Carbon

I’m a little anxious about the pacing. Feedback on that would be much appreciated.

Chapter nine

Yusuke was slightly disoriented when he woke. It was nearing sunset and he sensed the presence of Kurama and Hiei surrounding him. The sensation was nice; however, he was mildly confused as to how it had happened.

Then he remembered what had happened earlier and he opened his eyes. With a groan, Yusuke looked over at Kurama and then at Hiei. Neither one appeared to be asleep but were both clearly relaxed.

“I’m hungry,” Yusuke muttered, his stomach growling.

“Should we go out?” Kurama asked, opening his eyes.

“Nothing fancy,” Yusuke replied. “I mean it.”

Hiei muttered an agreement. “The detective has already resigned himself to being treated to meals? Well done, Kurama.”

Kurama smiled and sat up. He stretched and Yusuke couldn’t help but be enthralled by how elegant and lithe Kurama looked. Kurama smiled when he caught Yusuke’s gaze.

Hiei smirked and climbed out of the bed. He smoothed the wrinkles out of his t-shirt and jeans and pulled his boots back on. Kurama similarly straightened his attire when he stood up. With one last contented sigh, Yusuke stood. He shook his head, suddenly feeling heavy and balked at the sight of his hair. “Wh-when did THAT happen?” he demanded.

Kurama and Hiei exchanged glances. “You’ve finally noticed?” asked Kurama. “At least your markings faded almost immediately.”

“Would you mind shearing all this hair off? I must look ridiculous.”

Kurama smiled and nodded. Although he thought Yusuke looked much handsomer with his hair at that length.

= - = - = - =

In deference to his friends’ request, Kurama chose a small diner just outside Yusuke’s neighborhood. It was quaint but the food smelled wonderful. Kurama ordered for himself and Hiei and Yusuke chose tororo soba. Kurama frowned at Yusuke’s choice of the cheapest thing on the menu but Yusuke insisted he was craving the dish. “Besides, you’re treating. You shouldn’t complain about what I pick.”

Kurama sighed and shook his head. “There’s nothing wrong with a little extravagance.”

Yusuke scowled when the waiter returned with a bottle of saké and snarled when Kurama offered him a cup. “No thanks,” Yusuke growled.

Kurama raised an eyebrow at Yusuke’s objection. “You don’t like saké?”

“It’s not like you to be so dense, Kurama,” said Hiei. “Obviously, the boy’s objection is to its alcohol content.”

Yusuke glowered at Hiei who was sitting across from him beside Kurama.

“The alcohol?” Kurama asked.

“Take one look at his mother and you’ll understand,” Hiei elaborated.

“Shut up, Hiei,” Yusuke snapped. “I’m warning you.”

“I mean no harm, you fool,” Hiei responded. “Kurama doesn’t like offending people if he can help it.”

“Since when do you care what Kurama thinks?” Yusuke demanded. “You yelled at me earlier for smoking because Kurama doesn’t like it.”

Hiei just stared at Yusuke. His gaze flickered to Kurama and he literally did a double-take when he caught sight of the bite-marks on his neck. He stood and slammed his palms on the table then stormed outside without a word.

“What the…?” Yusuke asked. “I didn’t think he’d be that pissed at what I said.”

“Stay here,” said Kurama. He stood and walked out of the restaurant where Yusuke was surprised to see Hiei. He was pacing in an aggravated manner and immediately started shouting at Kurama when he walked out.

“Since when do you allow others to assert dominance over you without causing them physical harm?” Hiei snapped.

“Your behavior is rude and uncalled for,” Kurama scolded. “I suggest you calm yourself and rejoin us at the table.”

“He bit your neck,” Hiei growled. “The mark is still there.”

“It is my decision whom I allow to dominate me.”

“He has no idea, does he?” Hiei gave Kurama a dark look. “It’s wrong to keep it from him.”

“He hasn’t claimed me.” Kurama was beginning to lose patience. “We are not mated. He simply-“

“It’s just as bad!” Hiei shouted. “He all but branded you as his. He may as well follow you around and kill any demon that looks at you.”

Kurama looked down at his feet. “I forgive him. There’s no reason to be so upset.”

Hiei scowled.

“I’ll… heal the mark and no harm will be done.” Kurama looked up, his eyes flooded with sadness. “It’s not as if he realized what he was doing. He wouldn’t make a pass at me in his right mind.”

