Seasons - Part 4/4: Autumn
August
The wind blew across miles and miles of land, over the golden harvested wheat fields, the trees full of fruits, and vast grasslands with crisp brow grass, caused by bearing the rays of the sun for almost one year. Everything seemed ripe, and if not, all stepping on the path which leads to maturity. It was not as beautiful as the spring and summer, but had its unique charm, like the elegance and wisdom of a full-grown woman.
Thick green leaves were now tinged with bits of red and auburn. Like people, the leaves were getting old. With the accompaniment of the scarlet and yellow leaves, even the walls and roofs of houses seemed to have ashen with age. The world looked as if it was drawn out with one single brown colored pencil. Peaceful, but never lifeless.
"Umm . . . so you see, mother . . . Hiei and I are sot of, how do I say it, . . . in a relationship," Kurama explained hesitantly. Hiei looked on with interest as the usually calm fox fidget and stutter. He had to control himself form smirking.
Everyone had aged a year, and it was time for all the things to draw a conclusion. For those that should be continued, leave it for the next year. For those that had long stopped and you still couldn't let go, try to put it behind you. The end of something is just a period of time for you to prepare to accept the next beginning.
A long silence followed Kurama's confession, and Shiori seemed very thoughtful. Hiei sat in a very proper and formal position without a hint of impatience on his face, when actually he just wanted to break free the next second. Trying to ease his own tension, Kurama brought a cup of tea to his lips and took a sip, when his mother said, "So you two have slept together, haven't you?" Kurama totally chocked on the tea that was halfway down his throat, and started coughing madly.
Shiori chuckled, "I take that as a yes. I don't mind you two dating, as long as you are serious about each and every thing you do, and don't wear yourselves out too much. I t is time for you to have someone, Shuuichi. In fact, I was just wondering minutes ago that why are you still not having a girlfriend." Kurama gaped, and made a good imitation of a fish.
A while later, both of them were strolling on the street, when Hiei finally let out a laugh. "I have never seen you so chocked, fox. You spaced out for almost a whole two minutes."
"But at least it's over now." Then he smirked cryptically, "And it is your turn."
"My turn what?" Hiei narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"First, you have to tell Yukina that you're her brother, next, tell her about our relationship. Last, tell Yusuke and Kuwabara about us, though I don't think it's necessary. Depends on if you want to say."
"WHAT? You want me to tell Yukina?"
"I'm sure that she will be happy to know that you are her brother. Even if you don't say, I believe that she already has some clue. Didn't she say that 'if I could find my brother, he must be saying the same things as you'? So don't worry. At least having a brother is better than having none. It is nice to know that you are not alone, no matter how bad the other person might be. But I won't force you. If you are not going to confess, I am. I want you to be happy, and not hiding or moping around every time Yukina is near by."
"But . . . I mean . . . are you sure that she would be glad?" Hiei asked, now half convinced.
"Oh, you'll see," Kurama gave him a wink and started dragging him towards a carnival that had opened just a few days ago. Hiei had a vague suspicion that Kurama was up to something . . .
"Oi! Kurama! Shrimp! Over here!" cursing inwardly, Hiei turned towards that voice and saw none other than Kuwabara, with Yukina beside him. Paling visibly, he tried to back away, only to bump onto Kurama, who gave him a devilish smile (though I wonder if it was possible) and whispered, "There's you chance. Go ahead." Then he called out brightly, "Hi! Kuwabara, Yukina-san," and walked towards with Hiei in tow.
"Are you two here for a date?" Kurama asked with a sunny smile.
"Kazuma just said that this is a good place to have fun, so we came. Are you two on a date then?" Yukina looked right at Hiei, making him flinch away and lower his head. Finally, after eons of silence, he muttered, "Yes."
"I'm really glad to hear that, Hiei-san." Hiei risked a glance at her, then dropped his gaze again.
"Um . . . Can I talk to you about something?" he mumbled.
"Sure!" Yukian smiled encouragingly at him, then turned to Kuwabara, "Kazuma, can I meet up with you at that Ferris wheel after an hour?" Kuwabara nodded grudgingly, then trudged away.
Kurama slipped his hand into Hiei's and have a light squeeze to prompt him on.
"Well . . . You know that every time you tell me to find you brother, I can't find him?"
