His own inner turmoil continued to churn beneath the surface even as Hiei managed to extract himself from the dark hold of his memories despite the apparent calm on his face. Kurama's eyes softened however as Hiei leaned into his hand, the warmth of the fire demon's skin calming his erratic thoughts. His partner's tone didn't bother him; he was used to Hiei's gruff demeanor. The fox let his hand fall to his lap and managed a smile of his own when the fire demon gestured between them, "I'm glad you did," he said fondly, as Hiei leaned into his body.

The red-haired male leaned his head lightly atop Hiei's and closed his eyes, allowing the warmth of his partner's abnormally warm body to seep though his shirt and warm the skin beneath. His mind focused solely on this sensation to keep his thoughts from returning to more unpleasant memories until Hiei interrupted. 'Dead...' Kurama couldn't say if the news brought him comfort or disappointment. The vicious fox inside him longed to extract revenge from the filth that had dared touch Hiei but Shuichi was relieved for the sense of closure that accompanied the news. What had happened was in the past and would remain as such, locked away deep in Hiei's memories never to be spoken of again. "Maybe you should nap," Kurama suggested softly. Though the smaller demon had only just awoken, he still seemed weary.

"Hn." Hiei replied, not wanting to admit that sleep sounded rather appealing. Between the morning's panic attack, the exhausting conversation they had just had, and the steady sound of rain falling on the balcony; he knew he could be asleep in moments if he let himself.

However, with his rebellious mind still trying to dredge up unpleasant memories, sleep was likely to be fraught with nightmares. He knew better than to risk it, for a few hours at least. Instead of giving in to the urge to rest, he stood and blurred into the kitchen. Food would be a good distraction and perhaps Kurama would take over the talking for a while. Hiei had spoken more in the last few minutes than he did in most weeks.

"I'm hungry, Fox." He called towards the living room to explain his sudden departure. He sat down in one of the wooden chairs and crossed his arms as he waited for the redhead to come find something to feed him. He didn't want the fox's pity, didn't need it. All he needed from Kurama, regarding his past, was acceptance and for the redhead to never ask him to talk about it again. There was nothing to talk about now anyway...at least not about that part of his past. Hiei scowled. His childhood could stay buried even deeper than the horrors he had endured at the hands of the collector.

He wiped his face blank of expression, not wanting the redhead to start asking more questions.

Kurama frowned when Hiei's sudden movement knocked his head from it's perch. 'So much for resting...' Kurama thought with a sigh as Hiei's shadow disappeared. The demon's complaint of hunger came from the kitchen a moment later and Kurama stood and headed in that direction. What he found was a hungry Hiei sitting expressionless at the table as if waiting for him to pull something to eat out of thin air. "I told you yesterday that all I have is rice and vegetables," Kurama said with a sigh. "I must go shopping," he explained wearily, "If you want something sooner we'll have to eat out again." Kurama's expression was that of mild embarrassment. Normally he didn't go shopping until the weekend and Hiei's unexpected visit had unfortunately caught him running low on supplies.

Hiei frowned and glanced out the window. The rain was pouring. He didn't want to go out....but he didn't want to sleep either. 'I won't be able to fall asleep out in that...' He thought with a slight grimace. Decision made, he stood and went to get his boots from where Kurama had left them. Coming back to the kitchen once he was ready to go, he crossed his arms and looked at the redhead, showing mild impatience that wasn't entirely genuine. "Alright, let's go then." He said, sounding put out even though it was his idea. Neither eating out nor grocery shopping sounded much like a good time, but at least he'd be doing something...and he'd be outside. Rain or no rain, right now the wide open space was calling to him. His face held an odd mixture of reluctance and longing as his eyes were drawn to the window again. He told himself that being out in the rain wouldn't be so bad as long as Kurama was with him and if they went ahead and gathered provisions they wouldn't have to worry about going out again later. It was a perfectly sensible thing to do and he wasn't being irrational in suggesting it. 'Am I?'

