Slip of the Tongue

Slip of the Tongue Part IV
By cillaxox

I don’t own YYH. I wish I did, but I don’t.


cillaxox: I’ll start off by thanking you guys for the reviews. I honestly didn’t think I would get this kind of reaction. I feel so special!

If you see these ***** then someone must be dreaming.
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Hiei and Kuwabara were currently on a mission. It wasn’t the ideal way to spend a Saturday morning, but Kuwabara wasn’t complaining. He enjoyed having an excuse to spend time with Hiei. As they walked along he occasionally snuck glances at his companion when he thought the demon wasn’t looking.

The pair was in an area that was about five or so miles north of Genkai’s temple, they were in search of a fugitive demon. Botan gave them the criminal’s last known whereabouts and left them to recapture it. The demon wasn’t very strong, but the two fighters were warned to use caution when apprehending him.

They were hiking through a particularly dense section of forest when Hiei said, “Tell me why you and I are doing this again.”

Kuwabara patiently explain the situation for the second time. “Yusuke is on separate, more important mission and Kurama has gone somewhere with his mom. That leaves you and me to take care of the less important mission.” Kuwabara looked at the cranky demon walking next to him and smiled. “It’s not so bad being here with me is it?”

Hiei didn’t take his eyes the winding path they were following. “I could think of worse situations.”

The human’s smile grew wider after the apparition’s response. “I think that’s the closest you’ve ever come to complimenting me.”

The fire demon’s countenance instantly soured. “Don’t get used to it.”

Kuwabara asked his companion, “Do you want to talk about that kiss now?” It had been three days since the kiss they shared among the trees.

“No, we have a mission to attend to.”

The pair walked in silence for several minutes, Kuwabara broke it by saying, “I liked kissing you.”

The apparition’s footsteps momentarily faltered. He quickly regained his cool composure. “We need to stay focused on the mission. We shouldn’t let ourselves get distracted by such…” Hiei clutched his neck. He felt two needlelike protrusions poking out of the right side of his neck. He was about to pull them out when his entire body went numb. He collapsed in mid step and fell to the ground. Before his vocal chords shut down he yelled, “Behind you!”

Kuwabara instinctively formed his sword then spun around and slashed. On his first strike he came in contact with flesh. The demon that they were hunting was dead before he even hit the ground. Seeing that it was no longer a threat Kuwabara turned his attention to his fallen companion. Hiei looked even smaller then usual as he lied on the ground. His skin was a ghostly shade of white. Every few seconds his body would give an involuntary spasm

Kuwabara scooped up the demon’s slight frame and held it close to his chest. “Hiei! Come on speak to me!” He shook the black bundle that lay in the crook of his arms. “Hiei.” He saw the needles that were sticking out of the demon’s neck. “Poison…” He started running back up the path that they had taken earlier. “Hang on I’m gonna get you help.”

Hiei used his remaining strength to crack open his eyes. The midday sun was shining directly in his eyes. It nearly blinded him with its luminous illumination. He was just barely able to make out the trace outline of Kuwabara. Even though he didn’t want them to, his eyes closed and shut out the human’s image. Before he was swallowed by the oblivion that was beckoning him he wondered, 'Why does that look so familiar?’

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kuwabara ran like he never ran before. When he reached Genkai’s temple the old woman was waiting for him on the porch. Without the young man even explaining the situation she said, “Bringing him inside and lie him down on in the first room on the left.”

He gently lowered the demon’s body onto the bed. “Will he be okay?”

Genkai told him in her naturally harsh voice, “Let me worry about him. You go take care of Yukina.”

Kuwabara reluctantly left the room in search of Hiei’s sister. He found her in the kitchen sitting on a chair. Her head was resting in her hands. He saw that several tear gems surrounded her on the floor. He rushed over to her side and knelt down next to her then embraced her tenderly.

Her eyes were wet with unshed tears as she asked, “Will he be okay?”

He gently patted her back in an attempt at consoling her. “He’s going to be okay Yukina. Genkai will fix him up in no time.”

She wiped her tears away with her fingers. “I felt it Kazuma. I felt his pain. I felt him dying. I was so scared for him.”

He once again wrapped his arms around her slim frame. “Don’t worry, he’s going to be all right.”

Kuwabara pulled up a chair and sat down next to Yukina. He held both of her hands and spoke consoling words to her. He gently stroked her hair. He looked at her beautiful face and felt nothing but concern. He no longer looked at her and felt his heart swell in love. In just a short amount of time he had gotten over his heartbreak. He found himself wondering why that was.

Genkai entered the room and interrupted Kuwabara’s thoughts. “I did all that I could and looks that will be enough. You can go see him now if you like.” Kuwabara and Yukina rushed out of the room and into the one that Hiei lay sleeping in. Genkai followed them and said, “I was able to remove most of the toxin. The amount that is circulating in his bloodstream isn’t lethal. More than likely he’ll build up an immunity to it, but for right now he has a pretty bad fever.”

