Beginning-Start Beginning-Ch13 Beginning-Epilog
Chapter Fourteen: Loose Ends The imp adjusted the speaking mirror and then activated it. Hiei waited until Genajo’s form showed before he turned around to face the mirror. "Ah, Rastalan," Genajo hissed, "I was wondering when you’d contact me regarding our deal." "It’s off," Hiei spoke sharply but with a hint of boredom. "I’ve decided on a different path." And you’ll never know how true that statement is. The snake’s lidless eyes widened before he snapped his hood in annoyance, "I’ve gone to a lot of work on this deal, Rastalan… I expect compensation." Hiei shrugged, negligent in his power, tossing in a spark off the mirror for good effect, "You’ll get it. Wanathal?" Flicking his tongue, the snake thought for a minute. "Agreed. And you will owe me for a future tasking as well." "I don’t deal in future bargains," Hiei narrowed his eyes, letting the human creases draw them into slits, accenting the dark hazel color. A series of sharp hisses showed that the snake was laughing, "If you call this off, you do. I will expect it, Rastalan. I will." The mirror went dark, disconnecting the link. Hiei frowned at it for a moment, then shrugged. He’d gotten off lighter than he’d expected for that deal. That gave him more maneuvering room for the other three demons he would have to contact. Although Kurama would never know it, the fox-human had just thrown over a great many of Hiei’s other plans. I will not endanger my fox. Kurama is stuck in the human world for a span, and I can’t allow attention to be drawn to him. As my mate, he will be open to attack and retribution that should rightfully be directed at me. Kitsune have their own brand of defense… but I will not trust that. My personas will have to take a break from serious dealings for awhile. There are a few I will have to retire completely. It should be possible to stage a takeover from one persona on a few of the weaker ones. But my freedom is still limited. When this tasking ends, I will go back to Koenma’s jail… ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... "You stay right there," Kurama snapped at the gargoyle as it tried to edge away. "Why do I have to be caught up in this!" The stone figure whined, nervously glancing between Kurama and the spider demon. Kurama laughed and tossed a seed at the gargoyle, making vines entangle it solidly, "Just wait until I’m done. Shouldn’t be much longer." "Damnit! I don’t want my blood sucked out by a spider after it kills you!" "You have blood?" "Are you going to fight me or not?" Bored, the spider crossed three of its arms and tapped two of its feet. Kurama stopped teasing the gargoyle and turned back to the spider, "I’m ready now." With a shake of its head, the spider spun out a web. Kurama smiled and reached up to his hair and drew out a rose. Calmly, he watched the web descend around him. At the last possible millisecond, Kurama spun out the rose, creating a long whip of sharp thorns and deadly beauty. Impossibly, the whip cut through the web, sectioning it into slices. Not a strand came near Kurama. The demon backed off in surprise, studying its opponent anew. The dance began anew. This time a matched pair with attack and defense equal between the opponents. Kurama leapt and twisted and turned in curves and circles, spinning in place as graceful as a ballerina, somersaulting with the agility of a gymnast. He used the whip as part of the dance, as beautiful as a gymnast’s ribbon, as deadly as the sword he’d given to Hiei. Every time it licked the edge of the demon’s skin, another shred would be gone. Then a leg fell upon the ground. Yelling, the spider backed off, picking up its severed leg and holding it up, "Enough, kind spirit! Please, allow me to live!" Hiei’s notes hadn’t said anything at all about special conditions for this monster. Kurama thought about it for a moment and then decided to accept. He’d already taken one prisoner, after all, a second would fit with his current actions. With a shrug, Kurama coiled up the whip, eyeing the spider thoughtfully, watching for any sign of altered plans. And the dance had been going so well… Though Kurama was a little disappointed that Hiei hadn’t been watching. "Shit…" the gargoyle breathed, eyes wide, "And I thought the other one was dangerous! Damn, I’m glad I didn’t fight you!!! Shit. You beat Yaga…" The spider glared at the gargoyle, "Shut up, Patha! Just you wait until we’re in