Two Months in the Forest

Two Months in the Forest
Chapter 8: Unexplored Territory


I don’t own YYH.


Thanks Willow!


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In the early morning the only sound that could be heard was the clashing of swords, punctuated by the occasional grunt. Kuwabara was working hard, doing his best to keep up with the orders being constantly barked at him. As usual the hard to please demon was finding something to criticize his pupil about.

Hiei commanded, “Watch your footing.”

“I know.”

“Widen your stance.”

“I know.”

The apparition snidely asked, “If you know so much why am I wasting my time training you?”

The carrot-top spouted, “Kurama doesn’t think training me is a waste of time.”

“Kurama has dubious standards.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Hiei smirked at the boy and said, “So you don’t know everything.”

Kuwabara smiled slyly. “I might not know everything, but I know something you don’t.”

“I doubt that very much.”

The human gave a quick wink. “Doubt all you want, but it’s the truth.”

The fire apparition growled, “Just concentrate on your footwork.”

“My foot work is fine.”

“Shut up anyways.”

Kuwabara swung his sword in a wide arc, bringing it down heavily against the apparition’s own blade. “Why can’t I talk?”

Hiei bent at the knees and used a two-handed grip to brace himself against the human’s weight. “Because you’re a moron who never says anything of importance.”

The young man was unfazed by the cold words. His sly smile broadened as he asked, “Is it because I make you think of something else that I do?”

Hiei grunted through clenched teeth, “What the hell are you talking about?” He unbent his knees, using the pent up force like a spring, and knocked his pupil back.

Kuwabara powered forward, his sword meeting Hiei’s katana. He tried to stand his ground, but the skilled apparition was too powerful. The human felt his feet sliding back as he lost his footing. Soon he would be at the fire demon’s mercy. He wasn’t ready to give up just yet though, he still had a trick up his sleeve. He knew the time was right to use it. The past half hour had been leading up to it. He stared down at the fire apparition. Looking him straight in the eyes he said, “I know.”

Hiei arched one of his eyebrows. He wasn’t quite sure what to expect. “You know what?”

“I know you’ve been watching Kurama and me.”

Hiei leaped backwards, placing as much space between him and Kuwabara as possible. He reflexively sheathed his sword as his mind tried to process what he just heard. “I see, Kurama must have told you.”

Unlike the fire apparition Kuwabara still had his sword drawn; he took a few cautious steps forward. “Nope, I figured it out on my own.”

“How?”

The human tapped his forehead with his left index finger. “Let’s just say my body isn’t the only thing I’ve been training.”

Hiei crinkled his brow in an attempt to hide his surprise. “Even a fool has his moments.”

“That’s the lamest comeback you’ve ever come up with.” Knowing that he was risking injury the carrot-top still teased, “Are you having trouble thinking, because you’re picturing me naked?”

Hiei gripped the hilt of his sword. He charged at Kuwabara. Even as he was being attacked the carrot-top still didn’t show any signs of fear, although he was glad he still had his sword in hand. The fire demon was too enraged to appreciate the young man’s bravery. As soon as he was within striking distance he unsheathed his sword, fully prepared to unleash all his fury. When his first attempt was blocked, he pivoted on his left foot and swung his sword arm in a backhanded motion, only to have his attack once again deflected.

Kuwabara taunted, “I told you there was nothing wrong with my footwork.”

The carrot-top was too busy teasing the demon to notice that a rock was behind him. As soon as he stepped backwards he slipped, falling hard against the ground. However, he wasn’t the only one to fall. Hiei had been using most of his weight to push the young man back. With the opposing force gone so was his leverage, causing him to topple. The demon landed squarely on Kuwabara’s chest.

“I could easily throw you off.”

Hiei held his blade to the boy’s throat. “Don’t be too hasty.”

“Even you would have a hard time explaining to Kurama why I came back to camp with my head missing.”

“You underestimate me,” with a quick motion the sword was sheathed, “I wouldn’t bother with an explanation.”

