Standard disclaimers apply. Yoshihiro Togashi-sensei created this wonderful world of Yuu Yuu Hakusho and let us have a chance to play with its cute characters. ^_^; May he have a good life with his dearie okusan, Naoko Takeuchi.

Yaoi? Guess again… okay… yeah… it’s yaoi

  “Him? Isn’t it suppose to be Shuuichi Minamino?” Suki flipped through the report. Koori shrugged. “Maybe. I’m not sure,” he answered carelessly. Suki knocked him on the head. “Look! Minamino’s marks are higher than Yuu Kaito,” she fumed. Koori peeped over. “His co-curricular activities?” he asked. Suki flipped through the report.

  “Yuu Kaito… none. Minamino, He’s the president of Biology club,” she smiled.

   “So, go and interview him instead. I wish you good luck,” Koori rolled his eyes. “Hn! At least he’s better than Yuu Kaito is. I haven’t even said a word to him since I’m in this school!” she gritted her teeth. “Aha! And you have spoken half a word to Minamino?” he smirked sarcastically.

  Suki blinked. Obviously true that she hadn’t even said a word to either of them. She smiled. “At least, Minamino-kun is cute,” she grinned. “Yeah, yeah… good luck,” Koori rolled his eyes. “You think Minamino would tell you anything?” he said under his breath. “What is it, Koori?” Suki glared at him. “I said, as if he would tell you anything,” he repeated himself. Suki shrugged. “We’ll have to see to it.”

  Suddenly, Suki was pinned to the wall. Koori’s face was so near to her. His hands were running all over her body, seeping under her short school uniform top. Suki turned her face to the right, unwilling but Koori kissed her cheek.

  He then let go of her. “Don’t disappoint me,” with that he disappeared.

  Suki flipped over the pages. Some stuff was in there including what should be asked and the types. A camera hanging steadily on her neck, ready to take any candid pictures of the dazzling young boy. A tape recorder to record the sweet mellow voice. She smiled. The gate was her spot to take the boy’s first attention.

  A tall boy with striking red hair was among a few boys, talking about something. Behind that small group was a bigger group which contained a LOT of girls.

  Kurama walked among his classmates. Everyone had got their unofficial results for last semester’s test today. It would be printed on the board tomorrow and Kurama’s name would be carved into the bronze plate on the wall of fame as the best student of the year. It was the first day of school. The Ankoku Bojutsukai was over yesterday. Kurama’s school started one day earlier than Yuusuke’s and Kuwabara’s so they must be still in bed having the day off. Kurama had forced himself to turn into youko last night and healed himself completely.

  He was looking forward to meeting Yuusuke and the other’s later. They were to celebrate their victory at Genkai-baasan’s place. Just them. A nice meal, a little chit-chatting and stuffs. And most of all, he was looking forward to see Hiei.

  The fire demon had claimed a special place in his heart. Since the Ankoku Bojutsukai, Hiei and himself had been closer together. If they were not training, they’ll change fighting techniques or even advice each other.

  In the Ankoku Bojutsukai, the scariest part was when Hiei can’t use his right hand after releasing his Kokuryuu at Jeru. But Inari-sama was by his side and answered to his every prayer to keep Hiei out from the reach of death.

  “Ne, Tasaka? What are you going to do afterwards?” asked Kazuhiko, one of Kurama’s friends. “I’m taking my girl for a treat,” he smiled broadly. “Minamino?” all of them turned to the best student. Since they knew each other, none of them had ever heard about Minamino liking any girls. Kurama blinked. “Me? I’m seeing my friends after this,” he answered most truthfully. “Friends?” they all echoed, eyes gleaming.

  “Hey, I didn’t knew you had so many girls around you,” Tasaka slapped his back playfully. “Hey! They’re just normal friends. Besides, all the girls there would be occupied,” he leaned closer to them. “The only one free is an old lady,” he smiled. They all laughed at Kurama’s sense of humour.

  “Hey, I heard that Yuu Kaito is getting the page in the magazine,” said a Kenji. “Really?” Kurama mused. Kenji shrugged. “I thought you were suppose to get it?” Kurama shrugged. “I don’t mind. Yuu-kun deserves it. He’s a genius in literature,” he smiled. “You’re a genius in EVERYTHING!” said Kazuhiko, clinging on Kurama’s arms. “I wish I had half of your brain” he sighed.

  “If you have half of my brain, you’ll get 50/100 in Biology test. And not 94/100,” Kurama smirked. Kazuhiko chuckled. “Yeah… maybe,” he ran a hand through his hair.

  Suki stepped forth as the group Minamino was in stepped closer. “Sumimasen,” she uttered. The group stopped. So did the group behind them, making a small traffic jam near the school gate. “Can I talk to you for a sec?” she asked. “Go Minamino!” said a boy, slapping Kurama slightly on the back. Kurama shrugged. “Sure,” he mover over so that the group behind them could move. But they didn’t. “See ya later, Minamino! Call us if there’s any progression!” they teased him. “Yeah, and the next thing you know I’m sending wedding invitation cards,” Kurama chuckled. They all laughed and walked away, waving to Kurama.

  Kurama gave a weird glance at the group behind him. “Do you girls want anything?” he asked, a smile was on his face. All of them nearly fainted. “Yeah you,” said a small voice. Kurama blushed and shrugged. “You want to talk to me?” he asked Suki. The girl nodded. “Yeah. I’m from the school magazine,” she introduced herself. “Watashi wa Suki Yanagi desu,” she smiled. Kurama nodded. “Oh, I thought Kaito was getting the page in the school magazine?” he arched his brow. “Well, my stupid friend made a mistake. It was suppose to be you,” she smiled. Kurama shrugged. “Let’s walk to the park,” he suggested. The girl merely nodded and followed the boy. “What may I help you with then?” he asked.

