Sceneplay

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Author's Comments  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'Sceneplay' is a badly hammered together montage of 4-5 different (formerly unrelated) scenes running around in my head over the course of several weeks.  I figured that if they were going to be in my mind I might as well write them down before they mutated into something really dumb.  It was probably too late.  Oh, and this is my first lemon, so please be kind.  That means flames should be done in POLITE language.

          Yes, I said lemon.  Yaoi lemon.  You know what that means... and if you don't you'd better go away and not read this cause you'll obviously be offended (anyone who likes it would know what it's called).  I mean it.  If you do know what yaoi lemon is and you're under 18 (stupid rule, I think, but you gotta draw the line someplace) or offended by this stuff, go away and don't read this.  You have been warned.  So no lawsuits!

          All characters belong to people who are not me.

          P.S.- if you're interested, the scenes were: most of 1, the very end of 2, parts of 3, the second half of 4, and the basics of scene 5.

Webmasters side note:   I honestly don't know what she's talking about or referring to here but the story is really cute and has some really well done juicy lemon scenes in it so I'm just gonna let this confusing mumbo jumbo she has at the beginning pass ;)  hehehehe.

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Scene 1

          It was a perfectly normal, pleasant evening at the Hatanaka-Minamino home.  The parents went quietly about their business downstairs; Hatanaka Shuiichi was absent, staying the night at a friend's; and Minamino Shuiichi sat at his desk doing homework in his pajama bottoms.  All in all, it was a household like many others in Tokyo.

          Well, except for the small fire demon performing a kata in the middle of Shuiichi's room.  As if he really needed to practice with his sword, the redhead thought, sneaking a glance.  The youkai was already an incredible fighter... as he'd most likely be quick to prove if he knew what his shirtless workout was doing to Kurama's train of thought.  Every move Hiei made seemed sensual tonight.  The play of muscles under the dark skin; the smooth, powerfully controlled motions; the thin sheen of sweat on his heaving chest... gods, how he'd love to make Hiei sweaty and breathless himself...!

          He doubted he'd ever get the chance, though.  Hiei had ignored every pass he'd made in the past few years.  Kurama wasn't sure if the stoic Koorime had even noticed, though he'd done just about everything he could that wouldn't damage their friendship, meaning he'd managed to stop short of jumping that perfectly formed little body.  Not that it was easy to do so... his grip on the pencil tightened.  His hands itched to stroke the smooth expanse of skin on Hiei's chest.  And other places, of course, but his chest was what he could see at the moment.

          Suddenly Hiei stopped.  Kurama instantly dropped his eyes to his work, hearing the sound of a low curse, followed by the muffled chop of a katana being jammed point-first into the floor.

          "Hiei!"  Kurama spun in his chair to face the petite figure standing right behind him.  "How am I supposed to explain to Kaasan how my floor got gouged?"

          "Shut up."  Kurama blinked.  Those beautiful garnet eyes shone with a strange light, and if he'd thought about it (his mind wasn't really working right now) he would've thought that Hiei was standing awfully close...

          "Wha...mmph!"

          Hiei pulled back, Kurama stunned into silence.  Slowly, he brought his fingers up to touch his lips.  He could still feel Hiei's warmth on them, still taste the other's mouth.  Hiei smirked.  "I said shut up.  You've been flirting with me for years."  His eyes narrowed.  "Is it an offer or a game?"

          "An... offer..."  Kurama whispered.  Hiei grabbed his arm and swung him from the chair to fall on the bed.  In an instant, he'd covered Kurama's body with his own, pinning him there flat on his back.

          "An offer.  How much are you offering?"

          Kurama didn't flinch at the fierce tone, though his voice was still weak.  "Everything..." 

          A soft nibble along the side of his jaw.  "Everything, hm?  Your body?"

          "H...hai..."

          "It'll hurt... unless you're not a virgin...?"

          "Shuiichi is."  This made Hiei's smirk broaden.  Kurama could feel the change in expression as Hiei worked his way lazily along his neck.

          "Then you probably don't know what this body likes, do you?"  He mouthed Kurama's collarbone.

          "Not everything..."

          "Hm..."  The form under him shivered at the sensual promise in his tone.

          Hiei's tongue traced lower, tasting a slight tang of salt and heat and a particular taste that was Kurama's alone.  It was similar to roses, Hiei noted.  Not too surprising.  He bypassed the nipples... make the fox wait a bit... and flicked his tongue into Kurama's navel, bringing a sharp intake of breath.  So, Kurama liked that, did he?  He nipped sharply at the spot.

          "Oh!"  Kurama gasped.

          "Did I hurt you?"  Hiei brought his head up in concern.

          "No... it felt good.  Please don't stop... ah!"  Hiei's mouth descended on a spot he'd skipped, Kurama arching his back trying to get more of the nipple in Hiei's mouth.  He obliged the unspoken request, suckling at it as his hands traveled lower still.

          "Ne, Kurama... we're still overdressed."  Leaf-green eyes traveled down to where Hiei's hand rested on the waistband of the pajamas.

          "So we are..." he said breathlessly.  "Hiei, are you sure you want to...?"

          "Seems like I'm supposed to be asking you that."

          "I know what I want, Hiei.  But I haven't asked you what you want."  Hiei blinked.  "What do you want, Hiei?"

          "You."

          "How much of me?  You've already mentioned my body.  Is that... all?"

          "Are you offering more?"  Kurama was silent, his eyes pleading.  Hiei looked deep into them, searching.  Finally, he leaned in close to Kurama's ear.  "Tell me what else you're offering." he ordered.

          "My..."  Kurama's eyes closed, unable to watch as he spoke the next words, unable to not say them.  "My heart."  He felt Hiei's weight shift as the little youkai sat bolt upright, his hands leaving Kurama's waist.  A chill wrapped around Kurama's heart... now Hiei would vanish.  He'd gone too far.  Damn, damn, da...

          Something cold and hard landed on his chest.  Kurama's eyes shot open, and he stared at the small black stone twinkling against his skin.  A startled glance upwards, and his eyes locked on Hiei's face.  More specifically, on the blood-red streak trailing from the corner of one eye.

