurama,” I say with a smile. Botan blinks at me a moment then starts to laugh,
almost doubling over.
“Oh, that’s terrible! Hiei and Kurama! You’re pretty clever!” I grin and wait
for her to regain her composure and finish typing in the information. She snaps
a photo of me with a digital camera, then moments later I receive a card. It
looks a lot like the one for the library at first glance, though the text is
very different.
[Reikei Member #361190
Kurama
D-Class License]
“As you bring in more bounties, especially higher level ones, your class grade
will go up,” she explains without my having to ask. “The higher your rank, the
more bounties that open up to you and the more money you can make.”
“I see. Thank you, you’ve been very helpful, Miss Botan.” She giggles and waves
me off.
When I return, Jaganshi and Urameshi are deep into an argument over a previous
bounty, confirming they have worked together before.
I pointedly clear my throat to gain their attention when they don’t notice me.
Jaganshi ignores Urameshi, much to the other’s annoyance.
“You done?”
“I am.” I hold up the card for him to see. To my amusement, he snorts and rolls
his eyes.
“I don’t get it, what’s so funny?” Urameshi says with a scowl.
“Kurama and Hiei are both mountains in Kyoto with demon legends,” I answer.
It’s not a surprise that he doesn’t know. He doesn’t look the sort to care
about trivia.
“So?”
“Never mind, it’s just a joke.”
“Stop wasting time. There are bounties that will be good for a newbie like you
not far from here.” I smile and follow Jaganshi. I may not know his reasons,
but it’s kind of sweet that he’s helping me out nonetheless.
“I can’t stay out too late. I don’t want to worry my mother.”
“Yeah, yeah, ya mama’s boy.”
“I don’t deny it,” I reply with a grin.
~*~
Autumn turns into winter. The colorful leaves of fall are gone, abandoning bare
branches like fleshless fingers. I’ve always felt sluggish in cold weather, and
I find the season both depressing and uplifting. I prefer the seasons when
everything is awake and alive, but I know the plants are only resting for now,
taking a long nap and will be back soon enough.
It seems I’m going to be too busy this winter to dwell on it for long.
“Hey, Shuichi.” I look up from my lunch to see Hiei. I’m not sure when he
stopped calling me Minamino, but I don’t mind.
“Ah, Hiei. Have a seat.” He scans the table, looking over my fanclub that makes
a habit of inviting itself to share lunch with me. They’re currently trying to
look like they’re not scooting away from Hiei.
“I’ll pass. I’m just passing along a note.” He hands me a folded square of
paper and walks away. I find my eyes watching him. In spite of our school’s
unfortunate choice of color, I really like how the cut of the uniform fits him.
I feel a blush trying to form on my cheeks and quickly turn my thoughts away. I
really shouldn’t think like that about him.
“Minamino-san, do you know Jaganshi-san?”
“Hm?” I glance to the girl questioning me. Seems every pair of eyes is looking,
waiting for my answer. I smile. “We’ve known each other for a while.” It’s
vague enough to satisfy their curiosity. Let them think what they want about
that.
I take a quick peek at the note as I slip it into my breast pocket.
[Same place & time.]
He must already have a bounty lined up. He tends to have one or two every three
days or so. Normally I would complain about this sort of inconsiderate
treatment, but Hiei seems to understand my urges more than I do. These hunts
have been keeping me under control more than my private training ever did.
“Minamino-san?”
“Huh? Oh, I’m sorry, I was thinking.” The girls exchange glances.
“Are you well, Minamino-san?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“You seem... different lately.”
I am, aren’t I?
It’s a relief to meet up with Hiei at the clearing, though I’m a little
astounded to see Urameshi there as well. Hiei pushes away from the tree he’s
leaning against. “They wouldn’t let us take the bounty without this idiot
along.”
“Hey!”
“What level bounty is it?” I ask him.
“B-rank.”
B-rank? While Hiei is a C-class, Urameshi and I are still D-class. I’m
surprised they let us take it even with Urameshi along.
“B-rank?” shouts Urameshi. “How did you manage that?”
“Don’t worry about the details. Our target should be at Tsukishiro Park in an
hour’s time.” I can tell with a glance that I’m not the only one irritated by
Hiei’s vagueness.
“Come on, Urameshi-san,” I sigh, and follow Hiei to the bus station.
We make it to the neighboring district in good time and enjoy some soft serve
ice cream to pass the time until the target shows up. I’ve noticed that Hiei
always gets ice cream when we have to wait, and I’ve concluded he arrives early
for the sole purpose of eating his favorite vanilla treat.
It’s almost cute how he eats. His pink tongue flicks out, taking small licks
like a kitten does milk.
Oh god, am I blushing?
I quickly look away. There’s no reason for me to blush. It’s just Hiei eating
ice cream, like he has several times previously. I’m not blushing. My cheeks
are not red.
“You okay, Kurama? Your face’s red.” Why did it have to be Urameshi to notice?
“I’m fine. Think nothing of it.” Urameshi grins.
“Thinkin’ about yer girl, yeah? I bet she’s hot!” He makes lewd gestures
pertaining to breast size until Hiei knocks him over the head.
“The target’s here.”
