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~~STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY!!~~
"I'm a Barbie girl
In a Barbie world
It's fantastic
Life in plastic!"
~Barbie Girl, Aqua
Chapter Two
Kurama sat through lunch, listening to his mother and her friend chat, and trying to avoid the goo-goo eyes that Tesia was shooting at him. Tesia was the girl that his mother had wanted him to meet. She was very attractive, with large purple eyes, long jet-black hair, and a very shapely body, which she had shown off with an extremely tight outfit. Unfortunately for her, she had no personality, and was what Americans would call a 'Barbie Doll.'
The lunch lasted until nearly two in the afternoon, at which point Shiori and her friend had gone outside to discuss something in private. Finally, they parted.
"Shuuichi, could you come in for a moment? I need to speak to you."
"Hai, 'Kaasan." Kurama parked the car and joined his mother in the living room. "What did you need to speak to me about?"
"You and Tesia seemed to hit it off very well. I think you two will make a very attractive couple." Shiori was smiling.
"'Kaasan, I know you think so, but I don't want a girlfriend. Besides, Tesia doesn't have a personality!"
Shiori blinked at him. "Who said anything about her being your girlfriend. I've already arranged the marriage."
Kurama gaped at his human mother in shock. "But...I don't want to marry Tesia! I can't get married!" I have Hiei!
Shiori frowned at her son. "You must marry Tesia. It was arranged over a week ago."
"But, 'Kaasan-"
"No more arguements, Shuuichi! You are getting married. To Tesia. That's final." Shiori's expression softened. "Shuuichi, I am getting old. I want grandchildren. Please marry Tesia for me?"
Kurama looked away. "I'll think about it, 'Kaasan," he whispered, his heart breaking into a million pieces. You lied! You were going to force me to marry her all along!
"Thank you, Shuuichi. Who do you want invited to the wedding?"
"I don't care," Kurama intoned. "You decide. You've already planned everything else." He left before she could say another word.
Kurama's mind was a turmoil of emotions when he entered the apartment. Fortunately, Hiei was still visiting Yukina, so he could figure out what to do.
I only have about 100 years in this body...I could marry Tesia. It would only last for a short time. Then I'd be with Hiei for the rest of my youko life.
Kurama was trying to figure out what to do. But how would I explain that to Hiei? He wouldn't understand. He couldn't bear to hurt Hiei, but neither could he hurt his mother. His worst nightmare had come true; he had to choose between the two people he loved most.
Shiori only has about 20 more years to her life. I could leave for the Makai when she dies. Tesia means nothing to me; she'd find someone else. But, Hiei...
Kurama's train of thought was broken as Hiei entered through the window. "How'd the lunch thing go, Fox?"
"Fine," Kurama answered vaguely. "Hungry?"
"Nah. Yukina made that sushi stuff, so I ate with her." The fire demon looked at Kurama apologetically. "Hope you don't mind."
"Not really," Kurama answered. "Actually, I'm still full from lunch. What time is it?"
"'Round eight. Why?"
Kurama blinked. He'd been thinking for a long time. "I'm just tired." The kitsune rose and went into the bedroom. He changed into his pajamas (blue ones this time) and slipped into bed.
A few minutes later, Hiei climbed into bed. "Kurama?"
"Nani?" Hiei said nothing, but kissed him passionately. Kurama pulled away. "Not tonight Hiei; I'm tired."
Hiei looked a bit hurt, but accepted his answer. "Fine." The fire demon moved closer to Kurama, expecting to be snuggled, but Kurama yawned hugely and turned over, presenting Hiei with his back. "Hn." Two can play at this game, Fox! The fire demon moved away a bit, expecting Kurama to pounce on him, believing that the exhaustion was only a pretense. The kitsune did nothing. He's must be pretty tired, Hiei thought, disappointed. Maybe he'll feel better in the morning...
But the next morning brought no change. Kurama rose early, waking Hiei accidentally. "Gomen, Hiei. My mother called. She needs me to run some errands for her. You can go back to sleep."