          "Hiei...?"  He couldn't help himself, sitting up under the still form, his hand going out to touch the damp cheek in concern.  Hiei didn't flinch away from the gentle touch, but his fist clenched in the sheets.  Kurama instantly brought his hand away.  "Gomen, Hiei... I shouldn't have done that."

          Hiei slowly brought his fist up before him.  He gazed at it for a long moment, his face unreadable.  Then, he gently pulled Kurama's hand up, dropped something into it, and closed the fingers around it.  Kurama opened his hand.  The tear-gem sparkled darkly from the palm.  "Hiei...?"  The youkai's gaze flickered up from the stone.  And he smiled.

          Kurama's eyes widened.  Hiei was smiling?  He was!  And it was the purest, most open smile of joy he'd ever seen on anyone other than an infant.  Joy... not fear, not shock, but joy!  Then this gem was a tear of joy!  Probably Hiei's first... ordinary salt-water tears came to his eyes as he smiled back.  Hiei covered Kurama's hand with his own, closing it around the gem again, and leaned in close for another kiss.  Kurama's lips parted under Hiei's, allowing his tongue to slip in.

          "My fox." he murmured.  "Mine."  His lips left Kurama's to nip and lick down his neck as his free hand returned to the youko's pants.  He flung the garment aside and fumbled with his belts.  Kurama brushed his hand aside, his centuries of thievery helping him enough to make short work of the buckles, even distracted as he was.

          "Too many belts..." he muttered, slipping the last one free.  Hiei's pants quickly followed Kurama's, and both simply looked at each other for a moment, each taking in the other's natural beauty... and their arousals.  Finally, Kurama tugged gently at their clasped hands, and Hiei pushed him back to the bed.

          Hiei traced his free hand over the planes of Kurama's pale chest, pausing only to pinch the nipples into pebbly hardness.  Then trailing lower, he tickled at the soft curls of his groin before cupping Kurama gently.  The youko's hips lifted involuntarily, a soft sound escaping him, as Hiei began to lightly stroke his penis.  Hiei leaned in for a deep kiss, suckling the pouty lower lip before he moved away, the loss of his hand and mouth bringing a disappointed moan before Hiei's fingers replaced his lips.  Kurama licked and sucked eagerly, his desire-hazed youko mind recalling where this would lead.

          The fingers were pulled away and replaced by a mouth, which Kurama also licked and sucked at happily.  Hiei brushed a single finger against Kurama's opening, slowly pushing past the tightly clenching ring of muscle, then he pulled back slightly only to push further in.  He slid his finger in and out several times before adding another.  Again the slow finger-thrusts and stretching, and he carefully began to add a third finger.  Kurama gasped into his mouth, and his fingers promptly stilled.  Hiei most definitely did not want to hurt Kurama any more than neccessary, but it was taking all his control not to just slam into that beautiful body.  After what seemed like an impossibly long wait, Kurama began pushing back against his invading hand.  Hiei only thrust with all three fingers a few times before pulling out.  A new pressure pushed at Kurama before the fox could whimper this time, though.  Hiei gritted his teeth, his eyes locked on Kurama's, drowning in darkened emerald pools and licking tears from the corners, as he was unable to keep himself from pushing in slightly faster than he intended.  To his credit, once he was seated fully he managed to hold himself perfectly still inside, watching Kurama for the signs that the pain had finally faded away.

          Finally, Kurama's hips began to move.  Hiei moved with him slowly.  Too slowly for Kurama, it seemed.  He cupped Hiei's cheek in his free hand, pulled his head down to brush lips with a feathery touch, and whispered,  "Please, Hiei... more."

          Hiei began thrusting faster, soon making Kurama gasp with each thrust.  But it wasn't until he pushed in at a slightly different angle that he was able to hear the words whispered with every breath.

          "Hiei... ai shiteru... ai shiteru..." Kurama panted.  Hiei groaned at this, and pounded deeper into the youko writhing beneath him.  He felt the tension within him tighten, drawing towards his center, and grasped Kurama firmly, pumping.  He felt the muscles around him tighten, and caught the wordless cry with his mouth as liquid heat flowed over his hand.  Kurama's grip and his heat took Hiei over the edge at almost the same moment.

          Hiei came back to himself lying on top of Kurama, his head buried against the slender neck.  He carefully pushed himself up, sliding out of Kurama reluctantly to roll to his side.  They curled up against each other in languid contentment.

          "Mmm... Hiei, that was..."  The youkai put a finger to the fox's lips.

          "I know."  Then he looked down.  "Ne, Kurama... leggo my hand."  He slid his arm free, draping it over Kurama.  A red-black glitter drew his eye to the youko's open hand and he blinked.  Kurama followed his gaze.

          "Oh, my..."  Where there had been a smooth tear-gem in the palm, there now lay a delicately ki-crafted pendant.  Garnet-black, it was a rose in full bloom, a tongue of flame curling up and around from the base.  "It's... beautiful..."

          "Hn." Hiei agreed.  Kurama closed his fingers carefully around it and held Hiei close.

          "Ai shiteru, Hiei."  He kissed him.  "Always."  When Hiei didn't pull away, he closed his eyes and pulled the blanket up to cover them both. 

          Hiei waited for Kurama's breathing to slow, and once he was satisfied the fox was asleep, murmured, "Same here, Fox."  He then closed his eyes and fell asleep, not noticing a smile come to Kurama's face.

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Scene 2

           It was Sunday morning in the Hatanaka household, and Hatanaka Shiori was having a cup of tea as she read the Sunday paper.  A soft sound made her look up, and she smiled at her loving son.  His long red hair was barely mussed although he hadn't brushed it, and his white robe was somehow perfectly loose.  Where had the genes come from to make such an incredibly beautiful son for her to be proud of?

          "Ohayo, Kaasan." he beamed, pouring himself a glass of milk.  My, but he was happy this morning.  Must've had nice dreams.

          "Ohayo, Shuiichi-kun."  He turned to replace the milk carton, and a sparkle of red caught her eye.  "Is your necklace new?"

