Adult-FanFiction.org : YuYu Hakusho

Winter's Halo	By : PhoenixDiamond Category: Yuyu Hakusho > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 2406 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I own nada and make nada of the Yu Yu Hakusho gang. They all belong to the Yoshihiro Togashi crew. I only own the plotline.

Chapter List
- 34
- 35
- 36
Recovery's Decisions

The days had been long and draining since that faithful event. The damage was both physical and a psychological devastation for the small few who survived. Items of value were lost, lands once flourished in luscious emerald was a faint memory of a time before. What was once a home could only be described as a desolate skeleton, waiting for it's time to be buried. Lives as many as the surpassing stars were loss or finished off due to injuries unmendable.
The once proud sanctuary of Yoko Kurama had fallen tremendously and because of its horrific experience, could never be restored to what it once was. The scars were too great, the wounds too deep; blemishes and bruises of the earth's flesh will now be known as the birthmarks of change. Witnesses, though few and small, would never forget the pain, the agony, the loss, or the feelings of remorse to what happened.
The center domain of a thief's paradise, the soot scorched mountain mound, sat nestled in its same place with chips of stones and large chucks of boulders parked by its sides. Cavern indents dug out could easily be confused with the gapping spaces from afar. The path that wound around the mountain's beltline, crackled and narrowed as bits and pieces that held it aloof came to die away into dust.
What little the mighty mound could support was bound to the midsection of its flank in three separate indentions, all at least two stories from the ground. Three bodies have yet to move a single inch since carried away to safety. For the one who took on the task as harsh and grueling as it was, it was an effort he knew he couldn't afford to abort. It took him five consecutive hours to find and sort through the piles of bodies for those he cared for and for each one recovered, he worked his way up to a rocky cell.
Despite the severity of his own injuries, Kurama was able to finally find every single person he admired deeply and went about tending their wounds. Whether they were dead or alive he treated him all the same. However he was close to the conclusion that they all were deceased corpses he ran his palms over just to seep warmth into. The only tiny gem who thank the gods for keeping alive and dear to him, was Kisa.
The child he'd discovered wrapped tight in Hiei's arm, face planted firmly in his chest. It'd been a beautiful sight to see as if in death Hiei wanted to make sure Kisa remained protected. Hiei's body had been taken to the upper levels first and left there with the slumbering child.
Next had been the worrisome travels of looking for where his beloved had fallen. Hope was little and doubtful in his survival but Kurama refused to believe the fox had passed on. Not without at least saying good bye. He remained strong as he crept through the sizzling graveyard, occasionally checking the pulse of the thieves he bypassed and judging whether they were worth saving. Only handfuls were still breathing but the wounds were far too outstanding by health standards to heal. So he did them a favor by killing them in the most humane way possible.
By feeding each one a small taste of poison that would slowly put their bodies at ease and into a deep sleep that they could never awaken from.
It hadn't been long after he gave away one of his venoms that he came across Yoko's body, in a tangled and murderously gruesome scene. The tall, lithe creature lay with his head turned to the forest, eyes lifeless and pale. The electric bolt scar in his chest was so thick; Shuichi had to turn his eyes away from the blood that had dried over the organs daring to protrude. Clumps of silver were messily combed over that handsome, mischievous face, matted to the roots in flaked redness.
The human sucked in a deep breath as he kneeled down to do the deed of checking the fox's pulse, fearing that once his fingertips pressed there, he would find nothing signaling life. The index and middle sealed together and Kurama pushed both on the thickest vein, waiting for a heartbeat.
He felt nothing. . . not even the tiniest thump. . . it rose a bowl of heavy regret in his heart and tears that couldn't fall were swallowed back in his throat as he twisted on his heel to stand—
Only just as he had, a sharp grip had coiled around his wrist with a deadly constriction, holding him rooted to his spot. Emerald eyes went wide with stunned silence as the flood of red hair whipped around with its owner to see one peeking hazel eye, narrowed angrily.
"Don't," The fox thief hoarse violently as he tried to speak so softly. "Don't –don't write me off . . . so. . . so easily."
