A Ramen Western

A/N: I decided to try branching out into other genres. This is western taking place somewhere around 1880. I’m sure there’s a lot of historical inaccuracy. My research expanded about as far as watching the movie Tombstone. Anyway, review, I’m dieing to know what cha think.

A Ramen Western By: boysluvcraft
Part one

“Sometimes to find what you need, you have to get away from what you know,” that’s what they told him. Yusuke Urameshi was born and raised in the hassle and bustle of San Francisco, the heart and nerve center of the west coast. But currently, instead of city blocks and cobbled roads, Yusuke found himself on dirt trails and open prairies of the Dakota Territory, riding through a broad plane of tall grass, with only the shy dwarfed pine or twisted mesquite tree to serve as land marks. There was little protection from the sun and the wind, and predators could stalk undetected. He was definitely far away from anything he knew, but the only thing he’d found so far was that he hated being alone out in nature. The quiet and stillness made him nervous, his ass ached from the saddle, and Yusuke swore he’d forget how to talk from the lack of company, save for his horse, Botan. And she wasn’t much of a conversationalist, being a nag and all.

About two and a half miles ago, Yusuke saw a painted wood sign sticking out of the ground, it read; Oak Ridge three miles ahead. There was indeed a ridge near that geographical location, however there were few oak trees to be found. Most of the foliage in that area was either young pines or scrubby mesquite trees. However those who mattered knew that the town’s name had little to do with the plant life. It was because of the mine, owned by Oak Mining, founded by a John T. Oak. It wasn’t one of the gold or silver mines the west was so famous for, no it was but a humble copper mine. Nonetheless a mine needs miners; the miners need to sleep somewhere, so the Oak Ridge, the mining camp was born. From there all it took was for a few adventurous entrepreneurs to decide there is cash to had. They moved into the area to open saloons, groceries, and general stores. Then the homesteaders and ranchers settled into the surrounding countryside. Someone started a church, someone set up a newspaper, a doctor moved in… before anyone knew, and there was a town. That’s why they called them boomtowns, because of how suddenly they appeared.

However, as previously stated, it was only a humble copper mine, thus the emergence of the town was not so massive or impressive. It was more like a poptown than a proper boom. Such a small town wouldn’t offer much of a diversion for a restless young man like Yusuke, so he doubted he’d stay for long. At the very least, it’d be a place to procure a hot meal, maybe a bath, and some fresh feed for Botan.

After an uneventful half mile, Yusuke rode down the main street. It was still early in the morning, so not many people were out. Most of the men in town would be hard at work in the mines. There were a few women with children in tow, and a man fixing a sign near a painfully small Drugstore. Other than that the streets were empty. Yusuke saw the sign he was looking for; Saloon. The trail dust was burning something awful in Yusuke’s throat and he’d kill for a drink. Yusuke tied Botan to a rail near a water trough and went inside.

“Welcome to the Black Dragoon, I’m the owner, Ms. Mukuro.” Yusuke was greeted by a woman that seemed somewhat uninterested in his arrival.

Typical of women of her profession she wore a less than conservative dress covered with lace and satin frills. It was red. But there as an odd and almost eerie twist to this particular woman’s fashion. That is, while one arm was almost completely exposed, the other as completely covered from finger tips to shoulder. She also wore a solid veil, covering half of her face. Yusuke supposed that she had been in some kind of accident and she was covering the resulting scars-- that, or it was some ploy to look mysterious.

“What can I get for you?” She asked him.

“Um, I’ll have whatever you got on tap,” Yusuke ordered, his voice sounded too hash for his liking. It was the dust in his throat.

Ms. Mukuro studied this unfamiliar young man for a moment. He was handsome as far men go, though he looked younger than she suspected he was. He was average height; maybe more than average in muscular build, it was hard to tell through his baggy, dust covered cloths. His hair was short, dark and slicked back. His eyes were big, yet piercing and brown. He habitually wore a half smirk on his lips as if he knew it all. Ms. Mukuro doubted he knew a damned thing. She fanned herself, already bored with her new customer. She shouted toward a curtained doorway, “Hiei, get out here and take care of this costumer!”