“Evil Eye,” Hiei’s alias feels strange on my tongue, I don’t like calling him
that, “won’t people notice if we fight here?” Urameshi may not care where
things are handled, but I have a reputation to maintain. Hiei smirks.
“I took care of that.” I frown and wonder what he did exactly.
The target is your run-of-the-mill blue collar worker on the outside.
I remember as a child that sometimes I would catch glimpses of horns and claws
from the corner of my eye. It wasn’t my imagination running amuck, but rather
it was my non-human half picking up on other demons.
A lot of full-blooded demons can disguise themselves as humans or hide
completely from human sight.
Our target is a vampire. A six-legged, blood-sucking, soul-consuming vampire.
“Toushin, do your Stupid Routine and distract him.”
“It’s not stupid!” Urameshi protests even as he runs off.
“You and Urameshi get along well, don’t you?” Really, the two act like brothers
with how they fight.
“Hn.”
I blink when I look back forward. “Is he...?”
“Yes.”
Urameshi is dancing like a monkey. He was bouncing back and forth with his arms
above his head, and... Were those chopsticks up his nose? Not surprisingly, the
demon reacts with violence.
The human image disappears as the vampire attacks with three of his six limbs.
Urameshi jumps out of the way just in time, a shallow crater is left behind
where the demon’s three fists impacted on the ground.
Hiei flickers into the fray, I’m not far behind him.
“Who the hell are you brats?!” Urameshi smirks and points his right index
finger like a gun at the demon.
“We’re from the Reikai, ugly! Reigan!” A powerful energy shoots out.
“You idiot!” I hear Hiei shout a little too late. The vampire dodges the blast
and jumps onto Urameshi.
“Ah!” Urameshi kicks and punches at the larger demon. Hiei jumps in with his
hand aflame, slamming his fiery fist into the target. The target screeches and
leaps away.
“Traitors! You’re hunting your own kind!”
“Heh.” Hiei appears behind him. “Doesn’t bother me any. Haa!” There’s another
shriek like a banshee’s death call as Hiei’s fire burns into him. I don’t know
what Hiei did to keep away the crowd, but it can’t possibly keep out the
authorities with this sort of racket going on!
I dash forward, slashing with my claws. The scent of blood, the feel of flesh
as my nails slice through, it feeds a primal need that howls inside of me.
The need to hunt.
To kill.
My focus narrows onto the target to the point I scarcely know what the others
are doing. I distantly notice when Yusuke takes a hard blow to the chest,
soaring into the park pond with a splash.
I’m hit.
The breath is forced from my lungs, I feel air surrounding me as I fly back
until I hit the ground, skidding and rolling a few feet into the Weeping
Willow. I bear my teeth, growling as I quickly push myself back to my feet and
bound away from the entangling branches.
The target’s jumping at me, faster than I can follow.
The blood is rushing between my ears, drowning everything out, and my tunnel
vision narrows down to the vampire. My heartbeat is so loud, I can feel its
every pulse.
His teeth come down on me.
“Stop.” The branches of the Willow tree shoot out, spearing through the target
like sticks through raw meat.
“Ngh!” His black blood spills down onto the green, staining the pureness of the
plant life. How dare he ruin this garden!
“Away!” I swing my arm, the Willow pulls the man to its trunk and spirals its
other branches around in a death trap. Blood and gore drips out from between
the leaves.
I stare at the scene in complete astonishment. Did I do that?
“Heh, nice.” I stare up at Hiei.
“Did you know I could do that?”
“I wasn’t positive,” he rumbles in an almost purr, “but I had a hunch.”
“How?”
“I noticed your grass is greener.”
“What? My grass?”
“At your house.”
“You’ve been to my house?!” Is my address in the school directory? I’m pretty
sure mom requested it be removed after that incident with that girl last year.
Did he follow me home?
Hiei only gives me a smirk then walks over to where Urameshi is wringing out
his shirt. He punches him on the head. “You idiot! Don’t use your finishing
move like that!”
“OW! It’s my move and I’ll use it whenever I like, dumbass!” Urameshi winds up
his shirt and snaps it at Hiei like a whip, but Hiei steps out of the way.
“Stop fighting,” I say as I get in between them. “There are people coming. We
have to go.” We take off in the opposite direction just in time. The vampire’s
body has already turned to ash, but we did leave quite a mess. I doubt any of
us need the hassle of being charged with destruction of public property.
We don’t stop running until we’re at the bus station.
“You did good, Shuichi.” A compliment from Hiei. Those are never given lightly.
“Thank you.”
“Hey, Hiei.” Urameshi pokes a finger at him. “Whacha do to keep the people out
anyways?”
“Heh, I put up signs saying new flower beds were being planted, stick to the
sidewalks.” I chuckle.
“That was pretty clever.” Hiei smirks in response, silently saying he knew it
was clever and that’s why he did it.
We go our separate ways at the main station. I wonder where Hiei lives...? And
when did he follow me home? WHY did he follow me home? I suppose maybe he
wanted to know where I was in case of a big bounty, but he should have said
something. “This line of thought is getting me nowhere.” I rub my head and go
inside. “I’m home!”
