|
|
~~STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY!!~~
"It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to say...
To look you in the eyes...and tell you I don't love you..."
~The Hardest Thing, 98 Degrees
Chapter Six
Hiei ran to his old home in the Makai, a small cave on the face of a mountain. The only drawback to the location was the fact that it was on Mukuro's land. Hiei had hidden and boobytrapped the cave years ago when he'd decided to take over the Ningenkai. The fire demon was glad that he had hidden it. At least I have somewhere to live... He quickly discovered that some of the traps had been tripped. Nearby, he found the mangled, rotting bodies of what had been several weak, low A-class youkai. He disposed of the carcasses with a burst of ki, burning them to ashes in seconds and ridding the cave of the disgusting stench of rotting flesh.
The fire demon had honestly considered going back to Mukuro and letting her kill him, but he'd decided not to. I'd only hurt Yukina. Kurama obviously doesn't care about me enough to mind if I got myself killed.
Earlier, he'd walked through a more heavily populated area of the Makai, a trading area (in disguise of course). There he heard that Mukuro had chosen another heir. She didn't waste much time... Hiei thought bitterly. She was probably sick of me anyway. He'd also heard that the new heir was obsessed with killing him, because she thought that it would strengthen her heirship. The thing that had chilled him most was that the new heir was Koorime. She would want to kill him anyway.
Hiei glanced around his Sparten quarters glumly, reminding himself drearily that this would be his home for the rest of his life, however long or short that might be. He had some dried food left over that was still good, as well as a few weapons and a small stash of Makai treasure. In a corner, on a bed of moss lay the frayed cloth that was to serve as a bed, as it had for nearly twenty years before he had joined Goki in the quest to take over the Ningenkai.
Hiei smiled bitterly and sat on a small outcropping of rock. His life had gone from being meaningful and almost perfect back to pointless and worthless in a matter of days. What does it matter? I was born to be miserable.
The fire demon reset his traps, then curled up on the bed of moss, drawing around him the pitiful scrap that he had once been proud to call a blanket. After a long while, he was drawn into a fitful sleep full of sad dreams.
Kurama slowly drove to his mother's home, sincerely dreading what was about to take place, but knowing that he had to do it. I owe it to Hiei. Even if he hates me, this must be done. I never wanted to marry her. And because I didn't protest my mother's plans, I've lost the most important person in my life.
Finally, he pulled into the driveway, wincing as he noticed that his stepfather was home. Yet another problem. The redhead walked to the door, resisting the urge to drag his feet. Finally, he went in.
"Oniisan!" Shuu-chan yelled. "'Tousan, 'Niisan's here!"
The big man chuckled. "I've noticed. What brings you here, boy?" Kurama didn't answer.
"Shuuichi, dear! I'm glad you stopped by. I need to discuss the wedding plans with-"
Kurama interrupted his mother. "Kaasan, I need to speak to you privately for a moment."
Shiori blinked at him. "Of course, Shuuichi. You must have questions." She led him from the room. "Now, what did you need to discuss?"
The kitsune took a deep breath. "I can't marry Tesia."
Shiori blinked. "But you must! The plans-"
"Kaasan, I've been in love with someone for a long time," Kurama interrupted, chosing his words carefully. "And that person found out that this wedding was planned and is very upset."
Shiori stared at him. "You...you have a girlfriend? Oh, Shuuichi, why didn't you tell me?! Who is she? Will I be meeting her? What is she like?..."
Kurama took a deep breath. "His name is Hiei and he's the most wonderful person I've ever met."
His mother continued babbling. "Oh, you must bring her sometime! What does she like to eat? What kind-" She stopped short and stared at Kurama. In a tiny voice she said, "He?"
"Yes, Kaasan. He." The kitsune had to force himself to look her in the eye. "Kaasan, I'm...I have a male lover. I have for quite a while." Shiori just gaped at him. "He...thought that I didn't love him, because I haven't been spending time with him lately. And when Tesia called..." Tears came to Kurama's eyes, but he refused to let them fall. "He left." The redhead's voice cracked. "But I still can't marry her. I won't marry her. I'm sorry, Kaasan."
"You're gay, Shuuichi?" she asked, shocked.
Kurama finally looked away. "Hai, Kaasan."
The door burst open to reveal Kurama's red-faced stepfather. "Get out!" the man growled. "I will NOT have a perversion in my home!"
Kurama flinched. "I'm sorry Kaasan." He left the room and grabbed his coat, hurrying to the front door.
Shuu-chan came from the kitchen with c couple cans of soda. "Hey, 'Niisan! Want one?"
Kurama swallowed hard as his stepfather let out an enraged snarl. The large man grabbed him by the collar and shoved him toward the front door. "Shuuichi-kun, stay away from him!" his stepfather yelled at Kurama's stepbrother. "But, Tousan-" "DON'T ARGUE WITH ME!" He turned to Kurama, his face purple with rage. "Never come back here! Do you hear me?! Never!"