Hiei’s gaze softened. A pang of guilt stabbed at his chest and he looked away. He was ashamed at his behavior both present and prior. He made a mental note reminding himself to apologize to Yusuke.

Hiei heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry, Kurama,” he muttered.

Kurama smiled. “I know how difficult that is for you to say, and I appreciate it.” Kurama placed his hand over the mark on his neck and healed it. He erased all traces of Yusuke’s youki and turned to rejoin Yusuke in the restaurant.

Yusuke didn’t comment on the sudden outburst and merely began eating once Kurama and Hiei sat down. He shot Kurama a questioning look but the kitsune just smiled. “The food here is delicious, right Hiei?” said Kurama.

Hiei agreed and dug into his gyouza. He was still too embarrassed by his outburst to speak.

= - = - = - =

As the trio approached Yusuke’s house, Hiei and Kurama noticed a sudden change in Yusuke’s pallor. Their friend looked pale and shaken. His forehead had broken out in sweat and he staggered backward when he reached the door.

“What’s the matter?” Kurama asked.

Yusuke shook his head and opened the door. Almost immediately, a beer bottle came flying at him which he only barely managed to dodge.

“Is that my lay-about son?” Atsuko slurred. “C’mere and make your ma some tea.”

Yusuke shrunk back, mortified that Kurama and Hiei were there to witness his mother in this state. She was laying across the couch in a shirt that left little to the imagination and shorts that barely covered her backside.

“Well?” Atsuko demanded.

“Alright…” Yusuke muttered. He picked his way across the room, avoiding stepping on broken glass and discarded junk food. He’d been gone less than two hours and yet the house was clearly in far worse shape than he’d left it. “Mother, I just cleaned…”

Atsuko just waved a hand in her son’s direction and Yusuke threw his jacket at her. “Cover up, we have guests,” he said.

His mom just grinned. “Handsome little fella,” said Atsuko. “And the tall one’s pretty. Y’r not cheat’n Keiko wit dat flat-chest broad ‘r ya?”

Kurama gave Hiei a look that clearly was meant to warn him not to attack the inebriated woman.

“I would not sink so low as to hit a female human, Kurama.” Hiei kicked at a beer bottle at his feet and chose not to walk further into the house than he’d already ventured. Both demons decided to wait for a cue from Yusuke but he was avoiding their gazes.

Yusuke brought the tea over to his mom. She took it and drank deeply although it had to be hot. “I’ll catch you later, ma,” he said before heading to the door. He practically shoved Kurama and Hiei out the door. “At least she waited until sunset this time.” He glared darkly at the door and walked across the lawn to the sidewalk. He didn’t bother to glance back at Kurama or Hiei, knowing they would follow without prompting. He shoved his hands into his pockets and regretted giving his jacket to his mother. Now that the sun was below the horizon, it had gotten chilly again and goose-bumps were raised on his arms.

Hiei walked closer to Yusuke and flared his ki to help warm his friend. Yusuke gave Hiei a grateful grimace and quickly looked away. Looking at Hiei caused an unpleasant clawing sensation to form in his stomach. He hated how his body was reaching out to Hiei and how he automatically walked closer to him without intending to.

“Yusuke,” said Kurama. “I don’t mean to press you, but where are you going?”

Yusuke glanced back at Kurama and sighed. “Figured I’d just walk around until she passed out.”

Kurama stopped walking and positioned himself in front of Yusuke. Hiei and Yusuke were forced to stop walking as well. “Yusuke…”

“Don’t start, Kurama,” Yusuke interrupted. “I don’t wanna hear it.”

“But-“

“No. I don’t want pity.” Yusuke stepped around Kurama and kept walking. He shoved his hands deep into his jean-pockets and searched fruitlessly for a cigarette. Hiei and Kurama followed a few paces behind.

/He’s a fool,/ Hiei said to Kurama telepathically.

/That may be, but we can’t ignore the situation. I had no idea his mother was a lush./

/It never occurred to you to wonder why the woman would date a man who would hit her son?/

Kurama paled at Hiei’s words. It had occurred to him to wonder, but as with all unpleasant things of which he had no control; Kurama had tried not to give the idea much thought. He’d been using all available brain power trying to figure out a way to keep his heart from breaking every time he looked at Yusuke. It took all he had to dismiss Yusuke’s lingering gazes and the way his face lit up when he looked at him as merely part of his demonic transition. It would just be too wonderful for him to have real feelings for me.