“Welcome home.” I frown.
“Mom, are you okay? You sound tired.”
“Oh, yes. It’s just been a long day.”
“Alright...” I hope she’s not having trouble at work. “I’ll be doing my
homework.”
“I’ll call you for dinner.” She smiles at me as always as I pass by the kitchen
to the stairs. There are bags under her eyes.
When did that happen?
~*~
It’s been snowing for days. Not a big surprise since it’s now the middle of
winter. It has fallen a little thicker than usual, making it inconvenient to
commute to school or to run around on a bounty.
I pull the collar of my jacket up higher and wish I had a fur coat. A thick
one, maybe white. The color has been appealing to me lately.
“Yo.”
“Ah, Hiei.” I smile to my friend and step closer to him. It’s always warmer by
the part fire-demon. “You’re lucky the cold doesn’t bother you,” I comment
while looking at the light winter clothes he’s wearing.
“Hn. I’m also part ice-demon.”
“Oh? That’s interesting.” Part fire, part ice, part human. I wonder how Hiei
felt when he first found out... or maybe he’s always known, being only a third
human. “You don’t normally take this route to school.”
“The school’s closed. The heating system malfunction.”
“I didn’t hear about that.”
“The news announcement must have been after you left. There’s also a notice on
the front gate.”
I feel a smile pull at my lips. “So you came to tell me. Thanks.”
“Hn. Repay me with a hot chocolate.” I chuckle and nod.
“Alright.” Really, it’s cute how he likes sweets.
The shop is packed, but we manage to procure a couple of booth seats with an
older couple. Hiei happily drinks his extra large chocolate while I sip on my
more reasonably sized hot cider. “Oh, so you’re visiting from Tokyo? How do you
like our small town?” They’re a friendly couple, I like them.
“It’s just like how my mother described it,” answers the woman. “I really wish
we had come sooner. It’s very relaxing here.”
“It’s a break we’ve been needing,” adds her husband. “Life in Tokyo gets
hectic. This is a nice change, especially at our ages,” he chuckles.
“How do you and your boyfriend like things here, miss?” she asks. I feel my
face go completely red.
“No! You misunderstand! I’m a guy!”
“Oh!”
Hiei starts laughing, holding his shaking sides. My cheeks burn even hotter
than before. “Hiei! Stop laughing!”
“Told ya you look like a girl!”
“Shut up! See if I ever buy you sweets again!” But he only laughs harder. I try
to hide inside my coat.
“Shuichiko,” he snickers.
“You’re going to die, Hiei!” I shout at the verbal jab. He bounds away from the
booth and I’m after him in an instant.
Even the shock of the cold isn’t enough to deter me from chasing Hiei down.
Fortunately, there aren’t many people on the streets to get in my way.
“You want a new dress, Shuichiko?”
“You’re going to pay for that!” I swipe at him, even knowing there’s no way I
can land a hit if he doesn’t allow it. Hiei laughs and keeps just out of reach.
He stops abruptly and I run into him but manage to keep from toppling us over.
His eyes... They’re amazing this close up. He tilts his head and my eyes widen.
Is he...!
Hiei smirks and steps back. “This is where we split. See you tomorrow in the
third district, building eight.”
“The third district? What’s there?”
“My place. I live in apartment twelve.”
“Oh. Tomorrow then.” I watch his black figure disappear then head home.
So, his house? He must trust me now. I smile, it’s a good feeling.
This was the first time I had been out with Hiei for the sake of hanging with
him. It was nice. It was normal. I wouldn’t mind doing it again, minus the girl
jokes, maybe even on a regular basis. It would be fun.
When I arrive home, I hear sobbing. “Mother?” I hurry into the family room,
where I find her on the couch, weeping over several bills on the table. I sit
next to her. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“I missed a payment,” she admits. “I’ve never missed one before. I can’t
believe that I...” She wipes her face with a tissue. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean
to worry you.”
I can’t help but worry though. The bags under her eyes are darker, and she’s
never been one to get thrown off-balance enough to miss a regular payment.
But this is something I can help her with. Mother and father had opened a bank
account under my name when I was a child, and a few years ago mom gave me sole
responsibility over it. It’s there that I’ve been depositing the money I’ve
been making from working at the Reikai.
If I do this right, I can begin paying for a few of our bills, easing mom’s
stress.
“I know you’ve been working hard a lot lately, mom. So how about I set it up to
pay the bills online? It’s a safe process, and when you’re too busy, I can even
arrange to make sure everything is paid for you.”
“Oh Shuichi, you’re an angel sent from the heavens.” My mother hugs me, and
while I want to hug her back I can’t help but hesitate. I’m still uncomfortable
with the changes in me. I don’t want to hurt her.
The tea pot whistles. “I’ll get it.” I give her a quick squeeze then move away
to get the tea.
I know she’s disappointed without looking. I’ve been becoming physically
distant without any explanation at all. But how can I explain it?
I mentally curse. This isn’t fair.
~*~
For some reason, conversations keep stopping when I step into a room and I can
feel the weighty stares of my peers scrutinizing me as if I’m a frog to dissect
in biology class. The silences only ever last a few seconds, but it’s more than
enough to alert me that something is going on.