The frown and glance towards the rainy exterior of the building were not lost on Kurama as he knew perfectly well what the fire demon was debating. Hiei never had liked the rain. Kurama didn't mind the phenomenon and had even grown fond of it during those rainy nights when Hiei would come to visit. The shorter demon seemed to have made up his mind as he stalked off towards the bedroom. Kurama's thoughts might have wandered to other ways they could spend the rainy afternoon were it not for the repulsive images that continued to simmer somewhere in the recesses of his mind.

The redhead didn't have time to gather his own shoes before Hiei returned. Kurama nodded and walked out into the hall before making a detour to the living room to close the sliding door and another to his bedroom to fetch a spare coat, having abandoned his own back at the lab. Returning to the hallway, Kurama fetched the shopping bags from their hook by the door before slipping on his shoes and pulling the umbrella out from where it was hidden behind the door. Ready at last, he lead the way out into the hallway and down to the lobby. As he exited the building, Kurama opened the umbrella and stood waiting for Hiei to take shelter beneath it before starting off at the slow pace required to keep the both of them dry.

Hiei followed the fox out of the apartment and down the stairs. He eyed the umbrella curiously. He knew what it was but he had never used one, not willing to have one of his hands engaged in holding the silly thing if he should get in a fight. However, Kurama seemed content to carry the thing, as was fitting since the redhead was far taller and it would have been awkward for Hiei to keep them both covered. Hiei also noticed that sharing the small circle under the umbrella's protection would require him to walk very close to his fox. The thought made his temperature rise and steam rose from his cloak where a few drops hit him as he moved from the building's cover to the space beneath the umbrella's canopy.

He was close enough that his arm brushed against the redhead as they walked and he could smell floral shampoo along with the lighter scent that was uniquely Kurama's own. It was actually almost nice, despite the rain, and Hiei let the leisurely walk drive the last of his lingering memories away. By the time they reached the store, he was more calm than he had been in ages. 'Maybe talking about it really did help.' The fleeting thought made him snort as they entered the grocery store. 'Or maybe Kurama just has this effect on me.' In the fire demon's mind, the latter seemed a great deal more likely. Talking had never helped him with anything...though to be fair he hadn't often tried it.

Kurama found himself rather enjoying the intimate atmosphere that the umbrella allowed. He would have liked to be able to say that he had planed the outing but could not. As they walked he could feel Hiei's arm brush against his leg and blushed though the umbrella thankfully hid his face from view. Apart from Hiei's presence, Kurama enjoyed the cool air, the fresh breeze, and the sensation of moisture that was vital for all plant-life. Long hours in the lab sometimes prevented him from spending too much time outdoors but he often visited the park on his lunch break and sat on his balcony in the evenings.

The redhead steered them inside of a large supermarket. He didn't often come to this particular establishment but chose it today for its spacious aisles that he hoped would abate Hiei's claustrophobia. Thankfully the rain seemed to have deterred more than one shopper from coming to make their purchases and the place was relatively empty. Folding down the umbrella at the door, Kurama placed in in the plastic bag provided to prevent it from dripping and handed the object to Hiei as he took up a basket. In a moment he mentally calculated the most efficient route for the items he required and started for the dairy section to pick up milk and eggs.

To Kurama, shopping was a science of it's own and an excellent exercise for his overly analytical mind. Approaching the milk display, green eyes quickly scanned the selection for the best price and the furthest expiration date. Rapidly determining the best buy, he reached for a liter and nestled it inside of his basket before continuing down the refrigerated section to repeat the same process with the eggs. This time however he took two cartons from the shelf and set them down inside the basket. Turning to continue his pre-calculated route, the fox hesitated before a display of ice cream.

