Amayami

Rain fell from the darkened sky, soaking everything below. Even the uncertain shelter of trees did nothing to slow the torrential fall of water. That in itself would have been enough, but Nature wasn’t satisfied with her masterpiece just yet. A cold wind whipped the trees into dancing figures against the circles of artificial light in the city. It wasn’t a night to be out in, most definitely a night to be inside. So, why was he out? Why was he still in a tree, struggling to hang on as it twisted in the buffeting wind? He wondered that himself as he peered through the window, watching the two within. Had the wind not been so loud, he could have heard them. He’d been watching them for awhile and wondered why they persisted in the way they did. Frowning, he struggled to read their lips through the rain that attempted to blind him.

Yusuke sprawled on the floor, poking at his book with his pencil, turning away from the window as he spoke with Kurama. The redhead turned in his chair and looked at the problem the brunet indicated. He moved from the chair, sitting next to Yusuke, bending so that Hiei couldn’t see his lips. Frowning more deeply, the koorime tried to read their body language. He tried to understand why Yusuke started, but before he could, Kurama rose from the floor and went to his window, opening it despite the raging storm. “Get in here, Hiei.”

The koorime was so startled he didn’t see Yusuke rising from the floor and leaving the room. “Why?”

“We’ll discuss that after you’re in here. Hurry up; I don’t want the rain getting all over my room.”

With a frown so deep it bordered on a snarl, Hiei left the tree and leapt to the window sill. Kurama wrapped an arm around his waist when he ignobly misjudged the force needed in the uncertain wind. When the kitsune persisted in holding him once he’d stabilized, he growled, “Let me go.”

“Just a moment,” the redhead replied, sounding amused as he pulled the window closed. He smiled and Hiei twisted to see Yusuke entering the room with a bundle of towels. “Quickly, Yusuke. He’s cold, even for a koorime.”

In short order, Hiei found himself sitting on the redhead’s bed, wrapped in towels, his clothing and shoes taken from him. Kurama was very amused when he’d refused to relinquish his katana, though. “We’re not going to hurt you, Hiei.”

“Hn,” was the only answer he’d dignify the statement with. He knew it was silly. He knew they wouldn’t do anything and yet there were things he didn’t understand and he didn’t like things he didn’t understand. Until he understood things or had his clothes back, he wouldn’t be unarmed.

Yusuke shrugged, “Whatever, man. You hungry?”

Hiei managed a civil shrug, “I could be.”

“Well, I am for sure, so I’ll be back with food.” The brunet closed the door behind him and Hiei felt ridiculously vulnerable with just the kitsune in the room. He’d been here before, so he didn’t know why this time was so different. Granted, the last time he’d been in the room alone with the redhead, he’d arrived unconscious, but that didn’t matter. He eyed the redhead, watching him move to sit on his desk chair again.

“You’re rather tense, Hiei,” Kurama observed needlessly.

“What do you want, fox?” his voice as cold as the night.

“What makes you think I want anything, Hiei? It’s storming fiercely out there; do you want to be out in that?”

Hiei frowned. He didn’t want to be out, but he didn’t want to be in the room, either. He shrugged, “Not really.”

“Then, what’s the problem, Hiei?”

“What’s going on between you and the detective?”

Kurama laughed, “Going on between us? Nothing. I’m tutoring him, that’s all.”

“He doesn’t attend classes,” Hiei pointed out, his voice sounding petulant to his own ears.

“Well, there’s that,” the redhead conceded.

“What do you get out of it?” the koorime demanded.

Kurama shrugged, “Other than company, nothing.”

“Why?”

Before Kurama could answer, Yusuke entered the room carrying a tray of three bowls of soup and a plate of crackers and cheese. With a sharp look at Hiei, Kurama smiled at the brunet, “Yusuke, could you tell Hiei why I still allow you to do your homework here even though I know it doesn’t get turned in?”

Yusuke looked at Kurama and Hiei could see the redhead flick an eyebrow at him, the smallest of shakes to indicate negation of something. “You like my company,” the brunet answered, looking at Kurama.

“Hn,” Hiei answered, beginning to feel more than irritated that they would lie to him. “Why waste words if you’re not going to tell me the truth?” he demanded.

Yusuke’s eyes went between Hiei and Kurama and the koorime could see what looked like fear in them. He saw the kitsune give a delicate shrug and Yusuke set the tray down on his desk before moving to sit on the bed. A too close clap of thunder shook the house and the lights stuttered uncertainly a moment. Yusuke’s eyes went to the window, watching the night, before looking at Hiei. “I’m not certain of the full truth. Do you want to hear it anyways?” There was something in his eyes, in his voice that Hiei thought he should fear and should deny.

“Yes,” he answered, refusing to be controlled by something as intangible as fear. Another clap of thunder shook the room and the lights fled. A glance out the window showed they had fled far.

There was movement on the bed and the next flash of lightning showed Yusuke leaning close to the koorime, “I like you, Hiei.”