I can’t really think of what it could be. I haven’t made any outstanding
achievements this year nor have I gotten into trouble. And I don’t believe my
fanclub has done anything that would warrant this sort of reaction, at least,
not to my knowledge. I better check in on them to make sure they’re not
spreading photoshopped pictures again.
First and second period classes proceed as usual, as does the beginning half of
third period before we break for lunch. I sit in my normal spot too, but I’m
surrounded by many more people than I’m accustomed to. Either my fanclub has
had a surge in boldness, or something is up.
The chattering is in fewer syllables than I’m used to hearing, and there are
ones who are talking and laughing too loudly. It’s that nervous tone people use
when they’re trying to cover up what they’re NOT saying.
I concentrate on my lunch, ignoring the nonsense.
A shadow shifts in an odd little dance.
No, it’s not a shadow at all. It’s an Imp, harmless until it takes over
someone’s body. Once inside, the Imp destroys inhibitions and brings out the
darkest evils in the person’s heart. They survive on the dark energy produce by
malice and hate.
A school full of children must look like a buffet to him. I have to get to him
before the bell rings or I’ll lose him in the crowd.
I look at what’s left of my lunch. I make it a habit to clean off my plate, but
I don’t have much appetite right now. I’ll let my actions slide this once, it’s
an emergency.
Once I’ve returned my lunch tray, I head to the far exit. Normally, I use the
closer one since that one leads back to my class, but it’s early. My classmates
will just think I’m taking a walk or something.
I level a stare at the Imp as I pass by, and just as I thought, he’s a coward
like most of his kind and takes off running. I slip out of the room and give
chase. I have to catch him quickly. I can’t be caught running in the halls.
I grin when I see what’s up ahead. Ever since discovering my abilities with
plants, I volunteered to help place up planters on several of the school
windows. Who knew it would come in handy so soon?
“Ack!” The Imp struggles in the lock the posies have on him.
“What do we have here?” I grab the Imp in a firm grip and stuff him into my
school bag. He struggles until I start shaking him. “Behave in there.” Now...
where can I get outside without attracting attention? Ah, yes, this bathroom
should have an open window to the back of the building.
I step inside and blush to my roots. Honda and Otogi stare at me like mice
confronting a jungle cat. Otogi has his hand down Honda’s pants and both of
their shirts are more off than on. “Uh, excuse me. I didn’t mean to disturb
you.” I rush back out.
“That ruined the mood,” I heard Honda say through the door.
“Not for me!” Honda gasps, I feel my groin twitch in response.
“Ryuji! Stop that!”
“We’ve already gone this far, Hiroto. C’mon!”
Okay, that bathroom is not a viable option.
I look around and make a beeline for the science room. It shouldn’t be in use
right now, and I know they usually keep the window open to air out the place in
between classes. I just have to hope nobody is doing extra credit work.
The demon in my bag struggles. “Stop that.” I shake it hard, he stops moving
again.
The room is empty. I breathe a sigh of relief and quickly hop out the window
once the coast is clear. Or I thought it was clear.
“Shuichi.”
“Oh, Hiei.” If I wasn’t used to him doing that, I would have jumped. “What are
you doing here?”
“Skipping gym. What’s in your bag?”
Of course Hiei noticed. He can pick up youki like most people smell cookies.
“Just one of those low levels not even worth a bounty.” I open my case and the
imp leaps out in a rush. But it’s not fast enough. Without blinking, Hiei cuts
the demon in half, splattering purple blood.
The green corpse drops to the grass, and I wrinkle my nose at the stench.
“What’s that?” I watch as Hiei makes a mark on some sort of score card.
“Whoever kills the most at the end of the month gets a cash bonus.”
“Oh.” Leave it up to the Reikai to make pest extermination a sport.
The school chime sounds off. “We better get going.”
“Why?” I frown.
“We can’t just skip class, or in your case, keep skipping class.” Hiei smirks.
“Why not? Give it a try, Mister Perfect Student.” I frown harder.
“I have to go to class.”
“Heh.”
There’s no point in getting angry when I know he was riling me up on purpose.
He thinks it’s a game.
No matter how much I dislike a class, I can’t skip. I have a perfect attendance
record, and with so many others using me as a role model I have to set a good
example.
Conversations pause as I enter and only resume once I’ve take my seat. I won’t
show my irritation even as I feel their stares burning into my back.
“I have a lot of things to do, so today will be a free study period.” I want to
scowl as she leaves with several folders, probably for photocopying.
I really rather have class right now. Then my classmates would be forced to
look up front for the lessons, instead I’m being assaulted by their unwavering
gazes.
It’s partially my fault, I suppose. I’ve been engrossed in Reikai duties and
now I have no idea what’s going on on the rumor mill.
Did someone see me bounty hunting?
No no, that couldn’t be it. Most of the bounties are in out-of-the-way places
that normal students can't even get to. That certainly can’t be the situation.
But if not that, then what?
What did I do?
I glance up as one of my female classmates is pushed towards me. She doesn’t
look the most thrilled about her assigned task. She’s worrying her hands in
front of her chest and chewing on her bottom lip. “Yes, Minata-chan, how may I
help you?”