Hiei took the bagged umbrella gingerly, not wanting to carry it but seeing that the redhead would need both hands to do the shopping, he said nothing. He tucked the umbrella under his arm as they he followed the fox around the thankfully uncrowded market. It was bigger than he had expected and he wondered if the sneaky kitsune had chosen it for just that reason. It was considerate and slightly embarrassing at the same time for the little fire demon. He didn't like the idea of anyone knowing his weaknesses but at the same time, if Kurama was only going to use the knowledge to ensure he was comfortable, it didn't really seem like a bad thing.

He watched his fox get milk and eggs, foods that Hiei was familiar with from his previous stay in the human realm. Then Kurama paused in front of a glass display case full of cardboard cartons. Hiei stepped up beside the fox to get a better look. The stuff pictured on the cartons looked weird. It came in all different colors, which he deduced from the labels were different flavors. One in particular caught his eye. 'Chocolate.' He eyed the picture on the carton curiously. He knew what chocolate was, having eaten most of Kurama's valentines gifts back when the fox was in school. Chocolate was good, and the stuff in the picture was the right color. The texture was odd though. He caught himself halfway to opening the glass door of the case and dropped his hand back to his side, stepping back to give Kurama more room to look.

'It's Kurama's home and his money.' He reminded himself sharply. 'I'll just come back and steal some later.'

Kurama stood frozen in front of the ice cream display. He doubted that Hiei had ever tasted the substance and wondered if he might not like to try it. When the shorter demon took a step forward and began to study the contents of the glass case, Kurama made the decision to buy some. The redhead usually preferred sherbet for himself but decided on a carton of Neapolitan for the variety it offered. Gently wedging the cold container between the milk and the eggs, he turned away from the sweet display and moved on to more substantial food.

The fox lead the way down the remainder of the aisle to the wall beyond where different kinds of meat were displayed wrapped in clear plastic. Kurama calculated how much Hiei and himself might eat in the week to come as he surveyed the wide selection. Calculations in grams and yen added up in his head as he added various cuts of meat and fish to the basket. The container was getting rather full but the redhead knew he would have just enough room to add in the fresh fruit and vegetables he planned on purchasing. Following the back wall Kurama intended to lead them to the produce section but stopped dead when he sensed a familiar energy and caught sight of flaming orange hair down the nearest aisle.

---

Shizuru turned the doorknob to Kazuma's room and entered without knocking. "Here's some money baby brother, go buy me some cigarettes. We're out of milk too and you might as well pick up something for dinner while you're out," she said, pressing the money into her brother's hand before the mouthy young man could get a word in edgewise.

"Go buy your own damn cigarettes!" yelled Kuwabara as Shizuru disappeared down the hallway but she was already gone. Kazuma dragged himself to his feet with a groan. Looking out the window for the first time in a few hours he noticed the adverse weather, "But Shizuru it's raining!" he whined loudly, "I'll go later when the storm's cleared." He was just about to sit back down when a voice barked back, "Go do what I asked you to before I have to kick your ass baby brother."

Kuwabara sighed and dragged his feet towards the door. He never could stand up to his sister. Cramming large feet into the trainers by the door, he pulled on a coat and slammed the door behind him. He could hear Shizuru yelling at him but paid her no mind as he exited his house and started for the nearest grocery store.

Although the walk only took five minutes, Kuwabara's jacket was soaked by the time he walked through the sliding doors. Cursing his sister under his breath, the large man headed for the milk first but paused as he passed by the pet aisle. Suddenly remembering that his beloved cat was getting low on food, the orange-haired man made his way down the familiar aisle to pick up the feline's favorite brand. Turning to continue down the aisle with a bag of cat food in hand, Kuwabara smiled as he perceived a familiar silhouette at the far end. "Hey Kurama!" he said, waving enthusiastically. As he approached however, another presence made itself known and the smile faded slightly, "Hiei?" he said in a questioning tone. Though he knew the shrimp was back in town, he hadn't expected to see him in a grocery store of all places. "I didn't expect to see you two here!" Kuwabara exclaimed, quickly recovering from his shock.