  “Can I interview you?” she asked. Kurama thought for a while, but still walking. “Well… I have this… I mean, I can’t make it today,” he thought about his date with Hiei, then the meeting with the gang. “What about…”

  “Kurama,” suddenly a low voice spoke. Kurama turned. He smiled warmly at the small figure in black. “Ne, Hiei… you’re early,” he smiled. How he hoped that Hiei won’t think that this girl was involved with him in any way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kuchibue ga kikoeru  kinou yori motou kude
[I can hear a whistle, since yesterday was so far away.]
togire tohi reno kakera o hatsu me
[I collect the scattered pieces]
migite nigiri shime sotto me o tojiru
[I hold them tightly in my right hand, and softly close my eyes]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Hiei was wearing his normal attire. A black cloak with a scarf around his neck. Suki blinked at the weird boy. Such a small body with such a low voice. And weird clothing too.

  Kurama turned to Suki. “Umm…” he ran a hand through his silky red hair that shone like fire in the sunlight. A sensuous gesture, both Hiei and Suki thought. “I’ll find you tomorrow. After school?” he asked. Suki nodded, eyes daring back at Hiei who was glaring at her like a beast.

  “Saa… sore dewa ashita ne?” she turned back her glance to Kurama. The gorgeous redhead nodded in confirmation. “Okay then, ja!” she waved at Kurama. The fox spirit smiled and turned to the fire demon. “You ready to go?” he asked.

  Hiei nodded, still silent. “You’ll have to follow me home first,” he told the koorime. Hiei nodded once. Both of them walked through the park in silence. Kurama didn’t have any idea what to say and Hiei just doesn’t talk much. He wasn’t sure of the feeling when he saw the girl just now with Kurama. He hated her. And Kurama wanted to see her again. He wanted so much to tell Kurama not to go and see her. But who was he to restrict Kurama like that?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NAIFU no you ni tsuhikari ga ori dasu
[Knife-like moonlight rains down]
chiheisen mo nitetsuku yoru sa
[On a night that freezes even the horizon]
kiza o daite sonna kouya ni ima hitori
[Alone in that wilderness, hugging my knee]
kaze o utani mimi o sumashiteru
[I strain to hear the song of the wind]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  “Your… girlfriend?” Hiei suddenly slipped his tongue, his voice was very soft and low. Kurama turned to Hiei, his brow arched in confusion. “My what?” he looked at Hiei's eyes. But they were both hidden as Hiei set his gaze firmly on the ground.

  “Nan de mo nai,” Hiei uttered and continued walked. Kurama shrugged.

  Kurama’s mother opened the door. “Ah- your friend, Shuu-chan?” she asked. Kurama nodded and put a hand on Hiei's shoulder. “His name is Hiei,” Kurama introduced Hiei to his mother. Hiei bowed slightly in respect. He didn’t like the ningen culture, but he didn’t want Kurama to think that he was rude. “Hajimemashite,” he uttered. Shiori bowed back. “Doozo, yoroshiku,” she smiled.

  “I’m serving lunch, come down later to eat?” she suggested. Kurama nodded. Shiori disappeared back into the kitchen. He smiled and gestured Hiei to follow him to his room. He knew it. He knew Hiei would respect his mother. He didn’t even have to tell him how to do it.

  “What you think I should wear?” Kurama asked, opening his wardrobe closet. Hiei who was sitting on Kurama’s bed looked at Kurama intensely. But still silent. The redhead blinked and smiled at Hiei. He should be grateful enough that the fire demon decided to go to the party, with him and walk with him home to change. “Hmm…” he thought deeply, turning back to look into his closet. He took out a mandarin collared white tunic with purple coloured linings. Next, a pair of purple coloured long pants. That would be perfect.

  He changed into it just there. Not bothering to go into the bathroom or someplace else. He put up his hair and took off his uniform top. Letting his bare back visible to Hiei. Hoping hard that the fire demon was looking.

 Hiei narrowed his eyes. The beautiful fox spirit was changing here? And what was that he did? He just let his uniform top drop to the floor. Hiei eyed Kurama’s lean compact muscles as it flexes to pull down his pants. Hiei closed his eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

nemuranai yoru o shiranai yatsu wa
[Those who do not know cannot sleep in the night]
tsuyoku wa na renai sore ga ru-ru sa
[becoming strong and not trapped by that rule]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Although he wanted so much to open it and peep, he respected Kurama’s dignity as his friend and didn’t look. In his mind, a weird picture was forming. Even if he did not look at Kurama, his brain formed an image of his fox naked.

  The next thing he knew was a tap on his shoulder. He snapped open his eyes. A beautiful smiling face with sparkling emerald eyes was staring at him. “Are you sleeping?” Kurama asked. He was already in his tunic. Hiei shook his head.

  “You were changing,” he uttered. Kurama smiled. “You didn’t watch?” Kurama asked, he got down on his knees. Both hands reached out to hold the other’s sturdy small hands, Hiei sweatdropped.

  “No,” Hiei answered, most truthfully. “Why?” Kurama asked, a small smile danced on his face. “I… respect you…” Hiei looked into those emerald eyes. Kurama’s smile grew wider. “If I let you, would you watch?” Kurama asked. “Em?” Hiei's face confused. “Do you want to watch?” Kurama repeated. “If I asked you to watch?” Hiei blinked.
:… Yeah, badly …: The koorime was silent instead.

  Kurama thought that it was good enough that Hiei let him hold his hand and have a nice decent conversation.

  Kurama reached up to Hiei's face and stroked the demon’s smooth jaw. “We’ll have to be going now. Or kaasan and the others would wind up biting us,” he grinned.

  Hiei frowned as Kurama walked to the door. :… Was that girl really his girlfriend? If she was, why did Kurama do what he just did? If she wasn’t, why Kurama wanted to see her after school tomorrow? …: Suddenly Hiei thought that he really didn’t know Kurama that well.

  After having a short tea/lunch with Shiori, both headed towards Genkai’s temple. On the way, Kurama stopped by a shrine and paid his respects to it. Hiei watched his friend as he rang a bell, clapped his hands once and prayed silently.