The pair was locked in a stare down. Hiei’s eyes were narrowed in annoyance; however, Kuwabara's were sparkling with amusement and his lips were curled in a grin. They continued to eye each for another five minutes before one of them finally spoke.

Hiei still didn’t look away from the piercing blue eyes. “Now I know why you’ve had that stupid smile. How long have you known?”

“From the beginning, I could sense you were nearby.”

“I find that very hard to believe.”

Kuwabara nodded his head yes, indicating his truthfulness. “You weren’t being too careful.”

“I thought you two would be too busy to notice.”

The human mockingly arched an eyebrow. “Who’s underestimating now?”

The two fighters maintained their stare down. Just like when they were sparring, neither one of them was willing to be the first one to give in.

The carrot-top’s taunting smile returned. “Are you going to let me up?”

The demon’s face was a blank slate. “When I feel like it.”

Kuwabara’s hand accidentally brushed against Hiei’s back. “Did you like watching?”

“…It was interesting. Did you mind me watching?”

“No.” Kuwabara cupped Hiei under his shoulders and gently guided him backwards, reversing their positions. Once the move was complete he was happy to find that his hands were still attached. Taking it as a good sign the boy leaned close to Hiei’s ear and whispered, “I liked it.”

“Why?”

“It was exciting.”

Kuwabara was feeling bold. Already he had taken one risk and succeeded, another couldn’t do any harm. The carrot-top slowly leaned in, towards the fire demon’s neck. He lightly pressed his lips against the warm skin. He looked at Hiei’s face and was surprised to find that it was emotionless. He had hoped that he would at least find some small sign of enjoyment. However, he wasn’t about to be deterred. Since he wasn’t blasted into a million pieces from kissing the demon, the human decided to up the ante.
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Kuwabara slid his hands under Hiei’s ragged black tank top. Using his thumbs and index fingers, he gripped both of the apparition’s nipples. He gently squeezed the nubs, rolling them back and forth. He looked at Hiei’s face and saw that it was still blank. Thinking that he wasn’t stimulating the apparition enough, he kissed him again. He mouthed the area between the demon’s neck and shoulder. He opened his mouth wide and gently scraped the skin with his teeth. He switched to his tongue and began lathing the demon’s neck. When he was done the skin glistened with saliva. He looked up and saw that Hiei was still being unresponsive to his advances.

Kuwabara was frustrated. He was used to Kurama being all over him from doing the same things he was currently doing to Hiei. He looked down at the demon, his irritation was clearly visible. “Why are you just laying there? I thought you wanted me.”

Hiei’s eyes narrowed to deadly slits. That was the only warning he gave the young human. Hiei’s hand may have been small, but the strength behind it was powerful enough to knock the wind out of Kuwabara, as well as send the boy flying. When the carrot-top landed he hit the ground hard enough to knock the wind out of him again.

Kuwabara was momentarily dazed by the impact of his rough landing. When he regained his senses he saw Hiei standing above him. The demon had his sword pointed at the boy’s throat.

“Let’s get something straight. I watch you because I’m bored and I know it infuriates Kurama. I do not watch you because I find you attractive in anyway. For you to presume that I like you is as absurd as it is insulting. Make the same mistake twice,” Hiei paused to nick the boy’s neck, “and I’ll be all too happy to correct it for you.”

He quickly turned on his foot and stormed off. When he reached the edge of the forest he stopped by one of the trees and looked sideways. The demon snickered and asked, “Did you enjoy watching?”

“You didn’t have to be so hard on him. A simple no would have sufficed.”

Hiei ignored Kurama and continued on his way. Kurama pushed the offended demon from his thoughts and concentrated on checking out Kuwabara for injuries. He rushed over to younger redhead’s side and asked, “Are you all right?”

Kuwabara managed a grin. “Nothing damaged, but my pride.”

“And your ribs too I would imagine.”