          He glanced down, startled.  "Hai..."  He brought it out so she could get a better look.  A rose, beautifully sculpted, with a flame twisting around it, all done in a single deep red stone.

          "What kind of stone is this?  I didn't know garnet could be sculpted."

          "It's not garnet, Kaasan.  It's a... 'Tear of Koorime'.  They aren't too common."

          "Ah."  Shiori had never heard of it.  "It's so well-done... where did you get this?"

          "A gift.  From a friend."

          "Really."  Shiori gave him a knowing look.  "And would that friend be a girl, by any chance?"  Shuiichi smiled, but shook his head no.  "I'm just teasing you, dear.  I know there's no one like that."

          "Um, yeah."  He suddenly looked a bit uncomfortable.  "I should go back upstairs... I have a lot of homework this weekend."  He finished off his milk, rinsed the glass, flashed a quick smile, and vanished.

          Shiori smiled to herself and murmured, "Homework, musuko-chan?  I know a crush when I see it."  She returned to her tea.

          "He hasn't told you who it is yet, Shiori?" her husband asked from the doorway.  At the placid shake of her head, he continued.  "I don't know... I thought he tells you everything."

          "He does.  And he will tell me when he's comfortable with his feelings."

          "Pretty boy like that... too pretty.  Wonder why he's not comfortable telling you yet."  She shot him an uncharacteristically sharp glance.  "You don't think it's a b..."

          "I don't." A raised eyebrow was his response to this.  "I'm not going to speculate about this, dear.  Whoever it is, though, must be quite special to catch my son's eye."

          "He never does look twice at the ordinary girls, I've noticed."

          "Anata!"

          Meanwhile, Kurama slipped into his room, shutting the door absently behind him, his eyes and mind focused on the small, dark form in his bed.  Hiei was so adorable the way he was asleep on his stomach, his arms outstretched, elbows bent so that his loosely clenched fists were level with his head.  Almost like a child, though no child this... even as he thought this, Hiei's eyes opened.

          "Where'd you go, Fox?"

          "Just getting a drink, koibito." 

          Hiei smirked.  "Got your drink right here, baka."  Hiei sat up, letting the sheet pool about his hips, exposing his bare chest.  Kurama licked his lips.  "Well?"

          "Coming, Hiei."

          "You will be."

          Kurama grinned broadly at this, and sashayed over towards the bed, stopping just out of the fire demon's reach.  Hiei raised an amused eyebrow, watching the fox play with the ties to his robe before slowly slipping the knot free and letting the robe fall open.  Hiei eyed the slowly swelling length and let himself flop back on the bed, his own erection tenting the sheet.  He put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes in an imitation of slightly bored relaxtion.  "I'm waiting, Fox."

          He heard the soft swish of fabric as the robe fell to the floor, but had no warning when Kurama mouthed his cloth-covered penis.  He opened his eyes in startlement to see that the kitsune bent over at the waist, still standing next to the bed and therefore putting no weight on it.  He watched, fascinated, as his lover nuzzled at the thin sheet, slowly moving it up his body using only his mouth.  Hiei could feel the warm pressure of Kurama's lips through the sheet, the slight tickling of his breath against bare skin just before it was covered.  After Kurama had brought the sheet all the way to Hiei's neck, he skipped up to slide his tongue into Hiei's mouth.  After insuring the little fire demon was completely breathless he returned to the sheet, slowly dragging it back to its former position at Hiei's hips.  He then repeated the actions, this time without the sheet, his mouth traveling up the youkai's chest, stopping to plunder the small mouth, and circling back to his waist.  Again he nuzzled the cloth-covered mound, then pulled the sheet away.

          Kurama licked slowly at his weeping shaft.  "Fox..." Hiei moaned, almost pleading, his hips thrusting upwards involuntarily.  Kurama smiled at his little lover, nibbling his way up from the base and pausing to sip the thick white droplets seeping from the small opening in the head before kissing it.

          "Dammit, Kurama..."  Hiei growled when he didn't take it into his mouth, instead holding Hiei's hips down and repeating the nibble-sip-kiss action.  It was driving the youko crazy waiting like this, too, but he was determined to keep the pace slow.  It would make Hiei come all the harder later.  Finally he took pity on Hiei, and slid his penis into his mouth, sucking lightly.  Hiei twisted on the sheets, trying to get free of Kurama's grip that kept him from thrusting into that warm cavern.

          "Kurama, do it or I swear I'll yell so loud...!"  It was an empty threat, both knew, but Kurama pulled harder at Hiei anyway, though he still held the youkai's hips still.  Hiei soon groaned and turned his face into the pillow, muffling the cry when he exploded into Kurama's mouth.  He sank bonelessly into the mattress, not noticing Kurama spit his cum into his hand.  The youko moved up Hiei's body, covering it with his own, and kissed him deeply.

          "Hiei...?"  The Koorime murmured something muffled, though encouraging, into Kurama's mouth.  "Can I...?"  Hiei jumped when Kurama's fingers brushed his crack.  A gleam came into his eyes, though, and he smiled.

          "You're asking?"

          "Well... yes.  Please, itoshii, I want to be inside you so mu..."

          Hiei grabbed him by the hair and pulled him down, pressing their lips together.  He loosened his grip only enough to growl, "Stupid fox.  Shut up and fuck me already."

          Kurama beamed and slid his hand between Hiei's legs, rubbing gently at his opening, and let the thick liquid slide along his fingers.

          Hiei blinked when the wetness touched him.  "What are you using anyway, Fox?"

          "My drink."  Hiei raised an eyebrow.  "I didn't swallow."

          A smirk.  "You were that sure I'd let you take me, Fox?"

          "Hopeful."  His eyes twinkled; he knew Hiei was teasing him.  "I was that hopeful."

          "Ch."  Hiei tugged on Kurama's hair again.  The redhead opened his mouth, his tongue putting just the tiniest bit of pressure on Hiei's, his slick finger doing the same much lower.  When the little youkai's lips parted he slid in at each end, carefully matching his finger's slow actions to his tongue's.  Hiei's bravado aside, he could sense that it had been a very long time for the Koorime, not counting last night... and he doubted he'd ever been uke (bottom) at all.  He pulled back and added another finger, moving slowly and pausing every time Hiei flinched.  A third finger, and he stopped and spent some time just kissing Hiei.