She squeaks a bit when I address her, and if I were in a better mood I would
find the humor in the situation. I smile, trying to encourage her to hurry it
up already.
“Minamino-san, could it be that Jaganshi-san is your type?” she blurts out all
at once. I blush and feel my eyes widen.
“Excuse me?” She begins to fidget, fingers twiddling with her school bow.
“It’s just, you two seem to get along ‘especially’ well.”
The weight of the eyes on us is heavier than ever. I’ve never felt such a
pressure before; it’s like the weight of the world on Atlas’s back. Is THIS
what everyone has been talking about while I wasn’t paying attention? They want
to know if there’s an intimate relationship between Hiei and me?
Beneath my embarrassment I can feel my anger building. I calm down and reign in
my blush (I’m doing that much too often as of late). “Whether we are or not, it
really isn’t any of your business. I don’t ask about your relations and I
expect the same courtesy.” Her face becomes completely red and she bows in a
hurry.
“I-I’m sorry!” Minata runs back to her desk on the opposite side of the room
and to the protection of her friends.
I make a point of opening my textbook to study, but I don’t see the words on
the pages at all.
Me and Hiei? I admit some physical attraction on my part, but he doesn’t appear
interested in that sort of relationship. He’s only interested in my skills and
potential abilities. And making fun of me.
Like a boy does a girl he likes? No, it couldn’t be. He’s not so juvenile.
But... a relationship with Hiei... What would that be like, I wonder? What kind
of lover would he be?
I mentally shake my head and force myself to concentrate. I shouldn’t even be
worried about lovers at my age.
Still... What if?
~*~
I raise a brow as I read the paper Hiei handed to me. It’s another usual day at
the Reikai except for this. “For more information, contact us at... Evil Eye,
are you sure this is legitimate?”
“It is, it was just done by an idiot.” He pushes his hands into his pockets and
heads for the back exit. “I’ve already researched the case. Let’s go.” I sigh
and follow him.
“As long as one of us knows what we’re chasing.”
“It’ll be worth it, Kurama.” I can hear his smirk in the sentence, and relax.
He must be confident it’ll be an easy hit for us.
Or maybe he just likes the idea of the location. “Evil Eye, tell me we’re not
where I think we are.”
“We are where you think we are.”
“Gee, thanks.” This part of town is the red light distract. It’s nothing fancy
like I hear Tokyo has, but it’s full of love hotels, sex toy shops, adult
videos stores and the like. “My mom will kill me if she hears I was seen around
here.”
“You’ll get over it.”
Our target goes by Koyojou Kennichi. He owns a seedy brothel disguised as a
Hostess Club. It’s not something Reikai normally cares about, demons tend to
have jobs while living as humans, but Koyojou’s hostesses have a habit of going
missing. Evidence has been found that they’ve been eaten by something with
large teeth.
Koyojou is a weasel demon, and has very big incisors that happen to match the
markings.
“Are you sure this is in our rank level?”
“Stop worrying about it. Put this on.” He holds up something blue that
shimmers.
“... Is this what I think it is?”
“Just put it on already.”
“I’m NOT wearing a skirt.”
“Our target is a womanizer. He’ll fall for this plan easy.”
“This isn’t a plan it’s a bad Korean drama!”
I end up in the skirt with my hair pulled into a high ponytail. “If this
doesn’t work, Evil Eye, I’m going to kill you.”
“Heh, get out there, Shuichiko.” I glare at him a moment before stepping out of
the alleyway. I’m immediately assaulted by catcalls and whistles. No wonder you
have to pay a woman to sleep with these guys.
I saunter down the street, making sure to swing my hips from side to side. I
just know Hiei is snickering behind my back. I really will kill him if this is
all for nothing.
Fortunately for the both of us, it’s not long before Koyojou approaches me. He
would be a good-looking man if he didn’t have the creepy used car salesman
hair. I give him my best lost expression. “Excuse me, sir...”
“What’s a little thing like you doing here?” His smile makes me feel slimy.
“I-I was going to Takekawa Park, but I took a wrong turn somewhere... I don’t
know where I am...”
“Ah, don’t worry, little honey. I can get you there.” His arm wraps around my
waist. My skin crawls and I want to take a shower. Then he slips the rose he
had tucked in his breast pocket behind my right ear. “Cheer up, honey. This way
now, this way.”
Hiei, you better be following us!
“This doesn’t look like Takekawa Park, sir...” I’m in a bad movie. It’s a big
abandoned lot, fenced in with brick and barbwire. There are suspicious stains
on the asphalt floor and walls. This guy honestly gets his victims this way?
Does he get his women snatching tips from watching the Abridged Series on
YouTube?
He grabs my arm, his nails digging in. “Ow! Stop that!” I jerk away, glaring at
him. Koyojou begins to laugh. It’s a gritty, high-pitched sound that gets on my
nerves.
“What a lovely little girl you are. You’re going to be delicious!”
There’s this terrible ripping sound as his body begins to twist and grow out of
its human shell. He develops oversized claws, a long and muscled body and tail,
several sharp teeth twice the length of my middle finger fills his jaws. I
swallow. This is supposed to be a weasel?! “Excuse me.” I make a run for it. I
have to keep him distracted for Hiei.
