Proposition
Hiei. The Imiko. The boy of fire. A terribly inherited titled given to the child predicted as his former mistakable brothers of the past. Chilfdren whom were destined to create the chaotic calamity that would set the Ice World into a hellish oblivion. For every devil bastard born of his non-sensible mother, a truthful premonition of her unfortunate demise was craved in the wall of fate. As far as the tangled web of designed prospect portrays, no male Koorime is ever granted the chance towards life and thus is given the cruelest death of all. To be tossed into a world filled with greed, hatred, destruction and twisted mistrust, where if they survive, the influence of these emotional crimes would be absorbed into their very soul. This in turn creates the everlasting cycle of malice and in the end it always begins with the first step of a man. However even fate has a way of playing the card of difference every so often. Even a child thrown into the world of the damned can easily return to wreck his angry revenge. "When you return to exact your revenge like I know you will, please kill me first. It'll be what you deserve... for the sin I'm about to commit." Caught in the midst of forgotten memories and determination, Hiei lied resting in the middle of his recuperative chambers, dreaming dreams of a long lost past. A past filled with the suffocating disgust of those frosted wenches waiting for the taste of a creature they created out of their own bitter ice. The mere concentration on those few polar wrinkles, reminded him over and over again to show no sort of mercy until they were smothered in the flames of his hatred, his so called twisted cruelty. He'd return their premonition as it was well written in the destiny stone. These dreams were his ticket to a fresher existence, a more reliable motivation to living his life of isolation.
Though at times, it became quite complicated to breathe in the oxygen only shared with yourself. He's drowned in the stifling loneliness of his company for so long, could it finally be reaching out to bring him down to strangle him permanently?—To put it simply why the hell was it so hard to breathe. He honestly felt near death. There was no oxygen, no air, no supply of life giving freshness. But for some reason he could smell…. Sweet Sugar? And Honey?
Muffled groans caressed the source of Hiei's crushing suffocation. Something was trying to kill him. There was no denying. His face was pressed against a weapon of some kind. The sort that was meant for smothering their victims free of anymore air. The sort that—
"Mm, mm, mm, mm, Eeep."
….The sort that giggled? What the hell?
First the right then the left orb of pure cardinal hue blinked wearily from exhaustion, barely able to hold onto his life. The world was white and soft, smelling so much of sugary goodness but dangerously close to cutting off his spirit. Squishy pressure lied pressed firmly against his mouth and nose and a pair of tiny hands lied entangled in the barbs of natural ebony shooting from his roots.
As Hiei slowly came toward the reality of where he was and what not, his eyes fluttered against the pale bundle of plush flesh and it came as no surprise that his lashes were tickling the underside of a certain fool he was prone to kill. As much as he wished for a peaceful continuum of his slumber, there was no way he'd achieve that by allowing this pack of meat to be slammed directly on his nostrils and lips.
"Hm," He grunted groggily only causing more vibrate rumbles to further tickle against the giggling person.
Gods he was going to kill this brat. Little Fool was latched onto his face like a suctioned bat, feet and chubby legs wrapped around his neck and arms woven tightly around Hiei's crown and his tail hanging limply behind his back. "Eeep." He piped, licking over Hiei's cooling forehead and started to burst into a fit of giggles when the eyelashes dusted his tummy like feathers.
Hiei groaned dizzily, pushing up to his elbow, with the pile of fluffiness still attached. It never failed. No matter where he turned his head, there was a wide supply of soft white flesh in the way. And he still couldn't inhale and if he dare exhaled it'd probably be for the final time.
"Do you mind?" He coughed, reaching a shaky hand up to scuff the little fox by his neck.
"Mm," Kisa shook his head, refusing to let go and began to plead his protest by licking over Hiei's right ear and cheek.
But in the end, Hiei's determination for a better view of the world won out and little Kisa ended up being snatched by his hair, hanging at evil eye level with his red eyed friend. Hiei narrowed his focus on the brat and sucked his teeth, sat up fully and dropped the pup in his lap. "Bothersome delinquent."
