Kurahi Catch-All: Unspoken Thing

[sinningtree]

Unspoken Thing

The hardest thing about life is
when the person who gave you the most memories
becomes a memory.

CODE

CODE

how odd it is to be

date chronologically pending

haunted

visuals blank playlist

by someone that is still alive

Date
※ 01/27/24 Injured: ⋙ Dark Tournament
※ 01/29/24 Insomnia: ⋙ Dark Tournament
※ 02/11/24 Intimate Bathing: ⋙ Post Series
※ 02/25/24 Loss: ⋙ Post Series
※ 03/04/24 Unspoken Thing: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 03/19/24 Defrosting: ⋙ Post Series
※ 04/17/24 Garden: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 06/03/24 Kurama's Return: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 08/06/24 Picnic: ⋙ Post Series
※ 08/22/24 Domestic Fluff: ⋙ Post Series
※ 09/20/24 Sickness*: ⋙ Resurrection
Chronologically
※ 01/27/24 Injured: ⋙ Dark Tournament
※ 01/29/24 Insomnia: ⋙ Dark Tournament
※ 02/11/24 Intimate Bathing: ⋙ Post Series
※ 02/25/24 Loss: ⋙ Post Series
※ 08/06/24 Picnic: ⋙ Post Series
※ 03/19/24 Defrosting: ⋙ Post Series
※ 08/22/24 Domestic Fluff: ⋙ Post Series
※ 03/04/24 Unspoken Thing: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 04/17/24 Garden: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 06/03/24 Kurama's Return: ⋙ Resurrection [completed]
※ 09/20/24 Sickness*: ⋙ Resurrection
Pending
※ MM/DD/YY Kissing Scars: ⋙ Timeline
※ MM/DD/YY Eating Together: ⋙ Timeline
※ MM/DD/YY Swear To Me: ⋙ Timeline
Blank
※ <b>MM/DD/YY</b> <b><a href="URL_HERE" style="color: #93151B; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold;">MEME TITLE</a></b>: ⋙ <a href="THREAD_LINK">Timeline</a>

Comments

[sinningtree]

It's almost easy to fall back into the motions without thinking about everything else between them right now, letting muscle memory take over as he worked. This was familiar, and the silence allows little room for added tension, saying the wrong thing or setting each other off in some unintended way.

At first, Kurama doesn't really notice, it had been quite awhile. Hiei stays mostly upright and any movement is initially dismissed as discomfort. The fire apparition's weight shifts in a way that is familiar just beneath the surface if the fox was presently aware to notice. He's securing the sling in place when Hiei starts to lean into him, realization hitting about a split second before that dead weight does.

For a moment he stays perfectly still, as if concerned about waking him. This wasn't exactly the most comfortable position though, so after a bit of emotional juggling - and knowing Hiei's abilities to sleep through much worse - Kurama shifts onto the bed. He sets things aside with his free hand to get settled with the fire apparition rested against his shoulder. If Hiei wanted to be angry with him later about it, he was more than welcome.

The fox pulls out a game to entertain himself in the quiet meantime - perhaps selfishly - taking the time to enjoy this moment while it lasts. That is until the sudden awareness of sounds within the Temple drags him awake before he'd even realized he was falling asleep in the first place. The children were home and he had neglected to get the hall cleaned as he'd expected to do once dismissed from his duties dressing wounds - not that he'd been dismissed.

The blood has Yukina stopping the children from barging into the room, at least. Insistent on checking herself to ensure it was safe, first. Which, at least, means they're quiet enough not to wake the dead as they all clamor in behind her to the view of the spirit fox trying to carefully extract himself from the situation.

[jaganshi]

Comfort isn't usually Hiei's primary concern when it came to sleep - and particularly not now. Since Kurama's passing, he's slept little more than periodic cat naps throughout his days - some longer than others, and some simply to pass the time when he had nothing to currently occupy him. It had become apparent very quickly that Kurama's presence, and activities with the other demon, had taken up much more of his time than Hiei truly understood. Sleep, for a little while, became his way to deal with missing him.

