Seasons

Guess what?... I'm not dead after all... but how long I remain alive is entirely up to how lenient you guys are willing to be with me as I know I should very well be dragged out into the street then shot for the HUGE lapse between this chapter and the last. Yes I know I promised to be prompt and I have been anything but.. I am very sorry ... and thoroughly ashamed -_-. I just got a heavy dose of "Real Life Syndrome" that took precedence over everything else I was doing..Also that whole (computer exploding thing) did not help matters much.. Had to work for money and buy another PC Because I sure as hell wasn't going to use my boyfriend's computer to type up my stories... He's no Yaoi fan, I should dump him right?

Okay now that, that sobbering little display is out of the way...

There's going to be a little surprise cameo appearance of someone from another Anime in this chapter...Hope ya like it... and don't worry this is not going to become a massive crossover or anything... It was just something I thought up to be a nice little treat.


*...* = a thought process from any of the characters.
**...** = A thought process from the Youko
((...)) = Any Ramblings from the author.


** ~~ Walls Three Sided ~~ **


The taste and scent of the Makai was not always pleasant on the senses. Sometimes the very air was laced with the foul stench of blood and decay. And on the red dawn of a morning promising battle it was thick with energy that could easily jar any human bodily. To a demon who's soul was on fire with the lust to shed another's blood it was invigorating. However there were still a few scenic places in the Makai that remained untainted by the touch of death.

A place like this was just shining with silent and natural beauty.. a place like this was nigh impossible to come across, but when it was it would want to be cherished and nurtured and so this is what Youko Kurama would do when ever he happened upon one of these rare sanctuaries. He cherished, he nurtured, and he protected these places as religiously as one would their own pup. Why would the fox demon trouble himself so to preserve a small mass of land?

Why for the joy of frolicking of course. The silver Kitsune so loved to frolic and play in the fields. There was such an overwhelming sense of freedom and excitement that passed through him while he played his days away. It was a feeling even more thrilling than even the hunt of a new highly guarded treasure, or the chase that would ensue afterwards.... All right perhaps it was not as thrilling as the chase.

Ah.. and in thinking of the thrill of the hunt, one's mind would wander to the new object he wished to possess. Oh but this was no mere object, this one was special, yes a very special rare gem of a treasure that had thus far eluded him on every attempt. The one with eyes of ruby and hair of midnight with a single burst of white. Yes.. The Fire Koorime Hiei would very soon be his...

*Mine..*

**My Hiei...**

*Hiei....*

The red haired teen lazily opened his eyes as if even this small action took much effort. He felt something cold and rather wet touching his left hand and found the small juice pack Hiei had given to him laying on it's side and leaking it's contents onto the grass, staining it red.

Red... the color of rubies.. no the color of his eyes. Like so many other things that were defined as crimson. Purest of the ruby gem in contentment, Dark like blood when he was angered. Hot like fire when he was... Well he was always hot! This thought brought an impish grin to Kurama's face as his thoughts suddenly turned from poetic, to well... smutty.

*Wait a minute... * That impish little grin faded from the fox's visage as he suddenly noticed an absence of a certain demon's presence.

"Where's Hiei?" He voiced aloud suddenly realizing that his ruby eyed Koorime was nowhere to be found.

His head snapped around practically doing a three sixty degree spin. His eyes were wide and were growing ever wider as panic was rising in his chest and threatened to burst from his throat.
Kurama was on his feet and he frantically looked about the surrounding area. The park that had once seemed so small and serene before, now seemed too large and threatening. There were just too many dark shadowed Bushy areas that one so small as Hiei could easily get snatched into... Humans could be quite depraved when they wanted to be after all. And Gods.. there were just far to many exits from the park too!....

*What if he wondered out of the park?... gets lost in the city somewhere... Or... Oh Inari... What if he got hit by a car or something?*

He went on and on with wild worst case scenarios, from the probable, (Like.. Hiei getting mugged for his walk-man and sneakers) to the totally improbable.. (Like... A plane falling from the sky and landing on fire demon.) ((Uh... no?))

He stopped his frantic searching just now as he ran that last scenario back through his head.. Okay it was quite obvious that the Kitsune must be suffering from a severe case of heat exhaustion to think that one up. And he silently cursed the sun for beaming so hotly today and causing him to fall asleep in the first place!