"Yes?" Yukina replied, though there was a sort of anticipation in her eyes which made Hiei more sure about himself. "You see . . . I can't find him . . . because . . . I'm your brother." He blurted out quickly.
"I know that this is a chock to you, and I kept it a secret because you must be full of expectations for a brother, and all I am is, or at least was a thief. I didn't want to break your fantasy, so I didn't ---˝ but before he could finish his babbling, Yukina had waked up and gave him a hug.
"I'm glad that you've finally decided to tell me. So can I call you Oniisan now?" She said through tears as she let go, then giggled when she saw the totally dumbstruck look on Hiei's face.
"Then . . . y . . . you have know long ago that I'm your brother? But how?"
"Of course, oniisan, but I can't explain how. I guess there was still a strange connection between people who are related by blood, and I happened to have sensed that. Besides, you eyes are so much like mine that they are a dead giveaway. Although I had known the troth long ago, I didn't not want to ask you before you are prepared, or else you would feel like you are forced to become my brother, and I won't want that."
Hiei continued to gape, until Kurama chuckled and shook him till he regained some sense. "It's your first day together as brother and sister, so let's make good use of the time, ne?" Hiei only managed to nod.
They met up with Kuwabara and earned many suspicious looks form him as his eyes darted between Yukina and Hiei. Then he put a protective arm around Yukina's shoulders, and immediately Hiei's katana was by his throat.
"Don't you dare touch Yukina!" Hiei growled.
"Hey, why can't I, shrimp? It's not like you're her boyfriend or something. You already have Kurama. "
Yukina smiled apologetically at Kuwabara, then gently pushed the blade away. "Oniisan, you know that Kuazuma won't hurt me, so you don't ---
"ONIISAN?" Kuwabara shrieked and pointed at Hiei. "This shrimp . . . your brother . . . no, definitely not possible . . ." He looked as if he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and his face changed from pale to slightly greenish, then to red.
"Kurama, either call Yusuke now and let him pick up this oaf, or just directly call the hospital. I don't want a lunatic to be screeching by my ears on my special day." Kurama laughed dryly, then chose the first option.
Yusuke came in record time, and seeing that Kuwabara was sin such a state, he smirked and asked Hiei, "So, you have told her the truth, huh?" Hiei nodded. "And are you together with Kurama now?" Hiei blushed a little and nodded again. "Good. Looks like today is a pretty good day!" Then he glanced down at Kuwabara, now wilted into a heap onto the ground. "Well, maybe not. Anyway, enjoy your lucky day, guys!" With that, he dragged Kuwabara and went away.
"Oniisan, you know that Kazuma won't hurt me, so you don't have to be so fierce around him."
"Don't worry, Yukina-san. Hiei won't really cause any major injuries on him. In a way, he still treats Kuwabara as a friend. It's just that he's too protective. He always feels that the owes you something." Kurama explained.
"Shut up, fox," Hiei grunted and turned around.
" You know what, Hiei? You look so cut when you are embarrassed."
Yukina watched on with interest at the lover's banter, and silently mused to herself, "They have changed so much just around each other. Maybe because to them, the other person is special?" And she smiled to herself.
"Hiei, are you tired?" Kurama asked after they had walked Yukina to Kuwabara's home when the day of activities was over. They had practically gone on every ride in the carnival, and Kurama's knees had almost turned into jelly by the time they had gone through half. How the small bodies of Yukina and Hiei carried so much energy would forever be a mystery to him. Now he just wanted to crawl under the covers and sleep.
"What? Tired so quickly, fox? I thought that you had some other activities planned on . . ." Hiei smirked.
"I may have that in mind before, but now, I would be very lucky to be able to get home. I don't have the strength to needle you back anymore. By the way, the expressions you had when you confessed to Yukina was priceless. If someone told me that you can kill ten people in a blink of an eye at that moment, I would never believe him."
"Kurama, you just said that you don't have strength to needle me now."
"Oh, that wasn't needling. You're just too fun to play with."
Everything in the world was maturing, but when all of them had become totally ripe, then it would be the time to part. Ripe fruits would be picked away; totally red or yellow leaves would fall; grasses would wilt when they had finished the cycle of the year. Maturity is the most glorious of all the periods of our life, but it is also the shortest, just like the sunset. Despite this, people still wished for it.
