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Coming Together part 1
by Sanalith
Lyrics by David Bowie
Kurama - Within You
The Urameshi team had just concluded the last in a long succession of battles in the Makai, and they were all looking forward to a much needed break.
"If Koenma gives us another assignment within the next month, I will personally kill him," Yuusuke had muttered at the time, gingerly rubbing a lacerated shoulder.
"I second that," Kuwabara had agreed.
Once back in the Ningenkai, the two of them had headed back to their respective homes, hoping to sneak in a back door so that no one would notice their numerous injuries, not to mention shredded clothing. (Although in Yuusuke's case there was very little need to worry.)
After the two humans had said their farewells, Kurama turned to Hiei. The youkai was sitting on a large boulder next to him, attempting to keep an expressionless face. Kurama's eyes softened in sympathy. A daring solo attack on their enemy by Hiei, complete with his black dragon, had been the main reason that they had managed to triumph in the end, and the fire demon had not yet fully recovered from his exertions.
"Hiei, come and rest at my house tonight."
Hiei looked up, his eyes narrowed. "I don't think that would be wise," he replied.
"Why not?" Kurama asked. "My mother is away visiting relatives for the next week. No one would ever know you were there. Besides, you need someplace where you can stay."
"Hn. I have my tree."
Kurama sighed, trying to mask a tiny laugh. His friend was so predictable. "Hiei, I mean it. Come stay at my place tonight." When the youkai didn't respond, Kurama played his trump card. "I think kaasan bought some ice cream just before she left in case I decided to have some friends over."
Hiei's eyes flicked briefly over to Kurama's, his face unreadable. The next moment, he vanished.
By the time Kurama got home, his supply of ice cream was severely depleted. On the upside, Hiei appeared a trifle more cheerful.
Kurama entered his kitchen to find Hiei surrounded by empty ice cream containers, holding his katana. A stone was in his other hand. A loud scrapping noise met Kurama's ears, and he tilted his head. The demon was sharpening his blade.
"Does that really need to be done now?" Kurama asked mildly. "You should be resting."
"Hn. If we got attacked tonight, you'd regret saying that."
Kurama crossed his arms. "Don't you feel safe anywhere?"
"No." The scrapping continued. "Do you?"
::One place,:: Kurama thought, but he kept that to himself. Instead, he said, "You were wounded badly during that last fight. You shouldn't have used black dragon. You're worn out. You need to rest."
"Leave me alone, Kurama, I'm fine."
The icy tone in his voice made Kurama straighten. "I only want to help you."
"You've helped me more than enough in the past, and it's gotten me nothing but trouble."
Kurama's jade eyes narrowed. What was that supposed to mean? Crossing the room in two long strides, he placed his hand on the fire demon's shoulder. "What are you thinking, Hiei? Look at me!"
Hiei refused to comply. "I'm thinking that I'm tired of you 'helping me,' and that I don't want you touching me anymore." He shrugged off Kurama's hand, as if to prove his point. "I don't need your pity."
Kurama felt as if he had been slapped. ::Pity? Is that what you think this is? Is that what you think I feel for you?:: "This is not pity, Hiei," he informed the youkai. He replaced the hand and repeated, "I want to help you."
Hiei continued to sharpen his sword, this time not even bothering to reply.
::Why won't you let me in? Do you really hate me, or do you simply not understand?:: Kurama's hand clenched into a fist. ::For so long, I have loved you, and there was a time I thought...:: He shook his head. ::No, I won't let you do this. I won't let you push me away this time. This time... I'll make you understand.::
Swiftly, Kurama turned away, heading for the opposite side of the room. Hiei was still intent on his katana, so he didn't even notice the youko as he began fishing through a collection of CD's. Shiori was quite a collector, and she had introduced her son to many different kinds of music. Some of them had been pleasant, some of them he couldn't stand... and a very small selection had struck him very deeply. The song he put in now was one of them.
As the CD player advanced to his desired song, Kurama strode back over to his friend, a determined look on his face. "Hiei," he said, somewhat sharply, "there's something I'd like you to hear."
"I'm busy at the moment."
Kurama ground his teeth together. ::You don't know what you do to me...:: The music started playing then, a mystical, mysterious song, and Kurama decided to get Hiei's attention in a different way as the lyrics began.
'How you turn my world you precious thing
You're starving near exhausts me
Everything I've done, I've done for you -'
As the music reached a crescendo, Kurama ripped off his bloodstained shirt and, using it almost like his whip, hooked it around Hiei's chair and yanked. With a surprised cry, one of the few the fire demon had ever made, Hiei plunged to the ground.
'I move the stars for no one.'
Kurama grasped the collar of Hiei's jacket and hauled him up, pressing his back up against the wall. There was an unreadable expression on Kurama's face. All the youkai could do was stand and stare.
'You've run so long, you've so far.'
Kurama gently caressed Hiei's cheek, just under his wide eyes, then
running his thumb over the cloth band that covered his
jagan.
'Your eyes can be so cruel.'
Kurama's cat's eyes narrowed.
'Just as I can be so cruel.'
Kurama pressed his lips against Hiei's in a brutal kiss, extracting revenge for all the pain and sorrow the youkai's coldness had often put him through.
'Though I do believe in you,
Yes I do.'
Kurama pulled away slowly, trying to read Hiei's expressionless face. His eyes softened, and he gently pulled his friend close against his chest.
'Live without the sunlight,
Look without your heartbeat.'
Softly, Kurama sang along with the last line.
"'I can't live within you.'"
There was silence after that, as the CD player clicked off, but Kurama couldn't let go. He held Hiei closer, wanting to become part of him, knowing it wasn't possible.
"Please, tell me what you're thinking," he whispered. "Why do you always push me away, knowing that I'm the one who can help you, who can understand you!? Please, tell me!"
Slowly, Hiei's hands rose...
...and he gently but firmly pushed Kurama away.
"Stupid fox," he said quietly, "put your clothes back on."
With that, he flitted over to his sword, and then disappeared again. Kurama's now-open window fluttered in the evening breeze.
Leaning against the wall, Kurama closed his eyes. ::I will get
through to you, Hiei. I will know what's inside of you. I swear
it.::