  When they reached the stairs to Genkai-baasan’s, Hiei paused. Kurama stopped as well and watched his friend. They didn’t even utter a word after leaving the fox’s house. “Daijobu?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kuchi buega kikoeru  hoshizorra yori tou kude
[I can hear a whistle, since the starry sky is so far away]
sore wa dare ka no inori no kotoba
[It's the words of someone's prayer.}
migite ni nigiri shime sotto me o tojiru
[I hold them tightly in my hand, and softly close my eyes]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Hiei closed his eyes and nodded.

  Kurama smiled and shrugged. Just as he wanted to continue their way up the long steep stairs, Hiei got hold of Kurama’s wrist. Holding it firmly. Kurama turned again, arching his brows in confusion.

  “You free tomorrow?” the koorime asked Kurama. “Tomorrow?” Kurama asked. Hiei nodded. “After school,” Hiei cleared himself. He knew about the meeting Kurama had with the girl. He just wanted to know something… Wanted to know that either Kurama will he choose him or the girl?

  Kurama narrowed his eyes. He was quite surprised about the question. Why would he want to see him for tomorrow? He then lowered himself into a kneeling position. Holding both of Hiei's hands. “I’m sorry, Hiei. I had something on tomorrow after school. Maybe in the evening?” Kurama smiled, arching his brows. Hiei shook his head. “Iya… never mind then,” he sighed. He let go of Kurama’s hands and walked his way up the stairs. Kurama caught up with him. Was that hurt he saw in the koorime’s eyes?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

kodoku yori mo motto sanashii mono wa
[A thing that is even sadder than loneliness]
sono kodoku ni kizukanai koto
[Is not even realising that loneliness]
donna hieta yoru no daichi mo sono shita ni
[No matter how freezing the night, under the earth]
atataka sa o kakushite iru no sa
[Warmth is hidden.]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Kurama slid open the door. “Gomen kudasai,” he hollered. The living room was decorated fully. Balloons and ribbons were all over the place. Botan, Keiko and Yukina were standing on the walls, gluing some more things on the wall. Some foods were served on the table already. “Kurama-san! Hiei!” They all greeted. Kurama smiled and slid the door to close it.

  “Where’s everyone else?” Kurama asked. “We’re here!!” Kuwabara chanted as he slide the door open, coming in with a big roast chicken fresh from the oven. Yuusuke was holding a big bucket of potato chips. Genkai came in with trays of rice. Atsuko behind them was shaking three bottles of beer in her hands. “Where’s the sake, Atsuko?” Genkai asked. “I’ll take it, I’ll take! Shimpai suru na!” she put the bottles down and ran back to the kitchen.

  Hiei glanced sideways and saw Yukina smiling at him. He cracked a smile for her. He then turned to sit on a cushion on the corner of the room, watching everyone fuss over everything. Keiko saw Hiei smiling at Yukina and nudged her. “Hiei-san likes you,” she teased the sweet ice maiden. “I like him too. He’s such a nice person,” Yukina nodded. “What about Kuwabara?” Keiko asked. “Ah! Kazuma-san is also very nice,” she smiled, resuming to stick the balloons on the wall with an adhesive tape.

  They ate, talked and fussed over everything. Replaying the scenes in the Ankoku Bojutsukai and all. Hiei stood up right after he finished his food. “Where to, Hiei?” Genkai asked him, sipping some sake. “Out, left something somewhere,” was his answer. And he was gone.

 The rest stayed and kept drinking sake. Until all of them were full of it. Sake alone wasn’t enough to make them all fuzzy. But Atsuko drank three bottles of beer herself, so she’s as drunk as bathing in a pool of whisky.

  “Oohhh… Atsuko, you even finished the sake?” asked Genkai, tilting the empty bottle and shaking it to make sure it was empty. Kurama smiled. “I’ll go and heat some more,” he took the empty bottles and walked out.

  Just as Kurama walked out of the room, Keiko thought of another topic to talk about. “Hey, guess what?” she asked. “What?” asked the rest. “I know Yukina likes someone,” she chimed. “Who?” Kuwabara’s face was as red as a tomato.

  Keiko grinned. “Hiei!” Her head, fuzzy with sake. Yukina blushed. “Is it so?” Yuusuke asked, eyes wide as saucers.

  Kuwabara stood up. “What? Is this true, Yukina-san?” he asked. Yukina’s face grew redder. “He’s a nice person,” she answered. Kuwabara sank on his feet. “Yukina…” he uttered slowly.

  Outside, Kurama was walking his way back after heating a few bottles of sake. He was walking through the quiet corridors and nearly jumped out of his skin when a shadow suddenly dropped down in front of him. The shadow cleared itself and a familiar form took place. Hiei. “You’re back?” Kurama asked. Hiei nodded. :… to see you …:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kako ni tona warete torideiru yori
[Rather than being a bird that is trapped in a cage]
namae mo shiranai mishi koroni nare
[I would rather become a nameless stone]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  “Will you help me with this?” Kurama asked, gesturing to the bottles of sake in his arms. Hiei reached and took two bottles, each in one hand. Then they made their way to the living room.

  Everyone seemed to be looking puzzled. And Kuwabara was in a very sour mood. Kurama blinked at them as he closed the door. Kuwabara made eye contact with Hiei and he turned away with an angry glance. Keiko dived forward. “Sake! I want more!” she grinned like an idiot. Botan stopped the girl from drinking anymore sake and causing more trouble. But Keiko still managed to grab Hiei and wrap her arms around the fire demon’s compact waist.

  Hiei wrinkled his nose. The stupid ningen girl was drunk. “Get your dirty hands off me,” he warned as Keiko clung on to him like a mad dog. “I want sake… sakesakesakesake…” she giggled. Yukina helped Botan and pushed the poor girl back on her cushion gently.

  Kurama blinked. “Anything the matter here?” he asked, concerned. “I don’t feel too good. I need to go home,” Kuwabara sighed as he got up. “So early?” Kurama asked. Kuwabara didn’t answer. Concerned, Kurama looked at his watch. It was really late. “I’ll go with you, I need to go to school tomorrow,” she followed Kuwabara.

