True Dedication

Chapter 5

After the incident in the haunted house, the two boys continued with their day, not wanting a little mishap like that to ruin it. Though the incident didn’t leave them without wondering why it occurred in the first place. They ended up getting on the big slide a couple of times, the dragon ship that turns its riders upside down and back again, and enjoyed the taste of some funnel cake. They came to a stop when Kurama nudged Yusuke on his arm.

“Hey Yusuke…” Kurama said innocently, his plush toy held tightly in his arms.

“Yeah, what is it?” Yusuke asked turning towards his friend.

“Are you up for a challenge?” Kurama asked, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

“Like what?” Yusuke could tell the fox was up to something, he just couldn’t figure it out.

“I dare you to get on this ride with me.” Kurama stated, pointing straight ahead. The ride consisted of boats in the shape of swans, floating on water and leading into a tunnel. It was of course, “Tunnel of Love.”

“NO WAY IN HELL KURAMA!” Yusuke shouted, but had managed to keep his voice down. “I am not going on something like that.” He pointed to the ride accusingly.

“Is the Great Urameshi afraid of getting his feet wet?” Kurama said, batting his long lashes.

“No! I…I…” not able to form the right words, Yusuke simply allowed a slight blush to appear on face. His eyes darted to the ground and his foot made little patterns in the dirt where he stood. The reason why he hesitated was he actually wanted to go on the ride…with Kurama. Yet his feelings for Keiko began to overshadow his desire. A new pain filled his chest at the thought of betraying her, but it was soon lost in thought.

‘Why am I thinking of her now? She’s probably not even wondering where I went or if I am even alive. But…why does it still hurt…? And Kurama…why is it when I’m with him I feel…more alive then I did with her…like…like…’

“Is there something the matter, Yusuke?” Kurama asked, sensing the anxiety building within his friend.

Yusuke lost his train of thought, mentally thanking the fox for doing so. He didn’t want to dwell on the past. He shrugged his shoulders and gave a short laugh, hiding his true concerns.

“I’m fine Kurama. I was just thinking about what happened in the haunted house.” He replied.

“Yes, I too feel a bit uneasy about the whole situation. But let us for now forget about it. We still have time for one more ride.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Yusuke said as he started running off.

“Yusuke, where are you going?” Kurama called out, standing in his spot baffled by his friend’s sudden burst of energy.

“Well, you did dare me to go on this ride, didn’t you?” He yelled back, waving his hand in the air.

“I suppose I did.” Kurama said to himself. “Yusuke is full of surprises. I wonder what else he is full of.” Kurama stood stark still at that notion. “No, I mustn’t think of him in that manner. We are friends only and he still loves Keiko. Besides, Yusuke would never want to be with me. My past alone would keep him out of reach.”

Kurama’s face took on a new expression. His eyes lost that beautiful gleam, his smile became a frown and his posture became sluggish.

“Hey Kurama, snap out of it and hurry your ass up!” Yusuke yelled as he jumped up and down, gaining Kurama’s attention. “We’re holding the line up!”

“Sorry. Coming Yusuke.”

When Kurama finally approached the line, Yusuke told the operator he was with him. The crowd began to murmur and the operator gave them a weird look. One particular person said something that did not bode well with the ex-Detective.

“You have a problem there buddy?” Yusuke asked turning to face the punk who dared called them sissy boys. “If you got something’ to say then say it otherwise…” He grabbed the boy’s shirt collar in his hand and lifted him off the ground. A pair of demon fangs protruded from his mouth. “I might have to do something not nice, you get it.” He threw the boy to the ground. His girlfriend ran to his side and gave Yusuke a hateful look.

Kurama simply climbed in the boat and waited for Yusuke to take his seat. Yusuke gave a snort to the operator before following suit.

“You know that was not necessary Yusuke.” Kurama said in a low voice.

“Yeah, but he was getting on my nerves anyway.” He said. “AND IF ANYONE ELSE HAS A PROBLEM YOU CAN ALL KISS MY ASS AND GO TO HELL!”

Kurama bowed his head and sweat dropped. ‘That would keep them quiet.’ He thought to himself.

The ride was a total bore to Yusuke. Happy little couples whispered sweet nothings into each others ears and shared small gestures of affections here and there all around them. Every one of these actions reminded him of Keiko, which caused Yusuke to become depressed. When the boat came to a stop at a little church scene, it nearly broke Yusuke’s heart.

