One Forbidden Chance

Author’s Note:
I’m surprised I would have grammar errors, but I believe you all. I know I use dated words, such as irregardless and nonetheless, I use them when I speak as well and after much debate I have proven time and time again they are words. And just a note, ShioriFoxiesMom I’ve read a lot of your stories and love them. Now back to what I promised I’d do.

Kurama awoke to a buzzing alarm at 8AM even though he had nowhere he had to go, he never stopped setting that alarm. Startled Kurama looked out his window. Not entirely sure what had made him jump in the first place he shrugged it off as nothing and went about his morning routine.

After making his bed, grabbing a pair of black dress pants and a button down shirt Kurama got dressed foregoing a shower, knowing it would only start his day off the wrong way. Then Kurama walked out of his bedroom and down the stairs to meet his mother. “Good morning Shuichi,” Shiori greeted her son as always as she made breakfast for the two of them, the two newer members of their family having left some time earlier.

Looking at her son, Shiori knew that something had to be bothering him, because he put on his same almost apologetic smile, as he responded, “Good morning, mother.” She knew better than to ask what was wrong because he would merely tell her he was worried about getting into University or some other such excuse that they both knew was a lie. So instead she sat down across from him watching him carefully while they both ate their breakfast.

Shuichi had never been one to pick at his food, she suspected this was because teens only picked at their food when something was bothering them and Shuichi would never let on so obviously. So instead the two ate in peaceful silence never feeling the need to fill gaps in a silence. After breakfast, Shiori left for the office leaving Kurama alone once again.

Hiei let out a small sigh. He had almost been caught by Kurama earlier, sleeping in the tree outside of Kurama’s home, or rather caught staring at the Kitsune while as he slept, since Hiei had risen at dawn. Hiei was now laid back on the roof of the Minamino home, masking his energy from Kurama. I have never felt this feeling before, Hiei was thinking, what have you done to me Kurama? The Forbidden Child, the half-koorime, half-fire demon child was waging emotion war with himself. Though on the outside he was as impassive has ever, inside he was struggling to understand things that were far beyond his current abilities.

Not being strong enough, which was one thing Hiei could not tolerate, but unfortunately for him, he wasn’t strong enough emotionally to understand his own thoughts. So he did the only thing he knew to do, he ran. Through the trees, which became thicker as he neared Genkai’s temple, he realized his direction and decided he would pay Yukina a visit. He wasn’t surprised to find the young koorime ice maiden helping Genkai clean her home. As friendly as ever, she smiled at Hiei as he approached slow enough for her to see him, barely.

“Hiei!” Yukina cried out in delight, dropping the cloth she had been using to wash the floor while Genkai swept it. Genkai placed her broom against the wall before greeting Hiei with a nod of her head. “What brings you out to see us?” Yukina asked.

“Hn. No reason really,” was Hiei’s eloquent reply, anyone else would have gotten only a grunt, but Yukina was a special case. Things remained the same between the two of them, Hiei had yet to tell Yukina that he was her brother. “Oh,” Yukina replied, slightly disappointed, “I had hoped you had heard what had happened to…” Hiei knew she was asking about her brother again, he wished that she would just give up. Why can’t she just think that I’m dead?, Hiei thought, it’d be better that way. Genkai shook her head just the slightest bit, so slight Hiei nearly missed it. Why was the old ningen woman so perceptive of his thoughts? Hiei glared at Genkai, Yukina although thoroughly confused at their actions as they just glared at each other.

“Genkai? Hiei?” Yukina questioned, her voice laced with concern, “Do you two want to have some lunch?” The two broke eye contact for Yukina’s sake and agreed. Genkai and Hiei sat down opposite from each other as Yukina busied herself around Genkai’s small, but well stocked kitchen. Yukina knew there was something going on and could tell they were having a silent argument behind her back. Shrugging it off as none of her business Yukina finished preparing lunch, they’ll figure it out, she thought.

As soon as their food was in front of them they broke up their silent conversation and busied themselves eating. Hiei hadn’t eaten in days, normally Kurama would have prompted him to eat after their mission, but neither of them had been in the mood for such conversation the last time they had spoken. So as a result, not only did Hiei eat his portion, but a second as well. “Did you like it?” Yukina asked the two as she cleaned up after them, both could be very messy eaters at times. She received merely a “yes” from each of them, spoken in near unison.

