A Simple Gift

Acceptance
Final section of the trilogy
Sequel to ‘A Simple Gift’ and ‘Rejection’
By Mieren

* * *

Kurama sighed loudly and gave in to sleep. For the last two weeks, he and Yuusuke had been taking turns watching Hiei, who had yet to regain consciousness. The small koorime had been unable to take the shock of losing both of his life mates and his mind had shut down completely. He didn’t move. He had to be force-fed and bathed. Hell, Kurama thought angrily, he was barely breathing. After realizing what he had done, Yuusuke had almost had a nervous breakdown as well. Neither of the two men mated to the overzealous fire demon had been pleased with the binding, but at the same time, neither had wanted to hurt him.

A small noise caught Kurama’s attention and he woke up immediately trying to place the sound around him. Unable to easily hide a catatonic fire demon, short of stuffing him in someone’s closet, they had decided to take him to the demon world and take turns guarding him. Originally, they had thought to keep him at one of their houses, but had eventually decided against it. Yuusuke’s place was destroyed, so it was out. Kurama couldn’t keep him at his place without a lot of questions that he really didn’t want to answer. Keiko wouldn’t have been able to explain the situation to her parents even if she had known. Yuusuke, however, had absolutely no intention of telling her what had happened. Similarly, no one wanted to involve Kuwabara, who never liked Hiei in the first place.

Kurama relaxed slightly when he saw a small rodent run by. He snorted at his own jumpiness. Had it actually been anything dangerous, he was certain that the plants he had scattered around the area would take care of it. If nothing else, they would slow anything in the area down and give him enough time to get ready to fight. For Hiei’s safety, he had put a few really nasty things out there.

He was almost asleep when he heard another noise, this one much louder. The redhead growled softly and rolled to his feet, rose whip in hand. Then he heard something that almost made his heart stop in his chest.

“Ray gun!”

“Shit!” Kurama shrieked, leaping backwards and falling gracelessly on his back. Yuusuke’s blast passed just above his face, singeing his bangs. He raised his head slightly to glare at Yuusuke as he stomped into the small clearing. “Watch where you fire that thing!”

“You’re one to talk!” Yuusuke snapped, wiping some blood off of his cheek. “Your stupid plant tried to eat me!”

Kurama reddened slightly in embarrassment. The plants naturally wouldn’t hurt him and he had clearly instructed them to protect Hiei, but he had entirely forgotten about Yuusuke. Mumbling an apology, he rose to his feet and brushed himself off. For his part, Yuusuke just huffed and swung the duffle bag of supplies on his shoulder to the ground.

After having nearly been barbequed by Yuusuke’s blast, Kurama decided that he was wide-awake and no longer needed his nap. He only paused in leaving to instruct his plants to protect Yuusuke as well as Hiei. Now that Yuusuke was there, it was his turn, once again, to try to search for a way to get the koorime to wake up.

In his searching and questioning, he had learned many things, but unfortunately nothing that would help him. He had found out that the bond had been very strong since he was a fox demon, but at the same time, weaker than it could have been since he was in human form when bound. Similarly, he had learned that Yuusuke wasn’t human either, but once again it was lucky that he had been a human while being bound. Had they been in their other forms when bound, breaking the link with Hiei could have killed him.

From an ancient youko sorceress, he had also learned of the existence of a being of almost infinite power and wisdom. In the demon realm, and occasionally the human or spirit worlds, she wandered freely with a small group of slaves in constant attendance to obey her every command and submit to her every whim. Usually, she didn’t interfere with the worlds around her, but she would take the time to help those that asked her. For a price.

Kurama had asked around and knew roughly where she would be. Normally, he wouldn’t have dared to approach someone that powerful, but he was desperate. He didn’t even know what to bring as a peace offering so that she wouldn’t kill him on the spot. From what he had heard, at times she could be extremely temperamental. He was still debating on which form to approach her in. As a human, he wouldn’t be seen as a threat, but he wouldn’t be able to defend himself either. As a youko, he might be able to survive a mild attack, or perhaps escape, but he feared that approaching her in such a powerful form might be taken as a threat. The last thing he wanted to do was to start a fight.