‘That was going to be me and Keiko one day…’ Yusuke let out a long sigh. He turned his head away from the scene.

The Bride and Groom were standing at the threshold holding hands, and then leaned into each for a sweet, chaste kiss. Yusuke groaned when he saw the next scene. There was a wife and a husband sitting on a blanket outside, with two kids, a boy and girl, playing with a small puppy. Kurama noticed his friend’s discomfort, so on instinct he wrapped his arm around Yusuke’s slender shoulders.

As Kurama did this, the couple in the boat behind them started to snicker. Kurama was not in the mood to tolerate their ignorance. He turned just enough to give them a stern stare before he mouthed the words, ‘Say something and I will not hesitate to hurt you.’ Just to emphasize his point, he changed his eye color to gold and flashed them a fanged smile. The couple quickly stopped their snickering and held each other close. ‘That’s better.’ Kurama thought with a smile.

‘Poor Yusuke. I wish there were something I could do. At least until he can patch whatever it is with Keiko and get back together.’ Kurama thought. He gave Yusuke a tight hug and a small smile.

Yusuke felt the arms of his friend encircle him and looked up into his eyes. He couldn’t help but melt into Kurama’s embrace and that smile of his sent shivers through his body.

‘He smells so good. Gods, it’s like he’s a freakin’ walking rose garden or something.’ Yusuke mused. He closed his eyes and allowed his instincts to take over. He nuzzled into Kurama’s chest and sighed contently. Kurama responded by bringing Yusuke closer to his body, running his free hand through the toushin’s dark locks.

‘That feels nice.’ Yusuke let his mind wander as he let the fox continue to rake through his hair and ease some of the tension from his body. He nuzzled the brim of his nose onto Kurama’s neck, then ever so slowly to his cheek. As he was doing this, his body began to tense and grow hard despite when he felt Kurama shiver as he nibbled on the boy’s earlobe. He heard Kurama give a small gasp as his arms tightened around Yusuke. Kurama tilted his head a little bit to give his friend more room to roam.

‘What the hell am I doing? I can’t do this…not to…him…I mean…’

But his body said other things. Before Yusuke could remove himself, his mouth came to a sensitive spot on the kitsune’s neck, causing Kurama to stiffen in his seat. His tongue licked at the pulsing artery under his flesh and his hands made circle patterns around the fox’s nipples. Kurama could not stop the quiet moans escaping his lips even if he wanted to. What Yusuke was doing to him was heavenly.

“Yusuke…” Kurama’s voice came out as a breathy whisper. He could feel his friend’s hesitation and prayed that he would not stop.

“Please…Yusuke…don’t…stop…” Kurama’s eyes slowly fluttered closed as Yusuke’s mouth worked wonders on his neck, leaving wet kisses and a nice red mark.

Yusuke was just about to make a move for Kurama’s supple nipples lying in wait under his shirt when a small black figure appeared on the bough of the swan-like boat. Kurama and Yusuke both gave a startled cry. Yusuke ended up flying out of his seat and landed in the three feet deep water. With a big splash, he soaked Kurama, himself, and their guest with the unsanitary water.

“Hiei!” Kurama said, angry and embarrassed as he noticed their predicament.

He then noticed Yusuke in the water, complaining about how it was dirty and he could die from just sitting in it. The other passengers in the other boats pretended they didn’t notice the incident for sure the redheaded youth would go through with the threat he issued.

“Oh Yusuke, are you all right. Here give me you’re hand.” Kurama reached out for Yusuke’s hand and pulled him back into the boat.

“Kurama, I thought you had to go to school today, according to you and Yusuke, that is?” Hiei stated, eyeing his comrades suspiciously.

“I…I was…that is until I found the two of you groping in my living room.” Kurama stated his eyes hardened under Hiei’s scrutiny.

“I thought the Detective explained that little situation.” He glanced at the now soaked Yusuke who was still wringing out his shirt.

“He did, but I would rather hear your take on it, Hiei. Your presence here intrigues me. Why are you here? This doesn’t seem like a place I would associate with you. For one, there are ningens everywhere.” Kurama say in his baritone voice. His eyes never lose their vigor.

“I….I….I….”

“Perhaps, by chance, you found something here that drew your attention. Maybe…for instance…a demonic energy?”

Hiei quickly shot his gaze to the water, then back towards those green orbs of the fox hybrid.

“Yes, that’s precisely why I am here. I saw the commotion as I stood on the big wheel. Then the two of you magically appear from the scene.” Hiei replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Yes well we found the man unconscious in the haunted house, but what disturbed me the most about it was that a Makai worm slithered from the man’s nose. Something does not seem right about this.”