Yukina hugged the old woman tightly. “Thank you Genkai!” Her eyes threatened to well up with tears, but she was able to control her emotions. She sat down on the bed next to her brother and held his hand tightly. She whispered to him in a low voice that neither Kuwabara nor Genkai could hear.

Genkai shuffled out the room leaving the two friends to look after the fire demon. They sat with the sleeping apparition for well over an hour before they finally left the room. The two friends went out to the porch and sat down.

Yukina looked over at Kuwabara and said, “Thank you for looking after my brother Kazuma.”

The young man shyly shrugged his shoulders. “He’s my friend and that’s what friends do, they look out for one another.”

The ice maiden grew quiet. She eyed the human that sat next to her in a thoughtful manner. His tall frame was hunched over. His shoulders slumped as if they were bearing an enormous burden. His usually smiling lips were set in grimace that saddened her. She thought she knew what was bothering him and decided to try cheering him up. “You don’t have to worry anymore, Hiei will be okay.”

“If I had been paying attention this wouldn’t have happened.”

Yukina’s brow furrowed with concern. “That’s not true. You shouldn’t blame yourself.”

Kuwabara sighed deeply. “I was so busy talking that I didn’t notice the demon until it was too late. If I had been quiet Hiei would still be okay.”

“It’s not your fault Kazuma and I’m sure my brother would agree with me.”

He ran a hand through his copper colored hair and let out another self-pitying sigh. “I know, but I still feel bad about it.”

Yukina decided to leave him alone for a while. Kuwabara stood up and went back into the temple. He went into Hiei’s room and pulled up a chair next to the bed. He sat and stared at the demon’s resting figure. He traced Hiei’s delicate jaw line with his index finger. He moved the finger over to the apparition’s lips and let it linger there. He remembered what it felt like to kiss those soft lips and felt a twinge of happiness. As Kuwabara sat staring at the fire demon he realized why he no longer yearned for Yukina, it was because he yearned for Hiei.

************

While Hiei slept off the remainder of his fever he dreamed. He had the same dream that he had been having for the past two months. A warm glowing figure held him and spoke to him in hushed tones. Up until this moment he had never been able to understand the words.

‘I’m going to keep you safe…as long as I’m here you’ll have nothing to fear. I’ll protect you Hiei.’

Hiei smiled at the loving words; he believed every single one of them. He looked up at his glowing protector and asked, “Who are you?”

The illuminated presence held him tighter and said, “If you want to know that all you have to do is wake up.”

“What?”

“Wake up and all will be revealed…”

“I don’t understand…”

The glowing being asked, “Do you trust me?”

Hiei replied without any sign of hesitation, “Yes.”

“Then wake up.”

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Hiei’s eye snapped open as he abruptly awoke. As he glanced around the room the first thing he noticed was Kuwabara sitting in a chair next to his bed. The youth’s eyes were shut tightly and his chin was resting against his chest while he held his clasped hands to his chest. The boy was chanting in a desperate voice, “Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.”

The groggy demon shook the human’s leg until he opened his eyes.

Kuwabara exclaimed, “Hiei you’re awake!”

Hiei looked at the young man and realization dawned on him. “It was you!” He sat up and seated himself on the edge of his bed then stood up on unsteady legs. “All this time it was you!”

Kuwabara reached his hands out in an attempt to steady the demon. “You shouldn’t stand up yet. You need to lay back down.”

The apparition headed towards the door. “No I can’t. I-I-I have to leave.”

Hiei was at the door when he passed out again. Kuwabara picked up the limp body and laid it back on the bed. He then rushed to get Genkai. After checking out Hiei she said, “He’ll be all right. The fever is making him delirious.”

“What should I do?”

She left room and returned with a bowl of cool water and a washcloth. She didn’t bother to explain her actions she just left the young man to figure it out for himself. Kuwabara dipped the towel into the water and began to gently wash Hiei’s body. He started at the demon’s forehead and began to work his way down. He tenderly sponged the perfectly proportioned face then moved on to the slim yet muscular neck. When he reached the apparition’s chest he paused. For some reason he suddenly felt embarrassed and wasn’t sure what to do next. Had Hiei been awake he wouldn’t even let the human dream of getting close enough to him to touch his chest, or would he? Lately the contentious demon had been demonstrating mixed emotions towards the young man. One minute he was kissing him and the next he fighting with him only to kiss him again. It made absolutely no sense to Kuwabara. The only thing that was more confusing to Kuwabara then Hiei’s actions was his own growing affection for the demon. He decided to worry about his feeling later, it more was important that he take care his sick friend right now.