They think that changes are good, because they never realized the happiness in stillness, in a period where everything just stands frozen. Only then your most precious thing would never leave you. When everything is frozen.
"Hiei, how do you feel?"
"What do you mean how do it feel? I'm not so easily tired like you."
"No, I mean now that your relationship with Yukina has changed, do you feel anything uneasy, different, or happy, you know? You can talk to me all you want." Kurama smiled gently and took hold of Hiei's hand.
"I should thank you, fox. If not, I never would have the courage to tell her. Now I don't have to hide in the shadows every time I look at her, or try to protect her. It is sort of a relief, but now I guess I have more responsibilities to deal with, and I will keep her away from harm as much as I can."
Kurama turned and pulled Hiei into a hug. "I'm glad that you are happy."
The weather was gradually getting cooler, causing tiny little changes in the environment, and thus, the way people behave. Girls knitting a scarf for their someone special, wives adding a coat for their husband as they leave the house, etc. Small as these actions are, emotions were still put into them. Notice more of the minute things, and you'll find that the world is still filled with love, even as people's hearts change.
"Isn't it such a coincidence that they were at the carnival too?" Hiei asked.
"Not really," Kurama said with a sheepish smile, "I told them to wait there for us."
Hiei glared and pretended to look angry, but gave up after a while. "You know me too well, fox."
Just remember that no matter how people change, and how things change, there will always be love in this world.
September
The air was supposed to be cool and refreshing, with a hint of dryness that belonged only to the autumn, but now, under the still thick but red canopy of monstrously huge trees, the air was humid and almost suffocating. The smell of maple permeated through the atmosphere, more intoxicating than any perfume. Sunlight shone lazily through the crimson leaves and cast red shadows onto the ground.
Who could be in this atmosphere and not be drunk?
They ran through the woods so fast that their feet barely touched the thick layer of fallen leaves below. If they really were to come into contact with those leaves, they would probably be drowned in them.
There was no wind, but the leaves rustled and danced onto the red carpet below, as if a strong gale had just blown by. Everywhere was red, from vermilion to deep scarlet, as if the whole world only consisted of red.
"Ah! It feels so good to be back in Makai again!" Kurama exclaimed and took a deep breath. His crimson tresses seemed to have merged with the surroundings. "But Hiei, why are we here?"
"To see Mukuro." Kurama's heart tightened unconsciously at t he mention of her name. "Don't worry, fox. I am not interested in her, and never will be. She almost punched a hole through me the last time she got angry. Anyway, I just have something to talk to her about." His eyes glinted in a mysterious way Kurama could not decipher.
Soon they found Mukuro's moving fortress. Upon entering it, all the guards bowed until their heads almost reached the ground. Hiei just walked on as if they were transparent, and Kurama raised a brow.
"Hiei-sama, Mukuro-sama has been expecting you," one fo the gurards said and directed them through the fortress. Kurama's brow rose even more as he heard the "expecting you".
Finally, they came to a room with tall ebony doors. Hiei ushered Kurama into a room beside it and said, "Wait here for me." He left the room and closed ht door behind him before Kurama could retaliate.
Frustrated beyond belief with huge portions of suspicion and jealousy, Kurama paced around the room in circles. The door wasn't locked, but he couldn't eavesdrop. There were too many guards. After what seemed like an eternity, Kurama calmed down a bit and took a look at the room. It was nicely furnished and new, and the style had a touch of classic to it which was much to Kurama's taste. A king-sized bed stood at the center with thick mahogany bedposts, and it seemed so soft and fluffy . . . A huge closet was beside it, and out of curiosity, Kurama opened it.
The wardrobe was incredible with all the clothes arranged according to their colors. Kurama took out one, and found that it was exactly his size, and so were all the others. The wardrobe seemed to be made for him.
Having nothing better to do, he changed into a Chinese style pale lavender tunic that reached a little past his knees. The buttons were delicate Chinese knots made with thick burgundy strings. Below he wore a nicely fitting with dress pants. Bother articles were made of heave silk, comfortable and draping down, showing the smooth curves of Kurama's slightly feminine body. He nodded in satisfaction and was just wondering who knew his figure what well when the door opened.
"Please come this way, Kurama-sama," a guard bowed and held open the door.