“You’re telling me.” Hiei sat on the swan’s head, one leg crossed over the other. “After I left you two alone, I headed to Mukuro’s and what she told me isn’t something to laugh at.”

“Do you know what’s going on?” Yusuke finally spoke up, his hair still dripping wet.

“No, not really. Only that some idiot demon is messing with the worms breeding ground and manipulating them. It seems reminiscent of our very first case.” Hiei snorted. “Mukuro doesn’t know though, but let me be the one to say she will find out and eliminate that demon since the breeding grounds are close to her territory.” Hiei smirked as his Jagan began to glow slightly.

The ride finally ended. The now three passengers got off and walked to the exit. They all eyed each other awkwardly, Kurama and Yusuke for one reason. Hiei and Kurama for a reason they weren’t too privy to discuss.

Kurama broke the silence, startling the small apparition from his thoughts.

“Hey Hiei, you know not too long ago I saw a little girl with some…sweet…snow.”

Hiei’s eyes practically bugged out of his head. He still regretted the kitsune for even treating him to the delicious treat. Now it was one of his less known weaknesses.

“And where did this ningen girl get it from?” Hiei looked at the fox.

“I can show you…IF you tell me…Why you were spying on Yusuke and I today.” Kurama said, his arms finding themselves firmly on his hips.

‘Damn.’ Hiei cursed to himself. ‘I knew he would get to the point one way or the other.’

“I have no idea what you are talking about, fox.” Hiei replied, looking the kitsune dead in his face. “I told you I was tracking this demonic energy.”

“You know exactly what I am referring to. I heard you laughing while we were in the haunted house, and I saw your eyes.”

“Wait, what?” Yusuke chimed in. He looked to Kurama then Hiei. “Are you saying that while we were in there Hiei was too?”

“Yes, he was. The wall where we saw those red eyes and face protruding out, he did that by using his Jagan.” Kurama simply said.

“But how did he…?”

“He used the Jagan as I stated. Even that banshee was his doing. Did you by any chance find this demon? I am sure you could smell its foulness.”

“Hn. If I had caught the demon, do you think I would be standing here having this chat? No I did not see him, but his smell is familiar. I will have to go and have a word with Mukuro on it.”

Then he was gone in a black blur. Kurama shrugged and turned towards Yusuke.

Said person looked dumbfounded by what was going on. First they were talking about demons, and then it switched to Hiei stalking them. The cool breeze brought him out of his stupor as his wet clothes clung to his body.

“Hey Kurama, what was that all about. Why was Shorty tailing us?”

“Well one thing he is jealous of you Yusuke. He sees you as a threat.” Kurama said with a bright smile.

He started towards the entrance/exit. Yusuke quickly followed into step, still trying to figure out exactly what he was talking about.

“But why is he jealous?” Yusuke asked. ‘Duh, dumb question Urameshi. He just saw you making out with Kurama.’ He mentally smacked himself. ‘Oh man, get a hold of yourself Yusuke. You just made out with your friend…a guy at that. And you heard him moan your name! This is getting way outta control.’

Yusuke snapped back into reality when he noticed they were standing near the car. Kurama was saying something to him but he couldn’t understand what he was saying.

“What was that Kurama, I didn’t quite hear you.”

“I said let us get home so you can change your clothes. I don’t want you to catch a cold. Then after we have changed it will be time to go to dinner.”

“Oh yeah…dinner… DINNER! Chow time, baby. What are we waiting for? Kurama start that car up and let’s go.”

Kurama climbed into the front seat, but before he turned the ignition, he reached into the backseat and tossed a blanket on the passenger seat. Yusuke looked at the blanket then Kurama in quiet confusion.

“You’re wet and I don’t want my seat to get wet, plus it might stain.” Kurama said.

“Oh makes sense.” Yusuke agreed and sat down on the soft cover.

Kurama placed his stuffed fox in the back seat, turned the ignition and drove towards his home. All the while, he glanced over to Yusuke who looked out the window.

‘I wonder what he is thinking about. Probably about what occurred in the tunnel. He was the one who persisted. Yet I did encourage him. I do hope he is all right, I mean if he thinks I pressured him then our friendship might be in jeopardy. I won’t turn him away if wants to seek a relationship. Only if he takes the initiative first will I proceed.’ Kurama thought as they finally made it to his home.