But it was never true sleep, always fitful and filled with dreams he would call 'nightmares' if only because they usually involved the redhead, only to wake up without his familiar presence in the world at all. It would seem pitiful to mention, so of course Hiei had avoided it, only stopping the practice when Mukuro happened to mention that she had noticed the frequency of his napping since he'd returned nearly exclusively to demon world. It was her way of expressing concern, of course, but to Hiei is had been a signal to change.

Settled against Kurama as he is, Hiei sleeps deeply again. It will take a few hours before this little 'nap' comes to an end, and when he wakes it takes him a moment to truly come to in the stricter sense of things. He sits up slowly, blinking and attempting to rouse his mind from a true and deep sleep for a few minutes before getting up. His shoulder is mostly healed, that much he can feel, but above all, he's now hungry.

Still rubbing at his eyes Hiei appears in the main living area of the temple, immediately soliciting shouts of excitement from the children and sending Hiei grimacing.

'You slept for so long!' Hiei huffs a chuckle, jokingly asking as if he doesn't know that Yukina would absolutely save him a meal:

"Did you leave any dinner for me or eat it all?"

[sinningtree]

Kurama, of course, did not know the extent of what Hiei went through in his absence. It wasn't as if he could watch him full time from Spirit World, but had he known, it might have prompted him to act sooner. What he does know is that the fire apparition slept against him like a stone - and he wasn't a stranger to Hiei's sleeping habits, or the fact that he slept much harder the more he needed it.

He was also no stranger to the smaller demon's habit of talking in his sleep, a fact that had always made it easier for the redhead to get the smallest insight into whatever was bothering him. He'd be lying to claim it didn't feel invasive and wrong this time, but he wasn't about to dwell on that now.

For the most part, he keeps his distance, allowing the children a moment to crowd their uncle in excitement over this surprise visit. Something that seemed to be happening with increasing frequency, not that his nieces and nephews seemed aware of it.

“Yukina set a dish aside for you,” He offers with a knowing smile, when the children were clearly not going to give him a straight answer - too busy trying to share stories they were excited about and talking over each other as if they hadn't seen him in years.

“Did you sleep well?”

[jaganshi]

A combination of wound healing and his terrible sleeping habits, to be sure. To Kurama's credit, there may even be a bit of an indent of a pillow crease in the fire demon's cheek still slowly going away as time passes. They may have to become cautious of just how much time they spend close to one another for a little while, at least, lest Hiei become the constantly napping uncle instead of the always awake uncle fairly quickly.

The sudden flurry of children talking over one another, crowding in as Hiei takes a seat both to ask if he was alright and tell him about all of their errands. For once it isn't wholly by choice that he doesn't respond to Kurama as Yukina surreptitiously disappears to warm Hiei's plate again as well as give them all a little space.

"I don't even remember falling asleep..." Hiei says it with a bit of shyness edging in to his tone, an immediate mistake in front of his nieces and nephews. Kazuma Jr immediately pipes up, the intonation and cadence of how he speaks immediately reminiscent of both his father and his honorary Uncle by the name of Urameshi.

'You were dead asleep on his shoulder when we got back-' Hiei immediately turns with a raised brow to his nephew, challenging him to continue on this path if he wants to.

"Remember that we'll be training, since I'm here, before you decide how to continue, Kazuma."

[sinningtree]

Kurama is not expecting a single moment of weakness to become habit any time soon, more likely to bet that Hiei will be back on the defensive once he's feeling better. It isn't something he can safely even guess at with the children present, for now, just observing how things play out and content not to interfere in their socializing.

Without their company, several things could have been said to that borderline shy response, most notably that he'd also somehow fallen asleep without realizing, but Kazuma starts instead - his uncle’s face with his father's personality - and that shuts the fox up before he can even think to speak.

Hiei had the excuse of exhaustion and his injuries, at least. Kurama was the one called out by that announcement, having been fully awake and able to do something about it at the time, yet allowing it to happen, despite this.