The young man summoned up all his courage and placed the towel on the firm chest below him. He forced his hand to rub down the hot flesh. When he finished bathing the surface he began to wipe Hiei’s stomach. He was amazed at how tight the fire apparition’s body was; he didn’t know that so many muscles could fit on such a small frame. Once he finished wiping Hiei’s torso Kuwabara rewetted the washcloth and restarted the whole process. He repeated it until the bowl of water was almost empty and the little bit that remained had turned warm. He could tell that it made a difference in the demon’s temperature, but the fever was still there.

Genkai came in to check on Hiei’s progress periodically as did Yukina. As for Kuwabara he kept up his vigil, only leaving when it was absolutely necessary. While he watched Hiei sleep he was reminded of the demons words: ‘All this time it was you.’ He wanted to know the meaning behind those six words.

The sun was beginning to set and the last of the evening rays shined through a window and illuminated Hiei with orange rays. Kuwabara's felt his heart beat faster as he looked at the apparition. Against his better judgment he leaned forward and laid his head on Hiei’s stomach. He draped his arm around the demon’s body and cradled him gently. He had only planned to stay like that for a few minutes, but the moment he closed his eyes he succumbed to the fatigue that he had been putting off. Kuwabara fell asleep holding onto Hiei as if the demon was his most treasured possession.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hiei slowly opened his eyes. While he adjusted to the dimly lighted room he slowly become aware of his surrounding. He remembered that he had been poisoned and that Kuwabara carried him to Genkai’s temple. The thought of the young human triggered memories of his dream, he knew he had to talk to the boy. He tried to sit up, but something was pinning him place. He looked down and saw a head resting on his stomach.

“I’m not a pillow.”

Kuwabara sat up and blinked his eyes slowly. Once he realized what was going on he smiled and said, “Your awake…again.” He gave the demon skeptical look. “Wait a minute, your not still acting crazy are you?”

Hiei shook his head no and sat up. He eyed the human that was next to him intently. He studied the eyes in particular. Currently they were full of concern for him. He saw a kindness and warmth reflecting in them that made him feel special. The eyes were so open and inviting that he felt himself being pulled into them. He closed his eyes in order to avoid being sucked into those deep blue pools. The second he closed his eyes he was flooded with images of his recurring dream. The warm glow, the security he felt and that sense of longing that made him ache. He opened his eyes again and looked Kuwabara in the eye. When they’re eyes met he saw his dream being replayed in its entirety.

“I can’t believe it was you.” Hiei shook his head in disbelief. “All this time I was dreaming of you.” Kuwabara started to say something, but the demon held up a hand and silenced him. He spoke in a soft voice that seemed out of character, “I had a dream that some one was holding me and talking me. The person really…cared…for me. I could never figure it out who it was until now. It was you Kazuma.”

The human smiled tentatively and asked, “Does that mean there really is something going on between us?”

Hiei regretted what he was about to say next. He saw the look of excitement on Kuwabara's face and he felt bad that he was about to crush it. “I need to sort this out. It’s a lot to take in at one time.”

Kuwabara's face fell, but he quickly masked it. “I understand. You nearly died today. Then you realized you were dreaming about me.” As he spoke he felt anger building up inside him. He felt like he was being toyed with. After all Hiei kissed him first. Hiei was the one that initiated the second kiss too. Every time they got close the demon would push him away again. Kuwabara had as much as he could take. “I’m sick of this! One minute you’re all over me and then afterwards you act like you could care less. Then to top it all off you tell you me that you need space.” Kuwabara threw his hands up in frustration. “You act like you’re the only one that’s confused. What about me?!” The enraged human stood up and walked over to the door. “I don’t care anymore. I’m too old to be playing games.” He stormed out of the room slamming the door shut behind him, a few seconds later he opened the bedroom door. He stuck his head in and said, “Look I’m glad you’re okay, but from now on just leave me alone.”

Hiei watched as the young man closed the door again. He heard Yukina and Kuwabara talking about what just happened. The force of the temple doors being slammed reverberated throughout the building and shook Hiei’s bed. He knew the boy was upset and he didn’t blame him for feeling that way. Hiei also knew that Kuwabara had a point when he said he gave off mixed signals, but he couldn’t help it.

Hiei lay back down and contemplated his situation while staring at the ceiling. He couldn’t help but feel as if he just ruined something special. The dispirited demon turned over on his side and once again fell into a fitful slumber. While he tossed and turned he dreamed of the presence that had been plaguing him for countless nights. However, this dream was different. The brilliant light that represented the presence was dimmer then it had been previously. It also seemed colder; it no longer filled Hiei with a feeling of warmth. The once loving being seemed more reserved. It no longer held Hiei close instead it remained just outside the apparition’s reach. A shiver ran down the demon’s back as he realized what was happening, he was losing his protector. The one that filled him with so much happiness was leaving him.

