The cure

A/N: Woah! Thanks so much for your beautiful, lovely reviews! I had no idea people would like this so much! I thought I was, like, the only Yusuke/Hiei fan out here, lol! Oh, and I want to apologise in advantage for Yusuke’s behaviour in this chapter … lol.

~*~

Dark eyelashes fluttered sleepily against ivory skin, and one eye creaked open slowly. Both eyes snapped wide, auburn pupils shrinking with horror. The ceiling didn’t register as familiar, and it took the yokai several painful seconds before the memories of last night returned to slow his heartbeat. Urameshi’s house. Hiei exhaled and relaxed into the soft warmth of the pillow. He glanced at his left side and realised Yusuke was gone. The fire apparition slid his hand over the sheets; they were cool. An absent thought that it would have been better if Yusuke were beside him passed his mind, but he quickly ignored it. He sat up and observed the room.

The dark T-shirt and pants in a bundle on the floor had been joined by boxers, and suddenly the noise in the background rose to his consciousness. It was the shower. Yusuke was still here. Hiei let out a quiet sigh of relief, which immediately annoyed him. He was a fool to think the Reikai Tantei leader would take off without changing his bandage first, so why had he been so anxious? A glare settling in its place, Hiei slid his feet on the cool floor and stood up. A small tinge of pain went up his left arm, and he looked at the bandage restlessly. Wasn’t it supposed to dull the pain completely?

Relaxing the injured arm as much as possible, Hiei walked to the wardrobe, not really sure why. He didn’t know what to do while Yusuke was in the shower. Maybe there would be something smaller for him in here. Hiei opened the door. If he had thought last night that the room was a mess, this sight shot the term to whole new heights. He couldn’t make what each garment was supposed to represent, and when most of them were the same colour, it only made it more difficult. Hiei grabbed something that hopefully was a sleeve, and tugged lightly. He stopped immediately when it looked like the whole shelf’s content would fall on the floor alongside.

The demon tugged again and the clothes threatened to roll out on the floor, and he had to stop them with his right hand. Now he was unable to pick one piece. He pondered the options of forgetting the whole thing and showing the pile back, and continuing to try. But if he couldn’t even perform a simple task like this, what would that make him? He wasn’t handicapped yet! Hiei pushed the lump back and started to swirl his fingers around the red sleeve he had his eyes on. Minutes went by and sweat started to plaster pitch-black bangs to his wrinkled forehead as he tugged and pushed, slowly working the garment out of its prison. Then a knot that tied the shirt with another came to view and he lost it.

Yusuke started and looked up at the beige tiles on the shower booth’s ceiling in order to concentrate. A ki spike. He ran out of the bathroom, not turning the water off or putting a towel on. He slammed the bedroom door open and stared at the sight. Where his wardrobe used to stand, was now a large, black area of coal-like substance, in a symmetric round orb, one third of which graced the floor as well. Hiei was staring at him with large, shocked eyes, his pupils small dots, and his posture stiff. A fine curl of smoke was rising from his right arm. Yusuke’s tongue was paralysed for a while.

“What the…” was all that came out. Hiei’s cheeks darkened at the sight of his old rival. Yusuke was obscene in his mere state of nudity. Glistening, bronzed muscles formed a delectable sight, drops of water dribbling down his strong neck and broad shoulders, over round, toned pecks, diving into the lines between the rock-hard abdomens. Hiei’s eyes stopped just before going too low, knowing that getting sleep at nights would be easier that way. His mouth tensed into a tight line over his suddenly red face and he turned towards the window.

“I tried to find something to wear,” he informed curtly. Yusuke looked down and it hit him he was still naked, and he grabbed his survived T-shirt off the floor and covered his private area. It didn’t really embarrass him that the yokai had seen him undressed (though his cheekbones heated up slightly), and he tried to figure out exactly what had happened here. Hiei had tried to get something out of his closet without yanking it all out -a task even Yusuke knew to be hopeless-, and with only one arm… Slowly, the pieces fell into their places and Urameshi relaxed a little. He wouldn’t mention it; after all, he could always get new clothes. It wasn’t important now.

