Chapter Two: An Unbalanced Kiss

Several weeks later we finally finished work on the song. To celebrate, Yusuke suggested we go to the new club that had opened for a “guys night out”. I wasn’t looking forward to spending an evening in a building packed with humans. Once again I was going only because Kurama was going. Besides, I couldn’t leave him to deal with Yusuke and Kuwabara by himself. It sounded as though they would be drunk before the night’s end.

As soon as we pulled up to their apartment building Yusuke and Kuwabara emerged. “Hey guys,” Yusuke greeted as he got into the car. “Hey Kurama, I thought kids were supposed to ride in the back,” Kuwabara greeted. “Why’s the shrimp in the front?” I narrowed my eyes at him. “I was here first fool,” I replied “Deal with it,” “Oh come on, my legs are so much longer than yours,” he protested. “I need the extra room,”

A year ago I wouldn’t have cared. I definitely wouldn’t have given into his whining, but the oaf did have a point. I raised an eyebrow. “You insult me and then ask for a favor?” I responded. He opened his mouth to speak but I held up a hand indicating that he should be silent. “If you ride up front now, I do so on the way back,” I suggested. “Agreed?” Kuwabara’s jaw dropped. “You serious?” he asked. “Decide before I change my mind,” I replied. “Ok,” he agreed. “You ride shotgun on the way back,” “No whining on the way back either,” I muttered as I got out of the car. “…or next time you can forget about riding in the front altogether,” I quickly got into the back seat beside Yusuke while Kuwabara got in the passenger seat. “That was very kind of you Hiei,” Kurama said as I buckled my seat belt. I could hear his smile in his voice. “I just didn’t want to listen to his whining,” I muttered. Yusuke laughed. “Sure Hiei,” Yusuke teased. “You just don’t want to admit you have a nice side,” “Hn,” I responded.

Just as I expected the club Yusuke suggested was packed. “Party time!” Yusuke cried as we climbed into a booth. “Sake all around,” “Not me,” Kurama replied as he sat down beside me. “Why not?” Yusuke asked. “I gave up drinking after I found myself in a most unpleasant situation because of it,” he answered. “What happened?” Kuwabara asked. “I woke up the next morning with the mother of all hangovers, next to a female who made Turukene look like a beauty queen,” he answered. “…to this day I don’t remember anything past the forth or fifth drink,” I shook my head to clear it of the bad mental image his revelation had created. “I guess that makes you the designated driver then,” Yusuke said. “Agreed,” Kurama responded.

A waitress came to take our drink order a moment later. I ordered the same thing Kurama had, knowing he hadn’t ordered anything alcoholic. If Yusuke and Kuwabara got really drunk Kurama would need my help dealing with them. I had to restrain myself from glaring at the waitress as she took our order. She was staring at Kurama like he was her next meal. The simple fact that Kurama wasn’t mine made me resist the temptation. Still, I couldn’t help but feel possessive of the one I secretly loved. “Maybe I should have had the sake after all,” I thought glumly as the waitress left.

Kurama’s face suddenly brightened as a song he liked began to play. His body was moving in time with the music the moment he stepped out of the booth. I watched as he made his way to the dance floor. His body seemed to become one with the music and I found myself unable to look away. I envied and admired my friend’s grace. I completely ignored Yusuke and Kuwabara as well as the waitress who had returned with our drinks. My attention was completely upon the fox. There was no denying I was under his spell. The legendary bandit had stolen my heart and he didn’t even know it.

“Come dance with me Hiei,” Kurama called telepathically. I wanted to refuse. I never danced except when I was alone with him in the privacy of our apartment and even that was a rare occurance. His eyes met mine and I couldn’t look away from his emerald gaze. His eyes beckoned for me to join him, pleaded for me not to refuse him. I didn’t have a chance. Harkened by the siren’s call, I slid out of the booth and made my way to the dance floor. Kurama smiled and made his way toward me, meeting me halfway.

We danced together in perfect rhythm and as we danced everyone else seemed to fade away. It was as though it was just the two of us. Time went on without either of us noticing. All too soon it seemed we were both tired. Side by side we returned to the booth. Kurama smiled at me as we slid into the booth. “You’re quite the dancer Hiei,” he complemented “Another of your hidden talents?” I felt heat rising in my cheeks. Kuwabara’s eyes widened. “I don’t believe it!” he cried. “The shrimp’s blushin’” Kurama chuckled as I glared at Kuwabara. “We should go dancing more often Hiei,” He said. I gave him a slight nod, telling him without words I agreed.