A few crashes and bangs latter, the curtain flew aside and a young and very agitated looking man stepped out. He must have been the most petite man that Yusuke had ever seen. Hiei was easily a foot-- maybe more-- shorter than Yusuke. He could have been mistaken for a child, but he was trim, the breadth of his shoulders compared to the slenderness of his hips, betrayed him for a full grown man. His hair was dark as Yusuke’s, save for a spark of white over his brow. He had a delicate face, pale with large ruddy eyes, a pert nose, and a tiny pink mouth like a pretty girl.

“I’m gonna go rest up for the noon rush,” Ms. Mukuro said, “my son, Hiei, will take care of you.” With that she departed up a flight of stairs and out of sight…

Hiei sighed, patting away some dust that had settled on his blue shirt and tailored black vest. “So, what will ya have?”

“Oh, um,” For some reason the sound of Hiei’s voice had caught Yusuke off guard. Was it because he hadn’t expected his voice to be so deep and so mature? Or was it because Yusuke instantly and inexplicably decided he liked the sound of that voice? Yusuke answered him, hoping his own voice sounded steady, “I’ll have whatever it is you got on tap.”

Hiei dispensed the drink and set the mug on the counter. When Yusuke reached for it Hiei’s eye was immediately drawn to the extended hand. He snatched that hand turning it over to examine it. There were four long, but shallow red scratches on the back of Yusuke’s hand.

“What happened here?” Hiei asked.

“Oh that? I got hung up in some thorn bushes the other day,” Yusuke shrugged, “No big deal.”

“Cuts like this can go septic real quickly out in these parts,” Hiei corrected him. “This one already looks a little inflamed. Don‘t move.”

Hiei reached under the counter and pulled out a black bag like the ones doctors use. He pulled a brown glass bottle out of it. Holding Yusuke’s hand in a bar rag, Hiei poured the fluid onto Yusuke’s hand. It burned and foamed in Yusuke’s wounds. When it subsided, Hiei used a cotton ball to smear sharp smelling ointment over the scratches, which were no longer red, but a healthier looking pink. Finally he skillfully bandaged Yusuke’s hand.

“Um thanks,” Yusuke looked at Hiei’s handiwork, “You’ve done this before?”

“Incidentally,” Hiei smirked, “in addition to being mother‘s whipping boy, I’m also one of the town’s doctors. Two blocks down there’s a door that say’s Doctor’s Office: Ichigaki & Jaganshi. I‘m Jaganshi. Is any thing else you need? Hungry?”

Yusuke nodded feeling a little bit like a child, “Yeah, starving actually.”

Hiei nodded, “Lunch isn’t ready yet, but I think we’ve got some fried chicken and gravy left over from breakfast.”

Yusuke said that would be fine and Hiei disappeared behind the curtain again for a minute before returning with a hot plate of the aforementioned food. Yusuke dug in. He felt as if he’d eaten nothing but dried biscuits and dirt for the past week. When he’d finished his food he looked back at Hiei.

“So, you’re really a doctor?” Yusuke had hard time believing it, Medical school took, what? Eight years at least? Hiei looked way too young.

“You want to see my certificate of authenticity?” Hiei drawled. “If it’s because of my mother’s class that you doubt me, I have to tell you she isn’t really a dime store whore. She’s just eccentric and doesn’t like to play the Proper Lady. She was actually the daughter of a well-to-do family before she moved us west and opened this bar.”

“Oh well that’s…” Yusuke wasn’t sure how to respond to that, because honestly he’d forgotten about the veiled lady the moment he saw Hiei. He told him, “Actually, I just thought you looked too young to be a doctor.”

“I’m thirty,” Hiei told him with an oh-so amused smirk.

“Thirty! But you’re too cute to be thirty!” Yusuke shouted before he could think to stop himself. Instantly his face turned hot and he was sure he was red.

Hiei let out a dark chuckle. Yusuke was saved any farther embarrassment when a tiny woman came out of the kitchen. She smaller than Hiei, her pined back hair was aqua blue-green and complimented the turquoise dress she wore under her white apron. She looked quite amused, which could mean she heard some of their conversation.