To say he was taken aback was an understatement. Had it been possible, Hiei would have fled through the wall. There was more motion on the bed and the next bolt of light showed the kitsune kneeling close to him, “I like you, too, Hiei.”

Hiei was in a quandary. Unsheathing his katana would have forced him to drop his towel and he felt much more exposed than he should have. The two advanced on him, as if they’d rehearsed this, speaking in unison, “We like you, Hiei.” The next flash of lightning revealed two faces too close to his for comfort, nor was there enough room for him to get away.

“Back off,” he growled.

Again, looking as if they’d rehearsed, Kurama and Yusuke sat back on their heels. Hiei felt he could breathe a moment, until the redhead spoke, “You did ask, Hiei.”

“I did not ask for some…what do the ningen call it, a love confession,” the koorime shot out bitterly.

Kurama slid off the bed, or at least that’s what Hiei felt happen. Sounds crossed the room and a lighter flared to life, transferring its flame to a thick candle. The kitsune placed the candle in front of the mirror over his dresser and pulled another candle out of the open drawer, placing it when lit on his desk. He continued, placing candles around the room until it was bathed in a soft light. The redhead then sat in his desk chair. “Why does it bother you, Hiei? We are both attracted to you. We have stated such, now it is up to you to decide which one you want, or both, as you like.”

Yusuke moved to lean against the headboard, “He caught me watching you too closely and explained how things work in the Makai. He said we had to wait until you approached us.” He brought his hand up behind his head, “I got mad at him when he said ‘we’ but then he explained that maybe you’d accept both of us and that was normal.”

Hiei turned a glare on the redhead who remained unruffled under its intensity. He’d heard of the custom the kitsune’d told the tantei about, but because he’d been a forbidden one, he’d never participated in it. He knew he basically had three choices now. He could reject them both, ignoring their confessions, or he could force them to fight each other, or he could accept them both. The air in the room became thicker, less breathable

“I wasn’t intending to bring this up yet, Hiei,” Kurama said as he sat in his chair again.

“Then why did you?” he growled.

“You insisted,” the kitsune replied, his voice carefully neutral.

Hiei looked away from the others in the room, turning so he could stare out the window onto the dark city. A few lights from cars still trying to make their way home painted streaks of overexposed scenery. He frowned, watching the rain slide down the window, obscuring the wind blown lines of trees and bushes those lights revealed. Feeling more tired than he should have, he leaned his head against the cold pane, watching his breath fog the glass. “It is not allowed,” he finally said, his voice hollow. Neither of the room’s other occupants said anything and he continued to stare out the window. Somewhere close enough for the blinking blue and red lights to be visible but far enough away for the sound to be distorted, an ambulance made its way through the encompassing dark. Hiei watched until the lights were gone from the droplets on the window and finally faced the other two again, “It is not allowed.”

“What is not allowed?” Kurama asked softly, his body carefully still, waiting.

“I am forbidden,” Hiei growled, looking out the window again. The room was silent, waiting for more to be said, but the words did not come. The lights tried to flicker back on, but they didn’t catch, leaving the room candle lit. A few car horns could be heard above the howling wind, protesting the momentary brightening.

“That doesn’t matter,” Yusuke finally spoke up, his voice just above a whisper. Hiei turned to look at the tantei, his eyes almost black in the flickering light. “It doesn’t matter here if you’re forbidden. What matters is that we like you and it’s your decision. We’ve agreed to go along with whatever you decide.”

“Even if I asked you to fight each other?” Hiei’s voice was colder than the night.

Yusuke swallowed visibly before nodding, “Even that.”

“It would be a serious fight,” Hiei continued, hoping to dissuade the boy, to cause him to withdraw his confession. That would be the simplest solution.

“I know,” Yusuke answered, still looking nervous. He glanced over at Kurama and then back at the koorime, “He told me, told me that if you wanted us to fight, he wouldn’t hold back, he would try to kill me.”

Hiei bit back the curses that wanted to fill his mouth. “And you’re still willing to go through with this?” As much as he didn’t want to admit it to himself, he didn’t want to see the two fight each other. He knew the kitsune would go for the kill. Kurama wouldn’t have followed through with his confession had he been unwilling to. His friendship with the detective would mean nothing. Hiei didn’t have the same certainty when it came to Yusuke, however. The detective tended to think more with his ningen feelings than his intellect or reason. A frown made its home on Hiei’s face, making him look disfigured in the wavering candle light. Another bolt of lightning and the following peal of thunder rippled through the room before he spoke again, “I don’t understand why you would put your lives, your friendship on the line for someone like me.” He focused on each of them in turn, his eyes reflecting the flames of the candles, “What am I? I am just a forbidden one. I am not one to be sought, to be challenged for, to risk your lives for.”

“I told you I liked you, I meant it,” Yusuke answered fervently. “I don’t understand why we have to challenge each other, though,” his voice became less strident and his confusion showed on his face. “I’d rather it worked out without having to fight, but I do like you a lot, Hiei. But,” he paused, looking at Kurama, then back at Hiei and finally to the bed, “I like both of you, but if I have to…”

“You never told me that, Yusuke,” Kurama broke in softly.