They walked along endless hallways and finally reached a room. Hiei was already inside, waiting for him in the shadows like he often did. The guard bowed again then closed the door before the left. Kurama couldn't help but noticed that Hiei seemed rather nervous and fidgety, sort of like before he confessed to Yukina.
"What's wrong, Hiei?"
"Um . . . nothing. Well . . . there is something I would like to tell you. I . . ." he quickly stole a glance at Kurama, then lowered his head again, "Um . . . That is . . . Will you marry me?" He blurted out.
Kurama stood there, shocked, and was a whole minute later before he comprehended what Hiei had said. The fire demon was about to give up, taking the silence as rejection, when Kurama spoke, "D . . . Do you mean it?"
"Of course," Hiei looked up and gave a rare smile, "I would never lie to you, fox."
The next thing he knew, he was lying on the ground with Kurama on top of him, hugging him as tight as he could and tiny sobs escaped his throat. "Hiei . . . I . . . I'm so glad that . . . you asked."
Hiei gave a small smirk as he lifted Kurama off himself. "So are you marrying me or what?"
"Oh! Of course I do!" he beamed and it was the happiest smile Hiei had ever seen on him, and his heart melted at the sight. Kurama leaned down and gave Hiei a sweet kiss, but what was supposed to be innocent turned rather heated after a while, and either two minutes or two hours later, a voice behind them spoke, "You can do that after the ceremony, but now, break it up. People are waiting for you."
Kurama lifted his head and saw Mukuro standing by the door with a tiny smirk. Having forgotten completely about his discomfiture about her, Kurama blushed and followed meekly out of the room, Hiei right behind him. He silently wondered about the "ceremony" Mukuro mentioned, but all thoughts were blown away from his mind as another door opened and nearly hundreds of people (or demons) yelled, "Congratulations!"
Huge round dinner tables were placed in neat rows, and in the first table sat Yusuke, Kuwabara, Yukina, Keiko . . . The second table sat Yomi, Jin and all the opponents they'd met in the tournament. Koenma, Botan and almost all the workers from Reikai took over another four tables. As for the rest of the people, they had not even the slightest idea who they were, but they all seemed to know Kurama and Hiei.
Hiei cringed inwardly at the sight of Yomi, then took hold of Kurama's hand in a possessive grip.
"So this is what you and Mukuro were planning . . ." Kurama whispered to Hiei, "But what if I didn't agree? Then isn't it a big trouble to get theses people to go back?"
Hiei smirked his infamous smirk, then said, "I know you well enough to say that you won't disagree."
"Hmph!" Kurama snorted, "Next time I'll do things that will shock the daylights out of you."
A straight long aisle divided the dinner tables into two equal sections, and a bishop stood at the end of it. Wedding music suddenly ran out from nowhere, and they started walking down the aisle, are in arm.
All the people were so quiet that the music was the only sound in the room, echoing back and forth between the walls. Hiei tried to look nonchalant under the pressure, but his eyes betrayed hints of nervousness and excitement. It seemed as if none of his previous battles was half as nerve-wrecking as this. Kurama simply blushed again and lowered his head, wearing a sweet smile on his lips and a spark in his eyes.
The bishop was a little bewildered that both of them were men, but he continued when he saw the glint in Hiei's eyes. Finally, after the "I do"s, Yukina came up carrying a velvet cushion with two rings on it. The rings were made of white gold and the outside was plated with a
layer of deep ruby that matched Kurama's hair and Hiei's irises.
After the ring was slipped onto his finger, Kurama could feel it tighten by a notch. "It's not as if I will take it off," he murmured.
"Now I announce you man and . . . um . . . man, whatever, and you may kiss your . . . husband."
Kurama grinned at the bishop's discomfiture, then deliberately gave Hiei a good long kiss which wasn't really suitable on a wedding. The crowd broke into cheers, and Kurama glanced up in time to see the bishop's face go green.
The newlyweds went to settle in the same table as Yusuke and Kuwabara, when Yomi approached them.
"Congratulations, Kurama, though I never thought that this day would come after Kuronue died. I'm glad that you've gotten over him. Although it is a rather pity."
"What is a pity?" Hiei shot back with a threatening tone.