Kisa landing position was more troublesome then he'd thought since his head resulted in being the landing cushion, which left Hiei with a whole lot of squishy fat flesh—split down the middle—wiggling below his chin. Desperate cries for assistance went unanswered, as Hiei concentrated more on his bodily functions.
Both arms were lifted and bent back and forth to release any stiffness. The lengths of his fingers were flexed in and out, popping out the bubbles of non-use. Hiei cocked his neck left and right, cracking the joints and flinched when his throat began to throb. Damn, he was still sore from the poison's effects. After how much he'd spent here he'd hoped to have recovered to a better degree than this. And to add insult to injury, his illness was still virally injected in his system. He felt better of course, but just not up to a hundred percent.
After three minutes of unconsciously floppy his naked bottom in Hiei's face, Little Fool finally discovered a method to twist and toss his weight to the side and pop his head up blinking around under the mass of sterling hair. "Eeep?" He squeaked looking around. A small frown appeared on his bubble fat face as he curiously looked around for his friend but couldn't find him. Where did the big man go?
Hiei sighed finally glancing down at the big ears constantly twitching his chin. "I'm here." He mumbled to the child-like anxiety.
Kisa gasped bending his head backwards until flopping against Hiei's stomach. Those two big saffron eyes blinked surprised at the demon above and yipped his happiness at finding him again. So the little fox settled back, wiggling around for a comfortable spot and relaxed, grabbing his tail and bringing it up to suck between his button lips, staring into whatever.
As much as Hiei wanted to rant on the annoyance of how strange this child was, he just didn't have the energy to physically or mentally sabotage this boy's leisure time. As long as he kept quiet, the Koorime would allow him to have his way. For now anyway.
Hiei gave a large jaw cracking yawn, releasing all of the sluggish impression on his demeanor and blinked off the blurry fuzziness until he could visualize all of his surroundings better. So far he could vaguely recall the events of the time he's been here, yet not once has he had the strength to venture out of this cavern. The only evidence he received of the day's timing was by the sun's raising its tangerine rays inside.
His knowledge of the unfamiliar environment was slim to nonexistent. Nothing made sense to him. The only thing he can honestly recollect is the face of that disgruntled mortal from before. Those hellish green eyes and blood red hair. That same fool who dared to try and lay his fingers on him.
Hiei's fisted balled as it slowly began to return. The battle in the forest. The poisoning. The human offering his help and returning to interrogate him like a criminal. The blasted arrogance! How dare he think to come about questioning Hiei like a submitted suspect? The damned fool has obviously commenced in a drug to believe he could help and expect something in return. Hiei had never, not once asked for that bastard's aid and he had on intentions of allowing him to put his disgusting hands on him again if he could help it.
"Eeep."
Blinking out of his mental Riviera, Hiei peered down at the wide eyed child whose mouth was full of a silver tail. Kisa tilted his head to the side, pulling his tail from his mouth and gurgled in some unknown foxling language.
Hiei ached an eyebrow.
Kisa blew out his cheeks and pouted. This time he tried speaking again but all Hiei could comprehend was
'eep, eep, mm, mm, hm, uh, uh and ba, ba.' Kisa noticed his words weren't coming across the way he'd hoped and held the salivated tail up to Hiei as if asking if he wanted a taste of the soaking fur.
Seeing the baby drool licked all over the fuzzy appendage, brought a full eye roll from the older demon, who grumbled, "Disgusting beast," as he promptly shoved the little head into the fur pelts. Kisa popped up yipping and wagging his wet tail at the evil abuse.
Of course the little fool could only find amusement in being abused. He was a little joker after all.
"I see you're quite taken with the boy." Said the sudden raspy voice from the cave entry.
In one fluid move, Hiei looped his arm around the kit and back flipped to the furthest corner, snarling dangerously to the tall silhouette, outlined by the sun's rising glow. Canines lunged in his mouth elongated to a deadly points as a last ditch resort for protection when the approaching entity stepped inside slowly revealing his appearance. The more the figure took shape, the more alert Hiei remained, discreetly tucking Kisa behind him. Low rumbling growls burned his raw throat but he stayed diligent against the creeping enemy.