Hiei’s stomach clenched. With this confession, Yusuke had unwittingly brought up the possibility of a fight between the kitsune and the koorime. Hiei had avoided fighting the kitsune because he knew the power he could tap into. “You fool, do you know what you’ll start?” he growled, glaring at the tantei.

Yusuke looked up at Kurama then winced when he looked at Hiei. He looked at the bed and then forced his head back up, meeting the koorime’s blazing eyes, “I was hoping you’d want us both.” He looked down and Hiei could see his clenched fists. His brown eyes came up, full of fire and pleading, “I’ll do what I have to, but I’d rather it worked out…”

“You made this my decision. If you wanted it to be your decision, detective, then you should have told Kurama you liked him and then told me the same,” Hiei growled. “You forced this onto me.” He stood, clutching the towels to his body, using his katana as a shield between himself and the other two in the room.

Yusuke’s eyes flared, “I was only asked why I was watching you. It never occurred to me that…”

“Please,” Kurama broke in, “there is still a way to resolve this.”

“I don’t want to hear from you, fox,” Hiei spat out. “I don’t want to hear anything from either of you.” Had he been clothed, he would have left, he would have paced, he would have done something to work out the agitation he felt. He’d never been subjected to such conflicting emotions. He didn’t know what to do with them. Unable to think of a way to work out his agitation without making himself feel more exposed, he moved to the corner and glared at the other two in the room. Yusuke looked ready to say something and Hiei growled, silencing the boy.

The rain continued to beat against the house, torturing the trees outside the window, lightning drawing crazed patterns of lines while thunder complained bitterly into the night. The tableau in the room remained frozen. Hiei glared at the other two, Yusuke studied the bed covering and Kurama sat calmly. Again, the lights tried to flicker on, lasting almost a full second before they faded. Kurama finally broke the silence, “We can still work this out.” Hiei moved to speak up, but the kitsune cut him off, “There is a way, Hiei. There are several ways, actually. You still have a choice of ignoring both of us, or challenging us. You could also accept both of us. If you ignore both of us, Yusuke could state his feeling and then we’d decide what to do.”

“You don’t get it, do you, fox?” the koorime spat out. “I am forbidden,” each word was enunciated clearly, each syllable marked.

“So what?” Yusuke returned.

“I am in a human body, he has died. We are all unacceptable in some way, Hiei,” the kitsune spoke over Yusuke’s outburst.

Hiei slid down the wall, “I have been forbidden all my life, kitsune. You were acceptable. He was acceptable. I never have been. You only seek me out because you have no other options.”

“That is untrue as well, Hiei. I have as many options as I care to entertain. I seek you out because I want to.”

Hiei’s eyes sought to consume the kitsune with their flames, “You want to? As many options as you care?” He snorted back a bark of derisive laughter, “There are no other demons seeking you now.”

“That is untrue,” the redhead’s voice was soft, a velvet covering of steal beneath.

“Who?” the koorime demanded.

Kurama shrugged and looked away, “Old allies, old enemies. It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to be with any of them.” His green eyes turned back to Hiei, “I want to be with you…” his words trailed off as if he were going to say more.

“Finish your sentence,” Hiei ordered, fearing the further complication to their situation.

Kurama looked at Yusuke, whose eyes were now intent on him, and back at Hiei, “I would rather be with both of you.”

Thunder tore through the room, causing one of the pictures on the wall to fall, its glass shattering. The sound, however, did nothing to stir the room’s occupants. They stared at each other, frozen for an eternity. Hiei finally broke the silence, “Why did you let it play out this way, then?”

Kurama sighed, looking over at the fallen glass, stirring a plant to pick up the broken shards and dump them in his waste basket before he spoke, “I didn’t know how Yusuke felt about me until just now.”

“You’re supposed to be smart enough to pick up on that,” Hiei countered.

Kurama looked at the floor, “You’re right, I should have.”

“How do you feel?” Yusuke asked, looking directly at Hiei.

The koorime startled. “How do I feel?” The wind rattled the window in the silence that followed the question. Hiei’s eyes wandered out the window. “Good time for you to consider that,” his voice was bitter. He watched the rain making paths down the glass, reflecting the light of the candles a long time. The other two in the room sat quietly, waiting for him to continue. He sighed, “I don’t know.” His eyes left the window for the floor, “I don’t know how I feel.” He gave a derisive laugh, “It never mattered before.”

Very slowly, tentatively, Yusuke moved down the bed, “It matters to me. How do you feel, Hiei?” The brunet lay on the bed, his eyes reflecting compassion in the wavering yellow light.

Hiei looked over at Kurama and the redhead slipped to the floor, kneeling, waiting. He looked out the window again before taking a deep breath, “I need time.” As one, Kurama and Yusuke nodded and backed away, returning to their seats. Hiei continued, “I’m not saying no, not yet.” His eyes turned to take in the two in the room, “But, I can’t say yes to either or both of you yet.”