Standing up to leave, Hiei nodded to Genkai and Yukina as a way of saying farewell before he blurred out of sight, racing through the trees with a slightly better understanding of what he must do. “What was that about?” Yukina asked raising a slender blue eyebrow.

“That boy is learning things about himself that he isn’t sure how to cope with,” Genkai replied in much softer tone than she used when speaking of Yusuke or Kuwabara. Whatever it is, Yukina thought, it must be really important for Hiei and Genkai to get so worked up.

Hiei found himself back at the Minamino house by early afternoon. Kurama was laying on his stomach, feet curled up behind him reading. His attention was pulled from the book when he first sensed Hiei’s youki, although he didn’t look up until Hiei knocked on the window to be let in. It wasn’t that Kurama wasn’t excited to see Hiei, he just wasn’t sure how to act anymore. Fighting by Hiei’s side was as natural as breathing, the two worked naturally in tandem, but spending time together was a much more difficult task.

“Hello Hiei,” Kurama greeted with a smile as he pushed the window open, a smile that would have stopped Hiei’s heart if he weren’t so nervous, instead the smile sent Hiei’s heart into a sprint. Stupid emotions, Hiei thought, cursing himself mentally for having come to see Kurama in the first place. Deciding he couldn’t trust words Hiei returned the greeting with a nod. “Come in Hiei,” Kurama beckoned as he walked away from the window to sit back down on his bed. Hiei shut the window before sitting on its sill.

“Are you hungry?” Kurama prompted, curious as to why the little fire demon had come to see him. When Hiei merely shook his head, Kurama became worried. Something had to be wrong, “Ice cream?” Hiei nodded his consent , which he noticed caused Kurama to relax minutely. “I’ll be right back then,” he replied, stepping out of the room and going downstairs to fix two bowls of ice cream. He was surprised to find Hiei sitting on his bed when he arrived upstairs, but he just sat down next to the hiyouki. After handing Hiei his ice cream, Kurama began to eat his own in silence.

“Fox,” Hiei strangled out barely above a whisper before using his incredible self-control to calm himself down. “There are things that I don’t know how to say to you. So I can only show you,” Hiei concluded as he sat his already empty bowl aside. Kurama too sat his bowl, which was still nearly full on the bed next to him. Turning to look at Hiei, Kurama was surprised to find Hiei sitting so close, nearly staring at him his eyes a clouded mix of determination, and uncertainty in a deadlock.

“Hiei, you-“ Kurama started, but was stunned into silence as Hiei reached out his hand, placing it under the Kitsune’s chin. Then almost too quickly for Kurama to comprehend, Hiei firmly planted his lips over Kurama’s for the briefest instant. Kurama froze, in shock mostly. Rejection, Hiei thought, and with that Hiei was in a flash of black half way out the window before Kurama could respond. “Hiei, stop,” Kurama managed to gasp out, his head still spinning in confusion.

“I’m sorry Fox,” Hiei whispered, thinking the look of confusion on Kurama’s face meant that his feelings weren’t returned. Kurama held up a finger, a silent request for a pause in action, he was thinking. Then he stood, walked across the room to Hiei. Hiei looked down at the floor not wanting to meet the Fox’s eyes. He was startled slightly when Kurama lifted his chin with his hand and leaned forward to return a tender, but brief kiss to Hiei.

Kurama then pulled Hiei back into the room, and shut the window. “I can’t let you leave when we have so much to talk about,” Kurama said, sitting down on the bed again, gesturing for Hiei to do the same. Hiei’s cheeks turned a slight pink as he sat down again beside Kurama. “How long Hiei?” he questioned.

“Hn,” Hiei began, “not sure.” To Kurama this most likely meant a while, however if Hiei was still unsure about what he was feeling then Kurama wouldn’t make him talk about it. Hiei wasn’t one for conversation, much less one about “stupid ningen emotions.” So instead, Kurama stood. He turned on his television and put in a movie before sitting back down beside Hiei, just happy to be with Hiei.

