Beaten

Kurama rested his head against the window in his room at Genkai’s, watching as the rain poured down and ran in rivulets down the cool glass. Hiei hadn’t made it back to the Ningenkai yet, and Kurama missed him fiercely. So far they were just friends, but he hoped that would change someday. Hiei was fiercely protective of the fox, just as Kurama was of him, so he hoped that meant Hiei at least felt something for him.

“Kurama-san, would you like something to eat?” Yukina asked from the doorway.

“No, thank you, Yukina. I’m not very hungry today,” Kurama replied softly. He had been at Genkai’s for a week now, and Kuroki hadn’t bothered him at all.

“Okay, but if you change your mind, I will be in the kitchen,” the little koorime said softly before leaving the room. Kurama sighed quietly and closed his jade eyes, wishing Hiei would return quickly.

He must have fallen asleep, because when he opened his eyes, it was getting dark outside. He stood and walked into the kitchen, where Yukina was preparing the evening meal.

“Would you like some help, Yukina?” he asked.

“That would be nice. Thank you, Kurama-san. I am almost finished with the meal, so if you would like to set the table, that would be very helpful. Yusuke-san and Kazuma will be joining us this evening.” Kurama nodded and opened the cupboard to retrieve several plates and cups.

Once the table was set, Yukina set off to inform Genkai that dinner was ready. A moment after she left, someone knocked on the door to the temple. Kurama entered the foyer and opened the door to Yusuke and Kuwabara. Yusuke looked mildly surprised to see Kurama standing there.

“Hey, Fox-boy, what are you doing here?” he asked.

“I’ve been staying here for the past week while my mother went to take care of my grandfather,” he said.

“Cool. Has the old hag been ragging on you?” he asked as he stepped into the temple.

“No, Yusuke, Master Genkai has not been…ragging on me as you so interestingly put it. I’ve enjoyed my stay here.”

“I’m shocked.” Yusuke had a fake shocked look on his face. Kurama smirked and shook his head before heading into the kitchen. Yukina had, by this time, returned with Genkai, and they were already seated at the table, waiting on the boys.

“It’s about time you got here, dimwit,” Genkai said, smirking at him.

“Hag,” Yusuke muttered. Kuwabara hurried to take his place next to Yukina, and Yusuke sat across from her. Genkai sat at the head of the table, and Kurama placed himself next to Yusuke. Dinner was eaten in silence, and afterwards they all headed into the living room to talk and for Yusuke and Genkai to play video games.

“So, Kurama, why don’t you tell me the real reason you’re staying here?” Yusuke asked once Yukina and Kuwabara decided to go make tea.

“I would rather not talk about it right now, Yusuke. I may tell you later.”

“All right, man. If you decide you want to talk, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you, Yusuke.” Kurama fell silent as Kuwabara and Yukina re-entered the room. The five of them spent the remainder of the evening talking and playing video games.

***

Kurama woke up from a deep sleep and sat up in bed. He had thought he felt a familiar flicker of energy not too far away. He slipped out of the bed and padded quietly out to the front porch before searching the surrounding area with his own energy.

“Fox, what are you doing here?” Hiei asked from a tree nearby. Kurama walked over to stand underneath it and looked up at the fire demon.

“Welcome back, Hiei. Did everything go well with Mukuro?”

“Hn.” Kurama smiled at Hiei’s typical response.

“So why are you here instead of at your house?” Hiei asked again.

“I’ve been staying here because Mother is out of town,” he answered softly.

“Since when has that mattered?”

“I’d rather not talk about it,” Kurama said, looking down at the ground.

“Fox, tell me what’s going on. I can feel that something is not right here.” Kurama could feel the tears start to well in his eyes, so he avoided looking at Hiei, hoping the demon would not see.

“Kurama?”

“Hiei, please, it’s too late to talk about it now. Can’t it wait until morning?”

“Hn. You’d better tell me first thing in the morning or I’ll get Genkai to tell me.” Kurama knew he would go to Genkai if he refused to tell him.
“Very well, Hiei. I will tell you in the morning. Good night.” The fire demon watched as the fox walked back into the temple, looking like he held the weight of the world on his slender shoulders.

~I really wish you would tell me what’s going on, Fox. I hate to see you in so much obvious pain.~ Hiei had always been protective of the slender redhead, and he had always had feelings for him. He didn’t particularly understand what these feelings were, but he knew he felt more than friendship for his comrade. At least, he thought so. He didn’t feel the same for Yusuke or for Kuwabara. The only person he had similar feelings for was Yukina, yet his feelings for her were vastly different than the ones he had for Kurama.

He settled down on his branch, and drifted off into a light sleep, thinking about the fox.