"It is a pity that I never made good use of my chance when I still had it, but I guess it won't have worked anyway, I wish you two a happy married life." With that, he bowed and left.
Kurama's vision lingered on Yomi a while longer, then he whispered, "Thank you."
With a clap of Mukuro's hands, servants rushed in, carrying all sorts of food and lots of wine. Then the guests took turns toasting to the couple, and as good as they were with wine, both were a little tipsy when the feast was finally over. Even Hiei's pale face had a faint dusting of rose.
"Hey Keiko, when should we get married?" Yusuke suddenly piped out as he sprawled on the table, totally drunk. Needless to say, Keiko was angry like always and sent the teenager into unconsciousness with one punch.
"I think we should go now," Kuwabara said, not as drunk as Yusuke so as to keep up appearances in front of Yukina, "it's time to let them have some 'private time', isn't it, Yukina-san?"
With a chorus of agreement, the guests left, leaving only Mukuro, Kurama and Hiei.
"I'll see you back to your room. Have a good time, and as I said before, I've granted Hiei's honeymoon leave. That's the lest I can do to thank you guys for the present Hiei gave me last year. I knew that he got the plant form you, Kurama. Congratulations." And she left, leaving them the door of the room Kurama came from
Red could represent a lot of meanings and emotions. It could represent love; it could represent hate, maybe it was that these two were really the same thing. It could also represent any emotion that had burnt to its fullest intensity. But in the end, everything would be the same, buried in the soil, just like the fallen red maple leaves.
Kurama wrapped his arms around Hiei from behind, then nibbled his earlobe before whispering, "When did you have the idea of marrying me? I thought that you don't' like to be tied down."
"Well, that idea popped into my mind when Mukuro first mentioned about the honeymoon thing. You probably were too embarrassed to notice that, and I suppose that we can't really get married in Ningenkai, so that idea didn't occur to you. And yes, I do like freedom, but I don't' want you to be lonely, or to feel insecure again every time I have to come to Makai. Besides, you are a part of me, so why would I be tied down?" He reached back to put Kurama on the head, and found that the fox was crying. "Kurama, I've never seen you cry so m any times a day. Come on, there's nothing to cry about. I'm here with you, now and forever."
Kurama only cried even harder, but managed to sniff out, "No . . . I'm not crying . . . just . . . too happy."
"I'm glad that you are, fox."
The glorious sunset reflected on the surface of a river, making the water look like diluted red ink, shimmering under the waning sun. A few red leaves were carried by the wind into the water, and was swallowed into the murky crimson depth. At least this was more special than being buried in the soil.
"You look wonderful today, fox. Looks like the clothes I asked Mukuro to prepare aren't wasted. But too bad they are quite obstructive now . . ." He said in a husky voice and slipped his hand under Kurama's tunic.
Kurama breath caught in his throat, and he decided to ask one last question before his mind totally lost the ability to think. "Hiei . . . how are we going to explain this to my mother?"
Red gave up its dominance, as darkness took over and drowned everything.
October
The dry twigs and branches of the tress trembled in the wind, like the hands of an old woman, fragile, wizened, but full of stories. A few lone brown leaves continued to cling onto the branches, looking as if any tiny movement could shatter them, yet they still could not bear to let go. Why were some humans not even better than the leaves?
The warmth in the spring wind had long left, leaving a bitter cold aftertaste in the breeze. Although it seemed harsh, it never hurt anyone, other than forcing people to stay in the cozy comfort of their home and relishing the feeling to being at home and together with your loved ones.
After a honeymoon of cruising around Makai and revisiting places they were once so familiar with, Kurama and Hiei returned to Ningenkai and the feeling of home swept them away once they entered Kurama's house (or maybe it should be called their house since they are married now).
A huge sting of explanations followed, starting from the very beginning (when Kurama came to Ningenkai) and leaving nothing out. Shiori was in the state of shock for a few minutes, and then gladly welcomed them back.
Grasses began to wither, turning brown and parched, as if dying, but deep under the soil, their roots remained lively. Everything seemed dormant on the surface, but as long as their hearts were alive, they would all wake up again.
"Hiei! Come and see this!" Kurama exclaimed while waving for Hiei to come over. The latter came with a puzzled expression as he saw Kurama kneeling in front of something. "What is it?"