For him to think up something so very absurd, was... well beyond stupid. So he took a few deep breaths in hopes to calm himself. They didn't help much but at least he was standing still and getting a good look about the park. Moving around like mad the way he was in this heat would kill any lesser person.

*Gods Hiei.. where did you go to?*

Of course as he ran that last pleading question through his mind once more he knew how very pathetic and desperate he sounded. But hell he didn't care about that in the least so long as Hiei was at his side once more.

And speaking of the wondering Koorime, Hiei was in fact not very far off, well at least he hadn't strayed from the park. As of the moment he was a little too concerned with his hunt of the fluffy white ball of fur with quick little legs attached. The fire demon was absolutely unawares of the chaos and utter panic he was causing a certain red haired Kitsune. However in respect to his truly "clingy" nature towards Kurama, Hiei was suddenly getting a tiny unsure feeling in his chest and he glanced back over his shoulder in the general direction from whence he came. It seemed that the more distance that came between him and his "K'rama" the more uneasy and nervous he felt. He was quite close to the decision of turning back but at the small persistent barks of the Samoyed pup Hiei's attentions were again redirected solely onto fluffy.

((Fluffy... originality at it's best huh? ))

And so the funny little game of "cat and mouse" commenced once more moving Hiei farther and father away from his fox. Then the somewhat erratic canine pup he was compelled to follow finally decided it wanted to stop. It scampered over and ran circles around Hiei's legs, much to the Koorime's amusement and delight. One of those soft barely audible giggles was expressed here... so low in it's volume it almost sounded secretive. And perhaps it was. After all before now it was permitted for Kurama's ears only...

Along with the thought came a wave of anxiety that swept through the Koorime's senses. It felt like... like.. he shouldn't be so far away from his fox, that's what it felt like.

((little Hiei... possessive? ))

Confirmation of this anxious feeling did not have time to fester however. no this sensation gave way to another one, the tingling feeling of hairs standing on end on the back of his neck and arms.. You know the feeling.. the one you get when you think you're being watched.. or like how you feel when you get hig...er.. right then...His unknown instincts as a seasoned fighter were kicking into overhaul and the reason soon made itself known.

A cool breeze swept through the small (and now noticeably secluded) area, and sliced through the heavy thickness of heat the blazing summer sun caused. It was a soft breeze not unlike the one that had passed through right before Kurama conveniently dozed off. The fire demon looked off into the direction from where the breeze was blowing and found himself staring at a very tall figure in white.

Everything about the man was immaculate. Even in his seemingly casual state, he moved as if walking were a complex dance that he had down to a precise science. There was an obvious air of composed authority around the man... and grace. Of course the man was not as graceful (or pretty) as Kurama, Hiei thought, even in his awed state at seeing the man.


((Drool Fest: Commencing in 5,4,3,2....))

However to say the man wasn't beautiful... gorgeous.. would be a crime (punishable by death ). His hair was of silver that reflected the bright sunlight so brilliantly it almost gave him a halo-ish look. It was cut in a short neat style. Even the way his bangs hung in front of his right eye seemed well put in place. He wore thin rimmed glasses that only seemed to intensify the stormy silver-gray eyes behind them. He was dressed in all white from head to toe. He walked with his (of course) white blazer jacket slung over his shoulder. It seemed that even he, however otherworldly he looked was not immune to the unrelenting heat. ((1))

While obviously barred from his nice stroll through the park by a dazed little black haired child, a soft (and.. secretive?) smile still graced his fine lips and his eyes were focused completely on the little Koorime standing there slack jawed before him. That was when the man spoke in a rich baritone that must have melted many bones in it's time.

"Are you lost little one?"

"..." Was the only response.

Those silver eyes narrowed slightly, and the silver haired god, ((Yes GOD)) canted his head to the side ever so slightly in a curious gesture. He took a few steps closer, to which Hiei took a few apprehensive steps back in retreat.