“There’s no use running from me! Your human legs are too slow!” God, his voice
is so annoying!
Koyojou’s bulk moves quickly for such a large mass, blocking my way out of the
lot without any trouble. His scratchy laughter echoes all around me. “Come on,
fight back, you sassy little honey!”
“You want a fight? Then here!” I grab the rose from my hair. This worked on
some of the other flowers I’ve tried it on, let’s hope this works out. “Rose
whip!”
“Kyaa! You bitch!” The sharp thorns slice through his thick fur, spilling his
dark blood. “You nasty bitch! You’re not human!”
“I never said I was.” I hold the whip out to my side, ready to snap it at him
again. Where are you Hiei?
Speak the devil’s name.
Hiei leaps from a rooftop, bringing down the blade of a katana right on
Koyojou. When did he get a sword?
Koyojou screeches as he’s torn into, but he’s quick to twist and retaliate.
Hiei dodges and strikes back with the sureness of a blade master.
He’s so beautiful.
“Kurama!” I realize too late when the weasel switches his sights back to me.
“Ahn!” His claws carve into my arm as he jerks me off my feet, the whip falls
from my hand.
“Your girlfriend is mine! Attack me again and I’ll tear her apart!” His other
claw grabs my leg and he begins pulling me in opposite directions.
“Ahh!”
There’s a calmness inside the pain. The calm feeling spreads like a cold fire
through my veins and envelops my body in a white fog.
“What?!” Koyojou tightens his grip on me, but it doesn’t feel as strong as it
did a moment ago. My red hair lengthens and bleeds to white; my senses become
sharper, I can smell his surprise and taste his budding fear. “A fox?!”
“Heh.” I twist with a sharp jerk, slipping out of his grasp and landing lightly
on my feet. I come up higher to Koyojou now, confirming I’m much taller than I
was before. I’ve never felt so strong or agile in my life. “Let’s end this.”
I grab Koyojou’s claw with both of mine, lifting him off the ground. He shrieks
and struggles. “There’s no use trying to run.” With an effortless heave, I
throw him into the wall. He screams as the barbwire cuts into his wounds. I
pick up my fallen rose whip and toss it at the weasel demon. “This match is
over.”
The whip wraps around him like a python. The thorns grow, stabbing deep into
his body. “Ugh!” He goes limp, his tongue hanging from his mouth. Hiei walks
over.
“Just barely alive.”
The energy drains from my body. I feel that strange sensation of cold fire
again then I’m back to normal, red hair and all. I feel like I just ran across
the city. Twice. A sharp sting reminds me of my injury.
“Kurama.” I watch the blood pooling down my arm with only a little concern. It
could have been worse. Everything feels intact, it just hurts and looks nasty.
“I’m fine. Take the bastard to the Reikai.”
“Che! Go to my place and patch your flea-bitten tail up.” Hiei flickers off
with Koyojou over his shoulder. I sigh and slowly get to my feet.
I’m barely in Hiei’s small apartment for a minute when he shows up behind me.
I’m too tired to be surprised by his overwhelming speed. “Sit.” I don’t even
have time to obey the order before he’s back with his first aid kit and he’s
cleaning my injuries.
The bed creaks as I gingerly settle down. “Where the hell was your head, you
damn fox?!”
“Stop yelling, I have a headache.” I keep my arm out for Hiei to finish
bandaging while holding my head with my free hand. I’m lucky I’m not more
injured than I am. “I screwed up, it happens.”
“Not if you want to live! Do you have a death wish?” he snaps. I sigh and look
at him.
“You know I don’t.” But he’s right to be angry. I allowed myself to be
distracted and I almost paid the ultimate price for it. Even worse, Hiei
depends on me to watch his back. What if he had been the one in trouble?
“I’m sorry, Hiei.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it! You were reckless and nearly cost us the mission! I’ll
cut you down myself if you do it again!” He tapes off the bandage and slaps my
arm.
“Ow!” I jerk away and glare. “I know you’re pissed off but I’m hurt enough!”
“I don’t think you are! How could you be so stupid?” He grabs my hair and yanks
my head back.
“Ouch! Bastard!” I let my anger free and backhand him hard. I feel my knuckles
impact against his cheekbone. I’m so surprised that I connected that I can’t
react in time to evade his counter-strike. “Ah!” His fist hits me on the chest,
knocking me clean off the bed and to the floor. “Oof! Shit!” I roll out of the
way of a kick and jump back to my feet. “Hiei!”
“Shuichi!”
Blows are exchanged, but Hiei’s superior speed gives him the edge. I’m
eventually shoved against the dresser, the counter edge digging painfully into
the back of my hips. We’re glaring so hard I think we’re going to kill each
other with that alone.
Then I notice them. His eyes are like liquid ice, cold and burning at the same
time.
And suddenly I’m kissing him and he’s kissing me.
Clothing is pulled off in a hurry. I can hear tearing but don’t care. I just
have to get it all off, to break pass the barrier between our flesh. Something
crashes to the floor but goes ignored.