The carrot-top gingerly felt his ribcage. “He cracked two of them.”

“I should bandage those right away.”

“I’ll be okay; I’m used to stuff like this. Urameshi has done way worse to me.” He felt slightly embarrassed as he asked, “How much did you see?” Even though he already knew the answer he still felt compelled to ask the question.

The fox replied, “Enough.”

“That means you saw all the good stuff.” Kuwabara halfheartedly smiled at the older boy as he asked, “Are you mad at me?”

“Not exactly.”

That wasn’t the response the carrot-top had been expecting. “Then what are you exactly?”

“I’m interested…interested in how long you had this little seduction in mind.”

“For a few days.”

“May I ask why?”

“Why I tried to seduce Hiei?”

Kurama nodded his head.

The younger redhead sighed loudly. “You would have to ask me that.” He searched his brain for the right words. “I just wanted to know.”

The normally knowledgeable fox was confused by his friend. “You wanted to know what?”

“If Hiei really did want me like you said.”

“I meant that as a joke!”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t take it that way. It was such a turn on having him watch us; I thought it would even more exciting to actually be with him. Does that make sense to you?”

“I understand, Kuwabara. You’re bored with me.”

“I didn’t say that! I’m-”

Kurama placed his hand on the younger boy’s shoulder and smiled at him. “I only meant it as a joke.”

The carrot-top crossed his arms and huffed indignantly, “Don’t joke like that!”

The fox smiled at his friend. “Come on let’s go back to camp. I’ll make some lunch.”

“Yeah, I’ll meet you there in a few.” Just as Kurama was about to walk away Kuwabara caught him by the arm and fixed a concerned look upon him. “Are you sure you’re not mad?”

“I’m not.”

“Are you jealous?”

“I’m not jealous per se. I can understand your curiosity and your desire to act on it. We’re not exclusive, so I don’t expect absolute loyalty from you. You are free to whatever you like, just like I am.”

The younger boy groused, “That’s kinda harsh.”

Kurama stepped closer to Kuwabara. He cupped the sides of the taller boy’s head and pulled it down towards his lips, kissing him softly. “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy our private time together, very much.” He gave his lover another kiss. “I know that you liked having Hiei watch us when we’re together. It’s only natural that you want to actually be with him. So if you want to play with Hiei I won’t interfere. However, let me offer you a bit of advice. In order to successfully seduce someone you must first know what arouses the person. Also, no two people are the same, what works on one won’t necessarily work on another.”

At first Kuwabara seemed perplexed by the fox’s words, but their true meaning quickly dawned on him. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Kurama gave the carrot-top a wink. “I’m sure it will prove useful for you.” The fox clapped his hands together, signaling a change in subject. “I’m going to go get lunch started. I’ll see you.”

“Wait for me, I’m coming with you. I need to eat so I can keep my energy up. I’ll need it later today.”

“That’s right; I intend to put you through a vigorous session today.”

Kuwabara gave the older teen a sly smile. “I wasn’t talking about training.”

Kurama returned the devious grin. “Neither was I.”


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Kurama: “Hiei, why were you so cold towards Kuwabara?”

Hiei: “Because I felt like it.”

Kurama: “There must be a reason.”

Hiei: “There is, but it’s none of your business.”

Kurama: “I don’t know why I even bother talking to you.”

Hiei: “That makes two of us.” *walks away*

Kurama: “Please be on the look out for Chapter 9: When the Fox is Away . Hopefully cillaxox will have it out in a timely manner.”

cillaxox: “Everybody is a critic.” *looks over at Kuwabara* “What’s wrong with you?”

Kuwabara: “There wasn’t much action in this chapter.”

cillaxox: “Yes, there was. I described you and Hiei sparring.”

Kuwabara: “That’s not what I meant, I’m talking about the other kind.”

cillaxox: *pats Kuwabara’s shoulder* “Don’t worry, there will be plenty of it in the next chapter.”

Kuwabara: *grumbles* “It better be.”