Yusuke felt Kurama’s distress as if it were a hot poker stabbing him in the chest. He had no idea why he suddenly felt like he wanted to cry and why he was having difficulty breathing. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Kurama. The kitsune was looking slightly downward and his posture was limp. Hiei had moved closer to Kurama as if on instinct and kept shooting him concerned gazes.

Yusuke faced forward and wandered into a park. He took a seat on a bench under a tree, just out of view of the street. It was quite dark but Yusuke didn’t care. When his friends sat beside him, he just stared up at the moon. He couldn’t help but notice that Kurama was sitting slightly apart from him and Hiei was right beside him.

“I need to talk with Yusuke alone,” said Hiei.

Kurama nodded and stood, he walked far enough that he couldn’t hear what was going on, but was near enough that should he be needed, he could be back within seconds.

Yusuke waited for Hiei to begin. When it became clear that he was having trouble finding the right words to say, Yusuke started for him. “I’m not still mad at you, y’know,” Yusuke started. “I know why you did it.”

Hiei was shocked. “You do?”

“Yeah, and it was the best thing you could do at the time. I… I probably would have killed you if you hadn’t used the jagan tie curse on me.”

Hiei was struck speechless for a moment. He’d thought that Yusuke had been referring to the incident in his bedroom where Hiei had pressured him. “I’m glad you harbor no ill feelings about that.”

Yusuke looked over at Hiei. “Is there something else?”

Hiei’s shoulders slumped. Shame was evident in both Hiei’s posture and facial expression. “I rushed you and I apologize.”

Yusuke frowned, not understanding. “Huh?”

“I took advantage of you. I didn’t consider your feelings, nor did I think of how difficult the transition would be for you. I should not have pressured you.”

“What? You mean that whole… thing… in my bedroom?”

Hiei nodded.

“Did you think I was mad at you?”

Hiei shrugged. “You have every right to be.”

“I’m not mad.”

Hiei looked into Yusuke’s eyes, searching for deceit, finding none, he relaxed.

“I’m just…confused is all.” Yusuke reached out for Hiei and Hiei grasped Yusuke’s hand. Yusuke settled his and Hiei’s linked hands between them on the bench and he leaned into Hiei’s shoulder. Hiei graciously accepted Yusuke’s show of affection but did not return it. He merely enjoyed Yusuke’s warmth for a moment before telling Kurama telepathically that it was okay to return.

= - = - = - =

The sound of shouting and shattering glass woke Hiei from an otherwise peaceful sleep. He only had a moment to be annoyed with himself for dropping his guard before another crash forced him into action. He leaped out of Yusuke’s bed and rushed to the living room in time to see Atsuko throw another plate at her son’s already bleeding face.

“Mom!” Yusuke pleaded. “Calm down!”

“I won’t!” Atsuko screamed, “I didn’t raise you to be a faggot!”

“I’m not!” Yusuke insisted. “He’s not my-“

Atsuko crossed the room and began slapping Yusuke and hitting him wherever she could reach. It was clear that Yusuke’s mother was several fifths of vodka beyond hammered and she shouted incoherently as she hit Yusuke. “Get out!” she was screaming. “Leave! DON’T COME BACK!!”

Hiei could no longer stand to watch idly. He rushed over to Yusuke, ignoring the feeling of broken glass cutting into his bare feet and pulled the former detective from the house with a protective arm around his waist. Yusuke didn’t protest nor did he wrench himself from Hiei’s grasp. Instead, Yusuke leaned into Hiei and draped his arm over his friend’s shoulder.

Hiei paused when they’d reached the end of Yusuke’s street and reached up to touch Yusuke’s face. The Toushin’s breath quickened; he thought Hiei was about to kiss him. Suddenly, Yusuke felt an almost unbearable heat wash over his face.

“Wha?” Yusuke muttered.

“You were bleeding,” Hiei explained. He showed Yusuke his hand, which Yusuke could see despite the dim light, was smeared with his blood. Hiei let his hand fall to his side and walked forward, leading Yusuke in the direction of Kurama’s house. He could think of nothing better to do.