“As much time as you need, Hiei,” Kurama murmured. When Hiei looked out the window again, green eyes wandered to the tantei. Yusuke was again studying the pattern on his bedspread in the golden light of the candle. He sat in quiet reflection, wondering if there was a way that this could have worked out better. He sighed softly, trying not to draw attention to himself as he doubted. Hiei’s belief that he was unacceptable, unwantable was too strong. Yusuke’s uncertainty about how to act around them was too much in the forefront. He turned and began working on his forgotten homework again, his mind trying to come up with some solution, some way for this situation to resolve. He frowned at the math problems. Hiei was probably the weakest person to solve this type of problem. His pencil moved automatically, wondering if there was some adroit phrase he could use to help the koorime. He sighed again, seeing none as his homework finished itself.

Hiei stared out the window, watching the rain slowly ease as the storm moved out of the city. His face remained carefully slack as his mind lingered on the thought that two others found him worthwhile. He’d never even considered himself acceptable, much less desirable. The kitsune had turned down other offers from those not forbidden. That boggled him. And the tantei had been watching him, had confessed to feelings that the ningen labeled wrong because they happened to be directed to someone of the same gender. He was willing to accept the custom of the Makai, to fight Kurama in an all out battle if that was what Hiei demanded. He sighed, wondering if he were really worthy of such feelings. He didn’t feel it. He tried to see in himself what the other two seemed to value. What is it they could want from him? He let his head fall forward onto his knees, his katana resting against his legs, a ward between himself and the others in the room.

Yusuke didn’t like the silence, didn’t like the tension in the room. He heard Kurama sigh in defeat, he watched as Hiei’s head dropped under a heavy weight. “Why does it have to be this way?” he asked, unable to bear it any longer. Both of the demons turned to look at him. He again crawled down the bed, sitting on the end, “Do you like us, Hiei?”

Kurama winced as Yusuke went directly to the heart of the matter. Lightning flashed, farther away, the clap of thunder taking its time in traveling through the room. Red eyes hardened, “You don’t know what you ask, detective.”

“I do know what I’m asking, Hiei. The matter is whether you like us or not. Do you?”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Then explain it to me.” Yusuke slid down the bed to sit on the floor so he was closer to eye level with the koorime. “I want to understand, Hiei. I care about you a lot.”

Hiei’s eyes dropped and he looked at the baseboards, “I am forbidden. I am not supposed to be sought after.”

“I don’t understand that,” Yusuke stated flatly. “What I see when I look at you is someone that’s very strong and holds fast to his ideals. I see someone who is attractive. I see my friend, someone I’d like to share more with.”

Hiei didn’t look up while he continued, “I should never have been born. Koorime do not mate, they do not produce male children.” His words were halted by the detective’s hand under his chin. In his distraction and self recriminations, he’d missed the tantei’s movements across the floor.

Yusuke brought the koorime’s chin up until red eyes met brown, “Then that is their problem, not yours.” He licked his lips, “I like you a lot, Hiei. You are more than worthy of it. Do you like us? Do you like me?”

Kurama watched, barely daring to breathe. Yusuke couldn’t know that what he was doing was probably the worst thing he could do, the thing that could get him killed. It wasn’t done. Once the words were spoken, nothing more could be done until Hiei made up his mind. He hoped he’d be fast enough to keep the boy from being killed.

Hiei was having difficulty breathing as he stared into Yusuke’s eyes. The boy was a fool. Sincere, but a fool. None the less, there was something in his eyes, pleading with Hiei to not just accept him, but to accept both of them. He wasn’t aware of moving, wasn’t aware of closing the distance between them, nor of closing his eyes as their lips met softly. Yusuke’s hand went from the tip of his chin to where his jaw met his ear as their lips introduced themselves. Slowly, they pulled away, eyes slowly reappearing, awareness returning by inches.

Yusuke found himself sprawled against the foot of the bed, pain in his chest and back, a sheathed katana pointed at him, trembling. “What do you think you’re doing?” the koorime’s voice was bitterly cold.

Yusuke’s voice was breathless as he rubbed his chest, “Trying to convince you that you’re worthy of affection, of love.”

“Why?”

“Because you are!” Yusuke pushed his way to his knees, “You are, Hiei,” his voice softened. “Do you know how incredible you are?” At the koorime’s snort of contempt, Yusuke laughed, “Of course not, you so stuck on other demon’s opinions, opinions of those that don’t even know you. If you’d pay attention to what those of us who know you think, you’d get a better idea of your worth.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Hiei’s voice continued cold.

“He’s right, though,” Kurama finally spoke, sliding once more from his chair. “You are a very strong demon, Hiei, and attractive. You are worth so much more than you give yourself credit for.” Yusuke still lived, he had hope now that maybe this tack would work. “We both have been ruled by what others think for a long time, Hiei, others who don’t know us. We should rely on our own measure, the measure of those who know us.” While Hiei remained tense, he didn’t move, nor did he look away.