jail together…" The gargoyle eeped and shrank back in the vines. Kurama frowned at both of them. Dragging one prisoner around was bad enough, what am I going to do with two of them? "Hiei," Kurama softly called out. It was only a few seconds before Hiei showed up – in his normal form. The demon glanced curiously at the other two demons and then settled his gaze on Kurama. Red eyebrows rose as Kurama observed the subtle deference Hiei was showing. We have an audience… so he is holding to the original terms of our partnering, and I’m in charge. How very interesting. Kurama grinned, thinking of some ways he could exploit this… Hiei stepped between the two demons and Kurama and, with his back to the audience, he stuck his tongue out at Kurama, also giving a glare for good measure. Don’t even think that, fox. His shoulders shook for a moment before Kurama regained his famous composure, though his green eyes still sparkled, "Hiei – can you take them to Koenma?" With a snort, Hiei agreed. He was silently amused that Kurama remembered that Hiei could get around without telling Koenma, and he knew that Kurama didn’t actually expect him to check in with Koenma. Besides, there are a few errands I should really do in person… Kurama smiled, recognizing Hiei’s pride in his fox, I am Hiei’s…, and acknowledging the other errands. With a wave of his hand, he left Hiei to it. As soon as Kurama turned the corner, the spider snorted and turned around, "I’m outta here. No little shrimp is going to take me in!" It paused as its left eye focused on the sword a centimeter away from the huge orb. Sweat drops appeared on its head. "You were saying?" Hiei inquired. "Uh, just give me a moment to reattach my leg…" ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Out in the street, Kurama found a quiet corner and finally allowed his laughter to escape. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Impatiently, Hiei paced in the rock quarry. Imps kept scuttling in and out, reporting on movements and conditions and traps… Hurry up, damn it! Much longer and somebody is going to notice me here. "Hiei," a rich and musical voice, full of amused pride, "I knew Koenma couldn’t keep you for long!" She stepped forward through the rocks, her long gown sliding with her movements, not hindering. "And not a word has reached the Makai yet. We can make very good use of that deception…" "We?" Hiei’s eyebrows rose parallel with his jagan and a dark flame rose around him. She stopped advancing, amber eyes nervous, "I meant only that your plans have the advantage of—" Hiei interrupted her, "I know what I will do. No one else does. Never forget that, Catkin." The tall demonness swallowed and then visibly pulled her shattered control back around herself as she stepped forward, a slim hand outstretched, "You summoned me." She was beautiful. Hiei regarded her dispassionately, "Pack your things. You’ve got one month to find a new place." "What?" The golden-red hues of her round eyes spun, showing her surprise and sudden fear. "But, Hiei…" Suddenly, she narrowed her eyes and then advanced on Hiei, sniffing the air and evaluating every inch of him. Hiei quirked his mouth in a grin and stood still. Before he came here, he’d been very careful to take a bath and wash his clothes so that no trace of the human world remained on him. The demonness paused in her circling and then continued. Huh? Hiei quickly evaluated every indication of Catkin’s posture and eye movement at the time of her pause, and his mouth tightened in annoyance. I forgot about the damn sword. It’s not mine. Kurama, damn you… it better not be traceable. "So," Catkin hissed as she returned to stand in front of Hiei, "Who is she?" Hiei’s mouth quirked again, "I indeed kept you around too long if you think you can address me in that manner." This time, the demonness had perfect control of her actions and she merely shrugged, "I want compensation. A month is not much time to find a new position; especially after having been with you." Hiei snorted, "Compensation beyond the jade ring, the tigo scroll, the vase of shallot, and the data file of mukasis?" The amber eyes were wide again, "You knew? But…" She swallowed nervously, "Why didn’t you do something?" "Why should I have?" Hiei shrugged. "But here…" He held out a necklace with three translucent golden stones, "You have been a good companion." "Dragon amber…" Catkin breathed as she knelt down before Hiei, her head