His hands are so hot on my body. I want more. “Touch me.” Is that really my
voice? I’ve never been wanton, but the words flow from my mouth without my
consent. “Touch me, Hiei.”
“Heh.”
I’m pushed back onto the bed. The momentary respite clears my mind a little
even as he settles himself between my spread legs. It looks like he’s done this
before, which makes him more experienced than me. I blush at the thought.
Every fiber in my being wants to take and be taken by Hiei. It’s a powerful
feeling I’ve never encountered before and I crave more. “We should stop,” I say
with the last of my resolve. “We’re only fifteen, it’s irresponsible.” Hiei
snorts.
“What are you going to do, get pregnant?”
Before I can protest his hot mouth is on my nipple, sucking and licking and
biting the sensitive bud. I’ve touched myself on occasion, but this feels so
much better, so much more intense. “Hiei!” I grab his shoulders, my nails
digging into his flesh. He growls and nips my throat.
“Want it rough already?” He grinds our hips together, making another shock of
pleasure tear through my nerves.
“Ahn!”
Something inside of me awakens, it’s the same feeling I had when I became
Youko. A murr rumbles in my chest as I flip us over. I feel giddy, mischievous,
needy. Hiei smirks up at me, his mismatched eyes glinting with arousal and
laughter. “So you want to play it that way?” he purrs.
Our lips, tongues and teeth clash as we tumble around on the bed in a furious
ball, flipping over again and again, vying for dominance and nearly falling off
more than once. The scratches and bites are sweet, making my body sing and
ache. The feel of Hiei above me, below me, and all around me is driving me
crazy!
“Nh!” I lose a breath when Hiei shoves me against the wall, but his hand behind
my head keeps me from being knocked around. Then I feel his fingers between my
legs, sliding down pass my balls. I can’t help but tense.
“Relax, fox.”
How can I when even I don’t touch myself down there?
“Relax,” he keeps purring into my ear, and my body responds. I’m not sure when
he managed to put gel on them, must have been a warming lubricant since it
isn’t cold, but I’m grateful for the forethought.
Having something inside me is strange, but it’s sending shivers along my spine
and making my body heat up all over. I know it must be my demon side, the
Youko. He wants this, wants to experience carnal pleasures until the world
ends, to scratch flesh without killing and to taste blood in passion.
I give into these demands, these urges.
“Heh, you’re ready.” The fingers are gone to be replaced by his cock. He pushes
inside while holding my thighs, and I press my head to the wall as white and
red sparks shoot through me, passing behind my eyelids.
Once he’s sunken all the way in he begins to snap his hips. I hang on for the
ride, my back sliding against the wall and nails digging into Hiei’s shoulders.
His heavy breaths mix with the sweat on my neck.
“Nh! Hiei! Ahn!” It’s so good! Everything inside me feels alive and wired with
energy. “More!”
“Ngh, demanding aren’t you?” But he sounds just as eager.
Hiei shifts us to the bed, his hands moving to my hips to raise them higher as
he pounds harder into me. I heard that sex was good, but I never imagined it
was THIS good. I’m going insane with the pleasure. “Hiei!” His tongue is on my
arched chest, licking up to my neck and jaw.
“Shuichi.” We devour each other, kissing like dying men drink water.
His hand grabs my erection, squeezing and pumping. I can’t take anymore!
“Hiei!” The world turns white as I climax. I hear him shout but can’t make it
out, then his weight is on top of me, hot and sweaty and panting. “God...
Hiei.” My eyes are too heavy to keep open.
“Heh. Sleep, Shuichi.” There’s a sense of emptiness as he pulls out but I don’t
feel the lost for long when he wraps his arms around me. I rest my head on his
shoulder and fall asleep.
“Hey, fox.”
“Nh...” I open my eyes to a world of red and purple, Hiei’s eyes. It wasn’t a
dream. We really had sex.
“The shower’s open. I’m going to make dinner while you clean up. Call me if you
need help bandaging.”
“Okay,” I agree with a yawn. My stomach rumbles, letting me know it agrees with
the plan too.
Hiei brushes his lips over mine than steps away. “Uh, Hiei?”
“Yeah?” I hesitate before continuing.
“Was this a one time thing?”
“Did you want it to be?”
“No...”
“That’s your answer.” He smirks and disappears out the door. I smile. It’s good
to know that Hiei likes me too.
~*~
New Years Day comes and goes, as does the snow. The ice melts as the weather
warms in preparation for Spring.
Come April, Hiei and I begin High School.
We didn’t talk much during the week of entrance exams. We’ve been a couple for
over three months, but more than one pairing has grown distant when commuting
to different schools. I wanted to ask where he was applying more than once, but
I didn’t want to seem like I was smothering him like a girl. Even if we don’t
go to the same school, we’re still partners at the Reikai.
I don’t have anything to worry about... right?
I tug at the collar of my new uniform. These things are always a little too
tight until they’re broken in. This time, the color is white with pale gold
trimming. I’m told it’s quite dashing on me, and I don’t mind admitting that I
agree.
“I’m going, mom!”
“Travel safely!”
