WAITING FOR YOU

Chapter 4

Waking from one of the best sleeps he could remember, Kurama was reluctant to open his eyes. With a sigh, he tried to stretch but his arms wouldn’t move. Slowly opening his eyes, his breath caught when he saw Hiei almost nose to nose with him. “Morning Fox. Sleep well?”

Kurama still lay on his side facing Hiei. Hiei however had rolled onto his back to watch the Youko sleep. Not able to move, because Hiei was still laying on his right arm and holding onto his left hand, Kurama blinked nervously, giving him a little smile. “Yes Hiei, thank you. I can’t ever remember sleeping more soundly.”

Hiei tried not to smirk as he watched Kurama try to figure out how to get away. Enjoying having the fox captive, Hiei didn’t move. Suddenly, Kurama’s discomfort annoyed him and he intended to get answers. “Why do you live like this Kurama? Why are you alone? Why do you seem almost afraid to have someone touch you?”

Hiei knew he’d hit a nerve when Kurama’s golden eyes reflected the fear he’d mentioned. When Kurama didn’t answer Hiei decided on the direct approach. “Who hurt you Kurama? I’m your best friend, damn it! Why the hell, after all these years, didn’t you say anything to me?”

Kurama didn’t try to hide the fact that he knew what Hiei was talking about. Hiei watched as Kurama erected a mask of indifference before answering calmly. “It shouldn’t have taken my best friend over ten years to figure out that something happened. It was a long time ago Hiei, just let it go.”

Hurt by Kurama’s words, Hiei sighed. “You’re right Kurama, I’m an insensitive ass and I should have known sooner, but I didn’t. Now that I know, how the hell can I let it go? You obviously haven’t. Just answer me this Fox. Was the person that hurt you punished?”

Closing his eyes, Kurama took several deep breaths before answering softly. “No Hiei, he wasn’t. It’s more complicated than that though. He didn’t exactly hurt me so there wasn’t a reason to punish him. Please Hiei, it’s been too long now. Too much time has passed and it should all just be forgotten.”

Hiei could see that this was upsetting his friend. In a rare moment of compassion Hiei reached out to stroke Kurama’s hair before scratching behind one of his ears. Kurama gasped at the unusual show of affection and glanced at Hiei. “Fox, I’m not sure I can do as you ask. I feel like I’ve let you down, like I didn’t protect my partner. It still hurts you and I need to do something to make it right, I just don’t know what to do.”

Kurama gave him a smile but Hiei could see the sadness behind it. “Truthfully Hiei, just knowing you care is enough.”

Surprised by Kurama’s words, Hiei growled. “Of course I care you stupid Fox. How the hell could you think I wouldn’t? We’ve been partners and best friends for too long for me not to care. What the hell would I come back for if I don’t care? Now that Yukina’s returned to Makai there’s nothing else in that god forsaken place you live in that would bring be back accept you.”

After Hiei’s tirade, Kurama smiled. “Thank you Hiei, that means a lot to me. Now why don’t we get up, I’d like to say goodbye to Yusuke before I head home.”

Hiei didn’t miss Kurama’s sigh of relief when he moved, allowing the Youko to sit up. “Kurama, what do you mean you’re going home? I thought we were all staying in Makai for a while.”

Not looking at Hiei, Kurama checked his hair in a mirror by the armoire. “There’s no reason for me to stay now Hiei. I think we accomplished our goal with Yusuke. He’ll probably want to stay to check on things here before he goes back and you should be getting back to M…Mukuro. That is where you belong after all.”

Though Hiei didn’t stop to question it, something about Kurama’s words annoyed him. “Then I guess there’s nothing keeping me here!”

Not waiting for Kurama to respond, Hiei flitted out the door. Closing his eyes, Kurama drew a deep breath before whispering to the empty room. “Goodbye Hiei.” With his eyes still closed, Kurama raised his energy and changed back to his human form. Opening his eyes, he checked his red hair before going to find Yusuke.

Kurama found Yusuke in an office on the first floor. He was behind a large desk that was covered in papers. Across from him were his two top advisors. Both men looked rather annoyed at Yusuke’s lack of interest in the papers on the desk. Looking up, Yusuke smiled. “Hey Kurama. Breakfast is ready in the dining room. You and Hiei go help yourselves and I’ll join you in a minute.”