          "I'll stop if you want me to, koibito." he murmured.

          "Hn."  Hiei pressed up against him, wincing slightly, but the movement brought an unmistakable pressure up against Kurama's stomach.

          "Almost forgot how quickly youkai recover..." he chuckled, bringing his hand to Hiei's member, erect again.  Hiei groaned when Kurama gave him a few gentle tugs.  He didn't flinch when he moved his hips this time, and Kurama slid his fingers in and out a few times to make sure.  Hiei pressed back against his hand enticingly, and Kurama removed it, shifting to bring the tip of his throbbing arousal to Hiei's prepared opening.  He pushed the head in slowly, stopping when the fire demon grimaced.  He pulled back slightly and thrust in further, again and again until he was fully within Hiei, giving a shuddering sigh when he felt the last of him fill Hiei's passage.

          "You're so tight... you've never been taken, have you, itoshii?"  Hiei shook his head, almost embarrassed.  "Oh, Hiei...!" he murmured in wonder, beginning to thrust slowly.  The youkai gasped, meeting the tentative pushes instinctively.  He wrapped his legs around Kurama and met the awed veridian eyes with his own pleading rubies.

          "More, Kurama..." he whispered shyly.  The youko picked up his pace gladly.  "More..." Hiei repeated.  "More... more..."  The deep murmurs soon had Kurama thrusting violently.  Both youko and youkai clenched their teeth to keep from crying out in pleasure.

          Finally, Kurama bit hard into the side of Hiei's neck, and a warm wetness exploded inside the fire demon.  Hiei's eyes and mouth flew open and he came immediately with the extra stimulation, covering his stomach and Kurama's with his hot seed.  The kitsune collapsed atop him, and Hiei managed to wrap his arms around the limp weight, though not to push him off.  He found he kind of liked the warmth of the fox covering him, heavy but not too much for his youkai strength.  It made up a bit for the empty feeling when Kurama's softening length slid from his body.  The redhead tilted his head the tiniest bit.

          "Oh, god... I bit you, Hiei..."

          "Baka fox." he exhaled.  "Koorime like biting."

          "But I drew blood..."

          "So lick it and gimme a kiss.  I like that too."  A surprised blink, and Kurama complied.  Hiei purred, licked the faint traces of his own blood from Kurama's mouth, and clutched the fox closer as he sank contentedly into sleep.

          Much later, the two lay curled together, sated for the time being yet again.  The bedclothes had become a tangled mess sometime during their most recent lovemaking, kicked off to the side, and now they rested, comfortable in their nudity.  Hiei toyed lazily with the small tear-gem pendant on its silver chain, tracing an arc across Kurama's chest.

          "Mmm... Hiei?"

          "Hn?"

          "What I said last night... you do realize I mean it?  Forever."

          Hiei shifted, propping himself up on his elbow to look into the kitsune's eyes.  A subtle twitch of his brow asked Kurama to elaborate as clearly as if he'd said it.

          "For Shuiichi's lifetime, and Youko Kurama's, and yours, and all the next... I'll love you."

          "Hn."  He leaned down to place a feather-light kiss by Kurama's mouth.  "I wouldn't have it any other way."  Another light kiss, this one fully on his lips.  "My fox.  My crazy fox...  My itoshii fox."

          "Itoshii?  Really?"  His voice was tiny, shaky, both hope and disbelief filling it.  At Hiei's nod, a smile of pure joy lit up his face, though tears flowed freely.  He cupped Hiei's face in one hand.  "Show me...?"

          Hiei sat up, pulling the fox with him into a long, slow kiss.  By the time he pulled away, Kurama was completely breathless and blushing.  The youkai recognized the look on his face and chuckled.  "You're insatiable."

          "So are you."  Kurama indicated Hiei's already swelling sex, and grinned as his lover colored.

          "Hn.  C'mere, fox."  He roughly pulled Kurama to him and plundered the fox's mouth.  Kurama allowed it, wanting Hiei to be the aggressor, to claim him as his own.  He slipped his hands between their bodies to clasp Hiei with both hands.  This time he wanted the Koorime rock hard when he took him.  Hiei left off his mouth to nip and suck his throat and the planes of his chest.  Kurama was so caught up in the sensations he didn't notice Hiei's hand leave his arm.  But when Hiei suddenly grabbed his sex he noticed, and was unable to keep a sharp gasp of pleasure from escaping him.  Hiei rubbed the already-slick flesh as he pulled Kurama onto his lap, back-to-chest, his groin pressing into Kurama's crack.  The kitsune's slender hands slipped from Hiei's member to his hips.  Hiei brought his other arm from across Kurama's waist, trailing a single finger between his spread thighs.  He pressed against the tight pucker, noting it was still wet with his own cum from an earlier session.  Good.

          "Hiei... itoshii... you don't need to test me, just take me please!"  Kurama begged.  Hiei brought his hand up to cover the youko's mouth and obliged with one quick thrust.  Kurama clenched his teeth and hissed involuntarily, but didn't cry out as Hiei had half expected.  The tight, slick passage pulled at him, and the sensation, combined with Kurama's muffled pleading, caused Hiei to let himself go, slamming hard into Kurama from behind.  Soon, his hand slipped from Kurama's mouth, when he threw both arms around his love's slim torso, lifting him in time with his powerful thrusts, though he remembered himself enough to keep one hand pulling on the fox's throbbing shaft.  His head thrown back, his mouth open and uncovered, Kurama panted loudly with Hiei's rhythm.

          Suddenly, Hiei sank his fangs deep into Kurama's shoulder, his body shuddering as he came explosively.  The fiery-hot liquid filling him brought Kurama over the edge, and he cried out as he spilled his seed over Hiei's hand.  The two sagged against each other, completely spent, and waited to recover.

          The door burst open.  "Shuiichi, I heard a... OH MY GOD!!!"

          "..... 'Tousan...."

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Scene 3

           Kurama stared in absolute horror at his stepfather, standing shocked just inside the room, not noticing Hiei sweep the sheets around their joined hips.  His mind and eyes were locked on his stepfather's reddening face.