“I’ll be right back,” Yusuke said, gaining a confused look from his teammate. Yusuke flashed him a smile and left the room. He came back in a minute, a white towel wrapped around his waist safely, carrying the jar again.

“I’ll go shopping this afternoon, I had to pick up a few things anyway. Le’mme see that…” Yusuke set the ointment on the edge of the fireplace and lifted Hiei’s arm up to his face level, dissolving the bandage. The wound was covered in what looked like dead skin, an absolutely disgusting sight, but it didn’t seem to surprise the detective. Hiei watched as the onyx-haired teen took some cream from the pot and just added it over the area, without removing the scum first. Yusuke sensed the discomfort in Hiei’s balling fist and stopped, looking the other in the eyes.

“You don’t think I don’t know what I’m doing, do you?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow. The fire apparition started slightly and shook his head once, looking away. He didn’t like how Yusuke could read him like that. He had never really given his teammates a change to get to know his body language. Sure, in the countless of fights they had been in, they had learned to work as one fluid unit against the enemy, but battle stances were but a small fraction of non-verbal communication. Hiei remembered the first real fight he had had with Yusuke, and how the high school student had caught up with him in a few moments and defeated him easily. Because he had been so predictable, or because Yusuke had such a keen eye on him, Hiei wasn’t sure.

“There,” Urameshi said and tightened the bandage around the arm. “I’m gonna hit Wall Mart, guess it’s a waste of time to persuade you to join me?” His lopsided smile caused something to flutter in the pit of Hiei’s stomach, and the demon turned around quickly, walking to the armchair. He sat down and observed his arm silently. Yusuke walked behind him and leaned on the back.

“You want me to start a fire? Probably more interesting for you to watch than daytime TV,” he chuckled and went to gather some logs from the basket by the wall, throwing them in. Hiei watched as the match flicked and the wood started to darken and curl slowly. Yusuke started the fire with such ease it made Hiei think he must’ve done this every night. Then again, the fireplace was the best thing in the room. Getting up, Yusuke walked to his futon and picket up a denim jacket and black jeans. It was fortunate he had clothes scattered around the room or he’d have to go shopping naked. Not that Hiei found the image entirely unpleasant…

Yusuke stopped at the door and glanced over his shoulder. “I’ll be back in a few hours, 2 o’clock at latest. There’s ice cream in the freezer,” he said and closed the door behind him, cutting off the sight of his bare back. Hiei listened, staring at the floor, how the Reikai Tantei leader got dressed, searched for the keys, opened the door and left. The only sound now was the cracking and sizzling of the fire, somehow pathetically diminished now, in broad daylight. Hiei lifted his gaze to the flames and leaned back, pulling a knee against his compact chest, resting his left hand on the arm. Daylight was no good.

~*~

The yokai glanced in the direction of the clock on the wall. 3.37. Feelings of anger, annoyance, sadness and isolation all had begun to stir and mix up a while ago, and had now grown into an unidentified, sickening bundle that had settled tightly in his chest. Explanations went through his head, excuses, anything that might explain why Yusuke wasn’t here, but they didn’t make much sense. Hiei was fondling the loose end of the bandage that stuck out. It had grown longer and longer during the afternoon, and he knew he probably shouldn’t pick on it, but he couldn’t help himself. ‘I do not miss him. I’m simply hungry and bored.’ The latter might have been true, but Hiei had eaten a whole package of cookie dough ice cream already.

He let out a sigh and rolled on his back on the futon, staring at the roof. The fire had died and cooled down long ago. Hiei felt something tightening in his throat and took a deep breath. He lifted his right hand on his face, covering his eyes with the back of it. It didn’t make sense to him that Yusuke would make a promise and break it…

Suddenly the lock rustled and Hiei sat up abruptly. He listened as shoes were kicked off, a bag dumped on the counter, a few steps, and then the door opened. Yusuke leaned in and smiled. He was wearing a new, tight, dark green shirt under his denim jacket.