Nodding, Kurama went in search of the dining room. Half an hour later he was seated at a large table drinking tea when Yusuke joined him. “Damn, you’d think they could learn run this place without me by now. Hey, where’s Hiei?”

Kurama pasted on a pleasant smile. “Hiei went back to Alaric. If he’s going to… mate with Mukuro, it’s where he belongs.”

Not missing the slight catch in Kurama’s voice as he spoke of Hiei mating, Yusuke sighed as he got his food. “You don’t really think he’d actually mate with that bionic bitch do you? Come on Kurama, this is Hiei we’re talking about. Next time you see him you’ll just have to talk him out of that ridiculous notion.”

Kurama smiled at Yusuke’s good intentions. “Hiei will do whatever he has to if it’s good for his career. Besides, do you really think anyone could change Hiei’s mind once he’s made it up?”

Grabbing the silverware from the head of the table, Yusuke sat next to Kurama. “If anyone in the three worlds can convince Hiei to do something, it’s you Kurama. Don’t forget, he admitted he hadn’t made up his mind yet. So there’s still hope. Now, what are we going to do today? And you can get that stupid idea out of your head about getting me laid.”

Giving Yusuke a genuine laugh, Kurama shook his head. “I wouldn’t dream of it Yusuke. Actually, I was going to head home. Hiei’s gone back to work and I’m sure there’s work here for you to attend to so I might as well get back to mine.”

Yusuke frowned at the redhead. “No way man. You’re not leaving me here with these psychos. If you’re going home then so am I. Besides, Hiei would kill me if I let you go alone and you got into trouble. Give me an hour with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb and then we’ll head out.”

Giving Yusuke another laugh, Kurama agreed as they finished breakfast.

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It was already dark by the time they got back to Kurama’s house. Yusuke’s advisors had kept him longer than the hour he had allotted them and since neither of them were in a hurry to return they’d taken their time. Letting them into the house, Kurama tossed his keys on the table. “Come on in the kitchen Yusuke. I’ll see what there is for us to eat before you go.”

Entering the kitchen, Kurama pushed the button on his answering machine before heading to the fridge. As he looked through the freezer he listened to a message from his mother inviting him to dinner the following weekend. He was just taking out a package of pork chops when the next message began to play. Hearing Shizuru’s frightened voice, Kurama looked up to meet Yusuke’s eyes as they listened.

“Kurama, where are you? I need you to come to the temple as soon as you get this. Something’s wrong with Kazuma and I’m not sure what I should do. He’s not been feeling well for a couple of days and now he says he hurts all over. I don’t think I should take him to the hospital though. I…uh… think it’s something else. I’ll… explain when you get here. Please hurry.”

Kurama barely took time to toss the pork chops back in the freeze before running after Yusuke. By the time Kurama got outside, Yusuke was already in his car with the engine running. “Hurry up Kurama! Let’s go!”

Hopping in the car, Kurama couldn’t even close the door before Yusuke sped off. “Yusuke, slow down. It’s not going to help Kuwabara if we get in an accident on the way.”

Luckily, to get from Kurama’s house to the temple they could skirt around the edge of town and avoid the city traffic. “You heard Shizuru, Kuwabara’s in trouble!”

Trying to calm his friend, Kurama placed a hand on his shoulder. “Yusuke, she said that he didn’t feel well and that he was hurting, not that he was dying. Now please slow down so we can get there safely.”

With a sigh, Yusuke nodded and slowed down enough that Kurama let him be. Half an hour later they arrived at the temple. Both men jumped out of the car and raced up the steps. When they entered the temple gates they found Shizuru pacing on the porch smoking a cigarette. “Took you long enough Kurama. I thought you’d be alone.”

Kurama reached out a hand to hold Yusuke’s arm when he would have pushed past the woman. “Yusuke was with me when I played your message Shizuru. You know there’s nothing I could have done to keep him away when he heard his best friend was ill. Now take us to him and let’s see what’s going on.”