Deep in contemplation, he began traveling towards where he knew the all-powerful sorceress would be. He vanished into the thick underbrush of the demon realm for his own safety while traveling. He had no intention of being seen or bothered when he was in such a hurry. For all practical purposes, he was invisible in the undergrowth and therefore safe. He was so keen on leaving, however, that he failed to notice the presence watching him from afar.

* * *

Kurama sighed and scrubbed his unruly red hair out of his face. After a week of traveling and pondering, he had decided to face the sorceress Karly in his human form. While unable to defend himself at all in that form, he knew he wouldn’t appear to be a danger to her. Besides, he doubted he could stand up to her in his youko form either.

He stood, gaping, at the edge of a glorious valley filled with lush trees and moss-covered boulders. A small stream trickled through a field of wildflowers of varying colors. A large mansion of pure marble stood at the far end of the field, glittering brightly in the early morning sunlight.

Staring in awe for longer than he would admit, Kurama hesitantly started forward. He honestly didn’t know what he had expected her lands to look like, but this wasn’t it. For a sorceress so powerful, he had expected it to be more fearsome.

Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he started to pick his way delicately across the field, not took keen on the idea of crushing the flowers of a sorceress. After what seemed like forever, he reached the marble structure. Sighing in relief that he hadn’t damaged any of the flowers, he knocked hesitantly on the door. It swung open almost instantly.

Kurama tensed, expecting a guard of some sort to greet him. Seeing no one at all, he peered inside, frowning slightly. The front hall was abandoned. No lights, save a few candles, shone in the blackness. Without windows, it was incredibly dark within.

Desperation clouding his judgment, Kurama stepped inside. The massive doors swung shut and locked behind him. Shocked at the sudden movement, he took several steps into the gloom before coming to a halt to take in the full situation. He was trapped, alone, in the house of one of the most powerful beings alive. He paled.

Extremely nervous, he glanced around. The only light in the gloom came from a few scented candles placed near the door and down a single hall. Spooked, he instinctively pulled out his rose whip. Having nowhere better to go in the sealed mansion, he followed the candles down the hall.

The lighting led to a stairwell leading into what could only be a dungeon. Kurama wanted to run for his life from the way he had come, but knew it was useless. He was trapped until the sorceress gave him her permission to leave. Grinding his teeth, Kurama started down the stairs, aided only by the light of a few sparsely placed candles. He wanted to take one with him to dispel the shadows but feared touching anything.

The bottom of the stairs appeared after several minutes of descending. At the bottom was a tiny clearing with three doors, one to either side and one directly in front of him. Sitting beside each of the doors was a single candle. Only the one to his left was lit. Drawing a deep breath, he pushed the door open.

For a moment, he was blinded by the intense light offered by numerous torches within the room. As his vision cleared, he made out a shape near the door. He gaped in shock when he made out two young men vigorously pawing each other in the throes of passion. One was a young brunette. The other was very short, his dark red and black hair sporting several lightning shaped streaks of gold. Mortally embarrassed, he averted his gaze.

Shifting his eyes brought another sight into his view and he promptly turned the color of his hair. On the stone floor, a distinctly feminine form writhed in pleasure, her leathery wings flapping weakly by her sides. Above her, a large green figure was moving vigorously, sweat beading his brow beneath his short antennae. Mortified at what he had walked in on, Kurama spun to leave.

“Wait, youko,” a deep voice ordered.

Unsure of what to expect, Kurama peeked over his shoulder towards the source of the voice. Before he could locate it, he was pushed into the wall, a sinuous body pressed to his own. He barely caught a flash of violet eyes before silky lips pressed against his own.

Temporarily stunned, he stood absolutely still as hands pushed into his clothes and began groping him mercilessly. Too scared to move, he allowed himself to be molested by the strange young man.

“Stop that,” a new voice ordered.

