Carbon

Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho is not mine. It is owned by a man who enjoys walrus salad and manry men… or… the people listed in my profile.

Listen, I know I’m taking minor liberties with canon. I hope they don’t seem excessive. However, they are kind of necessary and this is semi AU, after all… Or rather, alternate timeline? Whatever. I just hope it’s not too off-putting.

Chapter seven

Yusuke tightened his grip on Kurama’s shoulders and nuzzled his face into his friend’s neck. Kurama arched his back into Yusuke’s touch and ran his fingertips up the side of Yusuke’s thigh. The sheets beneath them were tangled around their legs and the pillows were thrown haphazardly from the bed. The sounds of soft moaning reached Yusuke’s ears as he nipped at his bed-partner’s neck. Kurama took in a shuddering breath and arched his pelvis into Yusuke’s, forcing their erections to rub together.

The heat was maddening. Yusuke latched his teeth into Kurama’s neck and slid his hands under Kurama’s pants.

Everything went dark for a moment and Yusuke felt himself being pinned on his back. He growled in annoyance, wondering where Kurama went before he realized who had him pinned. After a second or two, his eyes adjusted to the darkness and he realized it was the middle of the night.

He’d been dreaming.

Yusuke whimpered. He was torn between being embarrassed and trying to decide whether or not he could get himself out of Kurama’s grasp and head to the bathroom before Kurama could realize-

Yusuke let out a groan when Kurama rocked his hips into Yusuke’s. There was no way Kurama didn’t know about the predicament he was in. In fact, judging by how hard Kurama was, it looked like they were in the same boat.

Kurama took a few shaky breaths. He knew what he was doing but he couldn’t get his body to obey his silent pleading to release his friend.

“Y- Yusuke…” Kurama began. “H-hit me.”

Yusuke was stunned into inaction. Actually, the inaction probably had more to do with embarrassment and lack of blood-flow to his brain. However, Kurama’s sudden request for Yusuke to strike him was far from helpful.

Yusuke squirmed helplessly for a moment, the feeling of Kurama’s thighs tightening against his hips and Kurama’s nails biting into his wrists only caused Yusuke further confusion (and arousal.)

For his part, Kurama avoided assaulting Yusuke and it only took him another minute or so to come to his senses but instead of taking the opportunity to get away, Yusuke stayed frozen in place, unable to move or speak.

“I’m sorry, Yusuke,” Kurama apologized as he rolled off of his friend.

Yusuke didn’t respond.

“It was wrong of me. I shouldn’t hav-“

“Shut up, man,” Yusuke interrupted. “We were both asleep.”

“Yusuke…”

“D-don’t worry about it.”

“I wasn’t asleep.”

Yusuke stared at Kurama, silently begging for an explanation.

“You don’t realize what you do to me, do you?” Kurama asked.

The dark, husky timbre in Kurama’s voice had Yusuke’s breath catching. He sat up, trying to keep himself from shaking.

“If you don’t attack or otherwise let it be known that a demon’s advances are unwanted, it’s tantamount to consent. And I don’t have Hiei’s restraint.”

“I… I didn’t even think you were attracted to me.”

Kurama paused, considering his next words carefully. “It’s difficult to concern myself with such things when another demon has his teeth latched firmly into my neck.” Kurama rubbed the place where Yusuke had bit him. “You’re lucky my reaction was non-violent.”

“It sure felt violent…” Yusuke muttered.

Kurama winced apologetically. “As I said, I’m sorry.”

“Well, from what I understand, you kinda weren’t in the right mind anyway. If anyone should be annoyed, it’s you.”

Kurama shook his head and lay back down. He didn’t feel like explaining to Yusuke that since his reaction hadn’t been violent, Yusuke should assume that his advances were more than welcome.

Kurama closed his eyes and moved closer to the wall. He refused to face Yusuke and even breathed through his mouth in attempt not to smell his half-demon friend’s arousal. The scent was diminishing as Yusuke drifted off to sleep but it kept Kurama awake for another hour before he finally drifted off.

= - = - = - =

In spite of having moved as far from Yusuke as the bed would allow, when Kurama awoke the next morning, he was back in the center of the bed with Yusuke’s arm and leg draped carelessly over him. Kurama smiled but managed to keep his body in check. Yusuke woke moments later and in the process of stretching, he managed to break all contact with his kitsune friend.