Putting out her cigarette, Shizuru sighed. “I didn’t mean anything by it Yusuke. I’m just worried about Kazuma.”

Impatient to get to Kuwabara, Yusuke nodded. “Don’t worry about it Shizuru. Can we see him now?”

Nodding, Shizuru led them inside. Entering Kuwabara’s room they found him on the bed laying on his side facing away from the door. Hearing his friend moan in pain, Yusuke no longer cared who knew how he felt as he rushed to the bed. “Kuwa!”

When Yusuke sat on the bed, leaned over him and brushed back his hair, Kuwabara turned into him. “Urameshi, I’m dying man.”

Kuwabara’s head rested against his chest as Yusuke tried to laugh. “Don’t be a drama queen Kuwabara, you are not dying. Kurama’s here and he’ll give you a plant to make you better in a minute.”

Taking Yusuke’s cue, Kurama moved to the bed. Kuwabara continued to moan as Kurama ran his hands over him searching for a cause for his pain. Stroking Kuwabara’s hair in an attempt to soothe his friend, Yusuke didn’t see Kurama’s frown as he turned to look questioningly at Shizuru. Nor did he see Shizuru look away guiltily.

Reaching out, Kurama placed a hand on Yusuke’s shoulder to get his attention. “Yusuke, I want you to feed him youki while I talk to Shizuru and prepare something for him.”

With one look from Kurama, Shizuru turned and left the room. In the kitchen, Kurama made himself at home as he put water in a small pot before setting it on the stove. “Do you have any instant ramen? I want the seasoning packet from it.”

With a nod, Shizuru went to the pantry to get the ramen. When she brought it to him she saw he had added several plants to the water. Taking out the seasoning packet, Kurama added it to the pot. When Kurama remained silent, Shizuru got impatient. “So now you know. Can you make him better?”

Kurama nodded. “Yes, but it will be temporary. Just when exactly were you going to tell him?”

Shizuru reached for a cigarette. When Kurama frowned she sighed but didn’t light it. “Never.”

Kurama raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have that option any more.”

Ignoring Kurama’s frown, Shizuru lit her cigarette. “I was afraid you’d say that.”

Without another word, Shizuru walked outside. After giving the boiling mixture a stir, Kurama strained it into a cup. In the bedroom he found Yusuke still offering his friend comfort with a few gruff words about the next time he would beat him up. Giving his friends a smile, Kurama got Yusuke’s attention. “Yusuke, help him sit up. He needs to drink this.”

As Yusuke assisted him, Kuwabara eyed the cup suspiciously. “I’m feeling a little better Kurama, do I really have to drink that?”

Kurama smiled. “Yes Kuwa I’m afraid you do. I promise it’s not that bad and it will make you feel better.”

As Kuwabara took the cup, Kurama marveled that he hadn’t said anything about Yusuke’s attention or the fact that he was actually leaning against his friend’s chest. After his first sip, Kuwabara almost smiled. “This isn’t too bad Kurama. It tastes like beef ramen.”

Giving him another smile, Kurama nodded. “The salty ramen seasoning masks the bitter taste of my plants. It should put you to sleep in a few minutes. When you wake up you should feel like your old self again. Yusuke, keep feeding him youki, it will help the medicine work better. I’m going out to talk to Shizuru.”

Relieved that Kuwabara was feeling better, Yusuke called out. “Thanks Kurama.”

Kurama nodded before leaving the men alone. Still holding Kuwabara, Yusuke watched him empty the cup before setting it aside. Giving a big yawn, Kuwabara leaned back against Yusuke sleepily. “Hey Urameshi? When I wake up I’m going to wonder why you’ve been so nice to me and want to know why you’re holding me. Right now it feels too good and I’m too tired to care.”

Giving him a nervous laugh, Yusuke continued to hold him. “Don’t bother Kuwa, I’m just going to convince you that you were hallucinating anyways.”

There was a silly grin on Kuwabara’s face as he closed his eyes and fell asleep. Watching him, Yusuke sighed as he tried to think of how he would answer the inevitable questions his long time friend was going to ask when he woke up. Not once did he stop to think about the conversation that was transpiring just a few rooms away between Kurama and Shizuru.