  “Kurama…” Hiei called, the redhead paused. “Yes, Hiei?” the redhead asked, running a hand through his hair. Hiei shook his head. “Nan de mo nai,” he uttered. Kurama smiled. “See you all later,” he closed the door and followed after Kuwabara.

  Genkai tsk-tsked and shook her head. “You should be more… open,” she told the fire youkai. Hiei looked at her and blushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he insisted. Genkai grinned. “Yes, you do! Now go home! Think!” she giggled.

  Hiei knew. As drunk as the old woman was, she was right. The fire demon was so closed up to everyone that everyone thought that he needed no one. But they were wrong and Genkai was right. He got up and left once again. “Oyasumi Hiei-san,” said Yukina. Hiei stopped at turned, lifting up a small smile at her. “Oyasumi,” and he was gone.

  Next day…

  “Minamino! Your name shines like a sun!” teased Kazuhiko, running his fingers across the bronze template where the name Shuuichi Minamino, Yuu Kaito and Yasuo Mitsui were engraved as the best students of the year.

  Suki spotted the redhead and smiled, readying her stuffs for the interview. To dig deeper into Minamino’s life.

  “Minamino!” Suddenly a nerd came up to Kurama-tachi. “You have to save our Biology club!~ We of the 3rd forms are not eligible enough! Only you can ask for our budgeting in the next student’s meeting!” he exclaimed, didn’t even bother about his bad breath. Nearly half the school turned around and looked at the commotion and Kurama sweatdropped. The others were already giggling their heads off.

  “Why can’t just Minamino tell him off?” Tasaka asked. “He’s too nice, that’s what! If he was like Yuu Kaito, no one would even bother to talk to him,” Kazuhiko giggled.

  Suki shook her head as she walked closer.

  But Kurama seemed to be distracted.

  Kurama frowned. “Sounds like Kuwabara…” he uttered under his breath, ignoring the tattering noisy nerd who’s still talking. “Who?” Tasaka frowned.

  “Kurama! Taihen yo! Where are you!?” definitely Kuwabara’s voice. “Kurama!”

  Kurama turned to the gate and saw the big guy form the Sara Yashiki Government school. “Kuwabara…” Kurama ignored the shouting nerd behind him and walked towards Kuwabara. :… something bad happened? …: Kurama frowned.

  “Ah! Kurama! There you are!” Kuwabara exclaimed, as if Kurama were at the other end of the school. “Kurama?” echoed the nerd. Kurama turned immediately to him. He knew the nerd was thinking about a sumo fighter with the same name as his youko name. Kurama sweatdropped and grinned at him. “It’s just a pun name!” he giggled nervously, covering his identity.

  He turned back to Kuwabara. “Eh! I’m called Minamino here!” he grumbled. Kuwabara apologised. “Gomen ne! Look at this!” he shoved Kurama a piece of paper.

  Suki frowned. Before she arrived, Minamino, the big tall guy and the girl had gone away. Out of the school. She stomped her feet. She had waited for a while as the three of them argue about something for a while just now. And after that, they just left. Suki sighed, this means she’ll have to wait.

   A lazy Thursday. Suki sat on her chair in the Magazine Editor’s room and sighed, tapping on her pencil. Koori slumped down next to her. “Any progressions?” he asked, arching a brow. Suki shook her head. “I don’t even know what’s his mother’s name yet,” she sighed. Koori grinned. “Not yet? I thought I heard that last Monday?” he grinned. “He kept disappearing,” complained Suki. “Don’t tell me, I toldja Kaito was easier. Minamino won’t tell you a shit. Or you’re still going to wait?” with that he walked away.

 Waiting was one thing.

  Suki opened her journal and started to write.

  “…School started last Thursday, I got my assignment and started hunting for the boy. Shuuichi Minamino. But I’m out of luck, he was busy that day…”

  “…On Friday, the day that Minamino promised to be free for the interview seemed to turn out the other way. He was rushed out from school just after the last period with two kids from other schools. A boy and a girl. Mission failed…”

  “…On Saturday, he had something going on. How did I know? I was planning to go to his house but stopped just near the corner when I saw that there was a group of boys that looked like school delinquents waiting for him outside the house. And Yuu Kaito was also in the group. I didn’t know they were friends. He came out of his house later with jeans and a red jacket. They seem to be getting along okay. I followed them for a while and found out that they were hanging around in one of the boy’s house. So I went away…”

  “…On Sunday, the same group of people were waiting for him outside his house very early in the morning. My plan to interview him on a bright Sunday morning failed as well…”
 

  “…On Monday, I had a Magazine Editor’s group meeting. So I didn’t follow him. I got quite a blow from Koori, who rolled his eyes upon my failure to even get his mother’s full name yet *shrug*…”
 

  “…On Tuesday, the same group of people who I saw waiting for Minamino during the weekends were waiting for him in front of the gate after school. But some of them were missing. I left and decided not to follow the boys though I’m curious about what are they up to…”

  “…On Wednesday, he was absent. I dared myself to go ask Yuu Kaito about him. He told me that he too was looking for the redhead. I asked him what was happening and all, but the boy didn’t tell me anything. All he told me was. “I need to go to the library now,” So, not getting anywhere, I plan to wait until Minamino really was free…”

  “Today was the day! I saw Minamino in school this morning! But during lunch, I saw a boy in green uniform from Sara Yashiki high I think, came to see him. Also one of them in the big group of people I saw before. Minamino disappeared after that. Then when I tried to find him, I found his friend Kazuhiko instead and he told me that he(Minamino) wouldn’t be attending the afternoon session of classes. Here I am, closing on to another dead-end. What was exactly this red head up to?…”

  Suki closed her journal and sighed. “I’m writing more journal than interview edits,” she closed her eyes.

  Then a pair of strong study hands pulled her off her chair and daydream. “Koori…” she said softly. The boy didn’t spoke. Suki looked around. The room was empty, spare the two of them. She closed her eyes. Koori was doing what he always did, enjoying himself. Forcing her. But she can’t pull off from him. He held her deepest secrets.