Hiei hardly watched the movie, although the Fox seemed intent on it. In reality they were both watching each other, looking for reactions to the ridiculous romance playing on the television. That will never be us, they both thought in unison. “Fox, I have to go back,” Hiei whispered, “to Mukuro.” When Kurama’s eyebrows shot up in curiosity, Hiei continued. “Fox it seems only you and I were unaware of how the other felt.”

Hiei proceeded to tell Kurama of an encounter of his with Mukuro from a few months prior to now. “Hiei,” Mukuro had began, “when you admit to yourself that you love that person we both know you do, I expect you to come back and resign from your position.” Hiei had begun to protest, but she had continued to say, “You will be able to return as my heir you fool. I merely expect you to follow that heart of yours that you pretend doesn’t exist. Once the two of you are ready, you are more than welcome to return to Alaric together. However, I will not allow your position here to hinder you elsewhere.”

“She left very little room for argument,” Hiei grumbled, causing Kurama to smile as the fire demon had subconsciously looked away. So then, Kurama thought, he has admitted without actually saying it that he thinks he loves me. Kurama stopped smiling, when Hiei turned to meet him and once again their lips met if only briefly. Then Hiei stood, and opened the window and was preparing to flit out into the night when Kurama stopped him.

“Hiei hold on,” Kurama started, “I wanted to say, Ai Shiteru, Koi, even if you don’t know that yet.” Hiei nodded, and then flitted out across the rooftops. Kurama closed the window behind him, and allowed himself to fall back onto his bed in thought. It was still relatively early and Kurama was surprised when his mother called him down for dinner, he had been eating alone most nights as of late.

Shiori, worried about her son, had left work early to bring him dinner and spend time with him. Her concern evaporated quickly though, as her son greeted her with a true smile, “Welcome home mother.” It seemed to her that an immense weight or sorrow had been lifted from her son and she was happy for it.

“Hello Shuichi, I thought I would bring you dinner and we could spend some time together,” she said, “sound good?” When he nodded she sat down opposite from him and the two began to eat. They had a pleasant conversation about their days. It was obvious to her that Shuichi was omitting details, since something obviously had gone exceptionally well today, although Shuichi talked as though it had been just any other day.

Shiori and her son spent that evening just talking and enjoying each other’s presence, something they had scarcely done since her marriage do Hatanaka. However, as it got late, the two went up the stairs together. Shiori to her room, and Kurama to his own, closing his door behind him Kurama decided a shower was necessary. Stripping off his clothes from the day Kurama stepped into a steaming shower carefully cleaning his delicate frame, his mind on Hiei.

My mind has scarcely wandered from thoughts of you Dragon, Kurama thought as he allowed the steaming water to run down his body. Sinking to a sitting position, Kurama realized his body was crying out to him in need. Thoughts of Hiei flooded his mind once more as the Kitsune wrapped his hand around his member no longer fearing a crushing depression ensuing this act. As he began his movements Kurama moaned out, “Hiei.”
Never before had he allowed himself to truly savor his own ideas. But tonight was different, as though he was studying his own mind, prompted by his experiences as Youko. His human aspect was still a virgin, but the legendary Youko Kurama had bedded many, perhaps not the thousands the legends spoke of. Hundreds however, was a definite possibility. Youko had been incapable of love though, unlike Shuichi. The heart of the King of Thieves was stolen away, by a temperamental little fire demon.

As she laid down in her bed to await her husband’s return Shiori thought back on the past few hours she had spent with her son. He hadn’t seemed so happy for so long in months. That sadness he always seemed to be holding in, Shiori thought, always seemed like what I felt after his father passed on. It was that sadness of knowing exactly what you wanted, exactly who you loved, but knowing that you would never be able to have that person. Whoever you’ve found Shuichi, I’m happy for you, she thought.

Hiei, Kurama thought after dressing himself for bed, come back to me when you’re through. Sighing and laying back in his bed Kurama’s thoughts centered on Hiei. He was worried about his fire demon. A thought occurred to him and opened his window, just in case his hiyouki would return quickly. He laughed aloud thinking, since when was he my fire demon. With a smile still on his lips Kurama allowed himself to sink into a restful sleep, surprisingly dreamless as he awaited Hiei’s return.