Amidst the darkness of the streets, an oppressive silence fell. Yusuke felt like the quiet air around him was pressing in on his head and he felt the familiar pounding in his ears that meant his demonic instincts were attempting to pull away his consciousness. Yusuke reached out, barely thinking about the action and grasped Hiei’s hand. The feeling of the fire-demon’s hot grasp kept Yusuke in his own head. He relaxed measurably, knowing that Hiei was there should he lose it and squeezed the smaller man’s hand in thanks.

Hiei said nothing, preferring to use the silence to clear his mind. He was angry, livid, really. The sight of his Yusuke being assaulted by a human, without retaliation, caused him immeasurable fury. Holding Yusuke’s hand served to anchor him and remind him that even if Yusuke had wanted to retaliate, he couldn’t. Yusuke’s honor and morals wouldn’t allow him to strike a human, much less a female. It didn’t prevent Hiei from being angry with the woman, but kept him from taking his anger out on Yusuke.

“What happened?” Hiei asked.

Yusuke’s heart felt like it’d been ripped in two and the crushing weight of the horror he’d just lived through caused him to halt. Hiei stopped moving, tightening his grip on Yusuke’s hand. Yusuke wanted to cry, but he wouldn’t; not in front of Hiei. It was stupid and weak. He covered his eyes with his hand and took a few more shaky breaths. As long as he didn’t say anything and as long as Hiei didn’t mention it, he’d be able to hold back the tears.

“Are you going to be alright?” Hiei asked.

That was all it took for the flood-gates to open up. “Sh-she walked in and s-saw you in my bed. I j-just… sh-she’s never rejected me like th-that,” he stuttered wiping angrily at the hot tears spilling down his cheeks. “It’s the w-worst thing… she’s ev-ver said.”

Hiei rubbed Yusuke’s back, opting not to speak but to send waves of calming and warming ki into Yusuke. It was the middle of April but the nights still tended to be cold. It was Yusuke’s emotional distress that kept the half demon from realizing that he wasn’t wearing shoes or a coat.

Hiei wrapped his arm around Yusuke’s waist and urged his friend forward, not shushing his shuddering sobs or attempting to comfort him verbally. He did not remove his arm from Yusuke’s waist until they reached Kurama’s front door and their mere presence caused the plant Kurama had trained for the purpose of opening the door to allow them entrance. Hiei smiled sadly at the plant. He knew that it recognized Yusuke’s energy signature and it needed no prompting to let him in anymore. Much as it cheered him to know that Yusuke had been to Kurama’s house several times, he knew how much agony Yusuke’s presence was causing the red head and he wished there were some way to comfort the kitsune.

Yusuke reached for Hiei’s hand; his crying had stopped but he still felt the need for Hiei’s touch and the calming waves of ki emanating from his friend. Hiei laced his fingers through Yusuke’s without much prompting and squeezed gently as the pair walked up the stairs to Kurama’s room.

Kurama was sitting up with his bedside lamp turned on. He’d sensed his friends’ approach and knew that something was terribly amiss. Nonetheless, Kurama was shocked when he saw Yusuke’s blood and tear streaked face. His eyes traveled down and he caught sight of Yusuke grasping Hiei’s hand, which also had a significant measure of blood on it.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow,” Hiei said before Kurama could ask. “Loan him some pajamas, his are covered in booze and blood.

Kurama nodded and strode over to his dresser. He chose his most luxurious silk pajamas in a midnight blue and held them out to Yusuke. To his surprise, Hiei took the proffered clothes and led Yusuke to the bathroom by hand.

“Thanks, Hiei,” Yusuke muttered.

Hiei nodded and turned the tap on to wash his hands. “Undress,” Hiei whispered. He found a washcloth hanging on a hook beside the sink and ran it under the warm water. When he turned around, he saw that Yusuke had a few minor bruises and scrapes that would heal overnight and held his breath. He approached Yusuke and gently wiped away the blood on his face and arms. Yusuke flinched a few times but otherwise didn’t protest.

Once Yusuke was free of blood, Hiei gestured to Kurama’s pajamas. He picked up the discarded ones and placed them in the hamper beside the bathtub along with the bloody rag.