The young man pressed to Kurama moved back, visibly pouting. Kurama studied him briefly, again seeing shocking violet eyes. No longer off guard, he managed to take in more of the young man’s appearance. The deep amethyst eyes were set in a heart-shaped face framed by knee-length chestnut hair tied back in a neat braid. He licked his lips and moved towards the source of the voice. Kurama’s gaze followed him.

On the floor, the winged woman grinned at him hungrily, temporarily ignoring the large green figure above her, who was still moving frantically. Trying to keep his blush under control, and failing miserably, Kurama looked at her.

Looking back at him was a woman he recognized immediately even though he had never seen her before. Short gray fur covered her from head to toe, absent only on her leathery wings. A long dragon-like tail was wrapped firmly around the green figure’s waist, encouraging him to continue. Framing the raptor-like face was longish cyan hair. Twinned locks of silver hair framed her face as bangs, amplifying her predatory appearance. Kurama recognized her instantly as Karly.

Kurama spun to face the wall, the crimson of his face putting his hair to shame. Horror at what she would do to him warred with the embarrassment of what he had seen. Mortification won and he blushed harder. He silently berated himself for being embarrassed when he was about to die. Karly only chuckled softly at his discomfort.

“Don’t worry, youko,” she purred, seeming to read his mind. “I won’t hurt you.” Kurama hesitated, still trying to decide where to look. “Speak your mind.”

Kurama drew a deep breath. Her last sentence, a polite offer from anyone else, was a direct order from her. No matter how many times he had practiced what to say in his mind, he couldn’t think of how to state his question. He tried anyways to obey her order.

“My friend is catatonic,” he said simply. “I want to know how to help him.” A level gaze met his own and he hurriedly elaborated. “He’s a koorime. My friend and I both mated him unintentionally and then broke that bond. He won’t wake up,” he finished lamely.

“Yes,” Karly murmured, finally pushing the large green form away from her. He bowed formally and walked to the corner of the room to await her next command. “I’ve heard of him. And of the two of you. You’re friend is a demon as well, yes?”

“Yes,” Kurama said quietly, wondering if he was supposed to address her by title. If he was, she didn’t seem to mind that he hadn’t.

“And you were both in human form when you mated the koorime,” she said. Kurama remained silent, realizing that her last comment had not been a question. She nodded after a moment’s deliberation. “If you wish him to awaken, he must be introduced to a more powerful bond than the sum of those that were broken.”

“How would I do that?” Kurama asked, feeling incredibly stupid. Karly beamed at him.

“Mate him as a youko,” she said simply. “You are very powerful in that form and would be able to rouse him from his stupor. But be warned, if you break that bond as well, it will kill him.”

Kurama nodded. He had suspected that answer would meet his inquiry, but he had hoped that there was another way. He bowed deeply.

“Thank you,” he murmured, pausing. How did one go about asking a sorceress of infinite power what she would like as payment for her help?

“Payment for my help,” Karly said smoothly. Kurama froze, now convinced that she could read his mind. “You need not worry about it. You may go, fox.”

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Bowing deeply and murmuring yet another thanks, he left her presence quickly before she could change her mind. He was so busy scurrying from the room that he didn’t hear her delighted giggle or the excited whispers of her slaves.

“But I get to watch, little fox,” she giggled, a grin splitting her face almost in two. Kurama was already long gone. He neither heard her statement nor saw her summon a scrying window.

* * *

Kurama had plenty of time to think on his journey back to where Yuusuke was still protecting Hiei. He had finally admitted to himself that he had no problem being involved with another man, but being forced into a relationship went against his very nature. Sighing, he continued to ponder whether or not he would be able to spend the rest of his life happily with Hiei. Surely the small fire demon couldn’t remain a raging ball of hormones forever.

When he finally arrived back, he was greeted fondly by his plants and not so fondly by Yuusuke, who was furious that he had disappeared without warning for a little over two weeks. The raven-haired fighter stormed off almost immediately, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the still catatonic koorime.