          "You sick... little... hentai... fucker!"  He advanced with each spat word, and on the last one his fist flew towards Kurama's dead-white face.  And stopped several inches away.

          "Don't.  Even.  Try.  It."  Hiei gritted.  He tightened his grip on the man's fist, making him gasp in pain, and pushed him away to fall to the floor.  "Kurama... I need to..."  The fox didn't react, so he slid out as gently as possible.  Then he started to get up from the bed.  Kurama grabbed his arm wild-eyed when Hiei shifted.

          "Please... don't..."

          "I'm not leaving."  He looked directly into those wide green eyes, trying to reassure the kitsune.  "I'm just going to dress."  Kurama's grip loosened, allowing Hiei to flit to where his pants lay tossed to the floor near his katana.  He pulled them up, buckled a single belt, snatched up his katana and whirled to touch it to Kazuya's neck.

          "Don't try to hit him behind my back again, ningen."  The man looked at him defiantly.  "Understand me, bastard: I would lose no sleep over using this."  Now the man's eyes widened, no trace of defiance left in them.  Hiei stepped back and sheathed the sword.  "Kurama?"

          The redhead stared blankly at him.  Hiei dug into his dresser and pulled out a pair of clean sweatpants, tossing them into his lap.  "Put them on."  He watched as Kurama obeyed, noting smugly that the youko's stepfather had his eyes clenched shut.  He then took the slender, limp hand into his own, and glared at the older ningen.  "Move."

          He correctly guessed that Hiei meant out the door.  He stumbled ahead of the couple and down the stairs at Hiei's silent direction.  He then lurched into the living room.  "Shiori!"

          "Anata?"  She put down a book.  "Shuu-chan?  What's going on?"

          "Oh, I'll tell you what's going on!"  Hatanaka thundered.  "Your son's sleeping with a madman, that's what's going on!"

          "Shuu-chan?"  She glanced to where Hiei was settling a still-shocked Kurama into a chair, his expression openly concerned for once, then back to her ranting husband.

          "Caught them red-handed, I did!  I hear a cry from his room, so I go in to see if he's okay and what do I find?  I find him in bed!  With a boy!  One I might add that then threatened me with the goddamn biggest knife I've ever seen!  Threatened!  In my own house!"  Shiori saw the small, dark-haired boy turn away from her son with a lethal ruby glare.

          "I do not make threats." he warned in a surprisingly deep bass rumble.  "And you will get no second warning if you try to hurt my friend again."

          "You tried to hurt Shuiichi?!" she gasped.  Her husband sputtered.

          "He's a fucking queer!"

          "He's my son, and it's none of your business who he cares for!  You had no right to do that!"  The man's hand flashed out.  This time it stopped less than three inches from Shiori's face, again caught in Hiei's iron grip.

          "I should kill you for that."  He flung the ningen to the floor.

          "No, don't hurt him, please!"  Shiori touched the youkai's shoulder, snatching her hand back when he turned blazing eyes on her.

          "You... don't want him hurt."  She shook her head.  "Even though he tried to hurt you?"  Again, she nodded.  He turned back to look at the prone man, and cursed.  His posture relaxed.  Fine.  He wouldn't hurt this jerk... for now.

          "Hiei...?"  The Koorime stepped back over to Kurama and took his hand.

          "Hai, Kurama.  I'm here."

          He lifted tear-filled green eyes.  "She'll hate me, Hiei..." he choked, wrapping his arms about the fire demon as he began to sob.  "She'll hate me, she'll hate me..." he kept repeating the three words over and over, a tortured mantra.

          "No she won't."  Hiei said, feeling completely helpless as his love continued to sob.  "She won't and she doesn't.  Kuso... are you even listening?"  He cast his gaze around the room, finally alighting on Shiori.  Ah... he cocked his head, motioning her over.  "You have to tell him you don't hate him.  He doesn't hear me."  She knelt next to him, reaching out to touch the distraught redhead.  He gasped and shot his head up to see Shiori's worried expression.

          "Kaasan..."

          "Shhh.  It's all right, musuko-chan.  I love you."  He shook his head the merest fraction of an inch, not comprehending.  "I do.  You're my darling son, no matter what, and I'll support your choice."

          "You... will...?"  She nodded solemnly.  "Kaasan!"  Suddenly she found herself pulled into a tight embrace... as did Hiei.  She returned her son's hug one-handed, allowing Shuiichi to hold both of them close.  She withstood the flood of relieved tears, letting him cry himself out.  Finally, he pulled back with a shaky smile.

          "Shuiichi... do you love him?"  He nodded, and she turned to the other boy.  "And you... do you love my son?"  He gave her an 'are-you-stupid' glare, which she held firmly until he at last gave a single curt nod.  "Then I'm happy for you both."

          "Shiori!"  A whine came from behind them.  All three looked up at her husband on the other side of the room.  "How can you?  It's sick!"

          "Hatanaka Kazuya!  I said it's none of your business."

          "The goings on in my house are my business." he snapped.  "And I won't have any of their kind under my roof.  Have them out by tonight."  He stormed from the room.  Shiori sat frozen in place, stunned.

          "Kaasan...?"  A gentle hand touched her cheek, turning her to look at Kurama.  "I'm sorry, Kaasan."  A tear rolled down her face.

          "I'm the one who's sorry, Shuiichi.  I can't do anything."

          "I know."  He kissed her forehead.  "I know."

************************************************************************

Scene 4

          Yuusuke flipped down the volume on the TV.  He thought he'd heard something.  A minute passed, then he heard it again; a soft tapping on the door.  "Oi!  Coming!"  Pulling the door open, he saw a slender figure on the doorstep.  "Kurama?"

          "Konban wa, Yuusuke."  His voice was softer than normal, and his eyes showed signs of crying.  Yuusuke motioned him inside.

          "Kurama, what's wrong?  You've been crying."

          "Can... can I stay here tonight?  I've been kicked out."

          "Yeah, but... kicked out?"  Yuusuke couldn't believe it.  "But you're practically the perfect son!  Why in the three worlds would they kick you out?"