Yusuke was still in too much shock to react to anything. He pulled on the silky pajamas Kurama had loaned him and followed Hiei back into Kurama’s bedroom. Yusuke sank into the bed beside Kurama and Hiei lay on Yusuke’s other side. Yusuke felt safe and warm snuggled between his two friends. He felt himself drifting off to sleep before Hiei had even reached over to turn off the lamp.

= - = - = - =

It was past noon when Yusuke woke the next day. “Shit!” he muttered, sitting up in bed. I’m going to be so late for school.

Yusuke looked over toward the door and was disoriented for a moment when he saw a desk. He blinked several times before he realized he was in Kurama’s room; then the memories of the night before came rushing back. The remembered shouting and flying plates and bottles paralyzed Yusuke, stopping his breath.

After a few seconds of holding onto his stomach, he heard a knock on the door. “Yusuke-kun?” Shiori’s voice called through the door. “Are you awake, sweetie?”

“Uh…” Yusuke cleared his throat, surprised that Shiori was home and knew Yusuke was there. “Y-yeah!”

“Come down-stairs when you’re ready,” Shiori responded. “I made lunch.”

“Okay.”

Yusuke stretched and stood. He was dizzy for a moment but managed to collect himself and walk down the stairs. The smell of salmon and green tea greeted him at the doorway to the sunny dining room. He thought for a moment that it was strange to see such a cheerful room when he felt so… wrong. His mood lightened slightly when Shiori entered the room with a teapot and a plate of onigiri.

Yusuke took a seat and Shiori served him a plateful of the riceballs and poured him a cup of tea, adding two teaspoons of honey and a splash of milk without asking. Yusuke wondered how she knew how he took his tea. He remembered vaguely that he’d had tea there before but she wouldn’t remember something so minor, would she? Yusuke pondered that for a moment before he took a bite of the riceball and a sip of tea. He’d thought the food would taste bland to him in light of his mood and was shocked by how delicious everything tasted. “Thanks,” he muttered around a mouthful. He swallowed. “It’s delicious.”

Shiori smiled.

“Did Kura- er… Did Shuuichi tell you why I was here or…?”

Shiori’s face fell and she nodded. “Shuuichi-kun mentioned that you and your mother had a misunderstanding about Hiei sleeping in your bed with you.”

Yusuke felt his face go pale. He told his mom that Hiei was sleeping in my bed?

“Hiei used to spend the night in my son’s room quite often. I understood that the relationship was platonic. Your mother didn’t, so I heard?”

Yusuke opened his mouth to speak but was unable. “Uh…”

“Yusuke-kun, it’s alright. The words your mother used to describe you are unforgivable. I cannot fathom a mother saying such a thing to her son. Particularly if the evidence of her son’s perceived deviance is unfounded.”

“B-but-“

Shiori smiled sadly. “You will find that I am far more accepting of such things. I harbor no ill will toward homosexuals at all.”

“So, if I w-was… you wouldn’t get mad or anything?”

“Not at all, Yusuke-kun!” Shiori’s smile was bright again.

“Oh…” Yusuke looked down at his plate and poked at his riceball.

“May I ask you something?”

Yusuke looked up. “Yeah.” Yusuke had the feeling that he’d do whatever Shiori wanted him to do, answer any question she had truthfully (barring questions that would reveal his identity as a demon) even walk through fire for her. He’d never had such respect for an older woman before.

“You don’t have to answer right away… I would like you to stay here.”

“St-stay?” Yusuke stammered. Is she asking me to move in?

“Stay with me. With us. I wondered if you would like to move in.”

“I-I…” This is too good to be true. No way is this really happening. I’m still asleep, in a minute, I’m going to wake up between Hiei and Kurama…

“I understand if you need to think-“

“No! I mean, yes. I don’t need to think.” Yusuke jumped up, the broadest grin on his face. Shiori was reminded of a small child for a moment and she smiled too. “I’d love to stay here.”

Yusuke walked around the table and threw his arms around Shiori. He didn’t care that it wasn’t particularly polite to hug a non-family member. He felt for the first time as if someone cared about him. As if someone would act like a mother and take care of him. He used to lay awake at night when he was much younger and pray for a mom that would be nurturing like the ones he saw on TV and the ones walking with their children in the stores. Every time he saw a mother smile at her son, his dream broke a little until all that was left was a lingering resentment.

His heart began to mend when Shiori returned his hug. “Welcome home,” she whispered.