“Morning,” Yusuke muttered. To his surprise, he didn’t feel at all awkward even considering what had happened the night before. It seemed almost normal to Yusuke and he decided not to question it too much.

“Good morning, Yusuke-kun,” Kurama replied.

Yusuke grinned. He felt so at ease and relaxed.

“My mother should be returning later this afternoon.”

Yusuke smiled broader until he remembered that he had school the next day. “I guess I should head back to my place…”

Kurama literally bit his tongue to hold back his vehement objection to Yusuke leaving.

“It’ll be alright. Hiei’ll have to put up with me for a few days.”

Kurama’s heart sank into the pit of his stomach at the idea of not seeing Yusuke for longer than a day but he shook off the emotion and locked it up tight in the back of his mind. He didn’t need such feelings complicating things even further.

Yusuke stood up and stretched, the action reminding Kurama very much of a cat. Yusuke ruffled his hair, realizing it was getting long again and pulled on one of his discarded t-shirts. “I should probably head home now. I haven’t done any of my homework.” Yusuke grimaced.

“I’m surprised you care about your homework, Yusuke,” said Kurama.

Yusuke shrugged. “I’m a third year now. I gotta get into high school on more than my ma’s threats.”

Kurama frowned at Yusuke’s words. “Threats? She threatens you?”

Yusuke laughed. “Nah, she threatens the principals. But I need to have decent grades and at least pass an entrance exam. Or not bomb it.”

Kurama nodded. “Have you considered my high school?”

Yusuke shrugged. “I don’t think I’m smart enough.”

“My high school isn’t for college prep. You should be able to get in fairly easily if you apply yourself.”

“You’re not going to college?”

Kurama smiled. “I don’t need to.”

“I guess I should be going then…” Yusuke started throwing things in his backpack. When he hitched it onto his shoulders, he cast Kurama an apologetic look before leaving. His reluctance to depart was obvious.

= - = - = - =

Hiei fell into step with Yusuke when he was halfway home. He was silent for the most part, only grunting in response to Yusuke’s greeting.

When they reached the threshold of Yusuke’s house, Hiei psychically scanned the inside for signs of occupancy and relaxed measurably at the realization that the house was empty. Yusuke fitted the key in the lock and let himself in. One look at the place told him he’d better leave his shoes on and he sighed.

Yusuke immediately started picking up the broken glass and discarded food wrappers. He tossed a few pairs of soiled socks and at least one pair of men’s undershorts into the garbage bag before he deemed the place fit for habitation. He noted with amusement that Hiei walked around straightening cushions and lampshades and the place looked semi-clean in a relatively short time.

Yusuke took a peek into the kitchen and was relieved when he saw only a few neglected dishes on the counter. He’d deal with those later. Or not.

Hiei followed Yusuke into his bedroom and sat beside his friend on the bed. When Yusuke started pulling out text books, Hiei raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. He looked over Yusuke’s shoulder a few times and corrected several mistakes in his arithmetic but otherwise merely observed Yusuke doing his Geometry homework. When Yusuke moved on to literature, Hiei lay back. He didn’t care for literature and knew next to nothing about it. Math was necessary; reading was optional.

“You gonna be quiet all week?” Yusuke asked.

Hiei shrugged. “You’re doing Ningen things. I have no useful input.”

Yusuke nodded. It took three hours to complete his homework and he was relieved when it was finally done. “Want something to eat?” he asked.

Hiei nodded and slid off the bed. Yusuke followed.

Upon investigation, Yusuke was pleased to note that the kitchen had been restocked. It looked as if his mother (or one of her ‘associates’) had gone grocery shopping. He pulled out a few ingredients, set the rice-cooker and began pan-frying some vegetables. He added seasoning seemingly at random and served out two portions of food when he was done. Hiei sat at the table and ate the stir-fry without so much as a thanks and Yusuke joined him.

“Thirsty?” Yusuke asked.

Hiei shook his head.

“Annoyed about something.”

Hiei laid his chopsticks on the table and stared at Yusuke. “I realize you have no control over how you smell, but it’s making it difficult to hold a reasonable conversation with you.”

“Smell?”

