Anyway, there was he, hardly tolerating the afternoon heat in his obligatory black cloak, as he stood at the corner of a Ningen street. Fortunately he had sheltered under the shade of a tree, and a permanent scowl could be noticed in his features as his red eyes darted nervously from side to side as he waited.

Hiei gave the large building nearby a lazy glance, inspecting the clock on its front. It was almost time. School day soon would be over. Soon Kurama would come forth in his purple outfit, carrying piles of books, smiling playfully as always, and they would walk back home.

This was the time when Hiei would uneasily witness the daily drill - Lots of Ningen young girls drooling over Kurama, asking him out for coffee, a snack or a movie, offering themselves to walk him home, asking him for lessons in school topics or talking nonsense crap over and over in her stupid high pitched voices.

Those girls gave Hiei migraines. He would have slashed them up if Kurama wasn't around...

It was hard for him to understand... Kurama was so danmed popular... Everybody seemed to love him, and Hiei could not say he enjoyed such situation..

As a matter of fact Kurama's popularity and beauty made Hiei feel very aprehensive about their relationship. It would have seemed unbelievable times ago, but at present Hiei, detainer of the Black Dragon Powers, expert at making everybody's blood run cold at a mere scowl, was fearful and anxious over little school girls...

At times like these he would not be so sure anymore about his Kitsune. There seemed to be such a fierce competition regarding Kurama's affection... And Hiei was not actually certain he could stand the heat...

They had been together for almost two weeks now. These had been the happiest days in life Hiei could ever recall of. They had made love in every single one of those evenings. And they had made it during the afternoons also, just after Kurama's arrival from school as he would go up to his room for a change of clothes and some studying. They had played some delicious love games in the morning as well, although obliged to keep eyes on the time, so Kurama wouldn't arrive late in class... It had been quite a busy time for them both, but none would complain about it, naturally...

Hiei had started following Kurama to school on the very first morning after sleeping together. In the beginning Hiei would just follow him from the distance, proctetively and anonimously, leaping from tree to rooftop and to tree again, guarding and watching his beautiful lover with all dedication and concern.

But as days had passed Hiei preffered to walk him to school and back, not minding being noticed by all the Ningen around. At times like these Hiei would have eyes for Kurama only, and they would walk calmly, almost dreamingly, in a blushy exchange of lovingly shy smiles.. Happy to be together, their hands and arms would rub incidentally as they walked, their fingers would join and entwine momentarily in casual caresses, and Hiei would be enraptured by Kurama's beautiful and tender voice, as they glanced at each other adoringly.

Hiei had never been past that corner though. The tree was his limit mark, where he would hide from the sun. Nevertheless his almond eyes would attentively accompany his partner's elegant steps to the school gates. Kurama would then turn back for a moment and wave him goodbye with the most exquisite smile before getting in.

Done, Hiei would go off for a bit of hard training in any far and isolated place until the time to pick Kurama up would come again. Being too protective over his pretty and foxy lover Hiei would not matter such routine despite the annoying proximity to all those Ningen students.

And much to his dismay, Hiei had noticed he was not alone that afternoon. There was a school girl in a white and blue uniform near him, sharing the shade, apparently waiting for someone as well.

Hiei looked at her from the corner of his eyes suspiciously, thinking on moving to any other shaded spot around, as her childish voice called...

"Excuse me... You know Shuuichi Minamino, don't you?"

Hiei stared at her viciously, mumbling the worse Makai curse he could come up with... But Kurama had made him promise he would at least try to be polite to the Ningen kind... It was the thought of Kurama's sweet and sensual whispered plea that made him count to three as he breathed deeply , gathering patience.

Hiei nodded.

"Are you a friend of his?"

"Nah, just an acquaintance..."

"I see you and Shuuichi-kun come and leave together everyday..."

Hiei glared at her, imagining slow and painful ways to terminate the stupid young Ningen... But had to swallow his anger.

"We're neighbors." He grumbled, thinking about the tree by Kurama's window where he used to hide not only from poky neighbors but also from a very particular nosy mother...

"I'm from another school now, but I come here almost everyday to talk to Shuuichi... I can't help; he's so gorgeous..."

Hiei just kept on giving her a black look, in perfect silence and stillness.

She blushed , then...

"Would you know if he's got a girlfriend?"

Hiei would have laughed were he a less reserved Youkai... Omoshiroi... No he had no Girl friend...

"I don't think so."

The girl smiled; an idiotic smile in Hiei's opinion.

"Oh, then I might still have a chance with him... I love Shuuichi so much..."

Shimatta! Another of Kurama's uncountable fans... Were he to try slaughtering all the girls, not to mention the boys who would love his fox as well, it would take him months of hard work...