“By what rule do you measure, Kurama?” the koorime asked the redhead.

Kurama moved slowly closer to the petite demon, “By the one that has seen you in action, the one that has seen you act with honor, with bravery, with integrity. By the one that loves you, Hiei.”

“By what rule do you measure the detective?”

“By the same,” the fox answered. He looked over at Yusuke, “By the measure of my heart.” He looked down at Hiei and realized he was close to Hiei, as close as Yusuke had been. “May I?” he asked softly. When he received no answer, he bent to the koorime and gently introduced his lips, his eyes open, watching Hiei struggle under the light kiss. He knew the struggle was not if the koorime liked them but if he could accept himself enough to accept them. “I love you,” Kurama whispered as he moved away from Hiei.

Outside the window, the wind changed its fickle mind and began coming from the opposite direction, blowing the storm back to the house. A flash of lightning added its white light to the golden light of the candles, revealing more fully Hiei’s shocked expression. A rumble of thunder complained bitterly at the renewal of its occupation before anyone in the room spoke.

“Maybe you’re right, Kurama,” Hiei murmured. He gave a short bark of laughter, “Maybe we should do this the way we’d rather.”

“What way is that?” Kurama asked carefully.

With a snort, Hiei answered, “The ningen way, I suppose.”

Very softly, Yusuke asked, “Do you like us?”

Hiei looked out the window again, the wind blowing rain away from it now. A flash of lightning quickly followed by a clap of thunder bore evidence of the returning storm. “I think I may,” he said softly in the silence that followed. When his eyes returned to the room, Yusuke was close to him, Kurama just behind his shoulder. “Do you two really like each other?” he asked.

Yusuke turned to look at the redhead before he answered, “Yeah.” Kurama leaned into him and their lips exchanged greetings. Yusuke reached his hand out to Hiei as his eyes remained on Kurama. After a moment of hesitation, the koorime reach out and accepted the tantei’s hand. Yusuke’s smile grew deeper when Kurama’s hand covered Hiei’s in his. “This is how it should be,” he said softly, his eyes traveling to Hiei.

“I still don’t understand,” the koorime declared, “but if this is how it works, then…”

“This is how it works for us. That’s what matters,” Kurama’s voice was soft, almost drowned out by the rain falling against the other side of the house. The storm was furious at its extended duty and intent on taking that rage out before dawn came to weaken it, or at least try to weaken it. The storm may have had other thoughts on the matter.

“Now what?” Hiei’s voice trembled ever so slightly.

Yusuke pulled lightly and Hiei followed the motion, leaving his katana in the corner. “I think we do whatever feels right. Whatever we want to do.”

Hiei allowed himself to be guided into Yusuke’s lap, his eyes focused on the brown ones of the tantei. “Whatever we want?” he mused, more to himself than the others.

“Yeah,” Yusuke whispered, leaning into Hiei, brushing their lips together again. This time, Hiei brought his free hand up to the boy’s cheek, holding him while their lips greeted each other more confidently, more firmly. Yusuke’s free arm wrapped around the koorime to be joined by the kitsune’s as Kurama embraced them both. Hiei’s lips left Yusuke’s and the redhead claimed them, Yusuke’s lips traveling Kurama’s cheek while Hiei continued to hold his cheek.

A bolt of lightning shot through the room, followed quickly by a clap of thunder that threatened the pictures on the walls. Hiei pulled back, a startled expression in his eyes as he looked between the two holding him. His body tensed as if to pull back, stopped when Yusuke’s voice softly pleaded, “Don’t go, Hiei.”

The koorime’s hand tightened around the detective’s, “What now?”

Kurama’s hand tightened around the two, “We do what we want to.”

Hiei glanced over his shoulder to his katana, then back at the two, “And who decides that?”

“You can, if you want,” Yusuke offered, tightening his arm around the petite demon.

“What would make you feel more confident, Hiei?” Kurama asked softly.

Hiei looked down at their hands and then up into the dark eyes that would have been green, “I want to finish this.”

Kurama nodded, “How do you want to finish it?” His hand wandered into the koorime’s hair, dry now, wildly standing up from his head.

Hiei leaned slightly into the kitsune’s touch before looking at Yusuke, “Are you a virgin?”

Yusuke started at the question before answering, “With guys, yes.”

Kurama’s eyebrow flicked at the answer but he didn’t pursue it. Hiei did, however, “With whom?”

Yusuke looked away, “It was some girl, a while ago. Before I met you two. It was a once off.” He looked back at Hiei, “It was stupid. I haven’t seen her since. She just wanted trouble, and I went along with it.” His eyes dropped to their hands and he was silent.

Hiei lifted the brunet’s chin, “This isn’t a ‘once off,’ Yusuke.”