          Kurama turned his face away, a slight blush on his cheeks.  "Ano... Tousan, um... caught me in bed with... somebody."

          "What?!"  It was ridiculous, despite his former youko reputation and his ningen popularity... but Kurama's embarrassment and the fact that he was here proved it was the truth.  "Oh, man, Kurama, you must be crazy.  You snuck a girl into your house with your parents there and fucked her?!"

          "Well... not exactly."  Yuusuke crossed his arms with a slight smile on his face, waiting.  "It... wasn't a girl." Kurama muttered.

          "Okay, so you snuck a guy into your house with your parents there and fucked him.  Shit... you've got some nerve, Kurama."  Despite the scolding words, his tone was more amused than anything else.

          "I didn't... I mean... it just kind of... happened."

          Yuusuke gave him a sharp look.  "There are better places for quickies, I'm sure."

          "No!  I'm not like that anymore!  Not since I was a full youko..."  Kurama sagged onto the couch.  "I can't be that way, Yuusuke.  Sex without love... I just won't."

          "Gomen, Kurama."  Yuusuke sat next to him.  "I didn't realize.  You love this guy?"  Kurama nodded.  "And you won't give him up, so you got kicked out?"  Another nod.  Yuusuke sighed explosively.  "Well... shit.  Who is it?  I might be able to get Kaasan to let him stay some nights."

          "Ano... etto..."

          "Come on, you gotta tell... who beat out practically everybody in both the Makai and Ningenkai?"  Kurama pressed his lips together and shook his head, obviously refusing to tell.  "I'll keep bugging you til I find out!"

          "Shut up, Uremeshi."  Yuusuke jumped in surprise.  He hadn't sensed the dark ki slip into the house.  Hiei emerged from the shadows, cat-silent in his movements.  "It's none of your business."

          "Aw, come on, Hiei!  You can't tell me you aren't the least bit curious!"  Hiei merely glared a negative.  "Well, I'm dying to know, so spill it already!"  The last was directed at Kurama, so Yuusuke missed the questioning glance Hiei shot at the kitsune, who shrugged slightly just before he was caught in a headlock and noogied by Yuusuke.  "Time to tell, Kurama!"

          "Me."

          Yuusuke let Kurama slip from his grasp as he turned to look at the Koorime.  "Huh?" he said intelligently.  Hiei rolled his eyes.

          "You wanted to know that badly, so I'm telling you.  It's me."

          "You."  Hiei glared.  "Kurama was in bed... with you.  Oh, man..."  Hiei's expression darkened, but changed to surprise at the next words.  "The girls were right."

          "Nani?"

          "The girls, Kurama.  Shizuru, Keiko, even Yukina... they're all positive you two are secretly crazy about each other.  I think Shizuru and Genkai even have a bet going on about who would make the first move."  Both demons turned bright red at this, making Yuusuke chuckle.  "So... was it good?"  Kurama couldn't help beaming, and Hiei fixed him with his best 'are-you-an-idiot' glare.  "I'll take that as a yes."  He fell back on the cushions laughing.  Hiei put a possessive arm around Kurama, who still sat next to Yuusuke, and glared at the prone and laughing teen.

          Yuusuke laughed all the harder.

          It was much later, and Kurama had fallen into an exhausted sleep on the couch, after managing to convince Hiei to stay for a while at least.  Yuusuke had gone outside to think for a bit without the fire demon's hard glare piercing into him every time he twitched.  You'd think Hiei was actually worried he'd wake the sleeping redhead or something!

          Maybe he was.  Kurama had claimed to love the grouchy demon... and Yuusuke wasn't too sure Hiei would've cheapened his friend's feelings with a meaningless fling.  Hell, he was damn sure Hiei wouldn't do that.  Hiei was more the type to cheapen his own feelings like that if he thought just-sex was all he could have. That was probably exactly what had happened, come to think of it.  Everyone knew Kurama's youko reputation, and he'd been flirting with Hiei for years... the youkai had probably thought Kurama wanted a tumble and had finally decided to just take it without telling what he really wanted.  But then Kurama had admitted it was more than just-sex...

          Awww...

          "Hey, Uremeshi!"

          Yuusuke winced.  No one had a bass screech like Kuwabara.  He turned to see the gangly teen swaggering towards him.  "Hey, Kuwabara."

          "What're you doing out here, man?  It's cold out here!"

          Trust him to state the obvious.  "I'm thinking."

          "Uh... wouldn't it be easier to think inside?  Where it's warm?"

          Uh-oh.  Evil impulse, dead ahead.  "Well..."  Oh, yeah, let Kuwabara in, with Hiei and Kurama.  Could he pass up the opportunity?  "I guess.  Come on in."  Nope.  He opened the door, allowing Kuwabara to enter first, and followed him inside.  Just as he knew he would, Kuwabara kicked off his shoes and bounded towards the living room, obviously after the TV.  Yuusuke followed with a huge grin on his face.

          "GAAHH!"  Kuwabara stood statue-like just inside the room.  Yuusuke edged past him to discover a very kawaii scene.

          Kurama still lay sleeping on the couch.  Hiei lounged at one end, the redhead's arms wrapped tightly about his waist, his head pillowed in the crook of the little youkai's shoulder.  One hand was tangled mid-stroke in the long red silk and the other was placed gently around Kurama's chest, clasping Kurama's inactive Rose Whip loosely (he had obviously removed it to run his hand through the youko's hair).  Dark crimson flames burned in Hiei's glaring eyes.

          "Shut up."  he told Kuwabara.  His hand returned to stroking Kurama's hair soothingly, though the lethal stare remained.

          "Does Kurama know you're doing that, runt?"  It was apparently the only thing Kuwabara could come up with to ask about Hiei's very un-Hiei-like actions.

          "No."  He smirked.  "He'd be all over me if he did."

          "Aba... buh... but... huh?"

          "Idiot."  Hiei decided, partially to shock the hell out of Kuwabara, to lean down and kiss Kurama directly on the mouth.  Kuwabara's horrified yell woke the kitsune up.

          "Mmm...?  Hiei...?"  Hiei pulled back slightly.