“Yes, his day has been taxing enough.” Kurama adds, shooting Kazuma his own warning glance at the increased discomfort in the room with his remark.

[jaganshi]

Hiei, for once, doesn't find a moment to blame the redhead for much of anything. It had been Hiei who had fallen asleep in the first place - and he knows Yukina and Kurama too well to think that they would attempt something like waking him after an injury. So far as allowing him to sleep on his shoulder where he'd fallen asleep... well. There's no use in protesting now that it's already done and over with, is there? Beyond that, he had needed sleep enough to fall out like that, both for his healing and lacking the ability to sleep enough to upkeep both the Jagan and the Dragon as he had been.

Kazuma, ever undisturbed by his Uncle's vague threat of harder training, seems to only smile harder. A born shit-stirrer, it would seem, though it doesn't really amuse either of his demon elders currently seated in the room. It doesn't stop him, though, of course beginning to snicker.

'That's all I have to do for you to go a little harder on me? I should-' Yukina re-enters the scene with a tray of food for her brother and a silent, admonishing stare for her son that is all that's really needed to shut him up. Hiei has never had to be an 'enforcer' sort of presence for the children, if only because Yukina is so efficient at expressing her annoyance even without words. She sets a tray of food in front of Hiei gently, taking his glance of thanks with a sedate smile.

'I want to check your shoulder, once you're done.' Hiei nods his agreement easily enough, already digging into his rice with the fire demon's typical abandon.

"It's mostly healed.. Kurama's medicine is more potent than what I had on hand."

Is that.. a compliment, even?

[sinningtree]

Hiei needed his rest, and Kurama was perhaps more aware of that than most, considering the decades of feeling the fire apparition asleep against him. The fox is far more concerned with his healing than whatever blame he may have escaped, regardless.

On any other topic, Kurama would be amused by how Hiei held Kuwabara responsible for his son's behavior, but that gleeful shitstirring was his uncle through and through. Being a target of his antics, regarding a rather sensitive subject for both of them, was more sobering than he'd care to admit though, keeping his opinions to himself for now.

Yukina's presence was a welcome interruption. While living at the temple meant that Kurama had never shied away from discipline with the children when called for, it was only in their mother's absence or in support of her. Something that didn't seem necessary in this instance, at least.

He is, of course, pleased that Yukina will take a look with her own abilities to account for. While Kurama is not expecting to be involved in the conversation, Hiei's remark brings that automatic smile, that had been lacking as of late, to his features.

It's not until the children have gone to bed that he surfaces again, having distracted them long enough to give the twins an opportunity to speak without interruption. Considering the nature of his visit, Kurama wasn't sure how long the fire apparition intended to stay this time.

“I take it that went well.” It's redundant by now to ask about the injury, but he was still trying to approach with caution, considering they hadn’t had a moment alone since the incident that started the day.

[jaganshi]

The conversation between them had been quiet, simple, really. There hadn't been very much for her to look over or finish up healing, but it had been a convenient excuse for them to have some time alone. Time alone in which she reminded him, lowly, to give Kurama a chance. To not throw up his defenses so quickly with Kurama, for the sake of reaching some peace between them. As much as Yukina too held some small bit of her own feelings about how Kurama had chosen.. she wanted their happiness. Together or apart.

For how many years now had they been each other's only moment of peace in the storm since their partners had died in short succession of one another? Even if Hiei simply quietly listens more than he says very much, she at least makes the point to ask that he employ some patience. Some kindness, even if he felt some way or another about how things had happened.

Hiei's shoulder is unwrapped when Kurama surfaces again, the new skin shiny and pink as it finishes healing, a simple snack in hand that Yukina had left for him as extra fuel for his healing. More than likely she had picked up this particular natto rice ball with Hiei specifically in mind, hoping he may stop by in time to eat it.

Twin senses, and all.

"Mn." Hiei grunts his agreement through a mouth full of said rice ball, already eager to eat it so soon after he'd shoveled down dinner. Of course, there is no way of knowing how a conversation may go between them... but at least this visit had been largely easier to cope with.