  Sensui was dead. Yuusuke died too, but was reincarnated into Toushin form. Cutting Yuusuke’s hair was an experience too! Grooming a lion would be better because it won’t grumble about fashion and all.

  Kurama lay sprawled on his bed. Blank. He wanted to take the time off. Schoolwork was a no problem because the sensei won’t give them any work this early yet. They didn’t even start studying yet.

  Kok Kok!

  Kurama looked at the window as something threw stones at it. “Hiei?” he asked himself and walked to the window. Yes, the fire demon was on the tree branch. Kurama smiled and opened the window. The fire demon jumped in and smiled. Just a little though.

  He knew that Kurama didn’t see the girl that day. And for some reason, was happy about it. As if he had won a silent competition. And he knew Kurama didn’t even saw the girl as he didn’t went to school that day. No one teased him about any girls. Good. After that, he was with them all the time fighting Sensui.

   And now, he was with him. No girls around. So, Kurama still haven’t seen the girl. Yatta!

  Hiei tried to hide his happiness and sat on Kurama’s bed. “Check me,” he told Kurama, the redhead raised a confused eyebrow at Hiei. “Check you? For what?” Kurama asked, kneeling in front of Hiei. He reached out both of his hands and held the small study ones of Hiei's.

  Hiei liked the feeling of Kurama holding both of his hands like that. It was as if Kurama would hold nothing but him. “If I were injured or anything,” Hiei told Kurama. “You’re injured?” Kurama asked. Hiei shrugged. “Maybe,” the fire demon’s face was serious though. Kurama smiled slyly at Hiei. Something was up but Kurama couldn’t quite put a finger on it.

  Anyway, touching the fire demon would be very nice…

  “Okay,” Kurama started to pull Hiei's white scarf and put it aside.

  He pulled off Hiei's cloak and revealed the boy’s tight firm muscles underneath smooth flawless skin. Everything seemed fine. He placed his palms on each of Hiei's side and felt the muscles under it tense. Kurama smiled. “You’re perfectly all right. Nothing’s wrong,” Kurama smiled affirmatively. “Are you sure?” Hiei arched his brow.

  “Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?” Kurama’s face concerned. Hiei nodded. “Where?” Kurama looked deep into Hiei's eyes. What kind of a prank was Hiei pulling here? His youki was perfectly fine.

  Hiei moved forward. “Here,” Hiei closed the space between Kurama’s lips and his own and kissed the fox lightly. Kurama blushed. :… That was nice, Hiei! Bravo! …: Kurama’s mind went bizarre. He didn’t knew, a… he wasn’t sure about Hiei's feelings towards him before this. That’s why he didn’t go further. If he knew that the fire demon was interested in him too, they might have been making babies by now. *Umm… I don’t think that was the perfect expression for this situation considering the relationship of the same gender involved here*

  Anyway…

  Kurama suddenly remembered. “Ah, Hiei! Do you want to go with me?” he asked. Hiei blinked. “Where to?” Kurama smiled. There’s this new mall having an opening ceremony today. So kaasan and I thought that we would check it out. Wanna come?” Kurama asked brightly. Hiei shrugged.

  Shiori had settled to look for some things for her wedding soon and told her son and his friend to run along and go somewhere else that would be less boring than follow her surveying things.

  Kurama brought Hiei to the lower ground floor where an indoor amusement park was opened. It was quite noisy and crowded. Kurama turned and saw something that caught his interest. “That,” he pointed towards a machine.

  “What’s that?” Hiei blinked. “It’s a ‘Gene Machine’ Kurama told the koorime. “I can read. But what’s it for?” Hiei asked. Kurama smiled. “I’ll tell you later,” he pulled the koorime after him towards the machine.

  A few minutes after that, Kurama waited at the print station where a picture was produced. Hiei frowned. “What’s with all of that?” he asked. Kurama showed the picture at Hiei.

  Hiei frowned at the figure in the picture. It was a girl. With large seductive red eyes, long hair like Kurama’s except that it was midnight-blue in colour with Hiei-like fringe complete with the white starbust. Small button nose and mouth. “Who’s this?” Hiei asked.

  “Our kid!” Kurama chuckled. “Our kid? But we… we didn’t… we didn’t do anything yet!” Hiei exclaimed in a whisper. Kurama chuckled more. “It’s a gene machine remember? It mixes our appearances and makes a new picture that is supposed to be our kid,” Kurama told the koorime. Hiei looked at Kurama. Then a small smile appeared. “She’s cute,” Hiei told Kurama. “It’s a he!” Kurama retorted. Hiei shrugged. “He’s cute, like his father,” Hiei smiled. “Fathers,” Kurama chuckled.

  “Yo Kurama!” suddenly there was a holler. Before any of them could do anything, big bulky arms settled on Kurama’s shoulder. It was Kuwabara and the gang. Yuusuke, Yukina, Keiko, Botan and even Koenma was there. “No wonder we couldn’t find you two. You guys are already here!” Botan exclaimed. Keiko spied the picture in Hiei’s hand and took it. “Now, who might this be?” she asked. Yuusuke looked at the picture. “Damn she’s cute!” he smiled. Keiko knocked his head. “Itai!” Yuusuke rubbed his head. “It’s a HE,” she snorted. Everyone looked at it.

  “Kurama-san and Hiei-san’s kid!” Keiko suddenly exclaimed. “What?” they all exclaimed. Kurama and Hiei sweatdropped. “They used the gene machine!” Keiko giggled. Kuwabara turned. “Kawaii! Let me be his god-father okay?” Kuwabara grinned. Hiei rolled his eyes. “He’s not going to have any relationship with you!” Hiei snorted.

  They laughed. Both of them were so childish.

  Later…

  All of them were walking their way home together. Kuwabara seemed to forget his sorrow. He was not over Yukina, but he was going to win Yukina by a fair game. He knew Hiei was with Kurama, but then why was he always so good towards Yukina?

  Good and Hiei don’t mix. Kuwabara snorted. He was suddenly back to sulking at the fire demon. Wind blew harshly and made a small swirl around Hiei. Leaves were spinning around him making his annoyed. “Kurama, make the leaves go away,” he told the redhead. Kurama grinned. He pulled the fire youkai from the swirling baby tornado and put an arm around the fire demon. “There, it’s all gone,” he smiled.