That had been all he could say from there as his hand fell to the ground, kicking up the dust of determination. Shuichi's chest swelled with pride and relief of monstrous proportions as he hurried to carry his dying mate to one of the nursing caves still intact.
Now had come for the final process of searching for the one he knew was dead. He'd bared witness to when Kuronue had fallen from the sky and saw the exchange of eternal loyalty between him and Hiei. Words of the purest or greatest price would never be able to precise any value to the emotions those two shared in that silent moment.
Shuichi figured it'd be the most honorable way to heal the mind of the one he cared for with the body at least. This journey hadn't been as complicated as the other two. Kuronue's body was found arched over one of the chipped boulders; wings slacked on both sides in a respectful sheet to cover his face and form from view. Shuichi didn't care to check how savage the scars were; the smell alone told him plenty that the burns had nicked the Chimera to the muscles latched on his bones.
With him being the tallest of his previous patients, Shuichi had to work with more amps to get the crumbled carcass under his armpits and dragging him along the way to the mountain. When he'd flipped the body over, Kuronue's clothes were so badly burned they melted into his flesh, literally becoming unmovable. If he'd been alive, the process for doing that would've been incredibly agonizing.
And yet . . .
Perhaps it could've been a trick of the wind, or some hidden hope in Shuichi's mind but when they were half way up the mountain he could've sworn he saw Kuronue's fingers twitch. Whether that was from the constant pulling or vibrations of the hauls, Shuichi wasn't sure but he ignored the consideration of the impossible and carried on with his burden. However more bizarre antics began to occur.
Kuronue's hat and mysteriously fallen off his head several times and the bounce of his ears twitched.
His fingers started to dig into the dirt instead of limply coming along.
And what could've been the sure evidence to Shuichi's surprise was the distinguished grunt that came when he dropped what he had thought was a dead body on the floor of the nurse wing.
Shuichi curiously rounded the body; eyes narrowed as he bent down to his knees and carefully rested his hand over where the heart was prisoned behind the blended flesh and cloth. As soft and spaced as the rarest rose . . . there were uneven heartbeats. . . all of the just as unique as the one before.
A wind of calm released through Shuichi's nose as he felt a smile upturn his lips. One of his hands swished off the singed banes from the Chimera's brow as he lowered his face to the long ear and whispered, "Take alive my friend. You have people wanting you here."
With that said, Kurama stood looking up to the sky with a sorrow he'd never knew would overcome him at the thought that he'd nearly lost them. But they were here and alive.
Now it was his job to make sure they stayed that way.
And for the next few days, he did just that.

Silence filled the rims of every residence for so long. The only break in the cycle of quiet harmony came from the rush of splashing, cool remedies used to bandage over gaping holes and the crackle of spiritual youki to thread its invisibility. Shuichi had tended to his own injuries first in order to be in top form to treat those still unconscious. Hours were spent between cleaning, re- bandaging, nursing, moving limps to prevent stiffness and massages to stimulate reasonable body temperature.
Everyone was striped to their nudity making for easier access. Kuronue's clothing, having been melted into his chest, legs and arms, had to be peeled away every so many hours with expert concern, until all that stayed was his crimson tinted body.
What little aid the mortal receive came from the stumbling little child carrying a bucket of water and rags on his head. Kisa was being a brave little tike and being on his best behavior oddly enough. Kurama ruled that being because of his instincts fixing his mind into understanding that his elders were weak and defenseless. Whatever Alpha status he felt at the moment would be short lived but for now it was very much appreciated.
Bits of humor accompanied the little guy as well when taking the time answer Kurama in conversation with the only word he'd learned.
It didn't matter what the question was, how it was asked, be it positive or negative, the child answered it the saw way with "Hi-wee." Kisa would carry the bucket of water to dump it out and when Kurama thanked him, he'd receive "Hi-wee," as a 'you're welcome' and hurry off to get more.
When asked if he's hungry, the child would nod and say "Hi-wee, Hi-wee." At times, Kurama wondered if it was a defect but thought against it later.