Aesthetically beautiful this man was without a doubt very much so. And his presence did indeed command anyone's attention and even more so, their cooperation. However he was not Kurama. And to the little wary Koorime.. that was all that mattered. He took another step back when he felt a small nudge on the back of his leg, compliments of the playful (traitorous) little puppy. Hiei did stop his retreat but he did not take steps closer to the man either.

The silver haired one stopped in his tracks and that smile grew somewhat. No... it did not grow in size it just shifted.. It seemed perhaps just a bit more predatory than it had an instant before. Still his rich voice was soft when he inquired..

"Are you afraid of me?" There was a small hint of amusement in that question. To which Hiei responded with a quick shake of his head in the negative. Afraid? He was not afraid...Because he was not weak, even Kurama said so. (Of course that means it must be true yes?) He just didn't want to let the man get close because, not only was he Not Kurama, Hiei was also getting a very strange feeling about this silver haired human. Something that whispered cautions to his inner conscious.. but he could not understand what it was in his current state.

He was not the seasoned warrior he had grown to be.. so naturally he did not understand what it was his mind was telling him. He had only acted on instincts when he backed away. But now that the man seemed to be questioning him in a non threatening way.. why should he continue to retreat? It would only take just a few choice sweet words from the man and the Koorime would more than likely become ensnared...

No prejudice....

In the fact that the man was seemingly just another mortal... just another human. Hiei did not possess the preconceptions he held for the whole of the Ningen race while in this child like and untainted state.

No fear...

Because he simply was not knowledgeable enough to fear the man, He did not possess enough self awareness to know that that little niggling feeling he was getting in this person's presence was indeed a warning sign that he should pay heed to. Since returning from the darkness, he had only known sweet kindness from Kurama... The only darkness were the ones in his dreams and Kurama always chased those images away.

Some small amount of time must have gone by, and the little Koorime must have retreated into himself for suddenly the man was much closer than he had been. And even more startling his hand was outstretched in a way that implied the man wished him to place his own hand in his?
Hiei's eyes stared at the hand then trailed up the arm to the shoulder and finally rested on the pale face and silver eyes. That face was smiling, very sweetly and seemingly very benignly.

"Surely you are not afraid to say hello?" That baritone silked out.

It was as if a spell had been cast and those final words were the last thing that needed to be said to complete the incantation. For Hiei could now see his own hand slowly and tentatively reaching out to make contact with the tall man's pale long fingers. Dare say the Koorime was compelled to do as the man said. To greet him and to say "hello" with a handshake. Which also, required actual physical contact.

"Hiei... so there you are." Came a very familiar calm voice. The melodic tone of that voice seemed to have spell breaking properties for no sooner had the words left Kurama's mouth when he found a very enthusiastic Hiei attached to his waist.

((Timing for Koorime attachment:: 0.05 seconds. New record.))
Kurama had to stifle a yelp of pain as those small arms not only knocked the wind out of his slim frame but were now causing his ribs to groan in protest. You see... little Hiei was not exactly aware of his own physical strength. The affects of the poison made him for the most part as weak as a defenseless kitten but every now and then he would get these incredible bursts of Herculean strength. Naturally this would make for some strange situations. Ah.. well back to the current situation at hand...

The silver haired wonder was apparently all but a ghost of a memory in Hiei's Kitsune obsessed mind. However the man was very much aware that sharp perceptive green eyes were watching his every move. Kurama ignored the audible groaning of his ribs and wrapped both arms about Hiei's small shoulders. It was obvious this was a protective motion. And as the elder man watched this his apparently innocent smile darkened into something of an impish grin.

"It would be wise to keep the ones you care for close to you." He said in a sagely voice that did not match his expression at all.

Kurama's eyes narrowed somewhat but he played the role of "mild mannered teenage boy" to a fault. Lowering his head slightly in a respectful nod, he responded in that oh so sweet voice of his.

"I shall remember it... thank you."

With a speculative raise of one fine brow the man merely nodded in return and said nothing more as he turned on his heel and started back the way he had come. Kurama watched the man's retreating back until he could no longer even pick up his scent. Finally when there was a satisfying distance between them the Kitsune finally let out a huge breath of relief. With that huge breath went all of the tension in his body.. and apparently some of his strength drained out as well. He slowly sunk to his knees before Hiei, his hands resting on those shoulders. Head lowered to where Hiei couldn't look into those emerald eyes.