Hours later we had dropped a very drunk Yusuke and Kuwabara off at their apartment. We agreed to meet there the next night to start work on a new song. As Kurama and I made our way home, I watched him out of the corner of my eye. I wondered why he had asked me to dance with him. Surely, he had no lack of willing partners. Members of both sexes were eyeing him. Perhaps he had simply noticed me watching him and thought I wanted to dance. I figured that was the most likely reason. As much as I would have loved to believe that somehow it was a clue that he felt the same about me as I did about him, and that the dancing and the complement was just a way of getting my attention; I knew better than to make that assumption. I had no reason to believe Kurama felt the same about me as I did him. Still, dancing with him had made me feel special. I enjoyed the fact that he’d only paid attention to me. He had paid no attention to the admiring glances of those around him. He had been enjoying the moment.

Without a word I entered the apartment and headed strait for the shower. I showered quickly and dried off, tossing my dirty clothes into the hamper. I wrapped the towel around my body and headed into my room to change into something comfortable to sleep in. Once changed I turned on the radio and laid down on my bed, trying to sort things out in my mind. I realized I wouldn’t be able to keep my feelings secret from him much longer. He was bound to notice sooner or later. Telling Kurama that I was in love with him could mean the destruction of our friendship. That was the last thing I wanted. Going back to the Makai wasn’t a solution either. That would only be running from my problem, not to mention Kurama could still need me here. I’d rather die than abandon him. Idly, I wondered what he’d say if I confessed my true feelings. Would he even consider having me as a lover? I didn’t dare dream I could be more than that to him.

A soft tap on the frame of the open doorway pulled me from my thoughts. I sat up and turned to face Kurama who was standing there. “May I come in?” he asked. I nodded my consent. He entered the room, his footsteps not making a sound on the carpet. As he sat down on the bed beside me I could smell the scent of the soap he used. He must have come as soon as he dressed after his shower. His soft red locks were still damp. “You’re quieter than usual tonight Hiei,” he noted. “Just thinking,” I replied. “Oh?” he asked. “Care to share what’s on your mind?” “Did you notice the way the crowd was eyeing you tonight while we were dancing?” I asked. “Yes, I noticed their lustful glances,” he said. “You got quite a few yourself, you know,” So he had noticed after all. “I think a few fell in love with you,” I murmured. Kurama shook his head. “Lust maybe, but not love,” he said, his voice taking on a somber tone. “I’m beginning to doubt I’ll truly find love,” “I love you,” I said softly. I hadn’t meant to say it, but it had slipped out. I couldn’t bear to see the fox so dejected. Now that I had revealed my feelings, I had to face whatever came next.

“Of course you do,” he said. “You’re my friend,” I shook my head. “No, Kurama,” I said softly “I’m in love with you,” Kurama’s emerald eyes widened in shock. “You’re in love with me?” he asked in astonishment. “Yes,” I answered. There was no sense in hiding the truth from him now. Before I realized what I was doing, I gently brushed my lips against his in a soft chaste kiss. When he didn’t return it, I braced myself for the rejection I was sure would come. I lowered my eyes and looked away from him. Kurama gently cupped my cheek in his hand and tenderly caressed it. I raised my eyes to meet his. Kurama held my gaze and in those emerald orbs I saw sorrow, pain, and a deep longing. “I care for you a great deal Hiei,” he said softly. “You know that,” “It is because of that, I fear what you wish to offer me,” He continued.

I looked at him with confusion clearly evident in my features. The fox didn’t seem to notice. What had he meant? Had I been rejected or not? Kurama gave no explanation, nor gave me the chance to ask for one. He gently kissed my cheek as he rose from the bed. “Good night Hiei,” he said softly then quickly left the room. I flopped down on the bed, once again lying on my back in total confusion. I had no clue what just happened.

The music from the radio suddenly caught my attention as a song began to play. I closed my eyes and listened as the singer began to sing…

In a broken mirror
You will see your reflection
Tears roll down your face
Tears roll down your face
A finger tracing the narrow moon

Who is that you’re calling out to?
The back of love that has gone
Time and time again
Time and time again
You will find me knocking down your door

Like a thread being cut
Your back is pushed by the acceleration of the night
Then I hold on to you
Hold on to you
Hold on to you
With all my might

As you share an unbalanced kiss with me
I hope you can feel us getting closer to love

Both your tears and the sorrowful lies
Rest in my heart

Oh my love

“An unbalanced kiss…” I thought as I began drifting off to sleep “…that’s exactly what it was…” “I should see Yukina tomorrow, maybe she can help me make some sense of this…” was my last coherent thought before sleep claimed me.

On to Chapter Three >>
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