Hiei nodded. “The scent of lust surrounds you like an aura. Tell me, detective, why didn’t you have a taste of the fox when you had the chance?”

Yusuke felt heat creeping into his face but was too stunned to turn away. “Wh-what kind of…”

Hiei smirked. “Don’t act coy, detective. It’s obvious you wanted him. Why turn him down?”

“I… I thought you wanted me! Why would you tell me to screw Kurama?”

Hiei frowned. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“You… don’t want me for yourself? Wait, this conversation is dumb.”

Hiei chuckled. “I never said I wouldn’t share, detective. In fact, I like the idea of having both of you.”

Yusuke let his head drop to the table with an audible thunk. “It’s so damn confusing.”

Hiei shook his head and resumed eating his stir-fry. When Yusuke lifted his head a moment later, Hiei behaved as if the conversation had never occurred. “I received further instructions from Koenma,” he said. “I don’t have to set foot inside the school gates as long as I’m within sight.”

Yusuke laughed. “Probably because he knows you can’t stand being around teenagers,” said Yusuke.

Hiei shrugged and finished his food.

“How come you never complained about being assigned to babysit me?” Yusuke asked.

Hiei glanced at Yusuke and considered how to respond. He finally shrugged and replied, “I have nothing more pressing to do with my time and if I’m going to stay here, I may as well be around people I don’t despise.”

“Would you have taken the job if you had to babysit Kuwabara?”

Hiei sneered. “Not without threat of detainment.”

Yusuke laughed and stood. He brought the dishes to the sink and washed them along with the few plates and cups left from his mother. He was surprised when Hiei took the rinsed dishes from the strainer and dried them with his ki before putting them away. It only took him a moment to sort out which things went in which cupboards. Yusuke was pleased that Hiei was helping him out, as unlike the diminutive demon as it was. Although, Yusuke couldn’t help but have the nagging thought that Hiei never did anything if it didn’t somehow benefit him.

It was difficult to ignore the tension that filled the air when Yusuke and Hiei returned to the bedroom. Yusuke flopped backward onto his bed and began rubbing his temples and Hiei sat by Yusuke’s feet, gazing out the window at the overcast sky.

The weather was finally beginning to warm up. The threat of rain was heavy in the air, combined with the heat, there was an unpleasant mugginess that made Yusuke even more tired than usual.

“Your kind lives in the desert,” Hiei muttered.

Yusuke sat up and looked at Hiei, surprised by the sudden pronouncement.

“You’ve probably wondered why the cold and the rain bothers you more than usual,” Hiei elaborated. “The land of Tourin is a dry climate.”

“What’s ‘Tourin?’” Yusuke asked.

Hiei glanced over at his friend and smiled. “Home of the Toushin, the demon you descended from was no doubt a warrior demon, judging by your markings.” Hiei traced an outline of one of Yusuke’s invisible markings on Yusuke’s upper arm.

“Kurama never mentioned that.”

Hiei made a non-committal jerk of his shoulders. “Kurama doesn’t remember everything about being a demon. Besides, Youko preferred climates with greater vegetation. He wouldn’t like the desert much.”

“Not enough natural weapons?”

Hiei nodded.

“What’s it like? Makai, I mean.”

“A lot of it is like what you saw; barren wasteland and overgrown forests. It smells of rotting flesh and bloodshed and the sky is always slightly dark. Even in the deserts where the sun burns the hottest, the sky is colored in shades of dark orange and red.”

“Sounds… kinda dreary.”

Hiei raised an eyebrow. “Maybe.” Hiei ran his hand up and down Yusuke’s arm, relishing in the sensation of smooth skin and the hard muscles underneath. It was a gentle, affectionate gesture and Hiei barely thought about what he was doing.

Yusuke felt his stomach clench and an unmistakable rush of desire flowed from his heart to his fingertips and toes. More than anything, he wanted Hiei to continue touching him, to run his hands over his entire body. He wanted to feel Hiei’s body pressed against his, their limbs tangled in acts that Yusuke startled himself by imagining so vividly. He was so caught in his own imaginings that when Hiei stopped stroking his arm, Yusuke growled.

After several disorienting moments where Yusuke felt like his body had been taken over by an outside entity, Yusuke finally managed to get a hold of himself. He looked down at Hiei, who was pinned beneath him much the same way Kurama had him pinned the night before. However, instead of looking nervous, Hiei just gazed up at Yusuke questioningly.

