Hiei's Problem

 A Fanfic by Sandy Youko

Part II - Hentai Tantei 

Those three previous days had been terrible for both of them. Kurama was climbing up walls, as Hiei avoided all possible intimate contact. As a matter of fact, Hiei was attempting to avoid any kind of contact at all... They had not even kissed! Not even an innocent peck on the cheek. His Fire Youkai had barely spoke him more than a cranky "good morning" and a peevish "good evening".To say the truth, the only complete, articulate sentence Kurama had heard form Hiei for three days was "Sorry, kitsune, I still got that headache..."

As Hiei went off to the his scouting duties, Kurama was left alone. His youko mind would trail off then, his heart despairingly hurt, as he lined up all possible solutions, as well as all possible explanations, trying to justify Hiei's problem.

Kurama would sit quietly, on the verge of crying. Their relationship was too strained to remain uscathed. He had to find a solution soon.

Could Hiei be allergic to Fox fur? Maybe any kind of vitamin deficiency... but Kurama was not sure if Fire Demons actually had any need for vitamins. A circulatory malfunction? Kurama knew the problem was indeed, a serious one; Even his strip act, which would normally put his demon on fire, had failed.

Everytime Kurama had attempted to engage Hiei into action, the Fire Demon would do whatever at his reach to dodge his cuddling and kissing. He thought to be irresistible in his Youko form...

In the end, Kurama had tried all he could. His latest attempt to get his Youkai back to normal had even caused Hiei to suffer from a nasty indigestion. Kurama had secretly offered him a Youko potion; one he had learned about centuries ago: a mixture of all herbs, roots and seeds known in Makai for its aphrodisiac effect. But it seemed Kurama had exaggerated portions on behalf of a quick, preferably immediate, result.

Thus, poor Hiei wasted the following days on constant vomiting, and the most serious case of diarrhea ever reported in Makai.

After undergoing such misfortune, Hiei had hidden himself farther into the forests, shouting out loud how he actually needed to be alone, while roaring the most ignominous insults to his silver lover, and the whole Youko race, past and future. He fled, and it was the first time anyone, even Kurama, would witness Hiei asking out for help. Or better, screaming out for help, as Kurama had insisted on going after him, announcing his expertise on a special revigorating massage which would put his health anew.

Hiei vanished on thin air in a flashy move before the youko could even think about getting close. Then, two other days came and went by...

Bored to death, Kurama took the time to chill out his lust and try to think rationally on all which was going on between him and Hiei. There must have been something genuinely weird going on... He had a slight suspicion about what would be causing Hiei's problem... He just needed to be back to the Ningenkai for some small talk, to try to get a corroboration.

Kurama already held a rather serious bet on who to blame for his poor partner's sudden lack of sexual appetence...

He easily sneaked back across the borders, not minding enough to change forms. He calmly strolled the dimmed streets of Tokyo, his tall, silvery silhouette cast into the shadows, careful about not letting his long tail show off much. He was near his destination, there would be no reason to worry about being picked out as Youko.

It had taken him very short to reach Kuwabara's house. He knew Yukina was spending some days there, visiting. Yukina and Kuwabara were seriously engaged now, and had even set a date for marriage. Most naturally, Hiei had gotten insane when he heard the news, and mumbled for days about slaughtering the Ningen pig. Fortunately, he had not yet put his words into action.

Kurama knocked softly at the door. None of their friends knew the kind of relationship he actually shared with Hiei; he had to take care.... The girls, always more attentive than the boys probably might have noticed something rather than mere friendship binded them. However, they had always kept whatever suspicions they shared to themselves, politely playing dumb on the matter.

Furthermore, Hiei had'nt yet told Yukina the truth about being her brother, and would not forgive anyone, not even Kurama himself, to let the truth out. The Silver Youko would have to hold his tongue.

Yukina was the only one, apart Kurama himself, whom Hiei would care to visit and talk to in the Ningenkai. Hiei often told her much about what was really going on in Makai. In fact, Kurama was somehow sure Hiei let on his thoughts and worries more smoothly to Yukina than he would to him. He was happy they would be getting along well, like brother and sister should. Kurama was counting the days: Soon Hiei wouldn't be able to keep the secret of his kinship to Yukina anymore; they were getting really close to one another. But the Fox had to admit he would be jealous sometimes...