tilted back to bare her neck. Hiei contemplated killing her; she had seen the sword… He reached down and clasped the necklace around her neck. "Go." "Hiei…" After rising to her feet, the demonness hesitated, then bent down to kiss Hiei lightly upon his lips. Then she left. I wonder how long it will take her to figure out the properties of that necklace? Hiei watched the tall figure glide through the rocks. He didn’t think that after the month was up that Catkin would have a new protector. Instead, she would claim a small territory of her own. Several decades from now, she would be very interesting indeed. Though Catkin had been little more than a prostitute when he’d found her, her talents only needed freedom to develop. It had been an interesting balance to let her teach herself enough to gain confidence, yet still keeping her in awe of him. This will make things very interesting in the years to come. Hiei didn’t normally let them go this soon. If she survived, Catkin would make either a very interesting enemy, or a strong ally. With a shrug, Hiei left to finish his errands quickly so he could return to the human world. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... "Well, it’s about time!" Kurama opened his eyes and squinted at the dark shape coming through the window. Hiei snorted, "Had some loose ends to finish up." With a yawn, Kurama shoved the covers off next to him in invitation, "Well, then…" Kurama’s voice trailed off and he sat up, "Hiei?" "Huh?" Hiei paused in the midst of taking his boots off. He watched with startlement as the fox got out of bed and began to circle him, sniffing the air, the red mane bristling and the human ears starting to lengthen. "Oh for…" How the hell do they do it???? I swear I got every pheromone and scent and speck of dust off me! "Loose ends…" Kurama mused, and paused with his face in front of Hiei’s. With the slightest change of expressions, Hiei acknowledged the request. Kurama leaned in and kissed Hiei. At first it was an exploratory, questing kiss. After a moment, the kiss depended and Kurama wrapped his arms around Hiei, pulling their bodies close. Moving his mouth off Hiei’s, Kurama chuckled evilly, "I hope you dealt very appropriately with the ‘loose end." And here I’d thought he was the untouched one. So much for expectations. Kurama smiled to himself as he nibbled on Hiei’s earlobe, I think I like the way he takes action quickly. How did he figure anything out from just a kiss? Hiei sighed to himself, resigned to being owned by a possessive fox. A passionate fox as well. Hiei tilted his head into Kurama’s chest as Kurama moved his lips from Hiei’s ear to the base of his neck. Ahh… Hiei tugged the pajama top up and ran his hands over the bare skin of Kurama’s back, wiggling his fingers gently over the small of the back in the hollow just above the waist. Kurama threw his head back with a small yip, that tickles! With the loosening of arms around him, Hiei broke away and moved over to the bed, getting rid of the rest of his clothes along the way. Crawling in between the covers, he waited. And he surprises me again. Kurama grinned, somehow, I’ve never pictured him as domestic, but a more homey gesture I’ve never seen. He slipped out of his pajamas and folded them neatly on the chair next to Hiei’s carefully hung cloak and folded pants. Then he got in bed next to the demon, reaching to hold him close, a contented growl rumbling deep in his chest. What a fox. Hiei craned his head to see if Kurama’s tails had manifested. No sign of them, but… Hiei ran his hand down the length of Kurama’s spine and then stroked gently on the ending nub, moving his thumb in circles around the bone. His other arm he kept tight around the wiggling fox in his arms as Kurama yelped and pushed into Hiei, his whole body quivering as he panted. Hiei grinned, I think I found another erogenous zone for Kurama. He moved his hand to one side and cupped one of Kurama’s buttocks, his fingers curling around the soft flesh. Ahh! Kurama exhaled and rested his head on the pillow as his body came down from the excited shimmers Hiei had put him through. I hadn’t expected that – it’s not that sensitive in my Yoko form. But I guess without my tails there, the nerve endings have to go somewhere… For one intense moment, he regretted Hiei’s prohibition on certain forms of sex. If I’m that sensitive there… I’m going to have to gain those extra tails quickly! Kurama brushed his lips against Hiei’s jagan, feeling the lid close as his lips passed over and open again as he moved beyond. "Beautiful demon," he whispered, "Warm me tonight." Hiei chuckled, closing his normal eyes as the fox moved his lips, "Certainly, my spirit-ruby. Warm enough for love." ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... The next morning, Kurama took his shower and got dressed, humming with pleasure. When he checked out of the hotel, he picked a random direction and started walking. Within a few steps, Hiei had joined him and they walked together, silent while they shared the space. They were almost out of the town when Hiei frowned and turned back. Curiously, Kurama followed, his ears twitching as he tried to find what had alerted Hiei. Suddenly, Hiei darted to one side and grabbed something in his hand. "Hn…" Hiei held the insect between his fingers and studied it carefully. His nostrils flared as he turned a slow circle, looking with all his senses. Absently, he crushed the insect as he walked down an alley and knelt down by a crack in the ground. After several minutes passed, another insect crawled out and shook its wings to fly. Hiei reached out to smash it but a hand reached over his shoulders and picked it up. Turning his head, Hiei watched Kurama examine the insect. This is from the demon world. And so was the other. Kurama tilted his head and closed his eyes, reaching with his ki… A sharp sound sent him reeling. Aborting a move to grab the fox, Hiei knelt silently, waiting. Kurama blinked open his eyes, "The Insect Flute." Hiei hissed in consternation, "Are you sure?" He instantly waved off the question – the fox wouldn’t have said it if he wasn’t sure. This was bad. Hiei got up and started to pace. As his partner walked from one end of the alley to the other, Kurama knelt down in his stead and placed a hand on the crack. Sure enough, it was a gateway into the Makai. A very small one, but definitely there. The insects were being directed to come into the human world, and as they obeyed, they forced open cracks between the worlds. In the human world, the insects would cause enough havoc, but beyond that… the cracks would eventually widen, opening a pathway for bigger demons. Yet sealing this crack would just ensure that another one opened elsewhere. Pulling a seed from his hair, Kurama set it to grow. The next insect that came out was instantly eaten. Dusting his hands, Kurama stood up and waited for Hiei. "The Four Beasts," Hiei stated. Kurama’s eyes widened, "Are you sure?" Hiei shrugged, "I could send the imps to check, but… it feels right. I discredited Koenma with the raid on the treasury, stealing the Three Sacred Objects. That—" "’We,‘" Kurama interjected. Accepting the change with barely a glance, Hiei rephrased and went on, "When we stole the Objects that left possibilities open for others. Yet, Koenma did capture us, and there are not many others who would dare." "Except the Four Beasts." Hiei frowned. "No?" Kurama glanced at the plant as it ate another insect. "I think…" Dropping that thought, Hiei sighed as he glanced to the sky, "Koenma will recall us soon. He will send Yusuke in and he needs you with him." Damn. I wanted the week left to us. One week… They could have done a lot in a week. "Perhaps it was best that you rushed things." I rushed things? Kurama snorted in a fair imitation of Hiei. "You’ll be with us too." "Stop presuming, fox. Koenma would not let me near Yusuke." Hiei hesitated, "And Yusuke would never accept me. I am the enemy, after all, and would have killed him." Kurama shut his mouth on another protest. He’d forgotten about that. Okay, he knew it was a point he really couldn’t have forgotten, but he was so comfortable and easy with Hiei that he forgot that a human would see it differently. Hiei is fascinating – surely Yusuke can see that and understand. "Kurama," Hiei wavered for only a moment, for he knew their time was now limited. As Kurama gave him an inquiring glance for his name, Hiei moved to Kurama’s side and hugged him tightly. I don’t want to let go. I want… It was too soon in their love for parting. Astonished, Kurama returned the hug, holding Hiei closely and feeling that now familiar wave of protectiveness and adoration rush through him. I love him, he is mine, I am his. "Hiei," Kurama whispered his reassurance, "You are my mate forever. I will have you by my side again, no matter what it