The figure seemed completely at ease despite the obvious warning growls emitting from the back of the cave. Finally the tall creature came into full focus, smiling the feral expression of deadly feline prepared for the devouring of its prey.
That's when Hiei went on full alert at the display of a slender toned Youko with silver on every fiber of hair on his body. A Youko, the dashing creature known for its destructive cunning and cleverness used to fool their enemies and normally satisfies their notorious greed for whatever suits their hungry obsessions. So this was what he was up against. "Name yourself," Demanded Hiei to the Youko invader.
Yoko lifted his eyebrow at the laughable defense and shrugged once. "For me to name myself first in my own home would be rude don't you agree?" He said taking a bold step forward.
Hiei stepped back, careful not to squish the pup behind. "I'd say mannerisms are the furthest thing from our minds right now. I have no reason to show respect to the enemy."
"Enemy you say?" Yoko made a mockery sound, clicking his tongue against his cheek. "I dare say I've been in here a mere minute and yet I'm already declared untrusting."
"I know of your species, beast." Hiei sneered. "You're known for your deceit and twisted manipulations of the mind." Hiei stayed focused on the prideful glint mirrored in those discerning hazels. "Those who are foolish to cast their gaze from you always lose something of value." Hiei pushed Kisa back against the wall. "But I can assure you that the same won't occur here."
Yoko smirked. "You wound me with your accusations little one. Am I to assume that there's no chance for a normal conversation between us?"
"Tsk, you can bet your ass there be any form of convey here."
"Such a pity," The Youko kneeled to one knee till he was eyelevel with the other demon. "And here I'd hoped to offer you a compromising deal between the two of us, but since you refuse to cooperate…" As Yoko's voice trailed off, the raise of his hand trailed mid-air grabbing at nothing but seemingly calling for something.
Suddenly a sharp shriek darted past Hiei's legs. The move was too fast. He barely registered the sight that manifested before him as the tall Youko was suddenly holding the Little Fool under his arm like a package. The unraveling of a green vine hung ductile by its masters leg. Yoko stood tall, sporting the twisted grin of mischief. "Since you fail to cooperate, I shall hold custody of this boy for the time being."
"What… the hell…" Hiei whispered at the quickened flash of movement from here and there. The rapidity of motions had been impressively fast, even compared to Hiei's skills. Hiei's scowl deepened when a small pearl of sweat slid down his temple, dripping off the tip of his chin. He's fast. A definite fact he won't forget come the next time they encountered this way.
To say Yoko was impressed would've been an understatement to say the least. The scent of apprehension was nowhere in the presence of this fire demon yet he could detect the flames of helpless rage boiling from the openings of his skin. A fiery temper to accompany his birth right element. In a sense, Yoko might be able to put this demon to use if the time came around for such a thing. Though
what he could use him for would be determined another time. Until then there were questions that needed answers. There was no collected information on this creature's identity, but the only items they found of worth to him was a small gem stone and that blade made of raw Devil's Fang Steel. Not much to go on but it'd have to do.
Still too awestruck to form proper words, Hiei stared evenly at the tall demon before lowering his eyes to the peeping kit in the Youko's grasp.
"Your attachment to this kit is plainly obvious." The Youko stated, deterring the fire demon's eyes to him. "Should you decide to answer a few questions I'll gladly return him to you unharmed. Or if you wish, you may leave here and relinquish all claims on this child and it would seem as if you'd never even been here."
"I have no intentions of being interrogated like a common criminal," Hiei strongly voiced over the soreness clasping his windpipes. "Your reasons are unknown, therefore I could care less what you want, however the boy is another matter. Will you hold him hostage simply because I refuse to answer your questions?
"Yes, I will. This," Yoko hitched the pup under his armpit. "boy seems to be my only hold against you but your hesitation to take my offer makes me think otherwise. If the child is really no concern of yours, simply leave. I will not hold you here. Your health has become stable enough for you to run and by tomorrow you'll have surely become healthy enough to do as you please."
With a long swish of his silver hair, Yoko turned away with the crying foxling in his hold. "If you do decide to par take in this simple request," One hazel eye peered over the fox demon's shoulder. "All you have to do is come to the head cave atop this fortress. The questions will be asked of you there."