"I've been told I'm expected to stay here for a few days so that she can make sure it's healed." Hiei does his best to make it seem as though she is putting him out with this request, of course, even as he keeps polishing off the kindly offered snack.

"It's healed now, but she'll complain if I'm up early and even training tomorrow.."

[sinningtree]

For his part, Kurama remains oblivious to the nature of their conversation. Though, Yukina had pulled him aside for their own versions of a similar talk before now so he knows she must have also addressed her thoughts with her brother at some point. Not that the fox needed to be advised on patience or forgiveness, even if he felt there should be a need for it. He would not hold Hiei at fault for his feelings, he was the one responsible for fixing this and intent to do so on the fire demon's terms. At least as much as possible.

The fact that he'd missed Kuwabara's passing had not been lost on him, but the reality of how close together their deaths had been - especially by demon standards - and how the siblings had no one else during that time to truly understand those losses, were details that hadn't fully sunk in, yet. Yusuke had never told him the extent that he'd been shunned in the fox's absence, after all.

Yukina, at the very least, was the one he'd been the most honest with regarding his intentions. A strategy he shouldn't need to keep quiet, except that he knows Koenma wouldn't trust it to work and Yusuke might say something too revealing in front of him. Still, the one he'd wanted to know least of all, was Hiei himself. Certain that the fire demon would really push back if he gave him any more reason to think this was all some attempted manipulation on his part.

Of course, the food doesn't surprise him, after healing a wound like that Hiei would need more help to maintain his body than usual, and he already burned through more calories and sleep than the rest of their group on a normal day.

“The children will be delighted to have your attention at their disposal for that time.” Always about the children, the one safe bridge he can typically maintain a conversation through to ward off awkwardly fumbling into perceived offense. “It is another important lesson for them to learn as part of their own training, giving your body ample rest after such an injury. Especially as their abilities are nowhere near your own.”

Lead by example, Hiei.

[jaganshi]

Yukina had become the keeper of many secrets, at this point. The two of them, despite never addressing the open secret of their relation, had occasionally fallen in to reminiscing together. Had spoken on things that Hiei wouldn’t dare to expose to anyone other than his own flesh and blood, and even then she’d had to prod it out of him.

If nothing else, Yukina is the perfect repository of information if she chooses to be. If he stone walls enough to justify it, more than likely. She knows, after all, how much time he spent missing the fox while he had been gone from the mortal world. No matter how much bluster he put in to his rebukes for the same man in front of him now.

Kurama mentions the children’s glee at having him at his disposal, and Hiei sighs around his next mouthful. Yes, they would be delighted to have his undivided attention, he’s sure. Especially if their mother has her way with making sure that he stays put and not training with the sun rise. If he weren’t so naive about Yukina and her intentions, he might suspect it was also to try and have him sit still for Kurama as well.

After all, Hiei is just as chastised by his sister as her children are.

“My ability is exactly why I don’t need it.” Well, and that compared to some of Yukina’s children, he is fully demon instead of half. Another bite of his rice ball, and Hiei at least offers some tether back to a snarky earlier comment.

“At the very least I owe Kazuma an ass kicking...” For teasing his uncle at the very least, despite that snark being entirely his own in nature. At least these goals seem to push out his time frame for being here.

It occurs to him that Kurama being back here to check on him is a possibility, but .. considering how they’d left off, he isn’t so sure. The fire demon pauses for a moment but then asks -

“Did you forget something?” In the scramble of it all, he couldn’t say he’d blame him.

[sinningtree]

He was tolerant enough of the fox's antics to earn some credit for patience, even if it goes largely unnoticed. For Kurama, he'd only needed to hear Hiei's name to be aware of who he was, and most demons - especially in those early years - required some convincing that the literal child before them was who he claimed to be, yet here was Hiei putting up with his incessant teasing for years, a fine reward for earning the legendary spirit fox's favor.