One night during his rounds of the territory he heard some murmuring coming from the mouth of the cave where Yoko was resting and found it to be Kisa, squeaking stories only he could understand to his elder. His chubby arms would wave around, his facial expressions would take on the most adorable appearances and his imagination would carry him from one emotion to the next. It'd been a rather interesting scene all the way up to the point when Kisa promptly collapsed on Yoko's face and fell asleep.
As much of a nice surprise that would to wake up to a tummy of sugar, Shuichi doubted even the boy's father would be pleased at waking up to a nude body, plastered on his face.
The story telling went from one cave to the next, depending on who Shuichi spent the day nursing and Kisa's little antics keep the work load entertaining. The only times Shuichi would find himself most troubled was feeding them all. Soup was all he could manage with no game in the surrounding area. The couple of times he did catch a piglet or pigeon they hardly lasted.
The soup would be eaten between him and Kisa first with the child's being mashed to nothing but liquid mush. As for the others, Kurama held a good mouth and would press his lips on theirs, while massaging their throats to coax the meal down. The intimacy of each lip press was ignored for each person done, even when he felt a twinge of fire coming from the warmth returning to their faces. Kuronue's feedings were the most complicated because of the burns lashed around his thorax.
Kurama took extra special care to tilt the raven demon's head back and used the length of his tongue to dive in, spooning the juices with a more direct approach.
The chimera had chosen the wrong moment to decide that day would be the day he would open his eyes and feel a gagging sensation in the back of his throat, where Kurama was pressing the tip of his tongue. It'd be a scary and yet arousing feat. Where Kurama's hand had been flattened on Kuronue's chest, the chimera shakily reached up to cup it and leaned in to capture a deep penetration.
The shock of interaction caused Shuichi to move back, ripping his lips away. His first impulse had been to reach up with his digit tips to rub over where the supposed kiss had occurred, but when he looked back down to see Kuronue having fallen back unconscious, the moment was forgotten. It'd been an unconscious reaction.
The days following became a total more than two weeks before real reactions began to surface.
Excitement was pronounced from whom awaken first when Kisa came squealing at the top of his lungs from within Yoko's cave screaming "Hi-wee!" Shuichi steadily stood, cracking his back out the stiff knacks as he allowed the pup to tug his hakama leg to where he found his beloved Yoko sitting upright, with the craftiest smile on his face.
Shuichi stood frozen at the opening, eyes unleashing the raw sensations of fear and rejoice that had never appeared in his face before. Arms were slacked at his eyes, lips chewed between even teeth as a vibrate shake slowly took up his figure.
The Yoko's face softened from its misconductive façade and gathered a soothing one. "Shuichi," he whispered, voice raw from non-usage. He held out his one hand, beckoning the human to come forth. There was a pause, an almost suspended air of nonbelief—but it came as a wanting to known that this moment was real and Shuichi felt like he were that child from so long ago as he came to take the offered hand and allowed himself to be pulled down to meet the lips of his mate.
The taste had to be reacquainted, as if returning to a home treasured. Valleys of fangs and dulled teeth were explored and worshiped as they had never been before. Shuichi relinquished all his worries into the way Yoko stroked his tongue with the rougher surface of his own. The mortal's left hand found its way to the fox's pointed ear and took the soft cartilage between his fingers, rubbing the shell softly in a way he knew the demon would relish.
The kiss pulled apart simultaneously; Yoko stuck his lips in another space between Shuichi's shoulder and neck to plant the softest peaks there as his voice rumbled thickly, "I've dreamt of you Little One."
Shuichi hummed wordlessly at the feel of rough, cracked lips devouring his skin. He tilted his head away to stare the fox in the eyes as he used his fingers to crook under his chin. "I've missed you Yoko."
"Hi-wee!" Kisa came forward happily squeezing himself between the pair and nesting his bottom in the fox's lap, nuzzling his face in his stomach. "Hi-wee, Hi-wee!"
At first the Youko only lifted and eyebrow but after rolling the verbal tries in his head he slowly chuckled and wrapped his other around the baby fox, "You're growing up kit." Then he did something only a true parent could do when delivering the affections to their offspring. He eased himself from Shuichi's embrace and picked the pup up around his waist, looking him square in the eyes.