Biting his lower lip, Kurama stared at his best friend lying on the ground. It had been a full month since he had fallen into his unshakable daze and he was beginning to show the signs of his inactivity. His skin was pale, veins showing clearly through the sickly white flesh. His skin bruised easily and had bluish black marks from where they had gingerly touched him while feeding and bathing him. Despite their efforts, they had been largely unable to feed him, and that more than anything was taking its toll. Lack of food and water had left his cheeks hollow and eyes sunken, dark circles growing ever deeper under his eyes.

Eyes tearing at the sight, Kurama made his choice. He spent a long time gently peeling off Hiei’s clothes, determined not to leave any more bruises on his frail body. When he was finished, he paused to admire the smaller man. Even after all that had happened, his muscles were still firm and toned, his slight frame still marvelously proportioned. After staring for several minutes, he began to strip himself, ordering his plants to make sure that no one interrupted them for any reason.

Stark naked, Kurama approached the prostrate figure, carefully kneeling to straddle his legs. He ghosted his hands across the muscled chest beneath him, pausing to gently caress the pale nipples his searching fingers encountered. Reflexively, the small pink nubs hardened under his gentle touch. Kurama continued to tease them softly, leaning forward to claim the still mouth with his own. Hiei did not kiss back.

Disappointed, Kurama straightened, looking unsure of himself. He felt like he was molesting a small child when Hiei lay perfectly still. It was extremely unnerving. He forced himself to remember that this was to save his friend. Resolving to continue no matter what, he allowed himself to relax.

Muscles rippled along his body, hair snaking down his back to his waist. Silvery strands of hair glinted in Kurama’s vision as he continued to push himself. He felt his tail slither to its full length behind him, brushing lightly against Hiei’s legs.

Kurama immediately turned his attention back to what he was supposed to be doing, his hands resuming their delicate torture of Hiei’s nipples. After a little toying, he lowered his mouth to one and suckled it gently, waiting for a response. Receiving none, he moved his free hand to Hiei’s manhood, stroking the already hard length. Relieved that the koorime could respond even that much, he nipped the nipple under his lips somewhat roughly. Hiei shifted slightly.

Sensing that his efforts were working, he moved his mouth to Hiei’s other nipple and held his displaced hand out to the side towards one of his plants. A small blossom descended towards his outstretched fingers, spilling slippery nectar into his palm. Kurama pulled his hand back and quickly slid one finger into Hiei’s opening. The koorime jerked slightly, tensing. To distract him, Kurama bit his other nipple while squeezing his manhood somewhat demandingly. Hiei bucked immediately under his ministrations but still did not wake up.

Kurama inserted a second and third finger, making sure each time to distract the small fire demon beneath him to keep him relaxed. He had no intentions of hurting his friend further. When he was absolutely sure his friend was sufficiently stretched, he withdrew his fingers, smiling at the almost inaudible moan Hiei uttered.

Extending his hand a second time, he collected another palm of nectar to coat himself with. He positioned himself carefully, slowly but steadily pushing forward. Hiei hissed and arched beneath him. Kurama claimed his lips with a fierce kiss and stroked him with a steady rhythm. After what seemed like forever, he was completely buried in the smaller fire demon.

He waited for several minutes to make sure that Hiei’s body had adjusted to him before he began to roll his hips in a smooth circle. Not getting the response he desired, he curled his tail around to tease Hiei’s manhood and readjusted his angle. He thrust again. This time, Hiei gasped loudly and bucked against him, his ruby eyes flying open. Kurama froze, waiting for the smaller man to make the next move.

Fiery ruby eyes peered up at him in incomprehension for several moments before understanding set in. Hiei’s sharp mind took stock of the situation quickly and he frowned slightly, fierce eyes boring into Kurama’s. He bared his teeth in a feral growl. Kurama froze.

“Move, fox,” Hiei growled, shifting his hips.

Kurama withdrew and pushed back in, flicking his tail at the same time to further tease the smaller form beneath him. Hiei hissed and yanked his legs forward, planting them on Kurama’s chest and kicking him to the forest floor savagely. Fearing that he had misunderstood the command, the redhead-turned-youko remained absolutely still.