Something like relief flit through the brown eyes, “I’m glad for that.” Again, the two leaned into each other, unaware of the motion. Slowly, brown and red eyes disappeared under heavy lids as lips met more confidently, Hiei’s hand sliding along Yusuke’s jaw as they sought for assurance from the other. Kurama released their hands and they turned to each other, Hiei moving to straddle Yusuke’s lap, not caring about the towel anymore. Yusuke’s arms wrapped around the slim body that relaxed into his, pulling the koorime close as their lips parted, their tongues flowing between to become acquainted. Hiei moaned as he felt Kurama move behind him, the redhead’s hands caressing Yusuke’s arms as his lips caressed Hiei’s shoulders. Yusuke moved one of his hands to hold Kurama and the redhead brought his fingers and kissed them. Yusuke’s hand slid along the kitsune’s cheek into his hair as he continued to kiss Hiei deeply.

Very slowly, Hiei pulled back, his eyes reappearing from under heavy lids. “Like this. This is how we finish it,” he whispered, caressing Yusuke’s cheek as he turned to look at Kurama, their lips meeting, lips parting, tongues caressing each other. Yusuke moaned lightly at the sight and leaned in, his lips going to Hiei’s bared throat. Gently, Kurama pressed them back, encouraging Yusuke to lie on the floor while Hiei moved to rest on top of him. Reluctantly, he broke his kiss with the koorime, moving his lips to trail along his shoulders and neck. Hiei’s mouth didn’t lack for company long, Yusuke reclaiming it as soon as he could.

Kurama pressed himself away from Hiei’s back, slowly lifting himself so he didn’t disturb the two as they continued to moan into each other’s mouths, caress each other’s faces and bodies. He walked over to his dresser, watching them, his heart heavy in his chest, pounding fiercely. He was overjoyed at the chance to be with the two he’d admired and desired for so long, but it hurt him that they both didn’t truly feel worthy of it. It was a bond between them he could not share. He pulled open the drawer he’d pulled candles out of and removed a bottle of lube he’d been hoping to find use for for some time. A soft noise that wasn’t a moan of pleasure pulled his attention away from the bottle in his hand.

“Kurama?” Hiei called quietly, reaching a hand out to the kitsune. Yusuke’s hand reached for him, too.

A smile tried to make its home on his lips as he walked back across the room and knelt next to the two. He put the bottle down and took their hands, not saying anything.

“We need you, too,” Hiei murmured, letting his head rest against Yusuke’s cheek.

“You have…you can share…I can’t…” the normally eloquent fox stumbled over the words to express himself.

“Kurama,” Yusuke’s voice reached his ears, stopping his rambling stammering. “I love you. That’s what matters.”

“I love you, too,” Hiei’s voice was just as soft. He rolled to the side and pulled Kurama so the redhead had little option but to follow and lay on Yusuke’s chest. His hands were released and the other two pulled him close, holding him, hugging him between their chests. When he brought his chin up, the two claimed his lips in an awkward three-way kiss that did much to reassure the redhead.

While the three worked through their insecurities the storm raged, its intensity increasing, threatening to uproot some of the dancing trees. It was the final howl of a dying beast, though. The clouds were already beginning to thin and the silvery shadows of a full moon could be seen here and there as the wind continued to whistle and moan around the house.

Hiei pressed Kurama onto his back and crawled over Yusuke, his towel falling off as he did. The brunet threw the unneeded material away and moved to kiss along Hiei’s back and shoulders as the koorime claimed the redhead’s mouth fully as his own. While Yusuke’s lips traced Hiei’s spine, his hands slid between the two demons and he worked on Kurama’s buttons, opening the shirt to expose the redhead’s skin. Hiei’s lips sought out the newly revealed skin, trailing a path along the kitsune’s cheek to his neck and tasting the flesh there. Yusuke rolled his eyes and watched Kurama’s face flush in pleasure, his lips parted, drinking in the air with little moans of appreciation.

The brunet’s fingers reached the last button and he pulled the shirt open, running his hands up Kurama’s chest before Hiei allowed his weight to settle onto the bare skin. A louder groan rose from the kitsune’s throat and he reached around Hiei, pulling the tantei and the koorime closer. He was unsatisfied with the feel of fabric over the detective’s skin and pulled his tee shirt up, slipping his hands under the fabric as soon as he could feel the hem. The feel of warm hands on his back encouraged Yusuke to pull away from Hiei enough to discard the unwanted shirt, a groan rising in his own throat as he felt the koorime’s burning body against his chest. His lips returned to their exploration of Hiei’s shoulder blades, moving upwards as the koorime pulled them into a semi-seated position to remove Kurama’s shirt completely. The redhead reclaimed the koorime’s mouth, one hand moving to tangle in his hair while the other hand remained on Yusuke’s back. Yusuke ran his hands down Hiei’s arms and the koorime reversed his own hands to capture the detective’s, squeezing the fingers that laced through his. He felt Yusuke smile against his back as the detective slowly made his way lower, tracing the lower border of his shoulder blades.