Kisa, unsurely lowered his ears to the base of skull, wearily wondering what would happen next.
His answer came when a long wet drag tickled from under his chin to the top of his crown and repeated on the opposite side of his face. Large blinks met that of the languid gaze his father gave and the tiniest smile on his face. Kisa was fast to become delighted and began littering Yoko's face in sloppy kisses, and wild licks, saturating his whole face.
Kisa clapped his hands and giggled excessively. To Yoko's shock the child reached out his arms and wrapped them around his head, and his tail coiling around his still tender neck. Kisa suctioned his tummy over his father's face, rubbing his plump cheek on the Yoko's nose and gurgling in a way only a fox could understand. Yoko chuckled against the baby belly and growled in return, a sort of animalistic welcome of the endearment.
The father-son bond was an exchange best kept for private, Shuichi decided as he turned on his heel to depart.
Only when he had, never would he have expected to get a second heart stopping surprise in the same day.
There stood Hiei, with his hand braced on the rim of the cave gazing at the scene playing out between the fox and his son, like it was the most natural thing to see. The wrappings around his brow, chest, arms and legs, covered his bare body to some degree, but he acted as though it were nothing. Then he slid his tired eyes over to Shuichi's stretched expression.
There was nothing either of them to say to each other, yet there was so much they could say. All that'd happened, secrets that had been said needed to be explained, confessions needed to be returned or denied, just about anything. Any way of distressing the frozen situation would do.
Hiei stood a deep inhale and blew it low and quiet, prepared to be the one to break this silence. "Thank you." The words were crushed into a wrinkled cloth as soon as the feel of strong arms wrapped around his neck and tugged him forward. The solid foundation of flat chest muscles collided with his and the press of lips into his collarbone stunned him speechless. A sharp intake of wind said, Shuichi was drinking in the scent as if to be sure this was indeed the Koorime wrapped tight in his arms.
Hiei stiffened, unsure as to what or how to respond to this human's physical . . . whatever.
"You protected me Hiei," Kurama whispered in the fire demon's ear. "You could've died. . ."
There was a short debated silence before Hiei did what he could and simply lifted his arms to go around the human's waist. "Seemed the logical thing to do at the time. . ." He grumbled around the dryness. A cough later he said more to the individual behind who was keeping the child occupied. ". . . you've fared well I see. I thought you'd be dead."
"Shuichi's care has done us all a bit of good Hiei."
Hiei eased back, closing his eyes. "Indeed," he sighed. "And the boy's unharmed?"
"Not a scratch," Yoko praised, holding the boy up by his tail to face his other guardian. "See for yourself."
Kisa squirmed with joy at the abuse but it all came to a halt when those wide yellow eyes saw another playmate. Tears boiled in his eyes and with great haste he struggled his way out of Yoko's grasp and scrambled as fast as he could to latch around Hiei's leg, "Hi-wee, Hi-wee, Hi-wee!" The name was howled enough times for all of them to break down in smiles and shake their heads at the display of worry and affection given one-sided.
Hiei rolled his eyes, elevating his leg up to the knee, looking the child in his watery gaze. ". . . Learn another word." He lightly growled.
Kisa merely tilted his head to the side—then went right back to crying in his friend's leg.
"Yes," The Youko feigned a sigh. "Such a pity that it's his first word to use. What a waste."
"Would you have rather he learned Papa instead Yoko?" Shuichi mused.
"Of course not. That sort of title isn't befitting of me. He'll call me whatever he pleases as he grows older. For now I'll just settle with Hi-wee," The last part mumbled as he made eye contact with the red eyed fellow.
Hiei snorted, slinging the pup off his leg. "Little nuisance." The insult was directed to both worthless foxes.
Kisa pouted angrily and scurried off to his burrow to get away from the adults laughing at his abuse.
"Hiei."
Said demon turned his scowl to the one who called him, lifting a brow.