“Are you finished with that plate, Mr. um?” She smiled politely, “Sorry I didn’t get your name.”

“Urameshi, Yusuke Urameshi,” Yusuke introduced himself, “And yeah I’m done. The food was great. Did you make it, Miss?”

“This is Yukina, my sister,” Hiei dutifully introduced her.

“I wish I could take credit for this meal,” Yukina blushed, “But I only helped, Hiei here is the real chef.”

“Really?” Yusuke arched his eyebrows in surprise. The man had surprises everywhere.

“Are you staying in town for a while?” Yukina asked, clearing the dishes.

“I was thinking of staying for a few days to rest, before moving on. I haven’t got anywhere particular where I need to be,” Yusuke told her.

She beamed, “Have you find a place to stay yet?”

Yusuke shook his head, “No, I just got in.”

“We rent rooms upstairs,” she told him, “The rooms are nice and the good price too.”

“Well, that sounds great, okay,” Yusuke agreed to rent one of the rooms upstairs, he gave Yukina enough coins to pay for his meal and the room and got up to leave. With his needs seen to, he needed to find the local livery stable and make sure Botan was taken care of. He bid Hiei and Yukina goodbye.

As Yusuke left Hiei threw a glare at his sister Hiei glared often, but rarely at her, which was just as well because he didn’t intimidate her in the least. She propped a tiny hand on her hip and frowned at him in an I-see right- through-you manner.

“Why did you ask him to stay here?” Hiei demanded.

“What? We have rooms and he has cash.” she played innocent until Hiei’s expression told her he wasn’t buying it. “You like him, Hiei, and don’t deny it! I heard you talking to him. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say so much to someone other than me or mother. I saw this as an opportunity for you to get at least one good friend. Hiei it‘s not right for a man not to have any friends.”

“Yukina, you know why--” Hiei began, but he failed to finish because at that moment the doors to the saloon swung open with a foreboding creek. Yukina didn’t have to be told to go back into the kitchen.

The tall frame of a man was silhouetted by the morning sun. Hiei knew the man even before he stepped into the room. He wore a long white and immaculately tailored cow’s skin coat over a light grey town suit and white snake’s skin boots. Hiei couldn’t imagine how a man could dress like that out on those dustily roads and stay clean. Maybe he didn’t always dress like that, but Hiei wouldn’t know; Youko Kurama always dressed to the nines when he came to the Black Dragoon.

The only trace of actual color on him was the red sash he wore around his waist. It was the trademark of the Makai Raiders Gang. They were a local gang of hooligans that made their living robbing coaches and passed the time terrorizing the populace of Oak Ridge. Youko Kurama was their leader. Youko and his boys pretty much had the run of the town, because they out numbered lawmen in the town. Businesses even paid them “protection” money for them to not cause trouble.

“Dr. Jaganshi, I‘m so glad to find you here,” Youko purred as he crossed the threshold, removing his gray and white hat and allowing his long silvery strands of hair to fall freely about his coldly handsome face.

“Is someone sick? Injured?” Hiei questioned tersely, “Any more than that and you’ll have to go find the coroner.”

Youko smirked as he sidled up closer to Hiei than convention allows. “Oh, does someone have to be dead or dieing for me to want to spend time with you, my dear doctor?”

Hiei ignored the question and its impactions, “You’re going round collecting for protection?” He skirted around the bar, grabbing a small bag of coins. He tossed it down on the counter in front of Youko, “Just take it and go.”

Youko smiled his thin cruel smile as he lifted the bag, weighting it in his hands. Then with a flash of anger, he hurled the bag at Hiei. Hiei barley ducked out of the way, the bag crashed into a line of bottles on the back wall behind him. Knocking them over, breaking them on the floor and wasting their contents. Youko soared over the bar. His long legs carried him over with just as much ease as if he were stepping over an ant hill. He cornered Hiei, pressed him between the back wall and his strong chest.

“You KNOW your money isn’t what I want from you!” Youko growled in his ear. Youko pressed his hips into Hiei, so Hiei could feel the bulge in his pants, hard and live, and obscenely large. It was perfectly clear what Youko Kurama wanted.