Before Hiei could mutter another word the demon leapt away from view, taking with him the small child. For several moments conflicted decisions burrowed deep in the Koorime's thoughts as to what he should do. But after those quicken instants of decisive confusion, Hiei shook off the delirium quickly analyzing his personality. It was unheard of for a Youko demon to kill of their own kind so he wasn't concern for the child's death in anyway. If need be, Hiei could easily ignore the fox demon's request and leave as he'd mentioned. There was nothing holding him there. There was no reason to remain. In a way he'd accomplished his mission.
Undoubtedly Little Fool wasn't in his natural surroundings but with a Youko elder involved, the kit was in safe hands. So in other words, he could easily depart with no regrets. The pup was secure and finally out of his responsible hands. Exactly, Hiei could continue on with his previous purposes without concerns for another being. He'd be on his own once more.
In perfect isolation… promised solitude….peaceful silence…alone.
"Here," No sooner had the Youko returned to his cavern he'd tossed the little child to the expectant human waiting inside. He'd gone back in hopes of retrieving the answers the human needed, but common sense had past alerted him that a brass youth would be complicated to control. So he had to use another method which included getting the kit from the demon for his human. "The child was what you wanted."
Kurama caught the weeping kit, rubbing small circles on his back to calm his sudden transaction. "Yes." He looked at Yoko. "Has a decision been made on your part about the child's residence here?"
"No."
Silence passed overhead before Shuichi nodded and said softly, "I see." He hadn't expected a decision this soon anyway. "What of the fire demon Yoko?"
"Hm," A feral grinned marred the fox's lips. "We'll see."
The same devilish tilt appeared on Kurama's lips. "I suppose his cooperation was no better with you?"
"No, though I didn't expect he would." One silver eyebrow lifted amused. "He's a savage, that one."
"Yes his mannerisms leave much to be desired."
Yoko's smirked deepened.
'Nonetheless he could be of some use.' "Expect the fire demon to be here by sundown today. He'll be coming for Kisa."
"Interesting." Kurama looked down at the kit buried deep in his kimono. "So you believe he'll come for the boy?"
Youko didn't bother to give him a verbal response since his gaze was fixated on the human's whose face was filled with expressionless adoration and care for the child in his arms. For a single second, Youko had discovered himself to be envious of the child's connection to Shuichi since it bothered the same affectional desires he possessed. Only for a single instant though. The feeling was brushed off as easily a lint ball.
But Kurama felt the quickened eye stare the moment it landed. The possessive attitude the Youko secretly kept hidden behind those hazel eyes that as he glanced up slowly darkened to a caramel shade. A look he knew so well. One that interpreted a future reminder of ownership. "Where shall we meet?"
Yoko turned away. "After I console my men about the turn of events, meet me in the springs by tomorrow night."
Kurama nodded curtly, holding his eyes even. "Of course."
The stoic expression of steeled caramel, softly gave way to a brief glint of seduction… Then Yoko was gone, leaving a quietly saddened kit and a mildly aroused human.
Filled with lowly sorrow and growing anxiety, Kisa glanced out from his guardian's arms silently calling out for his friend to come. His bubbly round face melted more and more as the seconds ticked by and yet his friend didn't show at the entrance of the cave. Kisa's stubborn impatience grew and soon he couldn't contain his need for that special bond, letting out a shrilling cry. The sound came as an unfazed surprised to Kurama who simply allowed the pup to display as much as his distress as he wished.
In all hopes, Kurama hoped that devil demon didn't come for the boy's hand. In any case he wouldn't put it past Yoko to give his own son to a complete stranger.
The very same stranger who was now standing at the entry way. A small smile graced Kurama's lips as he stared casually at the Koorime demon wearily standing on shaky legs, eyes steadily on the pup in his arms.
"Answers," Hiei breathed on the on a submitted sigh as he stepped forward, clothed in only his black expanded pants and blue ragged shirt. "Answers you will get, but only in exchange for the boy."
TBC: I hope it's still got you guys ^_^.