Yoko felt his right ear bend at the tip before straightening. "Might I have a word with you?" A space was patted by his side. "I've something to say."
Once more, Shuichi took this as a signal for his presence to disappear.
"You stay little one. You need to hear this too," Yoko demanded without the use too much authority.
Shuichi paused at the entrance, fingers flinching, lips pulsing. He relented after a moment's thought and escort Hiei over near the once master thief, both of them taking a kneel next to him. Yoko pierced them both with a hawk eye scrutiny, studying features of their faces, bodies, hair, taking in the cleansed scents of their original odors before all the chaos.
"I too was near death Hiei," Yoko pointed at the wrappings fastened from the base of his neck to where his waist met his thighs. "When Raizen stabbed me, I half expected to be sent to the afterlife. You must've convinced him otherwise."
"I doubt that," Grunted Hiei. "That dictator shows no mercy for his victims. It must've been a miscalculation on his part—" A sharp intake resulted from when his hand was covered with a set of long, slender fingers, the claws lightly tapping over his crusted skin.
"You stood up for my life as well as Shuichi's. I hadn't a clue as to why." A very difficult thing for him to confess since he rarely found himself a step or two behind any mystery. Only now with Hiei's behavior, he had to know, wanted to know if the response of action had been based on instinct or pity.
"You saved my life once before Yoko," Hiei said, retrieving his hand from under the covenant. "A life for a life, a debt was repaid." He made to stand only to be stopped midway by that very same hand.
"At first, I'd saw as nothing more than a use to me. You exceed from that on your own my gradually becoming a reliable access to my clan. You never stopped until you began to worm your way into so many hearts little one." Yoko suddenly yanked his charge's face a mere inch to where their noses brushed. "Kuronue, Shuichi, and even myself."
Shuichi clapped a hand on his shoulder, eyes lit as brilliant as a twilight glow. "You've brought along the changed we needed, for all of us Hiei. We'd . . . we'd be happy if you joined us and became a permanent part of our lives."
For the briefest second, just a small instant, Hiei's grew as wide as his face, mouth gingerly opened—it changed quickly to a glare, a mixture of confusion, anger and disappointment. "You say this now? Not when I asked you at the cliff's base? Before I tied my life to . . . to him." He sighed, shaking his head. "It's not fair to him. I pledged my life to be with Kuronue. His death won't influence my decisions to suddenly up and bed the two of you."
"I don't expect your decision so quickly—"
"You shouldn't expect one at all," The Koorime snapped angrily. "Why have you waited this long? Why didn't you proposition me before? You knew what your feelings were."
The Yoko's grip tightened. "Do you think this is easy for me to say Hiei? I was in conflict of my own emotions. I had no idea how to deal with this intensity. There was you to think about as well as how it would affect Kuronue. These emotions are things I've only confessed to having for Shuichi. To voice them out loud is horribly beneath me." When Hiei snapped his head away, Yoko captured his chin in his index and middle claws, returning that burning glare. "I don't know why I felt the need to say them now. At first I only pursued you in hopes of gaining your interests for Shuichi's sake since he couldn't get over you, but that's changed. I want you as well Hiei. Not just for my son or my mate, but for me and I will have you."
Hiei gritted his teeth, while he smacked the fox's hand away from his face. "So what are you saying? You plan to challenge me for my body, is that it?"
"We don't want to take it that far Hiei," Shuichi softly confirmed. "If we win your heart, we'd rather you came to us on your own free will and not through force. It won't do us a bit of good to have you made into our slave." Using the pads of his digit tips, Shuichi lightly brushed aside some of the sweat clumped banes on Hiei's smooth brow. "You've known how I feel for some time. It's sudden and I apologize for having fallen for you while you were betroth to Kuronue. If it were possible we'd gladly take him as well. I can't say I'm sorry for my feelings for you, I'd be lying if I said such a thing.
"You're making things complicated," Hiei hoarsed, voice oddly thick. Sucking in some much needed air through his nose to collect his composure, Hiei opened and closed his eyes. "I cannot deny there is perhaps something there for you two as well. Its subtle but because of how I've trained myself to be it could take some time."