“Burn in hell,” Hiei growled, trying to wriggle out from under Youko’s excited body.

“I‘ll burn alright,” Youko purred running a hot tongue over the shell of Hiei’s ear, “I’ll burn hot and wild when I get you in my bed.” Youko backed away a step. He reached into his coat and pulled out a single red rose. He pressed it into Hiei’s palm and forced his fingers to close around it. The thorns dug painfully into Hiei’s hand. Youko told him, “You can’t say ‘no’ forever…”

He picked up the discarded money bag and strolled out of the Black Dragoon. He tossed the sack to his second in command, Yomi who had been leaning against the doorframe. Yomi was blind, but he was also one of the best gunslingers in the territory. Before he pushed himself off the door to follow Youko, he flashed the smallest tick of a grin at Hiei. Hiei was sure that in spite of his blindness, Yomi knew exactly what had just transpired.

After leaving the Black Dragoon, Yusuke had taken Botan to the livery stable. There he made sure she was fed and properly taken care of, before gathering his things and heading back to the Dragoon. As Yusuke walked down the wood plank sidewalks he passed two men leaving the Dragoon. They were both very tall. One had long black hair and was dressed in slightly dusty riding cloths. The other man also had long hair, but he was all white, silver, and polished. Yusuke had trouble looking at him, the way he shined, but it was cold shine, distant and forbidding.

Yusuke hurried past the men and into the saloon where he found Hiei cursing as he chucked a single rose into the garbage bin. A thin trial of blood followed it. Yusuke rushed over, “What happened?”

“It’s nothing,” Hiei said, trying to stop the bleeding with a bar rag.

Yusuke looked at the thin ragged cuts on Hiei’s palm and said, “Nothing? I heard cuts like go septic real quick in these parts.” It was meant as concern, but it came out sounding like flirtation. The corner of Hiei’s mouth twitched, threatening a smile. Yusuke came around the bar, gently taking Hiei’s hand and turning it over, “Come on, doc, let me take care of that for ya.”

Yusuke tenderly cleaned and dressed the small wound, whilst Hiei instructed him on which bottles of things to use. Hiei examined Yusuke’s handy work and nodded, “Not bad, we’ll make a nurse of you yet Mr. Urameshi.”

“Please, Dr. Jaganshi, call me Yusuke.” Yusuke felt an unexpected blush rise into his cheeks.

“Okay, Yusuke, you can call me Hiei,” Hiei said as he turned to put his medical bag way. He missed Yusuke’s blush.

“Alright, Hiei,” Yusuke smiled. Hiei was twelve years older than him and they’d only met thirty minutes ago, now they were on first name bases.

“So, Yusuke what brings you to Oak Ridge? And don‘t tell me it was your horse,” Hiei asked in a somewhat idle tone as if it was a scripted dialogue he used with all his costumers. In fact, as his sister aptly pointed out, he didn’t usually engage in conversation with the costumers.

Yusuke let out a half hearted laugh, “To tell you the truth the only thing that brought me here WAS my horse.”

“Oh?” Hiei quirked an intrigued eyebrow.

“I’m not running from the law or gambling debts or anything else you might read in a dime store novel.” Yusuke waved his hands assuring him he wasn’t harboring a criminal. “I guess you can say I’m looking so something.”

Hiei was beginning to be amused, “Oh, like what?”

“Don’t laugh.”

“I can’t promise that.”

“I’m on a journey of self discovery,” Yusuke stated and then waited for Hiei to laugh. For his credit, Hiei only smiled and urged Yusuke continue.

Yusuke told him he was from San Francisco, a city boy through and through. He knew that city better than he knew himself. This isn’t to say much, because Yusuke wasn’t sure he knew himself at all. It was a revelation he had made shortly after taking over his late father’s noodle shop. Yusuke was good at running the shop, as his father was before him. Yusuke didn’t dislike running the shop. It just felt like something was missing. He tried to carry on but, that mysterious void in his life caused him to become despondent. This did not go unnoticed. One day Kuwabara, his long time friend and co-operator of the shop, took him aside and told him what it was he was missing.