"K'rama?"

Whatever the question on the Koorime's mind was, it would go unasked, for Kurama had pulled him into a hug that was almost as bone crushing as the one he had so recently endowed upon the Kitsune himself a moment before. But never would he complain, since there was no place better than being in those arms. In Kurama's arms all else ceased to matter.. or even exist for that matter, like the sudden disappearance of that little fluffy white pup that lead him here in the first place. It was simply gone... like a forgotten plot tool that had been depleted of it's usefulness and thusly was written off by some wicked author. ((....))

There was a few moments of silence and (possible bruising) when Kurama finally let go of Hiei to look into the Koorime's eyes. After all this time with "Mind Warped Hiei" He should not have been surprised with the look of complete trust, rapture.. and... and... this is where he averted his gaze by lowering his eyes to somewhere a little safer. Which was Hiei's lips, err upon second thought perhaps this was not quite a good safe haven for his eyes to linger on. As stated earlier Kurama should not have been surprised with that look in Hiei's eyes. But he was, it never failed to both take his breath away and break his heart at the same time.

*Because it isn't real. Once you are better Hiei.. you will forget this... all of it* And it would always be on his mind to torment him with images and feeling that he could never again have.

"K'rama, what's wrong? You look sad." Hiei inquired in a worried little voice. The thought of his Kitsune being saddened over something was one of those disquieting notions that he simply couldn't handle.

Kurama hugged Hiei closer to himself once more.

"I'm going to miss you." Came the answer.

"Hmmm... wow looks like they're not here after all. Too bad ya know? Guess we'd better be heading back now."

And then there it was again. That death glare that Keiko seems to have perfected over the years they have known each other. Hell she was so good at it she could probably claim legal patent rights on it or something.

"Don't look at me that way Keiko! I mean come on, they aren't anywhere to be found. I bet they've left already by now!"

Yusuke in fact had a point there and for once he had successfully diffused the situation without getting his head knocked off. Keiko frowned slightly and sighed.

"Well let's just ask one more person before we go" Keiko said in a tone that already spelled out d-e-f-e-a-t.

However victory seemed to be eluding Yusuke left and right today. Just then two possible witnesses came strolling down the park path. And it was in that very moment upon seeing these two people that Yusuke knew his ass was grassed and it was off to babysittersville. Why of all the people in all of the fucking world did it have to be two giggling teenaged girls wandering around!?

But oh not only were these girls the bubbly giggly type.. but they had to be blushing and whispering excitedly amongst one another too. These were all HUGE warning signs with Kurama just written all over them. Wherever the redhead goes, blushing, giggling, (And drooling) girls are sure to follow. And there Keiko went, striding on over to the bedazzled girls with a definite added pep to her step.

Yusuke just shoved his hands deep into his pockets and followed behind her grumbling all kinds of swears. He even kicked an offending soda can on the ground that dared to be in his way. ((Whoa... scaryness))

*I don't wanna be a Friggin babysitter! I'm just gonna screw it up dammit!* ((So says one person... you know who you are ^-^;))

"Excuse me.. I'm sorry to bother you but we're looking for someone. Maybe you've seen him?" Keiko asked pleasantly.

*Oh you know damn well they've seen him! That one girl still hasn't wiped the drool off her chin!*

"He's tall, slim, long red hair, green eyes... gorgeous beyond all words." Keiko ran off his description as if reading from a grocery list. And Yusuke just gawked at her

*GORGEOUS!!!??? What In the HELL!?....*

Yusuke's enraged train of thought was interrupted by the excited squeal that broke loose from one of the bag of rampant hormones (or "girls" as they are commonly known as.)

"Yes! Yes! We just saw him a few minutes ago!" One of the girls gushed, while hopping up and down. ((Can you say... Decaf?))

"He's just back that way" The other girl stated. "And he was looking for a little boy." This was when the girl leaned a bit to the side to peer past Keiko and at Yusuke.

In true "Street thug" fashion Yusuke simply regarded the other girl through narrowed eyes. His arms crossed over his chest. Inwardly he was squirming though.

*Please don't be checking me out, not now. I just got back on Keiko's good side.*

"Are you the little boy he was looking for?" The girl asked.