“Well?” Hiei asked after a moment.

Yusuke shook his head and released Hiei. He sat up, allowing Hiei to maneuver himself out from under him and buried his face in his hands. “Sorry, man,” he muttered.

“You should be,” Hiei responded. He shoved Yusuke gently and smirked at him. “I wanted to see where that was going.”

Yusuke dropped his hands into his lap and held onto his stomach as if afraid that his churning intestines would make a break for it if he let go. The feeling of Hiei’s hand on his cheek brought Yusuke’s attention back to how he’d felt, holding Hiei down and asserting dominance. It caused an uproar of emotions and desires that he didn’t want to deal with. As he gazed into Hiei’s eyes, feeling the acceptance and returned desire, he couldn’t help but be drawn forward. His lips touched Hiei’s before he was aware he’d moved. Hiei accepted the kiss, moving his lips softly against Yusuke’s, not demanding or dominating, simply exploring.

The kiss might have progressed to something more had Yusuke not suddenly pictured Kurama and backed away. “We… we shouldn’t…”

Hiei sighed. “I had a feeling you’d find a stupid reason to object.”

“Listen… I- I obviously kind of… y’know… really…”

“Wanted to fuck me?” Hiei supplied.

“Uh… I don’t… I don’t know how Kurama would feel about that.”

Hiei was stunned into silence for a moment before he started laughing. “Why would he have any problem with it?” Hiei asked, once he’d stopped chuckling.

Yusuke shrugged. “I don’t know… I kind of feel like he might like me or something. Besides, you guys are… guys.”

“And?”

“I’m straight.”

“Sure, detective.” Hiei chuckled and patted Yusuke’s knee. He moved his hand up toward Yusuke’s thigh and passed it gently over Yusuke’s hard-on. “It just seems like a part of you feels otherwise.”

Yusuke tried to swallow but his throat had suddenly gone dry. He could only gape at Hiei as the fire demon brushed over his cock with a touch more insistence. “H-Hiei…” he gasped out.

Hiei smirked and pressed downward slightly, earning a strangled moan from Yusuke. He slid his hand upward and moved closer to whisper in Yusuke’s ear. “If you want me to stop, you should say something now.”

Yusuke only whined. In a more coherent frame of mind, Yusuke might have objected that asking him to decide such a thing while toying with his cock was hardly fair, however, Yusuke’s current state of mind would not allow for such an objection.

Hiei smirked against Yusuke’s jaw and planted a kiss at the nape of his neck. He brushed his teeth lightly against the tender flesh and used Yusuke’s delighted reaction as an opportunity to unbutton his pants.

Hiei closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Yusuke’s cock in his hand. He ran his palm gently up the entire length before swirling some of the precum at the top down with his thumb. His lips found Yusuke’s and he nibbled gently and flicked his tongue against the detective’s. For his part, Yusuke managed to respond to the kiss in spite of Hiei’s hand causing him to shudder occasionally. Hiei pulled and teased a few more times before Yusuke shouted out a hoarse release. He wasn’t at all surprised at how quickly Yusuke finished. He was only 16 after all.

Hiei licked his hand clean and paid no attention when Yusuke collapsed backwards into his pillows, his pants still unbuttoned and a sheen of sweat covering his face and neck.

“Y-you’re… fuck… damnit,” Yusuke stuttered. “Damnit.”

Hiei smirked. He hadn’t really expected a coherent sentence out of Yusuke but was amused all the same at how little sense he was making. “You’re welcome,” Hiei crooned. He lay beside Yusuke and pressed his lips to the corner of Yusuke’s mouth. He trailed his fingertips lazily over Yusuke’s chest.

“Don’t start that again,” Yusuke murmured. “I’m done. You’ll kill me.”

Hiei let his arm drape across Yusuke’s waist and he settled his head over where the detective’s heart-beat used to be.

That wasn’t too soon, I hope? Hiei’s been wanting a piece of action since he showed up, though… Also, Hiei was giving me problems. His character is too… quiet. Not a lot to work with as far as character interactions so I hope he doesn’t seem to OOC. (Although,he never showed sexual interest in canon so…)