Kurama couldn’t have explained it, but he felt much more secure under Hiei than he had before. It wasn’t normal for him to seek the submissive role, but that’s what he wanted, needed out of this encounter. He could feel Yusuke moving against Hiei’s back and it seemed to him that Yusuke was secure in that role. He ran his hands along Hiei’s arms and found their hands still intertwined. He was about to slide his hands back up the koorime’s arms when he felt Yusuke grab his hands and pull them between his and Hiei’s, squeezing, letting him know that he was desired. Hiei pulled back from his mouth, panting and their eyes opened slowly. “You’re ours,” he murmured, “and we’re yours. As you said, what matters is that we do what feels right. If this is right, then so be it.”

Kurama could see Yusuke’s eyes over Hiei’s shoulder, waiting. The redhead smiled, the last of the tension leaving his body. “You’re right, Hiei.”

Hiei smirked, though his eyes were warm with desire. He acknowledged the redhead’s confession with another kiss, moving to the side slowly when Yusuke nibbled his ear and whispered “my turn.” While the brunet claimed the redhead’s lips, Hiei nipped lightly at his ears and neck, enjoying the moans that rose into the shared kiss. Kurama writhed under him, raising his hips slightly, revealing the redhead’s arousal under the covering of his pants. Hiei moaned against the kitsune’s neck, his own body rocking into the one below him. His hips rolled back and he could feel Yusuke’s jean clad erection rub between his cheeks. He felt the moan rise in Yusuke’s chest against his back, drawing a groan from his own throat. Yusuke’s back arched as he threw his head back, rolling his hips more into the koorime. “Oh, gods, Hiei.” His head lolled and he met the dark eyes of the kitsune, murmuring, “I need you,” so deep in his throat it was nearly a growl. He extracted his hands and lifted his body enough that he could get his hands between Hiei and Kurama and began to work the fastenings of the redhead’s pants. The two obliged, Hiei by lifting his body enough for him to work and Kurama by lifting his hips when his pants were undone, allowing Yusuke to lower them. Yusuke’s eyes were focused on what he could see of the kitsune and koorime as he slid down, pulling Kurama’s pants all the way off. His groan was almost as loud as the other two’s when Hiei lowered his body, bringing their bare shafts together. Kurama’s voice came in high gasping pants while Hiei’s noises of appreciation were deeper in his throat. Yusuke quickly pushed his own pants off, casting them aside as he slid back behind the koorime. Hiei moaned loudly as the brunet rolled his hips into the koorime’s ass.

Kurama managed to gasp out “need…more” between the moans and panting mewls that rose from his throat as Hiei rocked slightly against him.

The koorime pulled back, his voice laced with concern, “You’re ready for more?”

The redhead managed a smile, “Use lube, it’ll be good.” He slid his legs up until his feet were resting on the floor. He rolled his hips, the motion both adjusting to having his knees lifted and rocking into the koorime’s erection.

Yusuke slid back, allowing Hiei to lift his body away from the too tempting redhead. Hiei felt the brunet at his back, watching everything he did as he reached for the bottle the kitsune had put down earlier. Yusuke’s arms wrapped around the koorime and he whispered, “Show me what to do.” Brown eyes trailed up the redhead’s body, taking in the red nest of curls that gave rise to the graceful arch of flesh that sought something to feed on, or to feed, the abdominal muscles that quivered in need, the pale pink of nipples, peaked with arousal, the graceful lines of the kitsune’s neck, marred here and there with red marks from a touch of over enthusiasm. Kiss swollen lips, parted to allow air to flow into his body, eyes so dark in the uncertain light of the candles around the room they looked black in a flushed face nestled in the red-black of the kitsune’s hair.

Hiei leaned into Yusuke’s body, drawing his attention again. The koorime spread some of the thick clear fluid on his fingers before setting the bottle down within easy reach. A sword calloused hand slid down the pale skin of the redhead’s thigh and Kurama rolled his hips again, opening himself more, as his legs relaxed to the sides. Hiei glanced at Yusuke, noting that the brunet’s eyes were on his fingers as they moved to the redhead’s hidden entrance. As Hiei slowly pushed on finger into the kitsune’s body, Kurama arched back, his head bending so that the top of his head was on the floor as a low growl emerged from his chest and throat. Hiei gasped in surprise when he felt the detective’s slicked finger press into his body, leaning forward, his free hand coming to support his upper body as he rose up onto his knees. When he managed to look over his shoulder, Yusuke’s expression looked very pleased with himself. “What better way to learn than to do exactly what you do as you do it?” he asked softly.

“Good idea,” Kurama managed to pant out when Hiei only nodded in agreement.

Yusuke leaned over Hiei, his eyes intent on where the koorime’s finger went into the redhead’s body, “Show me what to do.”