          "You woke him up." he accused, just before Kurama drew himself up to kiss Hiei lovingly.  Kuwabara was too shocked to speak.  When the fox finally released Hiei, the youkai smirked at his disliked ally.  "If I knew it was this easy to shut you up, I would've done it long ago."

          "Hiei...!"  Kurama pouted.  Hiei shot Yuusuke a glare that clearly said 'get out' before returning to Kurama's lips.

          "Come on, Kuwabara.  There's beer in the fridge and you look like you could use a drink."  He pulled at Kuwabara's arm.  "Clothes stay on in the living room, guys!"

          "Ano... etto... but they're both boys...!" Kuwabara could be heard stuttering as Yuusuke dragged him from the room.

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Scene 5

           Hatanaka Kazuya sat in his office, coolly doing paperwork.  It had been two weeks since Shiori's boy and his little madman had left, and Shiori had been cold and hostile towards him since.  He'd tried to make up with her several times.  He'd even said he'd try and accept the young man if he'd only break up with that boy.  Maybe try going out with some nice, female types.  This more than reasonable offer had been met with a slap, and he'd been eating his own cooking since that attempt.  What was wrong with her?  You'd think she'd want a nice, normal, good son.  Not some... some sick hentai!  His secretary knocked.

          "Hatanaka-san, your ten o'clock appointment.  A Jaganshi-san."

          "Please."  A tiny, soft-spoken woman entered the office.  "Call me Yukina."

          "Have a seat, Yukina-san."  He gestured towards the chairs before his desk.  She smiled sweetly and shut the door behind her, careful to insure it wouldn't slam.  That action and her general quiet demeanor gave him the impression of a rabbit, or perhaps a shy kitten.  He smiled to reassure her.  "So what can I do for you today, Yukina-san?"

          "Actually, Hatanaka-san, I'm here on the behalf, and with the permission, of my niichan."  He raised an eyebrow, not noticing her touch his phone as she leaned forward.  "I simply feel I must try to speak to you privately."

          "About?"

          "Your stepson."

          "I do not have one."  His voice chilled.  "Perhaps you are mistaken."

          "You are Hatanaka Kazuya, married to Hatanaka Shiori, formerly Minamino Shiori, the mother of Minamino Shuiichi?"  He didn't answer.  "Yes, I see you are."

          "Do you have any real business to discuss, neesan?"

          She stood and leaned over the desk slightly.  "This is far more important than any other business.  This concerns my dear brother, and his itoshii, and your wife, his itoshii's mother."

          "Get out." he growled, not daring to hit the girl.  Not in public, not when she had a hostile queer for a brother.  She could easily be as vicious as the little brute.

          "No.  Neither of us is leaving this office until we finish this."  He snatched up the phone to call security, and stared when the entire base came up with the handset, cold to the touch.  "It's frozen solid, Hatanaka-san, as is the doorway.  You cannot leave until I let you."

          "What!"  She merely gazed at him, and he leapt for the door, finding the knob unturnable.  Looking closer, he saw a thick layer of ice between the door and its frame.  "How...?"

          "Cold, of course.  How else do things freeze?  Now can we please discuss this?"

          "No.  Let me out."

          "No.  Your childish bigotry is tearing your family apart.  You're breaking Shiori's heart, you know.  Her son is still the same person he always was.  He knows this, she knows this, we all know this.  But you refuse to admit it... why?"

          "Fine.  You want to discuss this, little girl?  We'll discuss it.  He is a queer.  End of story."

          "What's wrong with love?"

          "Nothing.  But what he's doing is disgusting... hentai... sick..."

          "It's love, Hatanaka-san.  Have you considered the non-physical side?  Have you any idea what they mean to each other?"  He sat, stubbornly silent.  "I see you don't.  Or won't.  Consider this, Hatanaka-san: the day my brother and I were born, our people murdered our mother for loving someone who was the 'wrong' type for her to.  Is their bigotry really any different from your own?"  His mouth opened and shut, with no sound coming out.

          A slight breeze sent papers scattering from Hatanaka's desk.  He bent down to retreive them, and when he straightened up saw that his number of guests had doubled.  He glared in perfect rage.

          "Get him out of here!  I won't..."

          "Shut up."  Hiei snarled.  He stepped closer to the desk, leaning over it to intimidate the ningen with his most deadly expression.  It worked; the man shrank back into his chair.  "You made my koibito cry, and I'm not even going to hurt you.  You'd better appreciate what I do for my fox."

          "Niisan."  Yukina's soft voice cut through the tension in the room.  "I had hoped you'd decided not to do this.  You know Kurama wouldn't want you to."

          "Hn."  His determination was obvious.  "That's why I didn't tell him."

          "No.  You didn't."  Hiei stalked out of Kazuya's line of sight; when the man twisted about to keep the fire demon in his gaze, Yukina gently stopped him.  "I need to ask you a question, Hatanaka-san... no, don't turn around, Hiei's not doing anything."  This wasn't true, actually: Hiei was in fact watching Kazuya with his Jagan, but it would shatter a normal human's sanity to look at it.  Yukina continued.  "Hatanaka-san, you don't have to accept your stepson's choice.  But are you willing to respect it?"

          "No."  Hiei nodded at Yukina's quick glance: it was a true answer.

          "Ignore it, perhaps?  Understand that they are best friends, and have been so for far longer than they have been lovers?"

          "Will a yes get you out of my office?"

          "Please answer the question."

          "Yes."  A curt, silent negative answered her glance this time.  A lie.

          "You lied.  You have no intention of ignoring it."  Hiei flitted up behind Kazuya's chair, lightening-quick, and pressed the man's head immobile against the headrest by the simple use of a palm against his forehead.  "Hiei-niisan... are you absolutely sure?" Yukina pleaded.  "It's so personal..."

          "It's MY fox he's hurting."  And I'll do anything for my fox, even this.

          "Then... I'm sorry."  Hiei disregarded this.

          And he let Hatanaka see.

          See the wordless, mindless crying for a mother and sister glimpsed for less than an instant before the falling through nothingness and it seemed it would never end and the newborn's wails went on and on....

