Chapter Six
Hiei opened his eyes, as he felt very hungry suddenly. He stayed in that position for a while to feel the atmosphere around. It was really cold and quiet. He straightened up and looked around, adjusting to the dark. Hiei could see a figure sleeping with his back towards him not far away from himself. His eyes opened up as wide as dinner plates as he started to shiver in fear. But he was hungry.
He knew this place. He knew everyone there but everyone there seemed so distant and scary that he was sure they were going to torture him on sight and not just kill him. Why would they want to do that on him? What did he ever do to them?
So he gathered enough courage to crawl to the door quietly. His anus still throbbing painfully but not as intense as earlier, as if masked by something. He ignored it and made an effort to crawl slowly and quietly to the door afraid that he would wake the sleeping being in that room and it’ll hurt him again. No way he wanted that.
At last he reached the door and slid it open. Cold harsh wind was blowing outside; he slid himself outside then quickly regretted his actions, as it was too cold outside here. He wrapped the yukata around himself tighter and looked left and right. He listened to the winds, as his senses sensed no one walking around this time of the night.
He made his way to the kitchen slowly, very slowly as every step he made seemed like a hand trying to rip opened his backside.
But he was so hungry…
At last he finally reached the kitchen. He reached around for the light switch and ticked it on. He closed his eyes to the blinding white light, taking a few moments to adjust. He felt so timid and useless, but this was what he could do for now. For he was so confused and scared.
Now for something to eat… he started looking around.
Kurama felt something wrong and turned around; he opened an eye just to check if Hiei was there…
Kurama pushed the covers away and blinked to adjust the dim lighting. “Hiei?” he called and crawled to the futon where Hiei used to lay just a few hours ago.
It was empty.
“Gods!” Kurama turned around and saw the ajar door opened enough to let someone through. “Inari-sama! Please let Hiei be okay!” he stood up and ran out the room. He looked left and right.
“The wind could make him sick,” Kurama thought anxiously, regarding the harsh wind. Then he saw the light to the kitchen was on. He took a deep breath and approached the kitchen. He reminded himself to be slow and steady, careful not to scare the han-koorime.
Hiei opened the fridge and looked inside. There were some cold buns inside, some milk and some raw vegetables. He grabbed the soft white buns and the whole bottle of milk; just as he was about to close the fridge door, he heard a sound. Hiei eyes widened and his pupils dilated as he bit his lips. Someone’s coming! He turned around.
There he was at the entrance of the kitchen, the redhead. The food dropped on the floor and the poor frightened han-koorime fell on his back. He hugged his knees tight and started to cry apologies. “I’m sorry… I was just hungry… please don’t hit me… please…”
Kurama felt like crying. How did his darling egoistic Jaganshi turn into this? “Hiei,” Kurama called as gently as he could. “Please don’t… please don’t hit me,” Hiei tried to swing his hands in protection of himself, ignoring the searing pain in radiating from his ass.
Kurama lowered himself and tried to calm Hiei down. “Don’t worry Hiei, I’m not going to hurt you,” Kurama said softly. Hiei stopped swinging his hands but hugged his knees tight against him. He heard that phrase before. The Jaganshi tried to remember where he had heard the phrase but couldn’t quite put a finger on it. Kurama picked up the buns from the floor and blew it, putting it back on the plate.
“You’re hungry are you?” Kurama smiled, remembering that Hiei hadn’t had decent food for quite some time.
Kurama reached closer to touch Hiei but the Jaganshi fluttered way from the touch, pressing his back to the wall. “Don’t worry Hiei, I’m not going to hurt you… trust me,” Kurama approached gently. He was being very careful because he was afraid that he already did damage to the already wounded anus of the Jaganshi. Again Hiei bit his lips; he nearly got where he’d heard it before. And he was sure it wasn’t a good place.
Kurama reached out to stroke Hiei’s hair softly. Hiei’s shaking was diminishing. Soon, it was just sobs as the redhead carefully caressed the slick black hair.
Hiei looked up after a while as was looking at a pair of the most gentle loving emerald eyes he had ever seen, distressed but nonetheless kind and loving. “Are you hungry? Why didn’t you tell me so I can get some food for you; you don’t have to walk all the way here by yourself. Your wound’s going to open up again,” the redhead’s voice was gentle and soft.
Although he longed for such loving voice to be directed to him, this was too good to be true. All he remembered was the pain of torture and…
… And nothing else…
He was scared; he couldn’t just trust anyone. He was confused, scared, hurt, cold and hungry. Hiei wanted to get up and run. But his backside was too sore and painful. And he was hungry thus reminding him that he was lacked of energy. And Kurama was offering kindness.