“Pay attention,” Hiei growled as he slowly drew his finger out, moaning when he felt the brunet do the same. He circled his hand, encouraging the ring of muscles to relax, drawing a groan from the redhead and his own throat as Yusuke continued to mimic his action. Hiei’s head fell forward as he pressed his fingers back into the moaning kitsune, his own moans almost preventing him from hearing Kurama. His body shook as he pulled his finger out of the redhead and then pushed two back in. His head came to rest on the panting kitsune’s stomach as his body was stretched the same way.

Yusuke wrapped his free arm around the koorime, lifting him. “How I’m gonna see anything if you’re laying on him?” the brunet teased lightly, looking up to see Kurama smiling at him.

“Spread your fingers,” Hiei panted out as he did so in the kitsune’s body, wiping the redhead’s smirk from his face, replacing it with a look of growing passion. Yusuke did as he was instructed and Hiei’s head arched back against his shoulder. Hiei couldn’t wait any longer. His body screamed for more. He pulled his fingers out the redhead’s body and reached for the lube, using it to coat his throbbing erection.

Hiei glanced out the window briefly, trying to get control over his strong desire to thrust himself fully and deeply into the kistune as fast as possible. The rain had slowed, the wind had calmed and the storm was nearly played out. With a soft smile, he turned back to Kurama. The redhead had arched his head to look out the window as well and looked back at Hiei, “It seems we have weathered the storm, then.”

Hiei supported his weight on both hands, sliding his legs under Yusuke as he pressed his erection into Kurama’s willing body. “So it seems,” he moaned as the redhead brought his knees to his chest, opening his body to Hiei’s invasion. Hiei let his body rest against Kurama’s chest as Yusuke moved slowly to be within his body.

“I’m so glad,” Yusuke groaned as the burning heat of the koorime’s body enveloped him, making it difficult to breathe properly, or much at all. Hiei only nodded into Kurama’s chest and the redhead moaned in agreement. Yusuke turned his head enough to reach Hiei’s ears and began nibbling on them while the koorime continued to pant under him.

After a long moment of struggling to breathe again, Hiei lifted his head from Kurama’s chest and slowly drew his hips back. Yusuke took the hint and pulled back, moaning aloud as Hiei tightened his muscles around the brunet’s shaft. Yusuke’s body shook against Hiei’s back as the koorime slowly pressed back into the kitsune, causing the redhead to writhe, arching his back in wanton pleasure. Yusuke pressed into Hiei’s body again and the koorime growled, shaking his head slightly as he tried to maintain some semblance of control over his need.

“Let go, Hiei,” Kurama murmured, his hands sliding along Hiei’s back and to Yusuke’s arms. “Let go, we’re here for you.”

Hiei made a noise high in his throat as his body shuddered between his two lovers. With a sound resembling a scream, he threw his head back, thrusting into Kurama’s body, pushing the redhead along the floor. Kurama reached up and pressed his hands against the wall to keep himself from sliding too far as he screeched in need. Yusuke’s body trembled, uncertain what to do as Hiei pushed back, impaling himself deeply onto the brunet’s shaft. Yusuke closed his eyes and let Hiei ride him, let his body direct his motions. When he opened his brown eyes again, he saw Kurama’s body arched back, twisting on the floor, his arms extended over his head, straining to keep his body still as Hiei drove into and out of him. Yusuke was forced to close his eyes again in order to breathe as Hiei’s muscles clamped down on his shaft while the koorime slammed back onto him. Grunts rose from their throats, mingled with other sounds of pleasure as Hiei drove them quickly to the pinnacle of passion, each feeling the pull of need, the call of release. Kurama’s feet returned to the floor as his hips left the ground, his back arching into Hiei’s thrusts. Yusuke’s hands fisted in the carpet as he struggled to match pace with the koorime. Kurama came hard, his head thrown back until the top of it rested on the floor, his back arched, a scream clawing its way out of his throat as his shaft throbbed and coated his abdomen and chest. Hiei growled, tossing his head, his body shuddering as Kurama’s muscles clamped hard onto his erection, pulling out his completion. Yusuke moaned, the sound growing until it became a yell as Hiei’s body drank his seed.

Gasping, panting, the three collapsed onto the floor as the lights in the room flickered once, twice then caught and stayed on, causing them all to shut their eyes uncomfortably. Slowly, his body protesting the motion, Yusuke slid his spent shaft out of Hiei’s body and fell to the side, his head resting on Kurama’s shoulder. The redhead brought his arm up and patted him briefly before his hand fell limply to the floor again. Hiei moved just enough that he was no longer in the redhead’s body and remained on his chest. He sighed when Yusuke draped an arm over his back and sleep claimed the three.

A/N As ever, I don't own 'em, they just play with my head...that's all.

Amayami means "waiting for a break in the rain." As those who read my lj know, I was considering calling this story "Amaya" which means "night rain" and is a girl's name, but I finally decided on "Amayami" as being a little more fitting.

I go from utter plotlessness to this...much in the way of subtleties (I hope I did them well and not overly drawn out) as well as learning not to neglect the setting...the storm was almost a character, in a way :D

Anyways, hope you liked it. Leave cookies. I like cookies....they go to feed the muse :D