Kurama hurried out the front door, wincing as it was slammed behind him, knowing that he would never be welcome there again. I'm sorry, Kaasan. I can't hide anymore...
The kitsune drove back to his apartment, feeling totally alone. I lost Hiei, and now even my own mother hates me... Tears finally fell as he realized that this was probably exactly how Hiei had felt when Tesia had called. Kurama stumbled to his empty bed, and curled up, crying himself to sleep.
Hiei sat up as he awoke with a start, not knowing where he was. As he looked around, memory returned to him in a flash. He hugged his knees to his chest, feeling very alone, like there was a huge hole in his heart. Why can't I just forget? he wondered sadly. Why did Kurama do this to me? Why did he make me fall in love with him if he didn't love me back? A single, forlorn sob racked his slender body before he managed to supress his emotions. I don't care. I need something to do with my life. If Mukuro kills me, that's her business...
The fire demon flickered from his bed and threw on some clothes. After a few moments of thought, he grabbed his katana, as well as a few jeweled throwing knives before he left his pitiful dwelling.
Yukina woke up with a gasp. ONIISAN!! She took deep breaths to calm herself. She'd had a horrible dream about Hiei. In the dream, Mukuro had a new heir, a Koorime, who caught Hiei and killed him. It can't be true... she thought desperately. The Koorime never leave the city! Still, she could not supress a terrible foreboding feeling.
Yukina got up, knowing that she would not be able to fall back to sleep and began to clean the temple, trying unsuccessfully to get her mind off of the issues of the past few days.
Kurama awoke with a start. "Hiei?" he called, opening his eyes and looking beside him, where the fire demon usually slept. Then he remembered that Hiei was gone. A single tear slid down the kitsune's cheek. He's gone...
The redhead rose, vaguely realizing that it was still pitch-black outside; the dawn hadn't yet fallen. He was wide awake, even though he knew that his body was exhausted. I won't sleep until I've talked to Hiei... he realized. Kurama left his apartment and headed toward Yukina's, knowing that he was not going to get a warm welcome.
The kitsune reached the temple as the sun was rising above the horizon. Yukina was already up, tending the garden. She felt his ki and whirled around.
"What do you want?!" the Koorime growled angrily. "Haven't you done enough damage?!"
Kurama looked away. "I need to speak to Hiei. Where is he?" As he had neared the temple, the redhead had realized that Hiei's ki was not in the vicinity.
Yukina flinched. "Not here," she said softly, almost to herself. Her head snapped up and she glared at him. "Not that it's any of your business!!"
Kurama touched a rose from a vine hanging overhead on a trellis. It burst into bloom as he touched it. "I told my parents the truth. That I'm...that I love Hiei. I'm not marrying Tesia. I never was going to."
"Whatever." Yukina was silent for a moment. "What did they say."
"They disowned me..." Kurama murmured. He flashed Yukina a weak half-smile. "Not that it matters."
"I don't believe you."
"Then call. I'll give you the number." He paused. "I would recommend keeping the receiver away from your ear though." He was not trying to be amusing.
Yukina sniffed. "I will call. Then you won't be able to lie to me!" They entered the temple. Yukina dialed the number that Kurama told her. "Hello. Is Kur...er...is Minamino Shuuichi there?"
The Koorime yanked the receiver away from her ear. Kurama could hear his stepfather's ranting word for word. "NO PERVERTED FREAKS ARE HERE!! THAT GAY-"
Yukina slammed the telephone receiver down, and looked at Kurama. "I'm sorry..."
Kurama didn't look at her. "Where is Hiei?"
"He went to the Makai..." Yukina whispered. "I tried to stop him but..." She trailed off.
Kurama glanced at her. "Why did you want to stop him? He has the right to go to the Makai."
Yukina swallowed hard. "He gave up heirship to Mukuro's territory when he was in the Makai last time. She wasn't too happy, and hehad to fight his way out of the Makai. He heard before he managed to leave that she appointed an heir that wants him dead. But he went back to the Makai anyway..."
Kurama paled. "I have to find him," he whispered.
"I understand," Yukina said softly. She pulled her tear gem over her head. "Give this to him when you find him. Tell him I want him to come home..."
"Hai, Yukina-san." Kurama pulled the tear gem over his head. "I'll bring him home." He left, heading quickly toward the portal that led to the Makai, hoping desperately that he could keep his promise.
Gomen for the short delay, minna. I've been a bit...preoccupied. But here is Chapter...Six, I think. *scrolls up* Yeah, six. *yawns* Ooookay...oyasami nasai minna-san. Ah ahm sooo tahrd...Anna goa bed...Ni' ni' *face falls onto the keyboard and earthshattering snores can be heard by the entire universe*
On to Chapter Seven
Back to Chapter Five
Back to the Fanfic Page
Back to the Main Page