He need not have worried. Rolling gracefully off of the forest floor, Hiei pinned Kurama face-up on the ground and quickly straddled him, lowering himself onto Kurama’s manhood. Still uncertain what he was supposed to do, he held still while Hiei rode him at a ferocious pace. All too soon, Hiei came, spilling his white-hot seed across Kurama’s chest. The clenching muscles around him forced Kurama to finish as well.

Hiei slumped forward, panting softly at the exertion. Clumsily in his exhaustion, he fumbled to claim Kurama’s lips with his own. They twined their tongues for what seemed like an eternity. Neither wanted the kiss to end. Finally, Hiei pulled back, looking down at the still panting youko beneath him. A single tear formed in his eye, dropping into the hollow of Kurama’s throat. He felt the tear gem land in the small depression and Hiei’s fingers reclaiming it.

Kurama watched in wonder as Hiei pulled the gem back and fitted a gold fastening to it with his mind. He was astounded at the color of the gem, having never seen anything like it. Like the first crystalline orb, this one was a stunning emerald, but unlike the first, there were swirls of gold mixed in with shining green. The new swirl of color exactly matched his eyes as a youko.

Hiei moved his hand towards Kurama’s ear, pausing before reaching his target. Hesitation and uncertainty flashed in his scarlet eyes and he began to pull his hand away. Kurama caught his wrist and tugged it back towards his ear, turning his head helpfully. He felt Hiei’s fingers gently caressing his left ear, massaging it almost delicately. Kurama couldn’t help himself. He started to purr softly. Hearing him, Hiei actually laughed softly.

Sudden stinging pain caused Kurama to yelp and buck, dislodging Hiei in the process. He sat upright, his hands shooting towards his left ear and the earring dangling from it. He had forgotten just how tender his ears were in youko form. Hearing Hiei’s soft chuckle, he pouted openly.

“It’s not funny,” he muttered, gently fingering the small dangling bit of jewelry.

“Yes it is,” Hiei assured him. For a moment, the two entered a mock glaring contest. Kurama surrendered and flopped back onto the grass to relax.

“I’m glad you’re finally okay,” he said, turning his head slightly to lock eyes with the much smaller koorime. Hiei paused uncertainly, the amusement fading from his face.

“You only did this to save me,” Hiei sighed. He closed his eyes, pain flooding his features. He opened his mouth to say more but was cut off by Kurama kissing him. It was a very effective way to cut him off, in the youko’s opinion.

“Had it only been to save you, I would have found another way,” Kurama said, waiting for his statement to sink in. Hiei stared at him in shock.

“You…” Hiei trailed off, still uncertain. Kurama licked his nose teasingly.

“I want to stay with you,” he said firmly. “I’ve made up my mind.”

“In a few years, though,” Hiei started again. He was cut off yet again by Kurama’s talented mouth, only this time, it wasn’t a kiss. He remained frozen in place until the youko pulled away, licking his lips seductively, leaning forward to speak directly into his ear.

“Youko mate for life,” Kurama whispered. Hiei jerked back quickly, looking shocked. “I’ve made my decision.”

This time, the two met in a mutual kiss, twisting their tongues together in a battle for dominance. Their play would have escalated into something more had they not been interrupted by a furious shout.

“Damn it, Kurama! Get this plant off of me before I barbeque both you and it!”

Kurama and Hiei exchanged guilty looks and simultaneously scrambled for their clothes. They locked gazes as they finished pulling on their pants.

“You tell him,” Hiei said.

“Not happening,” Kurama countered. “I already have my hands full keeping him from killing me because of the snares I set. You tell him.”

“No way, fox. You were on top, you tell him.”

“You were in charge.”

“You started it.”

For a moment, the two continued the contest of wills before both burst into laughter. By silent agreement, they decided to share the task of explaining everything to the furious warrior, pushing their way past the deadly plants to save their friend before he leveled the area in one of his fits of temper.


* * *


Owari