I walk to the bus station. My high school is further away than my middle school
was, but I don’t mind. It’s an excellent learning institute. I take my seat on
bus number 42 with a crowd of various colored uniforms and suits. I don’t think
anything of it at first when another white uniform takes the seat next to me.
“Hiei?!” He smirks.
“Don’t be that surprised.”
“I had no idea you were applying to Hakuchou.” Actually, I thought he had said
something about not continuing on to high school during the exams...
“I noticed it was your top choice.” I blush.
“You applied... for me?”
“Think what you want.” Silly, just say yes when you mean yes.
“You know,” I say, not fighting a grin, “the uniform still doesn’t suit you.”
He snorts, making me laugh.
This school year is looking up.
But when I return home there’s a thickness in the air. “Mom?”
“In the family room, Shuichi.” She sounds serious. Did something happen? She
didn’t work today, so it can’t be that. Did she find out I’ve been paying some
of the bills? I hope not. I don’t want to lie to her about where I’m getting
the money.
I swallow and enter the main room. She’s sitting in her usual spot on the
couch. Nothing LOOKS wrong, per say. But there is an unsaid issue. She has me
sit and face her. “We need to talk, Shuichi.”
“What is it, mom?”
“That’s the thing, dear, I don’t know. You’ve been... very distant for several
months now.” I feel a pang of guilt.
“I’ve just been busy, that’s all. I had to research high schools then study for
my exams. I was also tutoring some of my classmates.”
“I know, but you...” Her dark eyes match with mine. “You haven’t hugged me in a
long time.”
“Mother...”
“I know you’re older now, you’re probably embarrassed to hug your mom now.” She
chuckles a little and smiles gently. “I keep forgetting how grown up you are.
I’m just an old woman having concerns over nothing.”
“Mom, no, it’s not you. It’s me. I’m working things out on my own so you don’t
have to worry.”
“You really are so grown up now.” Her voice is proud and I feel a glow of pride
at her praise.
She reaches into her skirt pocket. “Yes, I think it’s time now. There’s
something you need to know.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about your father.” She places a picture onto the table. It’s one that
I’m familiar with as there’s a framed copy on the hallway table. Mom is holding
5-month-old me, father’s arms are around her in a hug as he’s kissing my cheek.
“What about him?”
“I should have told you this sooner, but I didn’t want to trouble you. I know
how hard it is during these formative years, but you’re strong and mature, just
like he was before...”
“Mom...?” I’m starting to become worried. Did he do something horrible?
Another picture is placed onto the table. It’s a fox demon with white fur and
long silver hair, looking surprised at the camera. I can see six tails. “This
is your father, Shuichi.” Her voice trembles as she pushes herself to continue.
“He was a demon. I loved him in spite of that.”
The amount of relief I feel surprises me. A weight is lifted off my shoulders
and my body relaxes as the tension in my muscles fades away like it never was.
“Oh, thank god. You already know.” I feel laughter bubble up in my throat. I’ve
been so worried about her finding out it never occurred to me that she already
knew. I feel like such an idiot. “I was so afraid you’d hate me if you found
out.”
“I could never hate you, Shuichi!” She pulls me into her arms and hugs me like
I haven’t let her for most of a year. “You’re my precious baby boy. I’ll always
love you, just like I will always love your father.”
“Mom...”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. You’ve been suffering, haven’t you?”
“I’m okay, mom. I’ve been working things out, I’m fine. It’s why I’ve been
distant, because I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You could never do that, honey. You’re like your father, kind and gentle. You
don’t have to hide anything from me. I’ll love you no matter what.”
“Mom...” I feel warm and safe like this, just as I did when I was a kid. I’ve
missed her this pass year.
“I’m so glad we’ve finally gotten all of this out in the open. I’ve been
missing you, Shuichi.” Her soft hand threads through my hair. I can feel my
body going limp at the maternal petting.
“I missed you too, mom.”
“Is there anything else you want to tell me? I don’t want anything coming in
between us again.”
“Actually, there is something,” I admit after a few breaths of silence. “I’ve
been wanting to tell you for a while now.”
“You can tell me anything, Shuichi.” I snuggle deeper into her arms. It feels
good to be hugged like this again.
“I’m seeing someone, who’s also part demon.”
“Oh? What’s her name?”
“His name’s Jaganshi Hiei.”
~*~
“You told her? How did she take it?” Hiei trails his lips over the back of my
neck. It makes me want to melt into the bed.
“She took it well. She was surprised that I’m dating a guy, but she doesn’t
mind.”
“What else did you tell her?” His lips move to my ear, and I have to push him
away so I can form coherent sentences.
“I didn’t say anything about the bounty hunting, that’d just make her worry.”
Hiei smirks.
“And dating a bloody-thirsty, part-fire part-ice demon doesn’t?” If this was an
anime, I’d have a huge sweatdrop right now.
“I kind of painted you in a better light than that.”
I’ll tell mom everything someday. Probably. Several years down the road.
Maybe I should just let her think I’m dating a nice guy and have a normal job?
There’s a sharp nip to my shoulder. “Ow!”
“Get your mind back on me.”
“My apologies.” He kisses me hard, stealing the strength from my body.
I’ll think about the details later.
I have a needy demon between my legs.
End Notes
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