  Kuwabara fumed, he suddenly went to Hiei and pulled him off Kurama. “We need to talk,” Kuwabara dragged the koorime. “Let go of me you overgrown zit!” Hiei cursed. “Shut up, you overgrown wart! WE need to talk!” Kuwabara pinned Hiei on a tree near the roadside.

  Kurama-tachi rushed over. “Kuwabara…” Kurama called. “Kurama, can you excuse us? We need to talk, man to man,” Kuwabara’s voice was serious. :… Well, at least you’re decent to Kurama …: Hiei thought, so he didn’t make a move to knock the carrot top.

  Kurama gave Hiei and meaningful look. Hiei looked away. He knew what Kuwabara had in mind. He was going to make fun of him. Just for his pleasure’s sake. Kuwabara leaned closer to the fire youkai. “Pick Hiei. Pick… and make a wise decision,” he whispered in Hiei's ears dangerously. Unaware that Hiei could blast him of into oblivion in a split second if he wanted to.

 “Pick what?” Hiei rolled his eyes, acting dumb. “You know as well as I do what I’m talking about, you infected asshole!” Kuwabara snickered aloud. Hiei thought for a while. :… An infected asshole is not a good sight …: “Honestly… I don’t, you overgrown rubbish bin!” Hiei snorted.

  “Stop with the name callings already. Anyway, pick… kuramaoryukina,” Kuwabara blared out quickly.

  “Get a life, moron. She’ll never be yours!” Hiei grimed. A mocking gleam in the youkai’s eyes made Kuwabara tremble. “Then let Kurama go,” he said softly. If Hiei really wants Yukina, he knew Yukina would pick the fire demon over him. So, he’ll have to deal with that. But Kurama, the redhead was like his brother and he can’t bear to see him in a heartbroken state.

  “Go? Go where?” Hiei narrowed his eyes. The rest of them were eyeing them from a distance. “If you want Yukina, don’t play around with Kurama’s feelings. It’ll bring you no good,” Kuwabara gritted his teeth. Hiei snickered. “Kurama’s mine,” Kuwabara closed his eyes. “Hiei! You have to understand! You can only have one! Don’t be a selfish bastard!” Kuwabara strain himself from trying to strangle the youkai that was pinned under his weight to the tree.

  “I only HAVE one! Which other one were you accusing… ohh…” Hiei laughed. Sickly.

  Kurama turned to Yuusuke. “What’s going on there?” he asked. Yuusuke and the others shrugged.

  “What? T… teme! Why are you laughing?” Kuwabara demanded, choking the fire demon under his grasp. “Kurama!” Hiei called. To run from telling the guy the truth is to call for Kurama.

  “Kurama!” Hiei called again.

  Kurama turned to Yuusuke and shook his head. “I’m going, no matter what Kuwabara says. Tell him I apologise,” with that Kurama rushed over to where Hiei and Kuwabara were. He pulled Hiei and closed the youkai to his chest. “That’s enough Kuwabara!” Kurama exclaimed.

  Hiei hid his face on Kurama’s chest. “I want to go home,” he said softly. “Kurama…” Kuwabara started. “That’s enough Kuwabara! I don’t know what’s going on between you two but you don’t have do that to suffocate him,” with that Kurama turned and walked away with Hiei.

  When both of the were out of sight, Kuwabara curled his fist so tight that he was nearly drawing blood in his palms. The others rushed over. “That oversized wart is such a prankster! How could Kurama be fooled by him?!” he exclaimed. Yuusuke shook his head. “You do realise that he could kill you if he wanted to, right?” he started. “What?” Kuwabara demanded. “I mean, you were fooled by him! He could just push you over and let his Kokuryuu eat you up, you do realise that, do you?” Yuusuke repeated. Kuwabara was silent. “He didn’t do that, so there must be a reason,” Yuusuke told the big guy. Kuwabara smirked. “If he really did that, the Reikai would be after him,” Yuusuke shook his head. “You’re wrong. If he really did kill you, it was for self-defence. So it was legal,” Kuwabara was silent again. “But why didn’t he even resist me?”

  “Because, he likes Kurama. Not Yukina, baka!” Yuusuke slapped the back on his head. Kuwabara blinked. “But Yukina…” Yukina shook her head. “I like you too, Kazuma-san,” she smiled. Kuwabara took a deep breath. “Honto ni?” he asked. All of them nodded. They couldn’t believe it that Kuwabara didn’t figure that out already when Hiei laughed his head off.

  Hiei shut his eyes when Kurama put him on the bed. “Are you really asleep, Hiei?” Kurama asked, brushing the youkai’s bangs away from his forehead. Hiei opened his eyes. “Not really,” he told the redhead.

  “Tomorrow’s Monday Hiei, I have to go to school…” he trailed off, cuddling the fire demon.

  Hiei grinned. “Wakatta… demo…” he paused his sentence when something interrupted him, the phone.

  Kurama glanced at the ringing phone on his bed. He pushed a button and put it on his ears. “Moshi-moshi, Minamino no… ahh… Suki-san ne?… ahaha… gomen nasai… I know, but something came up. I am so sorry… I’ll buy you breakfast to pay back. Then we can talk about it… tomorrow, I only have class after 9… you too?…” Hiei eyed his fox. How dare that what’s its name? Suki? No one can make his fox apologise like that! No one but him! Damn!

  “Hai, hai… sou desu ne? Ano… I’ll make up for it… ah, yoshi… sore ja!” with that he hung the phone. Surprisingly his face fell as soon as he plunged the cordless phone under his pillow. Hiei blink. Was all that enthusiasm just a mask?

  “Daijobu?” Hiei asked, his voice less than concerned. Kurama slumped on his bed. Hiei got on top of his stomach and looked at the fox’s closed eyes. “Daijobu…” he said softly. “Ne? And why are you acting as if you’re in deep shit?”