But Hiei was wide awake. "I'll come with."
Kurama shook his head. "No, Hiei. Go back to sleep. I'll be back in a few hours."
Hiei blinked. "Fine." He turned away as Kurama dressed.
"Ja, Hiei," Kurama called as he exited the apartment.
Hiei sat up. Kurama hadn't even kissed him goodbye! In fact, the kitsune had been treating him pretty coldly since he'd come back from Yukina's. What's eating him? Hiei decided to talk to Kurama about it when he got home.
Hours passed, and Kurama didn't return. Finally, Hiei decided to go visit Yukina. He wrote a note and left it on the counter. It read:
Yukina was pleasantly surprised to feel her brother's ki near the temple. The Koorime had been very lonely after Genkai died, and her only solace was Hiei's visits. She was shocked that it had taken her so long to figure out that he was her brother. He was about the same height as her and had her eyes, and he'd always been kind to her. At least he's with me now.
Hiei came into view, and Yukina rose and waited. "Oniisan! I'm glad you came to visit me again!" She hugged him, but he didn't return the embrace. "Oniisan? What's wrong?"
The fire demon sighed. "Kurama's acting strange."
Yukina blinked. "How so, 'Niisan?"
Hiei looked away. "He's been acting cold toward me since I came home last night. I think I did something to upset him, but I'm not sure what."
"Maybe you should talk to him," Yukina suggested. "Maybe you two can work it out together."
"I was going to talk to him, but he said that he had to do something for his mother and left before I could..." Hiei looked at the ground. "He's been gone for hours, and I don't know what to do."
Yukina hugged him again, then smiled at him reassuringly. "I'm sure he'll be home soon. Everything will work out. Don't worry, Oniisan."
The fire demon smiled tenatively. "You're right, 'Kina."
"Are you hungry?" Yukina asked gently, knowing that her brother was a horrible cook and avoided preparing a meal like the plague. "I have more sushi, and it needs to be eaten before it spoils."
Hiei nodded. "Kurama left soon after I got up, and he didn't leave anything out for me." The sanjiyan looked a bit embarrassed. "He didn't even kiss me before he left," he confessed.
Yukina winced. I hope it's not that bad. "Well, I'm sure you're hungry. Let's go inside." Hiei followed her in wordlessly.
Hiei didn't get in until about five. I hope Kurama's not mad... But the kitsune wasn't even home. The fire demon threw the note away and sat on the couch. Bored out of his mind, Hiei flipped on the TV and watched some old reruns of DragonBall Z, Yoiroden Samurai Troopers, and Gundam W.
It was well past nine when Kurama came in. "Where were you, Fox?" Hiei asked, trying not to sound angry.
"My mother had a lot of things that she needed me to do," Kurama answered, sitting down at the kitchen table. "I already ate," he said, holding up a box of takeout. "Want some?"
Hiei shook his head. Kurama shrugged and shoved the box into the fridge. "I need to talk to you, Fox," the fire demon said.
Kurama avoided his eyes. "Sorry, Hiei. I have some homework to do, and classes tomorrow. It'll have to wait." The kitsune pulled his bookbag off the counter and pulled some books out.
"Hn." Hiei flopped back on the couch and flipped through channels until he found an old American western movie with John Wayne, called The Alamo. He fell asleep in the middle of it.
Hiei awoke in the middle of the night to find himself still on the couch. The TV was off and Kurama was no longer in the kitchen. What the hell..? The fire demon got up and crept into the bedroom. Kurama was asleep in the bed. He didn't even move me...Kurama, what did I do wrong?
The sanjiyan went back to the living room and lay back on the couch. Kurama must be really mad at me if he left me out here... It took a long time for Hiei to fall asleep again.
Gods, am I mean to Hiei...you all can see where this goes, ne? I'm horrible. I've got writer's block on Doomsday Picnic and Ushinatta, and here I go writing another fic! I'm as bad as Thayet-chan!! Daaaa...
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