"The plant you gave me! It's so tall now, and . . . and there's fruits all over it!" he gushed out, excitement evident in his features. Hiei took a look. Yes, the plant was a bit taller, with ripe red fruits all over it, but other than that, it was pretty much the same as they saw it last time. Except that the big green mushroom shaped shrub no had polka dots. He saw absolutely no reason why Kurama should be so overjoyed about it.
"Don't you see, Hiei?" Kurama said with an exasperated sigh, "I finally remember what species of plant this is. If I'm not wrong, this is called The Beginning of Love (sorry if it sounds corny, I have no more ideas), and is one of the collections of five plants in this species. It doesn't grow on soil, water and sunlight, but on the love the person who grew it has in his heart. And when the love of that person has matured to a certain level, it will bear fruits. But the usage of the fruit is still unclear, as this plant is extremely rare and nobody who has grown it had ever seen it bear fruits. So we are the first to witness this. Aren't you exited?"
"Of course, of course, fox," Hiei replied in a "so what" tone.
"Hiei!" He said in admonishment, "Don't you have any feelings for this plant? We watched it grow from the first moment of its life, and I feel as if I am its parent or something, and now there are fruits! And to think that our love made this happen. It's impossible to not feel anything!"
"Hn. I'm already feeling too much for my own good. I don't want to get killed once I return to Makai."
"I know, I know. You've said that thousands of times," Kurama said with a hint of wistfulness as he remembered that Hiei's one year holiday was almost over, and he would have to go back by the end of this month. Yet he brightened up quickly, "But if you don't feel anything here in Ningenkai, I'm going to personally kill you. Anyway, where did you get this plant? Even I have never seen it before you gave it to me."
Hiei fidgeted a little, a habit he had picked up every time he had to confess something embarrassing to Kurama. "A witch gave it to me. She said that if I give it to someone . . . I have some feelings towards, then that person will return the feelings." He managed to not blush, but still looked extremely uncomfortable.
Kurama pulled him down and gave him a light kiss. "You loved me from so long time ago? Then why didn't you say earlier? You don't need the plant to earn my affections. I had given it to you long before that, but only you didn't notice."
"Hn. Then why didn't you say earlier?" Hiei retorted, settling onto Kurama's lap.
"Well, if someone wasn't so stubborn about concealing his feelings and hadn't avoided me for almost half a year, then maybe I would have confessed long ago."
"I'm stubborn? You were the one who was acting as if the whole world had nothing to do with you, and desperately trying to hide every time you let something off. I wasn't even sure if you liked or hated me." He said with a mug smirk, knowing that he was right and Kurama couldn't retaliate.
"Stupid, stubborn, indecisive jerk," Kurama muttered without heat, then stuck out his tongue.
Hiei blinked and stared at him for a while, then burst out laughing. Soon, they were in a heap on the ground, laughing uncontrollably. Perhaps they were laughing at their own lack of courage, casing the loss of so much time. Or perhaps that they're finally together. Or just because of their happiness at being around each other.
"We were both idiots, weren't we?" Hiei asked once they had stopped their fit of laughter. Before Kurama could reply, a sweet scent akin to honey and mango mixed together wafted into their noses. Unconsciously, they were already lying on the ground beneath the love plant (we'll call that for short).
"Do you suppose the fruit is edible?" Kurama asked.
"Don't ask me. You're the one who's the expert in plants," Hiei grunted. Kurama rolled his eyes, "Would I be asking you if I know?" then he reached up and plucked a fruit, which was about the size of an apple, only much rounder, and was about to take a bit when Hiei snatched it out of his hands and ate a big chunk.
A sweet and fragrant juice filed his mouth, and although it did not taste like mint (it was much better), it also had that refreshing when he swallowed it, as if he was just thrown into ice cold water. The taste was somewhat like nectar, with a hint of honey, sweet, but also with a lingering sour taste that balanced it. Even long after he had swallowed that bite, the fragrance still remained, and slowly a warm current rose to his chest, almost like the effect of wine.
"So how is it? Are you all right?" Kurama asked rather worriedly as Hiei had not responded in almost a minute.
Seeing his anxiety, Hiei purposely put on a blank face and said, "It's awful. Don't touch it."
Kurama stared at him. "No, you are lying." Then he leaned over and gave Hiei a soft kiss. "But thanks fro caring for me."