It was the Yoko who spoke this time, reaching to cover the fire demon's hand with his claws. "You may have time Hiei, as much as you need. Though I ask that you give this some much needed thought. Until I receive your answer. . . I'd like to have a small taste."
Then Yoko kissed him.
It was more than a mere touch of lips; it was a marathon of stunning starvation and blissful defeat that seemed to thrum in every fiber of Yoko Kurama's hidden soul, pouring into Hiei as a deep passion and touch. It was a silently aching sigh of at last neither of them had acknowledged until just now. Whatever uncertainties wedged in was shattered under the urgent crush of Yoko's mouth on his, of fire and moisture and agonizing desire. Because Yoko was kissing him like there was nothing he'd ever wanted more – and like he'd wanted it for so much longer than Hiei had ever dared to wonder.
All this time . . . in the way he kiss . . . Damn.
The easy affirmative was absolutely relieving. To know he was wanted around and not just to be used as before.
It's real this time.
In the tiny split of desperation, one of Hiei's hands rose to cup the Yoko's jaw, bringing him in closer.
But going further then this could lead to all the wrong interpretations and so with much regret, the fox marauder, dragged his lips away. "You need time," As he said this, he gently trailed damped heat on Hiei's neck. Both red eyes were glazed, so inexperienced to being exposed to an A rank's youki wanton simulations. "We needn't take it so far if it's only for consideration Hiei."
He was right. Hiei unconsciously licked away the foreign flavors of sparkling youki from his lips and settled back against his hunches to stare opened eyed at the Youko after what just transpired. He seemed as cool and unruffled by the kiss as if it were the most natural thing to do.
Hiei absentmindedly ran his hand through his hair, down past the nape of his neck, letting the tendrils spike from the matted stroke. Shuichi reached out to rub over those same spikes and leaned forward for a very small kiss, only a mere touch. "We'll give you time," he whispered. "As much as you need."
"You're ok with this," Hiei returned just as quietly, to his surprise taking a long locket of red between his fingers to sample the texture.
"I would rather have you both then only one." Shuichi shrugged with a twinkle in his eyes. "It gives me the best of both worlds don't you think?"
"Idiot," The fire demon flatly insulted as he stood to full height, buckling just a bit where the wounds pulled under his bandages. "I'll have an answer for you soon." Shuichi followed him to the mouth of the cave where they would've parted hadn't something glistened.
Hiei noticed something strange caught on the ridge of his bandage. Looking down he noticed a lone strand of jet black hair stuck from his chest to Kurama's shoulder and frowned. Puzzled and inwardly suspicious, he examined the hair piece and chanced it by taking a whiff of the strand.
He half expected it to dried and old—but the look of it was fresh, and had a slight shine to it in the sunlight. It made him wonder. . . "Is he still alive?" The words were so gentle, not even the Yoko's ears to detect every syllable, but he understood.
Shuichi took the string off his shoulder and handed it to the fire demon. "He hasn't woken up yet Hiei. He's been burned pretty badly but his recovery is assured."
"But he lives—he's alive," Shaking and without a fathomable reason as to why, Hiei bent his knees prepared to sprint off but not before casting a gaze over to the fox. There was something there, he wanted to say something but could only come up with. "Nothing's changed," before he sped off.
No nothing will change. No matter where he was being pulled.

"Damn, he wrapped me tight. Shit," Rotating his arms the best he could, despite the suffocating fastens, a dark figure tried to stretch out the span of his wings but came up short when they two protested with cracks.
Sighing aloud to himself and wishing he could make his limps remember how to function, Kuronue tried shifting on his buttocks on the ground until he could brace his weight on the wall and pull himself up. Only that little scenario didn't play out as it had in his mind and he ended up, flopping on his side, knocking his head against the rock face. "Got'dammit." Every curse known to demon kind was spewed from every direction of the cave, not leaving a space untouched with blasphemy.
After several more attempts at trying to regain ground, the Chimera gave up giving a shit and opted for settling on his back, arms spread wide as well as his legs. Whatever happened to his hair tie was a moot point to think about now. With all his hair spreading in a pitch black halo he was debating on whether or not he should have it cut after he got out of this cave.