          See the huge fist in the dark room, falling again and taking blood-black gems that clattered to the floor after each impact on the tiny spiky-haired child...

          See countless mouths forming insults and sneers, countless fights with increasingly stronger opponents; always winning, but always hated, so many long years weighing down on him...

          See the little redheaded boy, his voice still hovering between a child's treble and the future light tenor, the first to ever win the fight... a child!... yet treating the wounds he'd inflicted with his strange barbed green whip; bringing food, good food, the first he'd never had to steal; an openly caring smile at the one question... why?... and the confusing answer: because I remember.

          See the pain on the more fully adult face, framed with now-long red hair, and the hope upon learning of the Mirror of Utter Dark, the obvious willingness to trade his life for some unknown reason... a fragment of memory years after: the faraway look and the tiny smile on lips that formed the answer: Kaasan...

          The sword going through the redhead's frail body only days after they'd taken it, when he'd jumped between it and a dark-haired boy his own age... and yet he smiled with forgiveness...

          Shuiichi leaping between a... a thing and his friends, taking blows meant for others, in fight after life-threatening fight...

          Tending Shuiichi's horrible wounds... watching the girl Yukina  -a soft whisper, repeated many times as the years passed: 'why don't you tell her you're her brother?'-  tending the redhead's wounds... being tended to, time and time again, by Shuiichi, the beautiful teen hurt as well more often than not... waking injured to see him always there with a relieved smile...

          Watching the teen quietly doing his homework in the evenings, walking in the park, laughing with his friends... but every time the smile would fade when the others weren't looking, and the beautiful eyes would fill with loneliness...

          Those same vibrant green eyes sparkling with joyful tears only days ago, words falling as sincerely as the droplets...  "For my lifetime, and yours, and all the ones after... I'll love you.  Itoshii."

          Hiei shared only sight and sound with the ningen, not allowing a single thought or emotion from any memory through.  At last, he took his hand from the man's forehead and drew the cloth over his Jagan once more.  When Hatanaka finally looked about for the dark Koorime, he and Yukina were alone once more.

          "What...?" he croaked.  Yukina placed a cup of water before his trembling hand.

          "My niisan has some skill with telepathy.  Whatever you saw or heard were some of his own memories, Hatanaka-san."  He opened his mouth to speak.  "He showed you the barest drop in an ocean of the connection between him and your stepson, yet even that much was a sacrifice on his part."

          He ran his hands through his hair and stared at the desktop.  "What I saw... so many fights, so much blood... and you... a blue light..."

          "As my niisan has a talent, so do I.  I am a healer.  I've had to work on all my friends at one point or another."

          "Shuiichi.  He was fighting.  Had a green barbed whip..."

          "Hai."

          "Why?!"

          "They're his friends.  He couldn't let them fight alone."

          "But it wasn't just then!  I saw him, couldn't have been more than twelve, maybe thirteen, and he won against your brother."  Yukina nodded.  "And then brought him food and treated his wounds..."

          "All true, Hatanaka-san."  She stood and bowed politely.  "But would he help at the cost of his own safety if he were a 'disgusting, horrible' person?"  She looked steadily at him.  "You have much to consider, Hatanaka-san.  I will take my leave of you."  She touched the door momentarily before opening it easily, then glanced back at him.  He still sat staring directly ahead of him.  "Farewell, Hatanaka-san."

          He didn't respond.

************************************************************************

Scene 6

          This was a beautiful place, he noted absently.  Thick forest, steep steps leading up the hill to large, traditional-style buildings, and the scent of incense in the breeze... all enhanced the peacefulness of the temple grounds.  No wonder Shuiichi had spent so much of his time here...  several scenes from That Morning drifted through his mind, reminding him that Shuiichi had been here for more than the serenity.  Fighting, recovering, keeping vigils... he shook off the images.  Right.  He was here for a reason.  Better get to it.

          He slowly climbed the temple stairs, unknowingly tripping a signal in one of the buildings.  At the top, he paused, somewhat winded, and looked around.  The courtyard was empty, so he nervously made his way across it and climbed the main temple steps.  He reached out for the door handle.

          "Don't."  He jumped and whirled at the soft, raspy order.  A small, old woman stood watching him from about ten feet away.  Her stance and expression were impassive, and though she was ancient he realized instantly that this was not a lady to be trifled with.

          "Are... are you the owner of this temple?"

          "I am Genkai."  She took a drag on her cigarette, still coolly observing him.

          "I suppose I should take that as a yes."  No answer.  Something about that really unnerved him, but he continued.  "There's someone who comes to this temple often... I have no way to contact him.  Perhaps you know him... Minamino Shuiichi?"

          "I might.  State your business."

          "I... I..."  He took a deep breath.  The thought of not doing as she said didn't even cross his mind.  "I just wanted to say... if he doesn't flaunt it, he can come home."

          "Flaunt 'it'.  You mean his relationship with that grouchy little Tantei."

          "Y...yes."  Tantei?  What detective?  Was the short guy a cop or something?  It would explain some of the attitude, he supposed.  He was probably lucky he hadn't been arrested that first day.

          "Quite a change, Hatanaka."  She knew him by name?  This lady really wasn't one to mess with.  "Just days ago you were ready to beat him to a pulp over this."  Her expression finally changed.  He decided he liked the first one better than this knowing smirk.  "Or try to, at least.  What changed your mind?"

          "I was given something to consider."  He had an idea what that 'something' had cost Shuiichi's, uh, friend.  Not even this lady would get him to admit what had happened.

          She took another long drag on her cigarette, impassive once again, and exhaled the smoke smoothly.  "I'll pass it along."  He recognized the dismissal for what it was, and nearly ran from the temple in his relief.  Genkai watched him go.

          "The ningen isn't the fool we believed him to be, is he?"

          A dark form slipped from the shadows behind her.  "Hn."

          "Kurama will be happy to go home, Hiei."

          "Hn."  The little youkai vanished, probably to tell Kurama.

          "Yes, indeed, Hiei." she murmured to herself.  "He will be happy... and that alone is enough to make you happy, too."  She ground out her cigarette and returned inside.