  “Aa… Maru razuni, na yarunda kodakeni…” sang the redhead softly. Hiei looked weirdly at his companion. “You okay?” Hiei shook his friend on his shoulders. His voice was panicked. Kurama opened his eyes and giggled. “You’re worried…” he gleamed. Hiei slapped Kurama’s face gently and looked away. “Baka,” he growled.

  “Yes, I am your idiot…,” Kurama reached out to pull the fire demon on his chest. Hiei closed his eyes on Kurama’s lightly perfumed chest. “Who’s she?” suddenly Hiei asked. “Who’s who?” Kurama blinked at the ceiling. “The girl…” Hiei trailed off, hoping that Kurama understood what he meant.

  “Girl?” Hiei shut his eyes tighter. “The one you always hang out with,” Hiei explained. Kurama blinked again. As far as he knew, the only girl he hung around with was Botan and Yukina. And also Genkai-baasan if you count her in as a girl. Then Suki crossed his mind. “Ah, you mean Suki?” the redhead exclaimed.

  Suddenly the door burst open. “Shuu-chan! Ah…?!” Shiori gasped as she saw her son’s friend Hiei lying on top of her son. And her son was hugging the boy possessively. Kurama straightened up, bringing Hiei up as well nearly dislocating his neck. “K…kaasan!” Kurama exclaimed. “Kaasan?” Hiei uttered in shock. If Kurama’s mother knew then…

  Shiori still stared at them in shock but then relaxed. “Umm… I’m sorry dear… but I just wanted to tell you that Kazuya and I are getting married ^_^!” the lady exclaimed in happiness. “Honto ni, kaasan?” Kurama exclaimed. Hiei shifted in Kurama’s lap and looked over his shoulder to the middle-aged woman. “Omedetou?” he guessed that would be the right thing to say. Shiori smiled at Hiei and nodded. “Doumo, Hiei-kun,” with that she closed back the door.

  Hiei looked at Kurama who gave him the same look.

  Kurama spoke first. “Good thing she’s in a happy mood,” he said, still cuddling the fire demon. “Kurama, now she knows,” Hiei uttered softly. “About what?” Kurama smiled. “Us, you idiot!” Hiei nearly exclaimed, but managed to keep his temper in check.

  Kurama chuckled gleefully. “Then…” he trailed off. “Then what?” Hiei demanded. “We don’t have to hide anymore!” he hugged the koorime tighter.

  “No one would separate us anymore, itoshii!” Kurama kissed the fire demon’s hair.

6.30  a.m.

  Hiei heard noises coming from the bathroom. He blinked and focused his bearings. Looking straight to the dark slightly lighted ceiling. He closed his eyes again and imagined the steady streams of water hitting his fox’s body gently.

  The fire demon snuggled tighter to the comfort of Kurama’s comforter. The air-cond was still running high. Though it was not the cold that bothered the fire demon. It was the loneliness. He opened his eyes as the sound of water disappeared and the bathroom door opened. It’s light brightened the room more.

  Hiei eyed the redhead as he got into his school uniform. Those tight muscles flexed and bent innocently. Hiei eyed him and something grew in between his legs. His erection got up. :… Shit …: he pressed it down.

  Kurama went to his dressing table and brushed his hair. “Ohayo, Hiei-koi…” Kurama chuckled. He knew Hiei was watching from just now. “Umm…” Hiei pretended to stir awake. Kurama walked to his table and took his books.

  “I’m seeing you after school,” Hiei said, somewhat his voice sounded harsh. “Well Hiei… you know as well as I am that I have to meet Suki afterwards…” Kurama kneeled down and brushed Hiei's hair, giving him a light kiss on the cheek. Hiei closed his eyes. “I thought you were to meet her only at breakfast?” Hiei asked. “It’s an interview Hiei, it may take a long time,” Kurama played with Hiei’s hair.

  “Can you walk me to school?” Kurama smiled. Hiei opened his eyes. The redhead nodded. Hiei got up. “School? Wouldn’t everyone see us, then?” Hiei asked. Kurama smiled, caressing Hiei's smooth flawless cheek. “No,” he answered. Hiei got up, completely forgotten about his naked flesh showing his erected member all together.

  “Hiei! You’re hard!” Kurama chuckled, reaching up to the fire demon’s hard member. “Kurama!” Hiei bit his lower lip as the redhead’s soft hands grabbed his throbbing friend.

 Kurama bent down and kissed the throbbing tip of Hiei's jolting member. “I promise to give full attention to you later, baby,” Kurama gave his word. He hugged the fire demon warmly. “I thought you wanted me to walk to school with you?” the fire demon asked. “Ah, hai…” Kurama blushed.

  Suki took the path in the park and found a familiar figure walking into it as well. :… Koori …: she exclaimed to herself. She couldn’t run because he had already seen her. The young boy walked up to her. “Ohayo,” he smiled at her. It was too sweet. Too sick.

  Suki tried her best to smile back. Yes, he was attractive. But the boy’s sick! You can’t force yourself onto someone who doesn’t want to! The boy reached out to grab her hand. “Koori, let go,” she said softly. “Why?” the boy advanced himself putting a hand around her waist, touching her bare skin underneath her uniform top.

  “Koori… please…” she pleaded. “What? Don’t you like it?” the boy gave her a flirty smile. “No,” she said firmly. Koori gave her a ‘DUH’ look. “Really, please Koori. I don’t like it…” Suki tried to get his hands off herself.

  “Why don’t you like it?” Koori grinned, acting as if it was all a joke. “Because it’s not right!” Suki reached up her hand and nearly slapped Koori. “Hey!” the boy got angry and slammed her on one of the trees. “You are in no say to tell me what’s right to do or what’s wrong to do!” he choked her neck and pinned her to the tree tighter.

  Kurama walked in the park with Hiei. “You always take this root to school?” the koorime asked, contented that Kurama’s hand was in his. The redhead shook his head. “Nope. I walked through here because I’m with you. Because I want to be longer by your side,” Kurama assured the koorime.

  The redhead looked around and something looked suspicious. The park felt weird that day.