He eyed Kurama as the redhead handed him a bun. “You must be real hungry… here have a…” then Kurama paused. The sudden change in Kurama’s eyes reverted Hiei’s thoughts of receiving the bun.
Kurama thought for a while. If Hiei ate anything and it get digested; there would be some feces coming out from him out of natural biological causes. And that would be bad for the healing process.
Kurama reached around to his hair and came up with a mini vine-like plant seed. It will grow there and protect all the injured places until it heals properly and Hiei could do his job normally.
He handed Hiei the seed. Hiei shook his head. He thought it was something dangerous. “This is for the wound down there. If you don’t eat this, the wound will go bad,” Kurama handed the bun as well. “You can eat the bun first,” Kurama smiled; it was sincere and caring.
Hiei reached out to take the seed as Kurama placed it between Hiei’s thumb and forefinger. Hiei swallowed the seed as Kurama poured out milk and handed Hiei the cup. Hiei drank the milk and took the bun, which was still in front of him from Kurama.
He ate fast, nearly choking himself. “There, there… not so fast… you’ll choke,” Kurama smiled, watching his fire demon eat. The sight lifted a burden off his shoulders.
“Do you remember me? I’m Kurama,” Kurama smiled at the han-koorime. Hiei looked up at him and blinked, then he nodded once.
Then a gush of wind blew into the kitchen causing Hiei to tighten his yukata. “Are you cold?” Kurama asked. Hiei looked up timidly at Kurama and bit his lips while chewing on the bun; the Jaganshi nodded once.
Kurama extended his arm, inviting Hiei. “I can keep you warm,” Kurama smiled. Hiei shook his head; still scared that Kurama might suddenly turn into a monster and beat him into a pulp ands still let him life to suffer after that.
“Don’t worry baby, I won’t hurt you,” Kurama uttered. Then it hit the Jaganshi. Hiei remembered where he had heard that phrase before. His mind played back like a video camera, remembering the past.
It was that big creature that told him that. Then he was tortured. “No… nooo…” Hiei started crying. “No, don’t Hiei… I didn’t mean to do anything… I’m sorry,” Kurama apologized in a panic. Now he’d done it. What have he done or said to make the Jaganshi cry like that anyway? Kurama sighed. This was harder than he thought.
Kurama waited for a moment until he was sure that he had enough courage to coax Hiei back to his side.
“It’s very cold Hiei and it’s bad for you to sit there by yourself. You’re going to get more sickness,” Kurama started. “Please don’t torture me… it really hurts,” Hiei cried. “I won’t do so, my dear. Come into my arms,” Kurama said softly. “If I wanted to torture why would I give you medicine… and food?” Kurama asked.
Hiei lifted his tear stained face and looked at Kurama warily. That gentle green eyes still looked at him and it gave him hints of love. But he knew better than to ask such questions.
Kurama come a step nearer and Hiei didn’t flinched. It was progress. “Can I touch you?” Kurama asked. Hiei looked at Kurama vigilantly. “Would you hurt me?” Hiei asked.
That question pierced a certain part of Kurama’s heart. It reminded him of the mean things he said and did to Hiei. The youko’s eyes began to produce tears. “Never…” Kurama managed to utter. Never again, my love I would hurt you.
Hiei looked up at Kurama “Thank you,” Hiei said softly. Kurama smiled amidst his tears. “Thank you,” Kurama uttered back as he came closer and touched Hiei’s smooth arm. Detecting no protest, Kurama moved nearer and pulled Hiei gently closer to him.
It was a slow process, but Kurama finally had Hiei in his arms.
Hiei closed his eyes and tensed his body as he leaned on Kurama’s warm torso. Kurama ran soothing circles around Hiei’s back and tried to convince the han-koorime to relax. “Do you want anymore food?” Kurama asked. Hiei shook his head. “It’s cold here. Do you want to go back to sleep in your room?”
Hiei nodded and tried to stand up but the searing pain attacked again. “Kurama… it’s painful… make it stop… please…” Hiei pleaded, his eyes began to emit fresh tears. “Hold on, Hiei,” Kurama reached into his hair and found another painkiller seed. “Here, eat this,” Kurama pushed the seed into Hiei’s mouth and the Jaganshi swallowed it.
It took a few seconds before the pain subsided. But for some reason the Jaganshi couldn’t stand on his feet. He felt weak. He tried a few times to stand up, to no avail. Kurama smiled lovingly. “It’s okay Hiei. I’ll carry you back,” Kurama said as he scooped the han-koorime up gently.
Kurama switched off the kitchen lights and headed back towards his room, tightening the embrace as Hiei snuggled closer into his chest out of the harsh wind. He was slightly shivering himself.