While it would be a natural assumption that Hiei couldn't care either way about his choices on the matter, the fact that he'd said it was still puzzling him suggests that he'd actively thought about it more than once. Even if Kurama didn't take the wording quite so literally, it was an easy enough detail to turn back on the fire apparition, just to test his reaction. The snort earns a smirk in the meantime, but he keeps his focus directly ahead, trying not to let on.

“I prefer it, that's all.”

[sinningtree]

He hums again, trying to control his amusement at Hiei's bristling and starting to crack, despite having been the one to push the conversation in this direction, in the first place.

It's the question that ultimately does it and Kurama ducks his head, covering his mouth to contain the chuckle that escapes him, it's only a moment before he's giving up though, speaking between bouts of quiet laughter until he manages to ground himself once more.

“I'm fairly certain- Yusuke wouldn't appreciate that comparison. Regardless... it shouldn't be an issue.”

[sinningtree]

His immediate response is troubling, but Hiei has been a lot of bark for little bite when it comes to Yusuke, more than he'd ever admit. Setting their human team leader up for slaughter just to check his limits was not on Kurama's to-do list, and he would not entertain the idea even in jest. Those fights had left him unconscious and Yusuke was a far less experienced human teenager.

He is, of course, unaware how much his previous fights impacted not just Hiei, but everyone. He's also - unlike Hiei - already fully aware of what he's capable of, when backed to a wall. He has had the experience of escaping death before ever entering this tournament and if they'd already been pushed to this extreme, the fox is certain that stakes will only increase considering nearly everyone there wanted them dead.

“Now, Hiei, Ruka isn't any real threat.” He still wasn't fully aware of how the fire demon's code even worked, but he did know that it typically meant not fighting someone unable to fight back as she was, with all of her power in defense. Perhaps her behavior had earned her an exception, but it seemed just as likely that Hiei was bluffing out of irritation.

The fox resumes assessing his injuries, bandaging some of the smaller wounds as he continues.

“Unfortunately, this won't be the last of their underhanded tactics. The majority here don't want us getting out with our lives, they will likely have to be smarter about it next time considering how this hardly went as they had planned. You should save your energy.”

[jaganshi]

Hiei had done a good job at making a name for himself rather quickly. As far as apparitions went, the little fire demon is still incredibly young, and from time to time tends to act his age. A demon teenager paired with two human teenagers of varying maturity levels (dependent on the hour of the day, or if there are jokes to be told) tended to be a little out of hand fairly quickly. At times Hiei wonders how Kurama has the patience for it all, even with what he knows of the spirit fox’s ways prior to being forcefully put together as a “team” for the Dark Tournament.

Beyond that, putting up with Kurama’s near constant teasing and sometimes not so patient teaching had reaped more knowledge than annoyance, so he has elected to keep on with it. The redhead’s legendary status these days is something he only really remembers with the silver Youko himself makes an appearance or when he is reminded by the wonder of others.

Now in close proximity like this in a bath tub it strikes him how much things have changed. Not that long ago Hiei would never have willingly placed himself so close to the redhead unprotected.

Hiei hums lowly as Kurama says it is simply what he prefers, dutiful in making sure that he has properly lathered that thick hair as much as possible so as not to miss anything. As a detail he would never willingly admit, he also quite likes running his hands through this form’s long, soft hair. Human hair was different in texture than his own, soft and smooth - but he tried not to let his fascination show too readily. It isn’t Hiei’s place to have a vested interest in the fox’s hair choices, so he resolves to let the subject of length rest there as he pulls his hands free.

“Mn, I think this is done.” He will leave the final assessment up to Kurama, of course.

[jaganshi]

Hiei’s annoyance at being told to listen to Yusuke only grows worse as Kurama dissolves in to laughter. He knows that the fox often finds things he says or does funny, but it does not mean he has to like it. Red eyes narrow as the fox stumbles through his sentence, a low rumble of a growl rolling up his throat. If this were anyone other than Kurama he would be pointedly more violent about being laughed at, already skulking closer to his partner.