  “What’s he trying to do?” Hiei pointed at a boy pinning a girl firmly on a tree. “Inari!” Kurama gasped. “That’s Suki, Hiei!” Kurama exclaimed. “Okay, that means she’s in trouble, ne?” Hiei asked.

  Kurama nodded. “Thank you Hiei,” he uttered as the fire demon rushed to Suki. He knew that Hiei was 10 times faster than he was. And he was glad.

  Hiei put his katana right under Koori’s throat. “Unhand her,” he said slowly. “Oh, what do we have here? A little boy?” Koori asked, unaware of the katana blade under his throat. “Talk again and your throat will be fillet sizes. Now let go of her,” Hiei urged. This time Koori blinked and slowly let go of Suki.

  Kurama reached there and quickly pulled Suki out and she cried on Kurama’s chest. “I thought you would know better than to do such despicable things to a girl,” Kurama said sternly as he comforted the weeping girl.

  “I… I…” Koori started to startle but Hiei dug his katana deeper. “Uruse, yarou,” Hiei snarled. “Don’t go near her anymore or else I’ll tell Hiei to slash you into convenient fillet sizes to be fed to the dogs,” Kurama smiled. Koori nodded. “Good, now let’s go,” Kurama gestured Hiei and they left Koori there sweating like a pig.

  “Sou da… so your mother’s name is Shiori Minamino, ne?” Suki scribbled stuffs into her note pad, constantly nodding at every word Kurama was saying. She would also take pictures of Kurama from time to time.

  Hiei was sipping his coke with a straw making loud noises when he’s annoyed with Suki.

  Kurama placed his hand on Hiei’s thighs as to clam him down assuring him that Suki was harmless.

  They talked on and on for nearly 2 hours. Suki’s notepad was nearly full and her roll of film was finished. “I thank you so much for this, Minamino-san! I bet this year’s magazine would be a hit,” she grinned.

 “Yeah right. As if anyone is interested in my life’s story,” Kurama chuckled. “It’s a hit, Minamino-kun! I’ll guarantee you ^_^.” She nodded. “Whatever,” Kurama shrugged.

  Hiei was still dumbfounded. He looked at himself standing on the tree branch outside Kurama’s window.

  Did Kurama like him really? Or did that girl have a special place in his heart? He needed an answer to that. Every time he wanted to make sure, there would be something to stop him from knowing the truth. Fate, a real joker it is.

  Tonight, he will find out. He will…

  Kurama turned around as Hiei jumped in his window. They looked into each other’s eye for a moment. Silent hung in the air as to respect their secret feelings for each other.

  The redhead was as if reading his mind. Knowing the question and was ready to give and answer. He opened his hands and Hiei walked into it. He relished the warm embrace as it came and was given to him by the one who he loved most.

 He opened his big eyes and looked right into the equally big emerald depths. “Kurama…” Hiei trailed off as Kurama put a finger on his lips. The redhead knew the question. And he didn’t want to hear it. He didn’t want Hiei to question him. But he will give him an answer.

  “Ai shiteru, koi… yari ki nara ai…” the redhead whispered tenderly into Hiei’s ears. The fire demon smiled. The fox had stolen his heart and he would rather it be in his hands than in his own. And now, he got the answer he was looking for. Truly his forever.

Owari… ^_^

Kuchibue Ga Kikoeru
Sung by -> Hiyama Nobuyuki -Hiei-
Translated by -> Bulma Briefs

Kuchibue ga kikoeru  kinou yori motou kude
[I can hear a whistle since yesterday was so far away.]
togire tohi reno kakera o hatsu me
[I collect the scattered pieces]
migite nigiri shime sotto me o tojiru
[I hold them tightly in my right hand, and softly close my eyes]
 

NAIFU no you ni tsuhikari ga ori dasu
[Knife-like moonlight rains down]
chiheisen mo nitetsuku yoru sa
[On a night that freezes even the horizon]
kiza o daite sonna kouya nii ma hitori
[Alone in that wilderness, hugging my knee]
kaze o utani mimi o sumashiteru
[I strain to hear the song of the wind]
 

nemuranai yoru I shiranai yatsu wa
[Those who do not know cannot  sleep in the night]
tsuyoku wa na renai sore ga ru-ru sa
[becoming strong and not trapped by that rule]
 

Kuchi buega kikoeru  hoshizorra yori tou kude
[I can hear a whistle since the starry sky is so far away]
sore wa dare ka no inori no kotoba
[It's the words of someone's prayer.}
migite ni nigiri shime sotto me o tojiru
[I hold them tightly in my hand, and softly close my eyes]

kodoku yori mo motto sanashii mono wa
[A thing that is even sadder than loneliness]
sono kodoku ni kizukanai koto
[Is not even realising that loneliness]
donna hieta yoru no daichi mo sono shita ni
[No matter how freezing the night, under the earth]
atataka sa o kakushite iru no sa
[Warmth is hidden.]
 

Kako ni tona warete torideiru yori
[Rather than being a bird that is trapped in a cage]
namae mo shiranai mishi koroni nare
[I would rather become a nameless stone]

Kuchibue ga kikoeru  kinou yori mo tou kude
[I can hear a whistle since yesterday was so far away]
togire tohi reno kakera o hatsu me
[I collect the scattered pieces]
migite nigiri shime sotto me o tojiru
[I hold them tightly in my right hand, and softly close my eyes]

Kuchibue ga kikoeru  hoshizorra yori tou kude
[I can hear a whistle since the starry sky is so far away]
sore wa dare ka no inori no kotoba
[It's the words of someone's prayer]
migite ni nigiri shime sotto me o tojiru
[I hold them tightly in my hand, and softly close my eyes]

migite ni nigiri shime sotto me o tojiru
[And holding them tight in my right hand, I softly close my eyes]

So I did it! Hahaha… another fic finished. I was ready to dump this fic into the trash when Tasukimi-san told me not to and gave me encouragement to dig it out and finish it. Thanks to her this fic got a new life.

Bulma Briefs
ICQ# 13254597