Kurama smiled sleepily, stretching his arm out in front of his body. Looking over at the balcony window while he lay in bed, he squinted one eye as his fingers captured the moon that was shining its silver face into their bedroom.
"There!" the redhead giggled, playing with the astrological orb. "Now I've given you everything, koibito." He lowered his hand into Hiei's and laced their fingers.
"Baka," the sleepy fire demon mumbled, gently squeezing Kurama's fingers.
"Well, I would if I could," Kurama whispered, taking Hiei's hand and spreading their fingers so the palms met. Hiei opened his eyes and watched his lover press their hands together, turn them over, and inspect them. The moon was shining bright enough so that Hiei could see his lover's features clearly, as he watched Kurama measure their hands.
"Hmmm," the kitsune murmured softly, still smiling.
"Nani?" the Koorime asked, brows knitting together.
"Oh, nothing, koibito," Kurama sighed, moving to resume his snuggling that the moonlight had interrupted. He inhaled deeply, and let out a long, relaxed sigh. He looked up to see Hiei still frowning. Leaning forward, he kissed the fire demon on the nose. "It's nothing, Hiei," Kurama assured him. "I was just noticing how much larger my hands were than yours, that's all." Then he nestled into Hiei's chest and closed his eyes.
Hiei lifted his hand to inspect it himself. It was smaller, and the fingertips were definitely rougher than his fox's skin. He moved his arm a bit, watching the muscles flex and stretch. Kurama opened his eyes, noticing a very confused look on Hiei's face. Now it was his turn to ask. "Nani?"
"We do look very different," Hiei said, more to himself than Kurama.
"So? So we look different. So what? It doesn't change anything, or the way we feel about each other, does it?" Not hearing an immediate response, Kurama asked again, as he leaned up on an elbow. "Well, does it?"
"Of course not, baka," Hiei grumbled, putting his hand under the covers. "Go back to sleep."
Kurama tilted his head, looking at his lover, who was pretending, quite poorly, to be sleeping.
"Hiei!" Kurama said with a half-smile, "it does bother you, or else you wouldn't be trying to hide it."
"I didn't say it bothers me, fox," Hiei replied, trying to look innocent. "I just said that we do look different. It's a simple observation, that's all."
Kurama sat up and folded his arms. "Does it bother you that I'm bigger than you?" he asked, not really taking the conversation very seriously, but rather seeming to enjoy pestering Hiei about it.
"No. Now shut up and go back to sleep!" Hiei growled, pulling the sheet around his shoulder and plunking back into his pillow. Kurama smiled as he recognized a challenge when he saw one.
The playful redhead pushed Hiei onto his back and straddled his hips. Hiei was about to offer a protest when his lips were covered by Kurama's hungry mouth. Breaking the kiss with a loud sound, the kitsune grinned down at his lover, his fiery mane brushing against Hiei's face. The Koorime reached up and moved the red strands away Kurama's face, then gently caressed his lover's cheeks. Kurama stopped his teasing when he saw Hiei's expression become very solemn. Sitting back on his heels, his fingers wandered lightly over Hiei's chest.
"What is it, koibito?"
Hiei looked up and studied Kurama's face, his hair, and finally his body.
"It's just...I don't know. We look so...different. I was just wondering what other people...well...what you see when...you know...when you look at...me."
"C'mere," Kurama said, reaching out, taking Hiei's hand, and pulling him into the bathroom. Standing with Hiei in front of him, Kurama closed the bathroom door. The two lovers stared at their reflection in the full length mirror that hung on the back of the door.
"Look, koibito. Tell me what you see," Kurama asked into Hiei's ear.
"I see two naked demons..."
"Baka!" Kurama complained, gently swatting Hiei on the back of the head.
"Oi, cut that out!" Hiei protested, rubbing the not-very-sore spot.
"Gomen," Kurama apologized, kissing the area where he bopped him. He circled his arms around Hiei's shoulders in a hug, resting his chin on his head. The Koorime stared at the vision in the mirror. "Now, tell me what you see."
Hiei chewed on his lip in thought. He studied their reflection for a moment, then spoke very quickly. "I see a beautiful redheaded human who's really a selfish youko in disguise, who for some strange reason, has decided to love a short, rotten-tempered fire demon." Kurama let out a hearty chuckle and squeezed his lover.
"Know what I see, koibito?" the kitsune asked softly, making eye contact with Hiei in the mirror.
"Hn."
"I see...everything." Kurama smiled. "I see a pair of people who may look very different, but are actually more alike than either one would care to admit." Hiei smirked. "I see this beautiful redheaded human, who's really a selfish youko, pretending to be this nice guy, hugging an incredibly handsome, well built, amazingly sexy fire demon, who loves the selfish youko even if he doesn't say it as much as the selfish youko wants him to!" Hiei snorted a laugh, as Kurama ran out of breath. Kurama's expression became very thoughtful. He continued his observation, just above a whisper.
"I see someone hanging onto his best friend for dear life. I see a pair of crimson eyes full of questions..." Hiei raised his hands and held Kurama's wrists. "But I also see trust, and understanding, and unconditional love in those beautiful eyes." Kurama gave Hiei a fierce hug. "And I see our future."
Hiei inhaled a jagged breath, gently rubbing his fox's arms.
"I see that, too, kitsune," he whispered, surprised to hear his voice filled with emotion. Kurama's reflection beamed back at the pair. Then, releasing his hold on his lover, the kitsune headed back to the bedroom. Hiei remained a moment, looking at himself in the mirror. He tilted his head to one side and squinted. Then, glancing at the door to make sure Kurama was safely gone, the fire demon raised an arm, flexed his muscle, and gave himself an approving nod. He then shut the bathroom light and returned to their bedroom. Kurama was sitting on the end of the bed, waiting.
Hiei walked over to his lover and stood before him. He reached out his hand and gently stroked Kurama's cheek. The kitsune smiled up at him, taking his hands into his own.
"I don't care what others think about how we look, koibito. All I know is that I would love you no matter what you looked like, if you were bigger or smaller than me...it doesn't matter. I love you because you are who you are. That's all that matters to me."
The Koorime smiled at his lover, as Kurama moved back under the covers. He motioned for Hiei to spoon-snuggle with him, as the fire demon settled his body into Kurama's.
"And besides," the youko said, nuzzling his chin into Hiei's soft, spiky hair. "If you were the same size as me, you'd want to borrow all my clothes."
"Baka!" Hiei growled, giving Kurama an elbow in the stomach, much to the kitsune's feigned yelp of pain.
They both sighed, and slowly began to drift back to sleep.
The End
Copyright 1998 Julie Farel
Yu Yu Hakusho is the property of Togashi Yoshihiro, Jump comics, and Studio Peirrot