“What the hell is so funny?” He is perfectly serious after all that he would rather die than ask a human teen for permission to fight someone in the ring, again closing in on Kurama.

Close enough to jab his fingers in to his side, not entirely gentle but also, clearly, holding back from being perceived as trying to cause injury. Even as much as the redhead irritates him, he is the ally he most wants to keep once this is all said and done at Hanging Neck Island.

“Have you actually lost your mind? Or did Bakken cause brain damage?” Having Hiei fume about being laughed at is at least a good enough cause to distract the little demon from the previous, heavy conversation. Though it may spur him to request that Yukina check his skull for something that needs healing.

[jaganshi]

"Don't start on offering mercy now." He knew you, Kurama. A little too well, in that aspect. Yes it would be an unnecessary kill, and perhaps one to someone who had inadvertently helped more than harmed, however... the situation with Kurama had pushed too many buttons in one fell swoop. The entire stadium had been a viable target, so far as the fire demon was concerned, if it took care of Bakken and established just how far they were willing to go. By now they were already considered traitors - what's incinerating half of a tournament's audience to add to it?

The fire demon turns his attention back to Kurama's injury too, for a moment, carefully assessing in a methodic back and forth to make sure that nothing goes unnoticed or unaddressed. It's as Kurama expected, though - he had managed to avoid much of the damage from Touya, and the vast majority did not need any treatment beyond perhaps a good night's rest.

Hiei offers little more than a grunt as Kurama says he ought to save his energy, clearly displeased with the recommendation. "I am not so drained that I need to be that conservative."

No, he was not in prime condition, particularly when it came to the physical condition of his arm, but it was not nearly as dire as having to be so conservative about energy consumption. Given more rest, and perhaps a more conservative plan for his next few fights, he would be fine to continue on.

"Is there anything you need help with wrapping?"

[sinningtree]

Hiei's approach doesn't deter the fit of laughter in the slightest, although he has managed to compose himself by the time the question is asked, still smirking with amusement even despite the jab that follows.

"Just imagining the look on Yusuke’s face at being lumped in with Koenma." That's all, nothing to see here. Certainly not digging his heels in about the human’s authority over the group, at the expense of Hiei's stoked anger on the subject.

When the fire apparition asks if he'd lost his mind, Kurama takes a moment to look thoughtful, "You know, everyone does keep asking that..."

Since they'd met, Hiei accused him of being crazy at one level or another, so he really didn't think too much of it, but it really had become a habit by now and not just with him. Not that the fox seems bothered in the least, brushing past the reference to Bakken pointedly, aware that it had been a bit of a sore spot and not wanting to dredge any of that back up.

“I'm fine, actually.”

[sinningtree]

“Of course,” Kurama has no interest in getting between them or meddling in their affairs, especially on such a topic. Outside of the fact that the fox would likely have to help with the setup end of things, regardless of the fire demon's occupation in his space during this time. Unless Hiei wants to go to Koenma for Spirit World technology, instead.

He smiles faintly at that response, leaving to get the first aid kit and perhaps give Hiei a moment to himself, after driving his point home about Yukina. As needy as he liked to pretend the fox was, Kurama was probably the one best equipped to deal with the fire apparition's death, considering the number of losses he'd lived through over the centuries.

The redhead sets the first aid kit on the counter when he returns, speaking again after a moment of going through the supplies to ensure everything was present.

“Then you'll be returning in the morning?” Whether he means the Temple to discuss with Yukina, or Demon World, he doesn't bother to clarify.

Defrosting

[sinningtree]

[From here.]

Kurama has always been one to prepare for every outcome, and over time that included Hiei's appearance in Human World, factoring in his need for appropriate attire when the occasion called for it. After all, he couldn't wear the same black cloak every single time someone saw him without raising some form of suspicion.

Still, an eventuality he had not been prepared for - not yet, at any rate - was the fire apparition arriving unannounced at his hotel. An oversight that might seem silly at the moment, considering his current situation. Hiei can probably read the confusion at his frown, Kurama trying to parse out exactly what he was missing as the fire demon attempts to work out how to ask for what he actually wants.

