Chapter Seventeen: An Old Acquaintance

Surprised by Hiei's reaction, Kurama delicately picked up the phone. "What's happened, Yukina?"

Yukina's sobs could be heard very clearly over the phone and she choked out, "Mom died in the hospital just now."

All of the color in Kurama's face vanished and he glanced at Hiei's expressionless face before continuing. "We'll be there at the hospital in a minute, Yukina."

"Okay…" Yukina whimpered and hung up, letting the dial tone ring in Kurama's ear for several seconds before placing the phone back on the receiver. "Are you okay, Hiei?"

Hiei's red eyes were staring down at the floor blankly, with no hint of emotion. And he did not reply to Kurama's question immediately.

"I'm more worried about Yukina…" He muttered and quickly grabbed his black jacket from the couch and hurried out the door with Kurama following at his heels, not even bothering to lock the door.

They reached the hospital in a matter of minutes with a tense silence hanging over them. A nurse directed them to Hina's room and when they entered, Hiei stood away from the bed; neither comforting Yukina nor going to the bedside of his deceased mother.

Yukina was sitting in a chair by Hina's side, tears staining her beautiful face and her crimson eyes cast down to her lap. Hina looked eerily pale but other than that, she looked… peaceful…

Death had taken away all of her pain, exhaustion, and stress... giving her a very relaxed look.

When Hiei didn't make any attempt to continue forward towards the bed, Kurama put his arm around Hiei and led him closer to Hina's bedside. Then the redhead turned his attention to Yukina, "Are you all right, Yukina…?"

Gently brushing away her tears, Yukina nodded slowly. "I'll be ok… Mom said she lived life to the fullest while she could… and she was very proud of us both…"

Hiei shrugged Kurama's arm off of his shoulder and reached around his neck, stopping dead. "Don't stay out too late, Yukina." Hiei ordered and swiftly exited the room without another word.

"Hiei!" Kurama shouted, confused by his lover's sudden reaction.

Yukina gazed at the doorway for a long time before looking up at Kurama with a gentle smile. "Do not worry, Shuuichi. Hiei doesn't want to show how upset this has made him. So if you give him some time alone, he'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" The redhead glanced at the doorway and then turned back to Yukina with an uncertain expression.

"Yes." Yukina nodded and gave her mother one last look before rising to leave. "You're a very kind person, Shuuichi."

"I do not agree with you." Kurama sighed and reflected upon all the times that he felt he had hurt others or betrayed them.

"It shows in your eyes, you know." Yukina smiled up at Kurama weakly. "Even the kindest of people end up hurting others, but to be able to regret it shows that you are kind. Besides, not many people would worry about Hiei as much as you do."

"I guess." The redhead laughed slightly and then rubbed his arm, a little uncomfortable with being alone with Yukina.

"Have a good evening, Shuuichi. I wish to speak with Kazuma now. So if you'll excuse me." And with a polite bow Yukina left, leaving Kurama alone in Hina's room. Sighing, the redhead departed the hospital and decided to try and call Hiei later that evening if he was at home.

When the redhead arrived back at his empty house, he sifted through the day's mail until he came across a postcard addressed to him. All the color drained from Kurama's face when he saw whom it was from. Why has he come back! Glancing at the return address, Kurama left Shiori a note stating he wouldn't be too late getting home. With that done, the redhead burst outside into the cool autumn weather and broke into a run. Why did he have to come back after so long and now that I sort of have a relationship with Hiei?

Skidding to a halt, Kurama gasped for breath outside of the house that he had been searching for. Trying to calm his racing heart, Kurama approached the door slowly. Summoning up all of his wits, the redhead rapped sharply on the wooden door. It opened wide to reveal a lean teenage guy with his long black hair tied back in a ponytail and clad in black leather.

"Kuronue…" Kurama breathed softly.

Kuronue gave the redhead a cocky grin. "I'm back, Kurama."

"Why!" Kurama demanded in despair.

"Because…" Kuronue began gently, closing the space between them. "I missed you."

The older teen was about to embrace his former friend and lover when Kurama turned away. "I shouldn't have come to see you…" The redhead whispered through gritted teeth. "Especially after you left me on a whim."

"Don't say that, Kurama!" Kuronue grabbed the redhead's arm and pulled him closer. "I'm sorry I left… I know it's been a year but I've missed you so much!" Kuronue protested.

"No… I shouldn't have come. I don't know what I was thinking." Kurama broke away from Kuronue's grasp and started walking out of the house.

The lean teenager stood in shock for a minute before grabbing Kurama's arm once again and pulling him back into the house, slamming the front door shut. The redhead found himself being turned around and then his lips were forcefully met with Kuronue's.

No… this isn't right…

Kuronue's tongue parted Kurama's lips with ease while his hands slid down to rest on the redhead's hips. Kurama could no longer fight against his confined love for Kuronue.

No! Kuronue left me and now I love Hiei!

Despite Kurama's voice of reason in his head telling him not to do this, his desires told the voice to put a sock in it. Unable to stop himself at this point, Kurama wrapped his arms around Kuronue's neck and the older teen led the redhead over to the couch and together they lay down.

"How about you spend the night?" Kuronue grinned.

"I'll have to call Shiori." Kurama replied slyly.

TO BE CONTINUED