Peace in a Picture

*sigh* Okay I REALLY didn’t want to start posting this until it was either finished or damn near close to being finished. I failed. I have succumbed to my weakness as a review whore once again and started posting prematurely.
I'M SORRY!!!

Chapter 1

Kazuma Kuwabara walked out along the path leading toward his husband' estate. But he was not walking toward the large house; he was walking away from it toward the forest. He was looking for someone.

"What are you doing out here?"

Looks like 'someone' found him first.

Kuwabara leaned against the thick tree the voice had come from. "Looking for you."

"I already sensed them. Can you tell what they want?"

He shook his head. "No. For some reason I cant read their intentions. They're close enough for me to but it's like there's something stopping me.”

"A shield?"

"No. I don’t know how to describe it. It's like...the thoughts are there, I can get to them but they're all broken. Out of order. Like a puzzle and I'm trying to put all the pieces together."

"What *do* you know?"

"They want you to do something for them. They want something but they can’t get it themselves. They need you to."

"Hn. Probably more traders wanting me steal something for them." The man in the tree dropped down in front of his mate. "You could've at least put some clothes on first."

Indeed, the taller man was only wearing a pair of light pants. No shirt and no shoes. "Don’t do it Hiei. Whatever it is. I got a bad feeling about this one."

Hiei snorted at him. "It depends on what it is and how much they're willing to pay me for it."

Kazuma gave him a hard serious gaze. "I'm serious Hiei. Please, I really don’t feel very good about this."

"You never feel good."

"Dammit Hiei-"

" Go back to the house and get dressed. I don’t care if you come and listen, it's up to you." Hiei looked over at his fuming mate calmly. "I'm not promising anything Kuwabara. I’ll listen to what they want, I'll think about it and then decide. Now go get dressed."

Kuwabara started to say something else but decided against it. If he pushed too hard then Hiei would take the job just to piss him off.

As he walked back toward the house alone he thought about his relationship with the three-eyed shrimp.

They had been together for a total of five years. They had moved into a fairly large estate in the demon world together nearly two years ago. It had been given to Hiei as a gift from Mukuro.

No one would've expected Kuwabara to actually accept Hiei's offer to come with him, simply because it was in demon realm. But it all worked out pretty well with Koenma's portals. They allowed Kuwabara to travel back and forth between the demon and human worlds easily. It would take him straight into the yard of Genkai's temple, where Yusuke and Kaeko now lived.

The two had been married for three years and already had two daughters and one son. Cathy was the oldest at two years and then the twins Eva and Hunter were eight months. Yukina lived with them at the temple to help Kaeko. Between his job and missions as a spirit detective Yusuke didn’t get to spend much time at home with his family.

But every day he did have to himself he spent making it up to his wife and playing with his children. On these days Yukina would usually come to visit her brother in demon world.

Hiei loved these days. He and Kuwabara would spend the whole previous day making sure everything was cleaned up and ready for her. Hiei would accept no other guests or jobs and Kuwabara would do his best to keep his schedule clear.

Hiei became upset whenever Kuwabara wasn’t able to clear his schedule. He would brood and sulk all day when his sister wasn’t in the same room and at night when Kuwabara finally came home he would say mean things to him just to piss him off.

The two did love each other very much. That much was obvious to everyone. But they would still bicker just as they always had. It was just part of their relationship. Like with Yusuke and Kaeko it was perfectly normal for Kaeko to slap him whenever he annoyed her.

Sometimes though Hiei would go a little too far with his words. Above all Kuwabara hated being called a coward or worthless. He realized he wasn’t the greatest fighter but it wasn’t from a lack of trying.

Whenever Hiei would call him these things Kuwabara would become silent and walk away while Hiei would watch him leave, knowing he had gone too far. Kuwabara would disappear for the rest of the day and Hiei would not see him again until bed. He would come into their bedroom and see him lying under the covers all curled up with his back to him. He was never asleep during these times. Sometimes he would pretend to be but Hiei could always tell when he was sleeping or not. It was his face. How innocent and childlike he appeared. Somehow this could always calm the fire demon. Just watching his face as he slept.