“In a word,” Yusuke summed up the end of his story, “it was ‘passion’ I’ve been lacking. I was good at my job, but come on, how do you get passionate over noodles?
It’s not like I can walk down to the corner Drugstore and tell the pharmacist, ‘I need some passion.’ Then the old man behind the counter hands me a little bottle with the word ‘passion’ printed on the label. I drink it and thereafter my life would be okay.”

“That’s a cute scenario, though,” Hiei pointed, “So you thought you’d find your passion riding around in the wilderness?”

“It was Kuwabara’s idea,” Yusuke told him, “He says ‘sometimes to find what you need, you have to get away from what you know.’ Ha, all‘s I‘ve found is new places to get blisters! Dang, I don‘t know who was stupider him for saying it, or me for listening.”

Hiei leaned his elbows on the bar in front of Yusuke, chuckling, “I know this story. The young man is restless; he wants more so he leaves home to find more. He meets the real world and the real world kicks his ass. He realizes how good he had it at home and goes back, never again looking for more. When I was your age I spent a year in Paris, trying to be a chef.”

“You‘re a great cook,” Yusuke said. “Why’d you quit?”

“I got tired of all the pretension of the Parisian world of food,” Hiei shrugged, “It’s not enough to be able to prepare a good meal, you see. You have to make some stupid artistic statement well. So, I happily came home and went to medical school like mother wanted. Soon, you‘ll want nothing more than to go home too.”

“Really?” Yusuke spoke without thinking. His eyes fell on Hiei with something akin to longing lighted behind them, “Going home is the last thing on my mind right now.”

Somewhere in his mind he must have registered that Hiei’s lips where only inches from his, and they looked so soft and inviting. Without his permission, Yusuke’s mouth drifted toward Hiei’s. Yusuke didn’t even realize what he was doing until his lips came in contact with soft warm lips. Hiei made a soft whining noise as his hands clamped down on Yusuke’s shoulders, but he didn’t pull Yusuke away. No, he was encouraging Yusuke to deepen the kiss. When they broke apart Hiei was panting through reddened lips. Yusuke was terrified, because not only did he kiss a man, but he desperately wanted to do so again!

Hiei panted, “I-I’d better show you to your room, Mr. Urameshi.”

Mr. Urameshi? What happened to Yusuke? Yusuke’s heart sunk. They’d been getting along so well and he had to blow it by doing something stupid like kissing him. Who wants to get kissed by a man?! However, at the time it did seem like he had enjoyed it. Yusuke sullenly gathered up his bag and followed Hiei upstairs. Hiei showed him to his room. There was a real door with a lock on it, classy joint. Hiei took out a key and let him in. Yusuke dragged himself into the room, putting his things on the bureau. He felt his heart breaking as Hiei turned to leave without a word.

“I’m sorry,” Yusuke desperately apologized, “I’m sorry I… did that. I don’t know what I was doing.”

“It’s called kissing, young man,” Hiei half-glanced at him, “And rest assured you’re very good at it.”

“Are you mad?” Yusuke asked.

“Yusuke…” Hiei sighed, standing in the doorway as if he were at a crossroads. Then he seemed to come to a decision. He spoke slowly so Yusuke would understand, “When I was your age I wanted to experiment too. You do understand nothing will come of this?”

Yusuke nodded, not trusting his voice to be steady. Hiei turned back to him, closing and locking the door behind him. He stalked over to Yusuke. He reached up, letting the palm of his un-bandaged hand play upon Yusuke’s chest. He reached for Yusuke’s neck and pulled him down to meet his lips. It was far fiercer than the one they had shared downstairs. Hiei brushed his tongue against Yusuke’s lips. Yusuke went to return the gesture, but Hiei caught his tongue and gently worried it between his teeth and lips. The sensation was like nothing Yusuke had ever felt before. His bones suddenly felt like jelly, he wasn’t sure if he could stand on his own. Hiei released his tongue, but his followed it home into Yusuke’s willing mouth. Hiei delicately ran the tip of his tongue over Yusuke’s gums as if he were counting every tooth. Each swipe sent little electric tingles through Yusuke’s body, and then Yusuke KNEW he couldn’t stand on his own anymore.