Hiei woke up with a start. Sweat drops ran down his skin and his heart was beating painfully fast. His sensitive ears detected the patter of approaching footsteps. He knew who it was so he didn’t even bother to look as the door was opened.

Yukina stood in the doorway and asked, “Is everything okay? I heard you crying out in your sleep.”

Hiei stared morosely at his sister and said, “No it isn’t.”

“Would you like to talk about it?”

He shook his head no and told her in a soft voice, “I think it’s too late for that.”

The ice maiden walked over to the bed and sat next to her brother. She patted his hand as she spoke, “It’s never too late to talk things over.”

“You make it sound as if it’s all so easy.”

Yukina smile sweetly at her brother and told him, “It is easy. Things are only complicated when people make them that.”

The fire apparition eyed her thoughtfully. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I will be here if you wish to talk.” Yukina prepared to exit the room. “But for now you should concentrate on getting better.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning Hiei secluded himself in the room at the temple. He said that he wanted to be left alone and for several hours both Yukina and Genkai respected his wishes. Around 2pm the old psychic barged in and forced the demon to allow her to examine him. Once she was satisfied he would be fine she left again. Yukina had been watching the whole scene from the doorway. After Genkai left she came in and sat down on the bed.

“I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”

Hiei shrugged his shoulders and said, “That was nothing.”

“I know Kazuma will be relieved to hear you made a complete recovery.” Judging from her brother’s reaction Yukina knew that the young man was the source of what was troubling him. “Do you want to talk about it now?”

Hiei started off by asking, “What to do you think about Kuwabara?”

The ice maiden’s reply came quickly, “He’s very kind and loyal. He’s always funny and cheerful. He has a good heart. I think he’s a very good person.”

The fire apparition didn’t respond.

“Don’t you agree Hiei?”

“I suppose so…”

Yukina spoke in a soft voice, “I wish you would tell me what’s going on.”

“…I think I want to be with Kuwabara.”

Yukina smiled and her eyes welled up with tears. “That’s so sweet.”

“Sweet?! I think the word you were looking for is pathetic.”

“Aren’t you happy about it?”

Hiei shrugged his shoulders and mumbled, “I don’t know.”

“How does Kazuma feel?”

“I don’t know.”

His persistent sister continued asking questions, “Why not?”

“I never got a chance to find out.”

“Why?”

“I kept sending him away.”

“Why?”

“I was scared.”

“Why?”

“I guess, I feared I wouldn’t be able to be what he deserves.”

Yukina placed her hand on her brother’s shoulder. “Why would you think that?”

Hiei was about to reply with a sarcastic quip, but he didn’t have the heart to go through with it. He told his sister in a low voice, “Because I’m an criminal. A thief. The question is, why would he want to be with me?”

“Those are the same reasons you gave for not telling me you were my brother.”

“I know, but you were able to see past those things.”

“Don’t you think Kazuma will be able to do that too?”

Hiei eventually nodded his head and said, “Yes.”

Yukina smiled and asked, “Then what are you waiting for Hiei?”

The fire demon's was wrinkled with worry. “Do you approve of my choice? I know there is a history between you two.”

The ice maiden held her sibling’s hand and told him in a sincere tone, “You are my brother and I love you. More than anything I want you to be happy and it seems like you finally have a chance at that. You shouldn’t let anything stand between you and Kazuma, especially unfounded fears.”

Hiei smirked at his sister’s kind words and told her, “You didn’t answer my question.”

“Yes, I do approve. Now will you go to him?”

Hiei nodded his head yes then said, “Thank you Yukina.”

“For what?”

“For making sense when I wasn’t.”

Yukina gave her brother a smile that could easily melt the frozen tundra she called home. “That’s what sisters do best.”

Hiei was pleased with the conclusion he came to with help of his sister, but he also knew that some things were easier said than done. He didn’t know what he would say to Kuwabara. All the words he came up with seemed inadequate. He didn’t want to approach the object of his affection until he knew how to tell him how he felt. After the way Kuwabara stormed out on him yesterday he knew it would take a lot of fancy talking to win him back.

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cillaxox: I know, I know, I bring them together only to pull them apart again, but this is the last time, I promise. I had to write this chapter like this, so Hiei would make the connection between his dream and Kuwabara before they get together. Otherwise it would have been stupid and pointless for me to even have the dream portion of the story.

You know how you don’t want to do something for a really stupid reason? If you have a really good friend (who knows that you’re acting stupid) they will sit there and ask you ‘why’ until you realize that all your reasons are stupid. It’s annoying, but it works. That’s why I made the scene with Hiei and Yukina like that, so he would see he was being stupid.