Hasting steps were heard from inside. Shizuru opened the door, her eyes widening in surprise, and she showed a sly smile, taking a long and suggestive look. The Youko's gorgeous figure was so seldom observed!

"Wow... Kurama Youko! Coming to visit me? "

He didn't smile, just stepped in, holding hands up to his chest, his golden eyes darting nervously all around.

"Need to talk to Yukina... It's about Hiei..."

Shizuru puffed her cigarette, closing the door, cleverly facing the 6,4 ft Fox spirit.

"What a waste. So gorgeous, yet going up and down after that runt..."

She gave him no opportunity to retort, leaving a huge smoke cloud behind as she rushed back inside, yelling for Yukina.

Kurama blinked at her comment. Was it so blatant to all, then? He had always thought he was doing such a neat undercover job. In a very near future he would have to persuade Hiei about finally leaving the closet.

Kurama held his tail across his lap to sit at the couch. His hands trembled nervously, as he imagined if there would be a future for him and Hiei at all...

"Kurama-Sama, How are you?"

He turned towards the soft voice at once, in visible distress.

"Yukina san... I'm fine, but I've come for Hiei. I think he is very, very ill."

Her pretty big red eyes widened in surprise, as she approached the Youko, sitting next to him, neatly laying her small hands crossed on her lap.

"What's happening to Hiei? If I could be of any help..."

"He's in Makai. I was with him there. He has lost all energy, all interest in anything... He won't even make love to... " And Kurama halted, worringly. He had to mind his tongue...

"Bring him here, and I 'll try to use my healing power on him..."

Kurama blushed. He could not do it... How would he explain Yukina the nature of Hiei's problem? The Youkai would cut him off in two if he dared to tell anyone about his flimsy state.

" First I need to know if he told you about anything differently happening in Makai..."

"What kind of thing? "

Kurama breathed in, and felt an acute pain piercing his chest. He had to ask of his most serious suspicion...

"Did he make any complaints about his trainings? Or about the way Mukuro treats him? "

 Yukina smiled softly.

"No... In fact he was very excited about it all. Last time I saw him, he told me he is really becoming much stronger than during the Makai tournament. " Yukina covered her mouth with the back of her hand, the same reserved gesture Kurama had seen in his partner, so many times. She chuckled very softly then. "I'm sure Hiei intends to become next Makai Tournament Champion."

"And about that slut... err, I mean... what about Mukuro?"

"Nothing wrong. He had told me they are getting along pretty well. He even said he enjoyed her company."

Kurama moaned unconfortably... He had found the cause of Hiei's problem... Training... Yeah, he knew exactly what kind of training the youkai and that disgusting bionic bitch had been sharing...

"He said that?" Kurama exclaimed, totally muddled at the news.

Yukina nodded calmly.

"It's good to know Hiei is not alone in the Makai, isn't it, Kurama? It seems him and Mukuro will soon be more than friends..."

Kurama growled something... His eyes were filled with pain, and a sudden death-like paleness covered his features.

"Did he mention they are..." Kurama didn't need to complete his statement. Also, his throat was dry and constricted; he really could not say more...

"Oh, no! You know how reserved he is... But we can figure that out..."

He stood up, tense, quivering, his eyes nervously seeking the door... He had to go, he had to do something, whatever the cost...

He mumbled some stupid excuse, bowing slighty before Yukina, who tried to reach him, and detain him a little more.

"Kurama Sama... You seem to be ill as well... What's going on? " She asked him , seeming very upset. "What more is there that you don't want to tell me? "

"I've got serious business to attend to in the Makai, Yukina... I must go... Arigato for your attention." Kurama retorted, just before reaching the door and leaving.

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Taking the decision had been hard. He just sat back in the void between worlds, head down, as he cuddled to himself within the dark empty space. His thoughts tortured him, his emotions rammed his chest suffocantingly. He was compelled by his frustration and anger, and he could not would slip away. Kurama knew he would barely have a chance to win, but he ought to try putting an end to whatever, or whoever was risking his loving partnership with Hiei.

He had to challenge, defeat and destroy Mukuro.

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 (To be continued - Part Three - Bionic Fuss )

Characters are proprierty of Yoshihiro Togashi, Fuji TV, Shueisha, Jump Comics, and Studio Pierrot. The events portrayed are not necessarilly present in the original series Yu Yu Hakusho