The tug of his hair combined with upward tilt is indication enough, thankfully - the redhead leaning in easily to answer said request. The fox responding with his typical sly smile as food and change of clothes are both seemingly forgotten in favor of bending forward for the kiss.

[sinningtree]

Without Yukina, things would have been even harder on the fox and he's well aware of that. She'd certainly done enough to ensure any of this was possible, hearing out his side of things and offering unique insights that may help manage the situation. Yukina's awareness of Hiei's true feelings being motivation enough to assist where she might not have, otherwise.

“Perhaps you don't, but it is something they should be mindful of. How else will they learn?” Not that Hiei is a shining example of not pushing oneself to the limit, but perhaps he'll think better of it concerning the children, at least.

“I'm sure he'll be just as ready for his punishment when the time comes.” This is said dryly, emphasis on punishment, Kuwabara's son clearly not viewing it that way, similar to his father as he is. Despite whatever outcome Hiei might intend.

He blinks, a flicker of confusion across his features with the momentary uncertainty prompted by that question. Of course, realization has green eyes widening as it occurs to him that yes, actually, he'd left those supplies behind in the rushed effort to keep the children from catching him unaware.

Still, he's not entirely sure that Hiei isn't looking for an out, subtly directing him to get his things and leave, lacing his own response with uncertainty, “It would seem that I have.”

Kurama doesn't move to retrieve them, instead adding evenly, “If you're attempting to tell me to mind my own business, I'm afraid you'll need to be more direct.”

[jaganshi]

Hiei, of course, had argued that having his own wardrobe was unnecessary. How many times did he arrive in the human world for anything other than to stay with Kurama for a few days? To him, having anything like a couple choices for “fashion” seemed unnecessary when in his mind he was only there to see Kurama anyway. Particularly when the issue of finding something to fit him came around.

All of it is a subject for another time as Hiei finally effectively requests what he wants, and receives the kiss he’s wanted. Not before witnessing Kurama’s little sly smile of course, but he will forgive it for the moment.

Only a moment, though, as he takes a moment after they’ve separated again to grouse at the redhead lowly -

“Why do you look so smug?” The fire demon can’t help himself or that petulant little frown, tugging slightly on Kurama’s hair in retaliation. It isn’t a rough tug for once, not looking to ruin the mood between them over that smile just yet.

[jaganshi]

“How can he not be?” In Hiei’s opinion they might as well be lumped in together. If he had never tangled with that certain human teenager then their entire situation right now may be absolutely different. In what ways Hiei doesn’t yet know, of course, or may never really know. Sometimes that is for the better in the long run.

Hiei’s eyes narrow as Kurama again shrugs off his partial concern as to his condition. He is aware that at the very least Kurama had not been conscious for Bakken to enter the ring, but the entire episode of it all has rubbed Hiei raw in all the wrong places.

Under handed technique was to be expected in the demon world, he knows this of course, but when it comes to Kurama … Hiei would never admit how much the possibility of his imminent death had bothered him.

Curious to suddenly actually very much care for at least two demons and their current state.

“If I did not know you to conveniently avoid the truth I might believe you.” Hiei grumps, arms again crossed over his chest after his skulking, (half) joking jab at Kurama’s ribs.

“At any rate, the healing has helped.” Kurama’s dodge of the Bakken subject has seemingly worked as the little demon moves to look at his wrapped and warded arm.

“But there is a lot of ground to cover, so far as controlling the Dragon when I need it again.” Treating this as a looming eventuality makes more sense to Hiei than pushing off for later. With all the looming threat here, he will need to summon the dragon again.

[jaganshi]

There is no chance Hiei will want to go to Koenma for anything - it is far more likely that Yukina will be making the request of someone to make sure that she at the very least can stay directly connected with Hiei via a phone soon enough. Kurama would no doubt be able to have the number as well, if he were the one she chose to approach about it.