Hiei seemed to understand this. He broke from Yusuke, a sly smile playing on his lips. Taking the boy by the hand he led him to the bed. Yusuke sat on the bed. His eyes were half-lidded and he swayed a little. Hiei stood in front of him. He bent to briefly kiss Yusuke on the lips, and then he trailed along his jaw and down his neck. Hiei righted himself and took a step back. He reached for his vest buttons and undid them one by one.
Yusuke’s jaw opened. Hiei was undressing for him! He was going see Hiei naked. Yusuke hadn’t thought of that possibility. Would he like seeing him naked? Could he really become aroused looking a nude male?

Hiei took off his vest and shirt. He stopped striping to run his fingers across his bare neck and down his chest, while watching minutely for Yusuke’s reaction. The boy was watching his hands as they caressed his smooth muscled chest and stomach. Yusuke’s mouth hung open, panting like a hungry dog. Getting a little bolder, Hiei dripped his hand lower, grasping his clothed erection. He gasped, at the touch, Yusuke gasped too. Licking his dry lips, Hiei unfastened his trousers and let them fall, allowing Yusuke to gaze at him in his fully nude glory.

Those questions that Yusuke was asking himself earlier, they were answered now, both with a resounding YES! Hiei was a small man, but every part of him was perfectly proportioned. Yusuke’s eyes roved the muscular hills and grooves of his body. Yusuke suddenly felt an unexplainable urge to trace those features with is mouth. Then he registered how tight his own clothes felt. He needed out be out of them. With fumbling fingers, he removed his clothing. It wasn’t quite the show Hiei had put on, but the older male didn’t seem to mind. Hiei waited patently until Yusuke was completely naked on the bed. He crawled up onto the bed next to him, where he once again captured Yusuke’s mouth. This time he allowed his hands free range over Yusuke’s hard naked body.

When Yusuke’s hands fell on Hiei’s sides, he nearly snatched them away as if he were a hot stove, Yusuke was so surprised. Hiei’s skin was so warm and soft. He’d heard men tell how warm and soft women were, but he had no idea men could be soft too. He wasn’t fat and squishy though. No, under that silkily soft skin there was muscle like living iron that jumped and twitched eagerly at his touch.

“Oh, Yusuke…” Hiei moaned as he ducked his head to lap at one out Yusuke’s nipples. The affect was evident when Yusuke arched his back seeking more of that contact.

“Oh shit, Hiei,” He whined, “what are you doing to me?”

“It’s called sucking, young man,” he grinned against Yusuke’s chest, “You wanna try it?”

“Uh, um, okay,” Yusuke husked to Hiei’s surprise. He sunk down until Hiei’s nipples were at his level, and then he boldly took one into his mouth and sucked at it.

“Hmmm, that’s good, Yusuke. That’s very good,” Hiei praised him. “Try using your tongue. Mmm. Like this, Yusuke.” He took one of Yusuke’s fingers and popped it into his mouth, and then he rolled his tongue around the tip.

Yusuke mimicked the motion with great success. Hiei hissed, “Oh yesss, that’s good. Now use your teeth! Oh yes! Ngh, not to hard. Oh that’s good. That’s sooo good!”

Yusuke sucked both of his nipples until they stood out hard and bright pink. Hiei then rolled over on top of Yusuke, straddling his thighs. He took Yusuke’s swollen manhood in hand and started to pump it. He said, “I don’t rightly know what you call this, but it feels sooo good, don’t it?”

The only answer Yusuke could concoct was a deep throaty moan. Mindlessly, he groped around until his hand found Hiei’s engorged member. He gave it a pull and the doctor cursed with pleasure. Yusuke’s other hand sought out Hiei’s wild hair. Yusuke pulled him down and to take his mouth once again. Yusuke didn’t think he’d ever tire of tasting this man’s lips. Yusuke marveled at them, soft, hot, and brazen. While Hiei’s lips caressed his face, Yusuke’s nails caressed his scalp. He could have sworn Hiei was purring. Or perhaps it was just the rapid discharge of grunts and moans, which were emanating form both of them. Hiei tighten his grip and sped his pace, soon Yusuke felt an unbelievable heat swelling inside of him. His balls tightened, his cock strained, it was almost painful, but it felt so good! All at once the dam broke and searing hot pleasure raced through his veins.