"What do you mean? I didn't do anything."
"When you grabbed that fruit away from me, you didn't want me to eat it because no one knows whether its poisonous or not, so you didn't want me to take the risk. But you know that I would never let it rest until I get the matter clear, so you ate it instead. And don't pretend that you didn't mean it."
"Well, I only didn't want you to eat it first," Hiei muttered, clearly embarrassed.
"Why are so many people afraid of you anyway? You are too cute for you own good." And he took a bit form the half-eaten fruit Hiei was still holding in his hands.
"Maybe because I can burn them to ashes in a millisecond? Sometimes I do think that you're right about not fighting, and having ones that you love is not a weakness. What weakness will you have if you never touch the battlefield? But I guess I'm a bit late a realizing that. Being powerful only tears you away form reality, away from what you really want, and then the power will be the one controlling you, and not the other way round."
"I know that you don't want to leave so soon, but your job need to be done too, and only you can do it. I'm proud of you for having a job like this. At least it's much better than what we used to do, isn't it?" Kurama said with a bitter smile as he recalled the memories he wished never existed. " You can't always have everything, and I'm already satisfied to just know that you are still thinking of me. Don't' worry, I will always be here waiting for you."
"But I don't want you to be lonely."
"I'm sure that you will come back sometimes, and maybe I can even go visit you in Makai during school holidays. It's not that far. Besides, when is a year or two ever a problem to you?"
"But . . . I . . . I just don't want to leave you." Hiei said, tracing the side of Kurama's face.
Kurama gave a small laugh. "Look who's the dependent one now. I thought that it should be the other way round, you comforting me. How are you ever going to survive in Makai?"
"Oh, shut up, fox." Then he pulled Kurama into a hug. Kurama never stopped his laughter, but soon, Hiei felt that the fabric on his shoulder was wet.
"You're crying, Kurama," he stated gently. Kurama lifted his head, wiping away a few of the tears, but said through his laughter, "Why am I crying? There's nothing to cry for. I'm not sad. I know that you'll come back someday . . ." he continued babbling, but the tears only flowed more rapidly.
"Kurama, stop lying to yourself. It's all right to be sad. If you were not, then we would not be together now. You would not be sad if we never met, but is that what you want? It's fine to cry. Don't pretend to be happy because of me. It only hurts more this way." Kurama collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Please . . . please . . . don't leave . . . we've only spent so little time together . . . please . . ." He pleaded.
"We meet, because we will depart someday, and we depart, because we will meet again. Just like the leaves on the trees, they grow to fall, and they fall because they want to grow again."
They stayed like that, in each other's arms, long after Kurama had ceased to cry. Then he eventually broke the silence.
"Come on, I'll go help you pack up."
"No, there's no need. I want to leave my things here. With you."
A huge wind blew by, sweeping off all the leaves remaining on the trees, and bring a chill that went right through the skin and to the bones. It was like an official announcement that autumn was over, and the winter had come.
Hiei stood by the windowsill, watching as daylight slowly left the world. It was a sign that he should get going. He opened the windows slowly, excruciatingly slow, as if moving an inch was the hardest thing he ever done.
"How long will it be before you come back?" Kurama asked softly, calmly, as he stared at Hiei's back. He did not cry. He did not want to cry in front of Hiei again. He had done that already, hadn't he?
"I don't know. Anything from a few weeks to a few years. But I'll be back someday." He looked at the reflection of Kurama on the windowpane. He couldn't bear to look at the real person. Then, with a deep breath, he leaped out of the window and into the darkness.
A full year had passed. Some things changed, while some stayed the same. Nature would repeat itself in a brand new cycle that had gone on for millions of years. Would humans repeat what they had done all over again? Probably not, but no matter how different, everything moves in its own circle, and the end will always be where we started.
Kurama waked numbly to where Hiei had stood just minutes ago, and leaned out of the windows, wishing that the wind would sweep his heart away. It was the exact same wish he had one year ago.
He lifted his head, staring at the pitch darkness above him. Suddenly, a speck of white drifted down from the sky. It was the first snowflake. Kurama watched as a droplet of tear leaked out from his eyes and fell in time with the snowflake to the ground.
The cycle had begun once again.
~*~ fin ~*~