There were a ton of things he needed to get done. He knew his friends were doing just find from what he could hear Kurama telling him in his sleep. Hiei's condition had put him into a dreamlike ease, just appreciating that the little guy was fine.
He didn't ever want to see that look of despair in those beautiful eyes again. When he'd been falling, Kuronue was positive that would be the end of his him, but to see Hiei's red gems so polished and beyond sadness, tore a shred of cords from the raven's heart. As long as he lived and as soon as they mated, he would never allow that look to appear again.
First things first; he really needed to get himself out of this damn cave. Being trapped in this tight hold was driving him crazy.
The raven demon was so caught up in his own self-pity; he neither sniffed nor heard the quick pant that entered from his temporary home where two almond red eyes stared at every twitching movement of his body. He was somewhat nude save for the single sheet spread across his crotch, too thin to be considered a cloth. The grunts, and bristling curse words went on for some time before Kuronue thought of another method of getting off the ground and shot up, flinging every strand of ebony string over his face in midnight disarray.
As the hair settled only one indigo eye peered through the gap of jet black in silent disbelief. It trained itself on the ideal dream of tannest muscles, the sprout of black hair, the bruises littering his body from head to toe and the lips thinned so skinny they looked gone.
Kuronue worked his mouth several times to get something out but time and time again, every shouting speech failed him. All he could do was stare, incredibly fascinated with the only thing he valued more than his treasures.
"Pige . . ." the one word that came hitched a cord in the back of Kuronue's throat. He hadn't realized it until then that he'd thought him to be worst off. Like the Toushin had surely taken a limb or disfigured his beloved in an unimaginable way. But no here he was, fine as the day they first met.
Hiei steadily step first his right foot, then his left in the shadow shaded hollow, eyes trained for only one person. Not once had he unlocked his tedious gaze on Kuronue; not even when he came to stand directly by his side, kneeled down to one knee.
Kuronue worked his lips to get out something, anything at all.
Neither could muster a single syllable to suffice a decent greeting. Hiei was the first to reach out, lacing his callous fingers through the matted tangles, pinching a small piece between his index and thumb.
Kuronue hadn't realized his own hand had acted on its own account to cup Hiei's crown and bump their brows together. Distress unleashed in a collaborated sigh as the physical contact reassured them both that the other was indeed alive and well.
"Hiei . . . my god I was so worried about 'cha," Kuronue whispered, so soft and concerned. Every fiber of his being felt the need to feel his betroth pressed into his flesh in whole and with little effort he ushered the fire demon down to lay by his side, gazing deep in his vibrate red eyes.
The tiniest tug of lips lifted upward on Hiei's face as he lightly tossed away the thread of hair for another section, "I took you for dead, Kuronue." Hiei murmured so quietly it seemed the only way to keep this fantasy a reality.
"Me," The raven chuckled at that, still stroking over the pinned up black needles. "Nah, I could never die on you darlin'. I—I couldn't leave here without seeing you." His hand fell on the shorter man's shoulder. "You're really ok, and in one piece." The last part added as mused gesture as he nudged the fire demon's cheek with his thumb.
Hiei chuckled, "You're barely in once piece yourself." Then, his face relaxed just as his hand descended from toying with the individual hairs.
Kuronue frowned using the rugged pad of his thumb to caress over the dark spotted cheek. "What's wrong?"
Taking in one, then two deep breaths, Hiei composed himself to what he determined was his stoic poise and spoke, "I was propositioned, by the Youko—earlier before coming to see you."
The frown on Kuronue's face hardened and gone was the playful coy that glittered with mischief. "He—wait, he did what?" Had it not been for the burns keeping him rooted to the ground, he would've sped out of there with the devil hot on his tail.
The slam of his fist had to settle as a way to exert his sudden anger as it crashed against the rocky support above his head and collapsed a small avalanche. "What the hell, he knows you're betrothed to me. Why would he—" A lone finger silenced the rest of his wrongful hatred.