Yusuke came, crying out, “HIEI!” He heard a curse followed by his own name and a hot sticky substance flowed over his hand.

Later Hiei and Yusuke lay in bed. Their hands absently roved over each other’s bodies as their heads were still spinning from the pleasure they’d both enjoyed. Then all too abruptly for Yusuke’s taste Hiei got out of the bed and began to dress.

“Hey, going so soon?” Yusuke covered his disappointment with a flirting tone.

“The mine is letting its workers out soon, the bar’s going to start getting busy,” Hiei explained.

“Oh, well when do things calm down?” Yusuke cooed, “I’d kinda like to spend some more time with you.”

Hiei didn’t look at him as he buttoned up his shirt. “We won’t be spending any more time together.”

Yusuke started to protest, “But--”

“But nothing,” Hiei cut him off. “I told you already that nothing would come of this. And nothing has, let’s keep it that way, for both our sakes.”

“I…I can’t even talk to you anymore?” Yusuke could feel a lump growing in his throat.

“No,” Hiei told him, “And it would be best if you moved along as soon as possible.”

Yusuke’s face was growing hot and there were tears threatening to form in his eyes. He hid his face in his hands. Not daring a second glace back Hiei walked out, shutting the door behind him it made a hollow and dejected sound. Hiei did feel bad about the coarse rejection he’d given Yusuke, but he told himself it was for the best. Nonetheless, the image of Yusuke sitting on the edge of the bed, his face cradled in his hands, persistently ran through Hiei’s mind. At that moment his resolve to stay away from Yusuke was as solid as water. But then, Hiei walked downstairs to the bar and was immediately confronted with something that turned his resolve to steel; Youko Kurama.

“Dr. Jaganshi, where have you been hiding all afternoon?” The silver haired bandit approached him.

“In bed,” Hiei said bluntly.

“Who’s bed?” Youko with a joking sneer, “Do I have to kill someone for touching my property?”

Hiei ignored the comment. “What are you doing here? You already picked up your protection money. What, do I have to start paying a stay-the-hell-away-from-me tax as well?”

Youko chuckled, “Fiery as always, I see. Anyway, there’s no sum of money big enough, no treasure worth abandoning you over.” He lifted his hand to caress Hiei’s cheek.

“What are you babbling about?” Hiei huffed as he pushed his way past Youko.

Youko grabbed his wrist, “Tonight, I want you tonight. Right now even. Upstairs NOW!”

“You’re drunk!” Hiei exclaimed, trying to free himself from Youko’s iron grip, “You’re drunk or you’re mad. Let me go you perverted son of bitch!”

“I’m getting real tired of playing this game with you, doctor,” Youko warned.

“If you’re so tired of it, then quit,” Hiei asserted, unafraid. Hiei knew Youko’s patterns well enough; the aggression was just another stage. Next he’d talk to Hiei as if he were a precocious child.

Sure enough Youko chuckled again, showing Hiei that cold thin smile of his. “I do so love that spirit of yours. Must I really break it for you to come to me?”

“I am not having this conservation with you,” Hiei refused to be baited and started to walk away, but Youko grabbed him by the arm again, and flung him up against the wall.

“Maybe latter then,” Youko husked before forcefully pressing his lips to Hiei’s unwilling mouth. He dripped his hand down to cup the smaller man’s groin. Much to Hiei’s chagrin, his body mistakenly hardened to the touch, having forgotten who was doing the touching. Youko’s eyes widened in surprise, Hiei had never responded to him like this before. Taking it as a victory, he grinned, “Or perhaps we’ll resolve this sooner rather than latter.”

More than satisfied with his progress for the day, he released Hiei and took his leave. Yomi followed behind him. But before the blind man fully exited the saloon, Yomi turned his face toward Hiei. Then he tilted his head up as if looking at something upstairs with his unseeing eyes. Then both were gone, leaving Hiei with a lump in his throat and shame burning in his cheeks.

TBC….