“Hi. Sorry I’m late. Distractions,” he said lowly and came in, a big paper bag hanging in his other hand. Hiei tried to keep his face emotionless, protected. He didn’t want Yusuke to know how he had felt in the last hours, especially since it didn’t seem to bother his teammate very much. Darkness settled within Hiei as he watched Yusuke search for something in the bag. ‘He doesn’t even care.’ Angry with himself, the fire demon stood up and walked to the spirit detective. Yusuke straightened up and handed him a black, folded piece of clothing.

“Here you go, size S,” he said, and Hiei took the shirt wordlessly and let it drop open. It was a button-down. He started to open it, keeping his eyes strictly on his fingers. Yusuke stood, watching the shorter male silently for a moment, an unreadable expression on his face. Suddenly he grabbed Hiei’s hand, draping his palm over the other’s and stopping him.

“Hey,” he said quietly, “I said I’m sorry. Something came up.” Hiei blinked, but other than that, no emotion showed.

“I didn’t ask,” he replied calmly, still not taking eye contact with the taller teen. Yusuke’s dark brows angled in irritation, and his grip tightened ever so slightly. “Hiei…” His voice, as low as it was, demanded attention, “I bumped into Keiko at the mall, and when she found out I was shopping for clothes, she dragged me onto this fashion spree. I tried to turn her down but she just wouldn’t get it. You know I wanted to come home as soon as possible.” Hiei didn’t look up, although Yusuke’s words did soothe some of the anxiety in him. Yusuke waited for Hiei to direct his attention up to him, but he did no such thing. Dark, auburn eyes stared straight ahead, hidden behind midnight spikes of hair. Even though Hiei’s face was cool and pure as snow, clear of any trace of anger, Yusuke could feel it.

“Let go of my hand,” Hiei said, attempting to end this awkward moment and get dressed. It wasn’t anything big after all. There was no need for time to stop around them. He tugged his hand lightly, a hint for Yusuke to let go. Suddenly he saw Yusuke’s hand rise to his face, and instead of touching it, circling around to the back of his head, fingers sliding into his dark, thick hair. Yusuke stepped closer, his hand turning Hiei’s head back slightly, a gentle but firm move. Yusuke’s eyes lidded and he leaned down. Hiei’s breath halted at the sight of his handsome face coming closer and his lips opened, to word a protest or to invite, he didn’t know for the love of all Kamis. Yusuke’s lips brushed feather-lightly against Hiei’s, the simple contact shooting a volt up the demon’s spine, and a timid breath escaped his lips. Yusuke’s chocolate orbs begun to blaze, encouraged by this barely detectable sound, and he pressed his lips more firmly against the flustering fire apparition’s.

Hiei’s heart was drumming painfully fast in his compact chest and he felt shivers run up and down his spine as slender fingers begun to massage his scalp sensually and Yusuke tilted his head to the side, deepening the kiss. His taste overwhelming and blurring all of Hiei’s senses, the demon begun to respond hesitantly, moving his lips against Yusuke’s. The detective groaned quietly and pulled Hiei’s body closer, the last barrier falling down when his hot, scandalous tongue delved over the inside of Hiei’s bottom lip and the yokai’s slid against his. It was mind-blowing.

It was over. Hiei opened his eyes hazily, breathing harder and deeper. Yusuke had turned around, his shoulders heaving slightly. The Reikai Tantei leader soon looked over his shoulder, a dark flush on his chiselled cheekbones. His smile was a bit awkward. He began walking to the door. This wasn’t how he had pictured his first kiss with Hiei. He had wanted it to be at a very special moment, in just the right atmosphere, perfect, but instead he had given into his impulses. Shaking slightly from the memory of the yokai’s firm, lithe body against his, he slapped the top of the doorframe in frustration while exiting and cast Hiei a quick grin.

“Well, guess I’d better start cracking on dinner!” he laughed, a bit strained. Hiei remained standing in the middle of the floor quietly, staring at the empty doorway. He soon heard the clanking of pots and pans.

Daylight was no good.

To be continued…