Kurama closed the door and switched on the dim yellow light in the room. Kurama placed Hiei on his futon; tucked the boy in then pushed his own futon near to Hiei’s. “I’ll be sleeping right here next to you so no one can harm you, okay Hiei?” Kurama got into the futon under the covers.
Suddenly Hiei felt Kurama’s hands against his under the covers. He looked up at Kurama’s still awaken green eyes and blinked. The redhead’s hand felt warm and he would like it if Kurama would embrace him for warmth. But would it be too much to ask?
Hiei unconsciously run his hands up and down Kurama’s slowly, deep in thoughts. Kurama, figuring out that the shy han-koorime wanted warmth asked him in a soft and gentle way. “I can come nearer for you to snuggle against me if you’re cold,” Kurama said softly in the silhouette of the dim yellow light behind him.
At last, someone so kind as much as to offer him warmth. That was the amount of love he needed to be contended with and promised to himself he wouldn’t ask for more.
Scarcely discarding his fear for Kurama aside, armed by Kurama’s word of trust and protection, the Jaganshi slowly pulled Kurama’s hand closer as the youko moved nearer and embraced the youkai. Assuring him safety, trust and most importantly love…
Hiei started crying. Kurama realized it when his torso was slightly wet. “What’s wrong Hiei, did I hurt you?” Kurama asked. Hiei shook his head. “Thank you Kurama…” Hiei cried on Kurama’s chest. A place to finally cry on, a place to finally embrace into, a place to finally love…
Kurama woke up the next day with his love in his arms. He got up and gently untangled himself from Hiei’s limbs and got ready for the morning. He still had laundry to do and cook breakfast. After a decent brush of his hair, the redhead looked at Hiei and smiled. He took his towel and walked over to Hiei’s sleeping form. Debating whether to bring Hiei with him or to just let him sleep longer, he sat next to the boy and stroked the black hair.
Hiei blinked and opened his eyes with a startle; he looked at Kurama at first with scared eyes but the relaxed when Kurama smiled warmly at him. “Ohayo Hiei,” Kurama stopped his stroking.
“Ohayo…” Hiei uttered softly. “I’m going for a bath. Do you want to follow?” Kurama asked. Hiei bit his lips and nodded once.
“Can you stand up?” Kurama asked as he himself stood up. Hiei looked at his legs and frowned. Kurama extended both his hands to help Hiei. The han-koorime reached for Kurama’s supportive hands and tried to stand.
After a few tries, it was a success. But his legs immediately gave way when Kurama let Hiei’s hands free. Good thing Kurama’s reflexes were fast and managed to catch Hiei before he fell on the floor.
The redhead carried Hiei properly and headed for the bathroom. It was still early dawn. No one was awake yet so they had the bathroom all to themselves.
Kurama settled Hiei on a stool and bathed him. His long hair was shampooed, his body was sponged cleaned and he was a clean as a porcelain dish in not time. “Now, my turn to wash up,“ Kurama told Hiei as he went to wash himself. Hiei blinked at the naked form of the redhead. It was beautiful, the curves were in the right places; the wet skin was glistening, the flexed muscles under smooth skin were tantalizing.
But then he looked away. Kurama treated him nice and he was looking at him as if he was a dish to be eaten.
But he really looked delicious.
“Hiei?” Kurama’s words rang like bells in his head thus bringing him out of his thoughts. “What’re you doing staring at the floor?” Kurama asked as he slipped into his yukata. “Nothing,” was Hiei’s small answer, Kurama reached down to gently towel dry the han-koorime. Then dress him up in a yukata.
Kurama then carried Hiei back to their room. Hiei slowly relaxed himself and rested his head on Kurama’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.
Kurama changed into a pair of shorts and T-shirt. Hiei was looking at him and blinking. “I’m going to do some washing. You wanna come?” Kurama asked. “I thought you already washed up just now?” Hiei’s voice was timid but questioning. “I mean washing some clothes. Or you want to stay here?” Kurama asked. Hiei thought for a while. If he stayed here alone and some hideous creature came to catch him and torture him again; it would be bad. At least if he stayed with Kurama, he knew the redhead would at least watch out for him and he could at least feel secured.
“Can I come with you?” Hiei asked, his eyes were big and lost. “Of course, Hiei…” Kurama smiled and carried his dear lover into the washing room. Hiei was placed on one of the washer as Kurama did the washings.
After a while, Kurama took the wet clothes and bundled them into a basket, hanging it on his back as he carried Hiei outside to the garden to hand the clothes on the line. He put Hiei down on the rock bench. “Is it okay?” he asked. Hiei nodded, feeling just a slight irritation on his backside.