Hiei would lie down behind him and wrap his arms around him. He would kiss his neck and shoulders in apology until Kuwabara would either turn around and return the kisses or push him away. If the latter happened Hiei would continue down his back and rub his arms and stomach. If *that* didn’t work then would finally put aside his pride and whisper an apology in his ear. Then Kuwabara would finally face him and take him into his arms.

They never had sex on these nights, but instead would stay up and talk for hours. Until they had both worn themselves out and fell asleep near dawn.

Last night had been such a night. As a result the two had spent the majority of the day in bed just enjoying each other’s company. Kuwabara had a slight fever and the argument started over Kuwabara still going canoeing with Kurama and his sister anyway. Hiei told him he was too stupid to take care of himself.

Kuwabara ended up not going due to his anger and spent the day avoiding Hiei. That night had been one of the one’s when Hiei ended up actually apologizing for hurting him.

Kuwabara climbed the stairs to his room. He kept the same pants on and put on a red t-shirt, sock and shoes. When he returned downstairs Hiei and their guests were already seated.

There were two of them. They were dressed typically for demon traders. Loose fitting pants and shirts and tall boots. One had long brown hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. The other had light blue hair in a buzz cut.

The one with the ponytail stood upon seeing Kuwabara’s arrival. “Ah, hello. Hiei this is your human mate, correct? I am Toshio.” He said shaking the human’s hand. He gestured toward his partner “And this is Ada. We have a proposition for your husband if he is willing to listen.” Toshio’s eyes traveled up and down Kuwabara’s body taking him in with his eyes. When they rose back up to meet Kuwabara’s own eyes they held a lusty hunger in them.

Kuwabara stammered a greeting and quickly went to sit next to Hiei.

“What is the job Toshio?” Hiei asked. Toshio retook his seat next to Ada. “Oh nothing too difficult. Just the stealing of a rare artifact is all.”

Hiei snorted. “I gathered that much.”

Toshio smirked. “Right, your mate is a psychic is he not? Perhaps he already knows what it is we want.”

He turned those eyes back to Kuwabara, who avoided his gaze.

“I didn’t need a psychic to tell me that. Do you have any idea how many demons I have here trying to get me to steal something for them or assassinate someone? I’ve been able to make a living off it.”

Toshio chuckled and looked around the house. “Yes I suppose you do. Well then why don’t I just cut right to the point? This artifact is a dagger called the Ammora Dagger. Ti can kill any creature of any power with a simple prick. The blade has a poison in it so that all one need do is to break the skin of an enemy with it and they will be dead before they even feel it.”

Hiei smirked casually in his seat. “Quite a weapon. Why do you need me to get it?”

“Because the dagger is very heavily guarded in one of King Yama’s own vaults. We know both you and your mate work for Koenma from time to time and thus have easy access into spirit world. And with your reputation as a thief as well we thought you to be best suited for the job. You may even find the challenge worthwhile.”

“So then, you expect me to be able to just walk into sprit world unquestioned, sneak into King Yama’s most guarded vault and get you what is probably the most deadly weapon ever created. That does sound fun.”

Kuwabara looked at his husband in shock. He want actually going to do it was he? Stealing from demons was one thing but King Yama? If Hiei were to get caught he’d be killed! Koenma would be going crazy and Yusuke would probably be called upon to get it back. This was one of the things that usually *started* their damn missions!

Kuwabara rubbed his temples and wiped his sweaty brow. He was feeling dizzy. He could feel Toshio’s eyes on him the whole time he spoke. Kazuma had never been this uncomfortable before. And he could tell Toshio was hiding something. There was another reason why he wanted Hiei that he wasn’t telling.

Every time Kuwabara tried to probe his thoughts to find out what it was his headache and dizziness would increase. The demon’s mere presence was making him ill.

He could hear voices, someone was speaking. What were they saying? Why couldn’t he hear them?

Everything was spinning. The lights were so bright they stung his eyes. The voice was louder now. He could feel it vibrating inside his skull. He was aware of a hand on his shoulder. Probably Hiei’s.

Then he was falling. Everything was white and fuzzy in his eyes.

Falling

Falling,

Falling.

Then black.


When Kuwabara again became aware of his surroundings he could feel something cool on his face. And wet.