In Alaric, Hiei leaned against a wall in Mukuro’s office as she watched him. He had yet to say a word since his entrance. “I take it then that the time has come for you to leave,” Mukuro said as a way to open up the conversation. “I am glad Hiei for an heir as angry at the world as you would bring about a revolution.” She spoke as if she knew what he was feeling. She didn’t know a damn thing.

“Hn. Shut up Mukuro,” Hiei snarled, his anger at her incessant prophesying apparent. “You’re right, I’m here to resign for now,” he continued. “If any of your men contact me while I am on leave they will return to you in a cremation urn. With that said, I’m leaving,” and Hiei did just that with demon speed, unrivaled by all of Makai. I’m the Forbidden one, Hiei thought, condemned by even the most damned of demonkind, stupid bitch. At that Hiei fed his youki into his speed and accelerated faster. Entire tree branched bent against the gale created by his speed.

Racing towards the portal between Ningenkai and Makai, Hiei flared out his energy. He had to time for fools to hinder his return with curiosity at what could be moving so fast. Numerous demons were repelled at the mere power of Hiei’s proclamation, his energy yelling, “If you hinder me for a moment, I will cut you down.”

It was around 1AM when Hiei reached the Kitsune’s home, surprised to find the window open Hiei leapt into Kurama’s room. Not even a sound on entrance, not even a demon’s senses would have detected his entrance, but Kurama did. “Hiei?” Kurama questioned, his voice thick with sleep. Hiei dropped his sword and cloak before laying down beside Kurama.
“Get some sleep Fox,” Hiei whispered in amusement as Kurama tried to push into a sitting position. “I’ll still be here when you wake up,” Hiei soothed running the back of his hand down Kurama’s cheek. Pleased, Kurama fell back into a sleep with Hiei laying there beside him, still fully clothed. Soon, but not yet, Hiei thought as he too drifted into a light sleep. Every so often awakening as Kurama shifted beside him. Finally, irritated by the Kitsune’s movements Hiei wrapped his arms around him and he laid still in Hiei’s arms before both fell into a peaceful sleep.

Hiei did find himself dreaming however, something that normally he would never be in a deep enough sleep to do, unless he was hibernating after an extremely overzealous release of power. In his dream there was nothing, but blackness, he felt as though he was falling, forever. And yet he was not afraid. It was as though he knew that, just before he hit the ground Kurama would be there, and he was. The fox caught the fire demon in his arms and held him there for a moment before setting him on his feet.

“Hiei, Ai Shiteru,” Kurama said, the way he said it though it sounded like an echo, an echo birthed from memory. With a smile both on his sleeping face and in his dream world Hiei knew why, because it was birthed from a memory. A memory of earlier that day, and although Hiei could not yet be sure he returned those feelings there was something he was sure of. Kurama’s words had been spoken both as a proclamation and a promise. A proclamation of love, and a promise to wait until Hiei too could return that same proclamation.

For once, Hiei thought, I don’t feel as though my speed is necessary to run from…this. He wasn’t ready to think of himself as having emotions or feelings. They were weak, love was something demons very rarely experienced. It wasn’t a gender issue since demons did not believe in such trivial things. It was a Hiei issue, never before had Hiei ever had time to feel.

He was always running, always fighting, never allowing himself the slightest reprieve. Yet here he was, with Kurama, wondering, why now? He pushed that thought aside as Kurama smiled back at him in his dream and their lips met briefly a chaste kiss before the image of Kurama faded away and Hiei drifted into blissful nothingness.

Author's Note:
Hmm, originally there was nothing sexual in this chapter at all. When I realized this I changed it for the sake of my readers. I'm still nervous about writing anything lemon, which I'm not sure when I will. When I read I often think the lemon is brought into play early, but I don't know. There is a fairly good chance there will be at least something in the next chapter besides kissing. As you all know this is my first fic so I'm not entirely sure how I'll proceed. Just following the muse. Please leave some reviews, I was pleased to have reviews of chapter one. Additionally, does anyone know where the nicknames for Hiei: Fire Baby, Blackfire, and Dragon first got their starts? I'm not sure if credit goes to someone specific or if that's just a generally accepted fic thing. Like Hiei being in love with sweet things. Please leave reviews and let me know what you thought.