Yusuke very nearly face vaulted at the airheaded girl's question.

*Is this chick retarded!?* "Do I Look like a little boy to you, ya dumb broad!?"

"Yusuke!!!" Keiko admonished him loudly. but she really couldn't blame him for the outburst. honestly was the girl that dense? But hey then again these girls were only just recovering from Kurama induced inebriation. Can't hold it against the girl for being a little fried in the head, she wasn't the first and wouldn't be the last.

"I'm sorry excuse him he just hasn't taken his meds today." Keiko affirmed with an apologetic wave of the hand.

*What!?* Yusuke inwardly fumed.

"Thank you for your help" She was tugging Yusuke along as she said this, wanting to put as much distance between herself and the girls. Who knows.. with all those hormones they just might brush off on her or something.

"Did I forget to take my meds today or did I hear you say Kurama was gorgeous... Just what in the hell was that about huh!?" Yusuke asked through grinding teeth. Keiko merely rolled her eyes in response to this.

"Please Yusuke.. you are not about to get jealous over something like that."

"SO I guess if I was to just go up to the girl with the pink thong and squeeze her 'gorgeous' ass then you'd have no problem with it then right?"

Keiko glared at him hotly. "You know good and well that's completely different from what I just said!... And for someone who 'WASN'T EVEN LOOKING AT HER' you certainly bring her and her pink thong up alot!"


"I would quit while I'm ahead, were I you Yusuke." Came an amused voice from behind the two dueling teens. They both turned simultaneously to see that with the voice came a familiar face with a amused grin. Not an inch from the Kitsune's side was little Hiei, holding onto Kurama's hand as if his life depended on it.

"Kurama.. how long have you been standing there." Yusuke inquired cautiously. while Keiko just blushed.

"Only long enough to hear the small tidbit about a... pink thong? I believe?" Kurama's little grin grew. "I suppose you've been by the Haagen Dazs Cafe today?"

Yusuke's eyes practically jumped from his skull right then.

"Aha! So you've been there today too! See Keiko it wasn't just me! That girl's been mooning every decent looking guy that's walked into the place!" He nodded at the the end of the statement as if to add a final "So there!" to it.

*Did I just bail him out there?....*.

**Hmm.. can't have that now can we?** Kurama thought and his Youko side was definitely in an agreement about playing with the spirit detective a little. An impish grin spread about his features.

"Just decent Yusuke? you sell yourself short.. don't you mean 'gorgeous'? " That one was really aimed at Keiko and he added a wink in her direction to emphasize this. Boy did she turn scarlet there much to Kurama's amusement. He saw Yusuke glare at him from the corner of his eye and couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the jealous boy. Normally he didn't refer to his good looks in any way (not even in a round about manner like just now.) And usually he would never go so far as to flirt with Keiko to tease Yusuke.. But it was worth it to see the spirit detective squirm a bit. After all he still was exacting his own sort of sneaky revenge on Yusuke for abandoning Hiei and himself.

"Heh.. very funny." The respective leader huffed as he went to stand next to Keiko in a way that might imply "Back off fox boy." Which was kind of pointless seeing as how Yusuke knew good and well where Kurama's interests truly lied. Guess you can't be too careful though, with guy's that look like Kurama around and all.

"Actually Kurama... Yusuke and I was just looking for you." Keiko finally spoke up. Of course she put heavy emphasis on "Yusuke" just in case he may have forgotten the reason they were here.

*As if I could forget... * He grimaced and shuffled from foot to foot.

"You were looking for me? for what reason?"

"Well Yusuke was feeling really awful about not being there for Hiei in his time of need.. and he thought...." Keiko's eyes flashed over to the ever silent spirit detective at this point. Yusuke immediately knew this look as his cue to speak the rehearsed lines that Keiko had been so kind to prepare for him. He rolled his eyes and breathed out a heavy sigh, then started in a bemused monotone.

"Hey... I'm sorry for not being around to help you with Hiei."

*An apology?... unexpected, but this ought to be good.* Kurama thought while managing to keep his expression neutral.

"As leader I realize my course of actions were negligent and irresponsible."