He opened his eyes to see Hiei hovering over him, washing his face with a wet cloth. He was back in his room, lying on the bed.

“Hiei?”

“Your fevers back. You passed out. Our guests were actually concerned about you. Particularly Toshio.”

Snort. “I’ll bet.”

“I saw the way he was looking at you. I’m thinking about cutting out his eyes.”

“Does that mean you’re not taking the job?” Kuwabara asked hopefully.

“I could always do it *after* I steal the dagger.”

“Hiei, no! Please, I really don’t like those two. They’re hiding something I know it.”

Hiei blinked and put the rag back in the bowl of water by the bed. “What?”

I don’t know. Something to do with the reason they picked you. I’m serious Hiei I’ve got a really bad feeling about this. If you take this job something horrible’s gonna happen I know it.”

Hiei sat by his lover on the bed and looked into his pleading eyes. Thinking.

Kuwabara sat up and took his face in his hands. “Please, Hiei don’t do it. Just tell them to find someone else. Please.”

Hiei took his hands and laid him back down on the bed. He gave him a deep, loving kiss.

“All right. I wont do it. You stay here and rest. I’ll go down and get rid of Toshio and Ada then I’ll be right back. Then you better make it up to me.” He growled in a low seductive tone, licking Kazuma’s neck. The redhead giggled and nodded.

With another kiss to the lips and forehead Hiei disappeared downstairs.


The two demons were waiting for him. How is he? Toshio asked.

Hiei narrowed his eyes at him. “Hn. He’s fine. Just a little tired.”

Toshio nodded. “So have you made a decision?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“No.”

Silence. Toshio and Ada stared at Hiei in surprise. Obviously that was not the response they had expected.

“I’m sorry?”

“I said no. As amusing as stealing from the fool Yama sounds, I have other things to do with my time. Go ask someone else.”

Toshio took a deep breath in considerence.

“All right…well, thank you…for allowing us into your home and hearing our offer. Give our regards to your mate.”

“Hn.”

“But first, may I ask you something Hiei?”

“What?” ‘Just go before I *do* decide to take out your eyes.’

“I was just curious as to how a demon with your power and reputation-“ (tone drop) “could possibly stomach taking a human for a mate.”

In a flash Hiei had drawn his sword and pinned Toshio to the wall, blade at his throat. Hiei’s eyes blazed with rage. “How dare you! I’ll kill you for such a statement!”

Hiei felt a sharp prick in the back of his neck. Turning he saw Ada slowly backing away, holding a now empty needle in his hand and grinning.

‘NO! He injected me with something!’ Almost instantly Hiei began to feel dizzy. He felt his strength leave him as he dropped his sword and collapsed to his knees.

‘Fool! Fool! Fool! How could you forget about the other one? Dammit!’

Toshio leaned down next to him and whispered. “The only reason I can think of is he must *really* be something in bed. Is that it? The bitch was such a good fuck that you actually decided to keep him?” he chuckled in his ear. “Well then maybe I should give him a try myself.”

Hiei’s eyes shot open. “No!” Hiei attempted to rise only to be struck back down by Toshio’s foot.

Hiei gagged and coughed. “Is this why you came here? You made up some shit story just to get inside my house and rape my mate?”

Toshio stood and walked across the room. “Oh no, Hiei. The job offer was real. We really do need you to steal the Ammora Dagger for us. WE just aren’t willing to take ‘no’ for an answer. So we came with a backup plan.”

Hiei was struggling to get up and fight but he failed. The drug that Ada had put in him was making him too weak to move. Eh could feel himself on the verge of passing out.

‘No!’ He screamed at himself. ‘Get up! Get up and kill them! If you don’t they’re going to take Kazuma! They’re going to take him and rape him. Dammit I should’ve listened to him the first time!’

But it was too late now. Hiei last thought before losing consciousness was of Kazuma sleeping upstairs. Waiting for him to return.

‘I’m sorry Kazuma.’


MWUAHAHAHAHA! I decided this was a good place to end it. I think that’s the longest chapter I’ve ever written. And I was looking over some of my older stories (including one that I never posted cause it turned out shit) and I think my writing has actually improved a bit! I can put in more detail without taking away from the main subject too much and it just sounds better. There is no better training than actual experience.