Kurama smiled and turned around to hang the clothes. Hiei looked around as the sun began to lighten up the place.
He saw some birds, trees, fishes in the pond. It felt somewhat safe here.
Yuusuke just woke up and yawned lazily. He walked his way to the bathroom and saw the girls coming out from their own room. “Ohayo, minna,” Yuusuke greeted them. “Ohayo, Yuusuke-san,” they greeted back, equally sleepy.
Just as they turned around, they saw Hiei and Kurama in the gardens. “It’s Hiei-san!” Ayami exclaimed in a whisper. “Shhh…” Yuusuke reminded her. “We walk this way so he won’t see us,” Yuusuke gestured. “But he looks quite okay to me, why don’t we go over and say hi to him?” Riko asked. Yuusuke shook his head. “Until Kurama says so,” he uttered.
Then Yuusuke realized that Yuuki was not there. “Where’s Yuuki?” he asked. “She’s still dozing,” Reiko uttered as they walked the other way.
Kurama finish hanging the clothes and wanted to go make breakfast. “Come Hiei,” the redhead uttered as he turn around. He saw Hiei standing and walking slowly. “Good Hiei! Now come walk to the kitchen with me,” Kurama smiled, putting the basket on his back and reaching out to guide Hiei.
Just as Hiei was about to walk up the stairs, a fat girl ran up to him and nearly chased his life out of his body.
“KYAaa!!”
The Jaganshi nearly fell to the back as he gasped at the girl’s shout. Kurama managed to catch him and Hiei cuddled tight to Kurama; shivering. “It’s coming to catch me, Kurama! Help, I don’t want to be tortured! Please kill me! They’re bad… and it’s painful!!!” Hiei cried frighteningly.
“Yuuki! Why are you here? I thought Yuusuke told you to…” Yuusuke gasped. “I’m sorry! I forgot!” she ran away to the other side.
“Shhh… it’s okay Hiei… It’s okay… I made it go away already,” Kurama patted Hiei’s back as Kurama sat on the stairs, with Hiei on his lap. He cuddled and lulled the boy to have him calm down. “Shhh… it’s alright… I promised you that no one would harm you, right?” Kurama coaxed the fire demon.
It took Kurama quite a while to calm Hiei down and by the time he managed so, everyone was up and about.
Kurama bought Hiei into the room and gave the han-koorime another seed for the wound. “Hiei, you stay here. I’m going to make something for you to eat, okay?” Kurama smiled. Hiei shook his head. “I don’t want to eat. Please don’t leave me. They will come and catch me,” Hiei started crying again. “No, no, no… they won’t,” Kurama stroked Hiei’s hair gently to soothe him. “You’ll be safe in this room. Besides, you have to eat,” Kurama smiled.
“I’ll make it quick,” Kurama winked. “Promise?” Hiei asked from under the futon that’s tucked to his chin. “Promise,” Kurama leaned down for a kiss but was afraid that it was too sudden for the fire demon and thought against it. He got up and walked out of the room.
When he was in the kitchen, he saw Yukina just coming in as well with Keiko. “How’s Hiei-san, Kurama-san?” Yukina asked immediately when she saw Kurama. “He’s doing pretty well until Yuuki came and scare his guts out,” Kurama was getting pretty edgy. “Oh, that’s bad!” Keiko sighed.
Kurama bought the breakfast out to everyone and looked pretty gloomy. “I’m sorry Kurama-san,” Yuuki apologized. “It’s okay,” Kurama replied in a deadpan voice. “What? What?” Yuusuke asked. Kurama was silent as he took another smaller tray and put some small portions separately.
“How’s Hiei, Kurama?” Kuwabara asked. “He’s okay,” Kurama answered short.
“You people go on, I won’t be joining,” Kurama uttered softly as he went out of the kitchen with a tray of food. Yukina and Keiko came in with more food and blinked at Kurama. “Is he joining us?” Keiko asked. Yuusuke shook his head.
“What’s up?” Yuusuke asked Yuuki. The slightly fatter girl sighed. “I woke up late this morning and accidentally bumped into Hiei,” she started. “What?” Yuusuke blinked. “Okay, so I make him cry. Big deal,” Yuuki bit her lips. “Well, it might not be big for you, or either of us. But it is big for Kurama,” Kuwabara uttered, for once a logical thing came out of his mouth.
Yuuki sighed. “I know…” she started on the breakfast.
Kurama came back with breakfast as he opened the door. “Hiei?” Kurama called. “I’m here, Kurama,” Hiei answered from under the cover. Kurama smiled and pulled the covers off gently. “I have food for you. Come, let’s eat,” the youko beamed lovingly.