Nevertheless, Hiei had always been an inquisitive Youkai...

"Why do you love him?"

The girl seemed a little puzzled at the question.

"Why do you love him? Why does everybody love him? Is it his beauty? "

She giggled and looked up the sky, dreamingly. Then she took a deep breath.

"Yes, Shuuichi is very beautiful. The most beautiful boy I've met... He's gracious and gentle, but it's not just that. He's kind and nice to everybody: I've never seen him argue or despise anyone. He's always attentive and polite. He would give attention and care even to the worse person he'd met. He's the kind of person who would care even for his enemies, had he any."

Hiei blinked. That was a extremely accurate assumption... As they met, Hiei had mistaken Kurama for an enemy, and yet now they've come to very different and more intimate terms...

" His smile is so hearty and sincere... All the girls fall for him as he smiles..."

Hiei looked down thoughtfully... He couldn't say the girl was wrong... He had fallen for that smile as well...

"It's impossible not to love someone like Shuuichi. He seems a dream come true. He is always ready to help his friends and colleagues, and he must be faithful and extremelly tender and affectionate to the ones he loves... "

Yes... He was very affectionate and tender. But faithful? How long would such faithfullness endure? Youkos were known for their vollubility regarding lovers all over Makai...

"If you were his girlfriend wouldn't you be jealous? There are so many people who love him, and he is so attentive to everyone..."

'Yes, I'd be very jealous... But I know Shuuichi is not the kind of guy who would take advantage of his looks and popularity to get dates. If he chose me then it would be for true love. Therefore I wouldn't need to worry about competitors... Instead, I'd be very proud of being loved by one so popular and beautiful. It would be fun to be envied by so many girls. "

Hiei didn't say a word. He was startled... A Ningen girl teaching him lessons... But he had to admit she was damn right.

They heard the bell ring from distance. The girl excused herself, leaving in a joyful hurry to join the other girls crowding the school gates.

Hiei remained back there, isolated, apart from them all. Yet his face seemed more relaxed, as he watched the students leaving school in a noisy rush. It hasn't taken him long till he could perceive the red mane above so many heads.

At his sight a cheerful group of schoolgirls surrounded Kurama, and Hiei stood back, just observing, studying his lover's reactions, and thinking about what the Ningen student had just told him.

Kurama had a word, a compliment, a nice comment to every one of the girls. He was polite and gentle in his soft tones even as he graciously turned their offerings and invitations down, yet thankful to the much appraising coming all around him.

But the redhead would not spend much time among his fans...

Kurama soon took an inquisitive long gaze towards the corner, looking for the small figure in black he knew would be waiting for him. And as his eyes met Hiei's he smiled; a heartwarming smile, meant only for his beloved Youkai...

Hiei covered his lips once again, tilting his head to the side a little, trying to disguise all the happiness Kurama's presence always brought him.

As their eyes met Hiei had all the reassurance he would ever need. Kurama belonged to him; exclusively. The certainty was like a soothing warmth growing inside his body, rising and engulfing him, more intense and fierce yet than the Black Dragon...

Kurama excused himself bowing his head lightly to them all, elegantly avoiding their touches and talks. Then he waved them a joyful farewell as he walked towards Hiei with fast steps.

Hiei grinned evilly as he noticed the girls' disappointment as Kurama left them behind. Hiei turned his back ostensively on the stupid girls who covetted his Youko and crossed arms on his chest then, waiting for his foxy lover to reach him.

Kurama touched Hiei's shoulder in a very discreet but warm fondling and smiled.

"Waiting long, Koibito?"

"Nah... Just a little... "

'Let's get going? I want to arrive home as soon as possible."

"Ah yeah? Why? Lots of homework? " Hiei asked him with a insinuant look.

"Yes... A very special kind of homework..."

And Kurama presented Hiei a saucy glance and a side smile... The kind of look that signalled

for very specific and exciting pursuits...

"That's all you think about! Hentai!"

"And you tell me? I know you enjoy it as much as I." Kurama added with a playful smirk.

Hiei snorted and looked down, watching Kurama's fingers sliding against his arm, carressing him as they started walking. They managed to keep the same pace despite their height differences. Hiei would then observe in pure wonder the shiny red hair blown by the wind, and the beautiful and subtle elegance in his every move. Kurama would chat endlessly about things Hiei would barely care for or understand, and yet he listened attentively, marvelled at the soft melody of his voice. Whenever he breathed he could savor the floral scent coming form his Fox lover, warmed up by his bigger and taller body as they walked side by side. The smile, the green fire burning in Kurama's eyes as they faced each other, the mild and loving touches... It was all the reassurance he needed.

Hiei was very proud.