"Keep quiet, until I finish. Understand?" A nod agreed and a apologetic kiss was pressed to Hiei's finger. "I haven't agreed to anything . . . it's a bit sudden for me to give an answer but I promised to give it some thought."
"What's there to consider? We're bound by a vow to be together when the rose . . . oh," When Hiei gave him a narrowed look, it came as a reminder that that supposed rose would've definitely been destroyed during the calamity.
Hiei shuffled closer, burying his nose deep inside the crook of Kuronue's neck as he licked the tender burns littered around. Kuronue felt too disappointed to oblige the gesture and laid perfectly still, not acknowledging but not completely ignoring what was being physically requested.
An understanding.
". . . What about me, about us," The Chimera's wing stretched out over the top of their nude bodies, sealing away the world. "I thought our relationship was something you'd grown accustomed too. Now I have to face that you could possibly leave me for my friend and his mate?"
"No," Hiei was quick to deny. "I never said a word about leaving you behind. I meant what I said that day you gave me your gift." Pulling back his face to see the man from a better angle, Hiei sighed out his last bit one the matter. "I will be your mate no matter what happens."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Kuronue wrapped both arms around his beloved, face set in a tough scowl. "I don't want to challenge him for your hand, but if it comes down to that I won't back down." His loving grip tightened. "I'll fight to keep what's mine."
"There won't be any need of that you fool," Grouched Hiei. "I didn't tell you this to go about being a mindless savage. I said it so you'd think of doing this with me."
Kuronue stiffened, than blinked his eyes stunned. "Pige, you can't expect to—wait huh? You want me to do what?"
"Do the companionship with me."
Kuronue loosened his grip on the fire demon as he slid fully on his back, draping a arm over his eyes, "D'ah Hiei—"
"I know it's a lot to ask of you but I can't deny myself what's been nagging me for some time now." Hiei decided lying down would do little to get his point across so he sat forward, bending his knees a part. "I . . . I've come to care for the human Kurama in a way I have you, yet I've denied my attraction out of discrimination of his race. The Youko—ours is practically based on instinct, but not too different. You are a combination of both." When Kuronue refused to move his arm, the Koorime, nudged his thigh with a light shove.
Sighing through his nose, the Chimera joined his love in a similar fashion, letting his hair curtain over his shoulders, messily. He brought two dull fingers to his eyes and squeezed where the pressure of stress was beginning to build. "Damn, you've put me in an awkward situation Pige. Shit, how am I supposed to answer this?" After all the drama they'd been through with the missions, Yomi's betrayal, those bastard Toushins with the Jaguar King and recovery that fool Yoko chooses now to bring this up? The stupid jackass.
A soft touch grazed over his brow, indicating Hiei wanted him to look in his eyes. "I won't force you into doing something for me Kuronue. If they're not what you want, I won't take him up on his offer. We could leave, just the two of us and start on our own."
A deflated burst erupted out of Kuronue's chest to hear that . . . only he wouldn't think of it as being something that Hiei would really want. The idea of them going off on their own, to live their lives as they see fit, to do whatever they pleased without the hassle of others. It was a tempting delight, but not even he could say he'd live a life without going to his best friend for a thing or two about advice.
A sigh shook his shoulders, dampening his wings flat to the ground as he cast Hiei a side glance, "I need time to think about it Hiei."
"I understand, take as much as you need."
"But there's something I want to know before I think on it."
"Name it."
Taking a deep, heavy breath, Kuronue scooted closer, wrapping his arm around Hiei's shoulder, staring him deep in his eyes. "Whatever I decide, you'll stay by my side. Even if I choose for us to leave here and be on our own, will you be there?"
"Yes," Hiei answered on beat. "In the end you're the one who came first. . ."
Kuronue smiled, deeply infatuated and charmed to the core of his heart. "I'm glad to hear it." And indeed he was as he lowered his lips down to connect the long missed kiss between two tamed demons.
. . . Only one of them hoped inside, that they could all live in happiness . . . as a family he never had.

TBC: Kuronue and Hiei have a lot to think about. . .
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Winter's Halo