Hiei sinks further in to his steaming hot bath as Kurama leaves to get the first aid kit. The damp and chill of the rain on his skin is leaving slowly but surely, but the sore ache of over trained muscles would take a little more rest to subside. Thankfully the human world is much more peaceful than it used to be, and his visits now were typically for rest instead of business.

Kurama asks about going back, and Hiei pauses for a moment, sitting back up to allow the other a good view of any injury that may need another cautious eye.

“I was going to stay in human world for a little while.” As always he doesn’t give a time frame, though in this case it’s because he hadn’t set one for himself. And now, knowing what he knows of his rumored death, he thinks it may be good to be at least around for more than a few days. If only for Yukina’s sake.

“Now it seems like that may be more necessary than I anticipated.” For Yukina as much as Kurama, now that he looks back on it. Knowing what he knows now, the fox taking a moment to hold him closer at least fits in, even if he doesn’t quite understand how him being gone would affect Kurama (or the rest of them) in the slightest.

“Is there evidence of Urameshi embarrassing himself at least?” Hiei doesn’t want to hear the eulogy, but having something to make fun of Yusuke for suited his needs more.

[jaganshi]

“When they meet their limit.” The children were raised in a thankfully peaceful Human World, but try as Hiei might to remind himself of that fact, he does not want to make them weaker by not pushing. Who knew what could rear its ugly head tomorrow, really, what threat may decide to try and level their sights on the human world or what small family Hiei does have. Not all of human world was as protected as Genkai’s, after all. Beyond that, should he not return from the demon world one day, they needed to be able to protect themselves.

That he leaves unsaid, of course. Hiei’s comfort with his own death, as a child that hadn’t even been meant to survive, sets them all on edge.

“He will be.” Hiei knows of them all that Kazuma doesn’t cowl to his threats. After all, he tends to be eager for training more than worried about what Hiei may have for him that day. Learning to control his natural fire had come easily enough, but making him stronger and more precise took time. Beyond that, he can’t count how many times now he has discouraged the half-demon from attempting to summon flames from the depths of the demon world.

In time, but not this time, many times over. The last thing he needs is his nephew with a charred arm much like his own and Yukina’s justified worry to follow.

Hiei meets Kurama’s assertion with a level stare, finishing his rice ball in the meantime. Not that it ever stopped him from speaking through them before, but.. he is in no position right now to try and throw his weight around.

“You never listen when told to mind your own business anyway.” Whether it concerned him or anyone else, before all this had begun. “So why waste the breath?”

Though it does beg the question of what Kurama came for, then, red eyes inquiring as he wiped his hands on his pants in true Hiei fashion.

Rewiring The Garden

[sinningtree]

Kurama was typically the first to rise in the morning, and though he might not surface from his room right away when Hiei visited, this morning he had set upon a long overdue project. While the situation with the fire apparition had been gradually improving in a rather delinear fashion, he still held some tension just being around him.

Nature helped, the scent of the garden, the evidence of his work coming together - even if he'd still hesitated to do much more with it than the few seeds nurtured to life upon his initial return. Of course, there was more than the flora to worry about out here. It was probably a good thing he hadn't gotten too carried away with replanting as the day's work focused instead on digging up and clearing out what was already there. With the more hands-on approach he'd picked up while human.

The underground network of wires probably didn't need replacing, but it seemed wise to have the optimal connection as far away from civilization as they were, and it gave him a job to focus on that wasn't pestering their guest. A job that would help him in the long run, to work out how he was planning to fit into this new life he'd inadvertently signed up for.

At least, that's what he'd told himself before setting foot outside, but now that he was out there - tools and equipment at the ready nearby - the fox had put the work off, instead simply enjoying the tranquil quiet of the space that basically amounted to his sanctuary there. Thinking and observing, as he had a tendency of doing.

Which means it's much later than he anticipated being out there, when he's still pulling weeds and clearing the area before he can even think about the next part of the project. All of it had really been more about finding a distraction to occupy his time than anything else though, hadn't it?