*Negligent? Inari... Keiko must have put him up to this one.* Kurama's impassive serene expression nearly cracked to give way to a burst of laughter. Luckily he had a little more self restraint.

"To show my sincerity I want to offer my time to care foe Hiei until he returns to normal...."

*...* The Kitsune's mind gave a great pause to that last sentence there.

While Kurama was attempting to get his mind functional again, Keiko was positively beaming at Yusuke like a proud playwriter seeing her story in production on stage.

"Of course if ya don't wanna be separated from the little guy I'd completely understand." Yusuke added in there quickly and he didn't even bother to dare a glance at Keiko, cause he was sure he'd see destruction written all over her face.

*What?.. hasn't she ever heard of ad-libbing?* He thought with a smirk.

But Kurama's mind was absolutely reeling at that moment. On the one hand seeing Yusuke recite an obviously prepared speech at the "insistence" of Keiko should have reduced him to a fit of giggles. However right now he was just torn at what he should do with this unexpected offer.

All week long he had been inwardly hoping that at least one of his trusted team mates would stop by and bail him out of his obligation. At least for the sake of his health as he was sure he would rupture a major blood vessel from all the stress his hormones and (yummy) little Hiei was putting his body through. But now.. Now what did Kurama want? In all truthfulness he wasn't sure if he wanted to be apart from Hiei. The constant of his presence had grown on him, and it was almost as if he depended on the Koorime being there. He realized this not ten minutes ago when he was searching for Hiei, he felt so panicked, so bereft of Hiei's warmth that it felt like he would stop breathing.... That's when it donned on him...

*That is why I have to let him go...* He thought drearily as stark realization crushed him.

As if hearing Kurama's thought, Hiei shifted uncomfortably at his side. And when he looked down at Hiei he was met with a confused, and slightly worried gaze. And he smiled back at Hiei in reassurance... wishing he had a little bit of that false hope for himself.

"This is all a bit sudden. It was the last thing I'd expected.. I just need a moment to think this through if you don't mind." He said with an apologetic smile after realizing he had gone silent while they had been waiting for an response. Really he had already come to his decision, He needed to be away from Hiei, of that much he was certain. But breaking this news to the little fire baby was not going to be easy.

Silent but most definitely there, Hiei stood with a righteous pout on his face. For some reason he was not caring for where this conversation seemed to be going. What did the black haired boy mean when he said he'd "care for Hiei"? And why was his Kitsune looking so... well he wasn't sure exactly what he was seeing in those green eyes but he was certain that he didn't like it much.

"Hiei....." Kurama started only to find himself pausing there. Where did all those smart words go to when he really truly needed them anyway? Saying Hiei's name seemed to have this flooring affect of building up his anxiety to near unimaginable levels. Was it really so serious a thing to tell the Koorime that they wouldn't be together? He's Kurama damn it. Feared and legendary thief of the Makai! there's no way something this trivial should make his stomach do flip flop, somersaults and other such acrobatics...

Then again tell that to his ever twitching nerves.

"Hiei I have to ask something very important of you... (Pause) A Favor..."


~~ ( O.o ) * ( o.O ) ~~


((I think I hate this chapter.. after all this time waiting to post it I don't believe I like it anymore.. but then again it was just the second half to the walls chapter so I guess I can't complain too much. Just feels like it didn't go anywhere, not enough Hiei Kurama interaction which is completely my fault as I stretched it to make it an acceptable entry after all this time...

Alright as you all very well know.. I've been bad.. really really bad and I believe I made that very clear at the top of the chapter but in all fairness it wasn't my fault.. not fully at least. What could I do with a busted computer anyway? Well whatever.. anyway this is my way of apology...Note that I said there would be surprise cameo appearance of someone from another Anime... Well...

((1)) This is a little treat for you guys... If you are correct in naming the character from my description (which I hope was good enough) then I'll give you a nice treat that I have prepared.. of course answer through reviews and leave your email available.. that's all I'm saying.

Um.. this might seem like a cheap attempt to boost my reviews but ... it isn't.. really it isn't.. ^_^;

Name of Next Chapter: Wait For Me

That chapter will be better however I'm making no promises on how soon it will come out as you can see what happened the last time I did that... -_- ))