takes." "Careful, Kurama…" Kurama grinned, "Okay – I’ll find you again, always. We will never be separated for longer than we can bear it, because I will come to you when it is too much." Hiei didn’t reply, his head buried in the folds of Kurama’s shirt, his cheek pressed against Kurama’s heart, listening to the steady beats, listening to the words and the promise. I would like to say, ‘don’t put yourself in danger for me’ but it would be a worthless statement. Instead, I will have to make sure that I am the one who returns to him. Still, though, something in his heart eased for knowing that Kurama would be with him again. After awhile, Hiei stepped back, "Kurama, be careful. You’re good, but the Beasts are powerful." Kurama studied Hiei for a moment longer, then switched back into preparedness mode, "Can you tell me about them?" And why did you hesitate, earlier? "Um…" Hiei’s gaze dropped to the crack, "I’m not sure." Excuse me? Kurama tapped a foot. "Look, Kurama, this doesn’t quite fit. What do you know about them?" "They rule that portion of the Makai where the Rakai tosses criminals into a sealed barrier for a life imprisonment. Only the worst get sent there, and the Four are the best." "Exactly." Hiei sighed at the look Kurama gave him. "The Four Beasts aren’t always the same demons – Suzaku/Vermilion Bird/Fire Element, Seiryuu/Azure Dragon/Wood, Genbu/Dark Warrior/Water, Byakko/White Tiger/Metal. Those are all titles, though when a demon challenges an existing Beast, usually they are matched with one similar, either element or manifestation. The ruler of the Beasts varies by Power, but instead of overall power levels, they usually have one or two special techniques they use. When I was last there—" "When you were what???" Hiei glared at Kurama, "Prisoners in Hell will bargain well for what they can get in or out. And information is more precious than life, there." His tone said to drop the subject. "When I was there, the ruler was Genbu. And he liked his position there too well to do something like this. There must have been a power switch among the Beasts, and almost definitely a new ruler. I can describe the Beasts I used to know, but that might be a disadvantage for you if your expectations are confounded." Kurama gave him a look. "Fine," Hiei sighed, "Yusuke will be in trouble if he misjudges – did you see the look on his face when Gouki changed to his demon form? Yusuke was too scared to even focus his power properly!" "No, I didn’t see – you were yelling at me at the time, and we were on the other side of the forest." Kurama tapped a foot, "How did you see it?" He grinned at the glare Hiei gave him and decided to push it a little further, "Watching him instead of me, were you? And you hadn’t known about Yusuke’s rei gun, huh? Uh huh…" A growl shook the cement they were standing on, "Drop it, Kurama…" With another grin, Kurama got back to the discussion, "So we don’t tell him anything?" Hiei shrugged, "He seems to adapt well when figuring things out on his own. Preconceived notions, on the other hand, seem to restrict his abilities." Kurama nodded, that made sense. From what he’d seen while talking with Yusuke, and talking with Koenma, the boy had enormous power with little training on how to use it. And he fought regularly with his human peers. For him not to kill others in a fight, he would have to restrict his power almost completely, yet he was unaware of this. He has spent fourteen years holding back his power, using just enough to defeat but no more. In order for him to use his power fully, he must see a threat; but if he is scared he won’t focus. An interesting balance. Kurama remembered what Hiei had said about Yusuke needing a threat to others. That makes sense now. If he is defending others, he won’t be scared for himself, yet he will still see the need to tap into the strongest of his abilities. And so Hiei used Keiko so the fight would be more real. Hiei was obviously use to others underestimating him. And Yusuke’s power had increased in magnitude as each new threat was revealed. A bored demon is a dangerous thing. With a quick look to the sky, Hiei shook his head, "That’s the third scan in as many minutes – Koenma is definitely looking for us." Kurama sighed, "I’m ready." Hiei took a last look at his beautiful, precious fox-human and then took his block down. The hum of rei power enveloped and surrounded them. Moments later, the plant was the only thing in the alley. |