Hiei was mildly disappointed that Kurama had not chosen the chocolate ice cream but he kept silent on the matter. He wasn't sure what Neapolitan was but he decided it would be worth trying if the fox said it was good. Kurama generally was a good judge of what Hiei would like.

The fire demon followed silently behind the redhead as the taller demon picked out various meats. Hiei looked at the selection dubiously, much preferring to catch his own meat rather than trust whatever the humans had done to these little packages. Still, he would not insult Kurama's generosity and he knew from experience that game was scarce so far into the city. He had been lucky to find that rabbit so easily.

As Kurama turned away to move onto another section of the store, Hiei became pleasantly distracted from his silent contemplation of the meat counter and found himself watching something a great deal more interesting as he drifted behind the basket laden redhead. Kurama's hair swayed as he walked and the cascade of crimson made Hiei want to run his hands through it. That thought led to others that made the fire demon's insides feel warm in a way that was unnatural to him but oddly pleasing.

So distracted was he by thoughts of other things he would have liked to run his hands down, Hiei almost missed the familiar spirit energy of his soon to be brother in law. He had barely had time to spot the distinctive orange hair before it was too late to remove himself from the premises. He cringed as the oaf called out to Kurama looudly, but stood his ground as the orange haired human approached. He noted how the enthusiasm faded from the idiot's voice as he realized the fox wasn't alone. 'Get used to it. I'm not going anywhere.' Hiei thought with slightly wicked amusement. He smirked in a manner he knew the oaf found infuriating. "Then I guess your spiritual awareness must be slipping, ne?" He drawled in his most patronizing tone.

Kurama watched the human male approach, taking note of his soaked jacket and the bag of cat food tucked under one arm. He allowed himself a brief smile at Kuwabara's amazement before responding, "Nor did I expect to see you." Kuwabara's appearance brought the mind the conversation that he had had with Hiei the night prior in which they had decided to reveal their new relationship to the rest of the group the following day. It was hard to believe that Kuwabara would be the first and Kurama regretted that it was as he was the most likely to take the news poorly.

Kuwabara was genuinely happy to see Kurama as they hadn't spoken in a month at least but frowned as Hiei started in the the insults. 'Two can play that game...' he thought. And Yukina wouldn't be around to see either so he wouldn't have to hold back either. "Can't take a little rain?" he asked in retort upon catching sight of the ordinary object tucked beneath Hiei's short arm, "I didn't know you were such a sissy." Kuwabara was careful to phrase his insult so that it only applied to the shorter demon and not the taller redhead that he had come to count as one of his best friends, second only to Urameshi.

Hiei snorted, as if the oaf knowing of his aversion to the weather didn't bother him at all. Surreptitiously making sure there were no other humans around to see, he blurred to within inches of the orange haired human and raised his bare hand to the soaked sleeve of Kuwabara's jacket. Instantly, a cloud of steam rose from the overheated fabric though Hiei was careful not to scald it's wearer, at least not badly enough to actually burn the idiot. "This tends to attract attention and unlike some people, I know how to be inconspicuous." He pointed out harshly.

He stepped back just as quickly to his place beside Kurama, as the small puff of steam dissipated, leaving a dry patch on the otherwise still dripping coat. Of course, Hiei knew how to control his body temperature well enough to prevent what he had just demonstrated but the stupid human didn't need to know that.

Kurama watched the two argue with a bemused expression on his face. It seemed old rivalries died hard and though Kuwabara had changed, it seemed Hiei was bringing out the best in him so to speak. Hiei's little charade distracted him momentarily from his musings on breaking the news to Kuwabara and he decided to step in before things got out of hand. Though they were alone in their aisle, he could sense other customers nearby and didn't want the two's bickering to cause a scene. "Now now boys..." Kurama chided, "I know you two are happy to see each other but let's not get carried away." The redhead smiled nervously as a sweat drop rolled down the side of his forehead.

Kuwabara barely had time to blink before the cloaked demon was on him, practically burning the sleeve of his coat. "Hey!" he called indignantly, checking the damage to his coat. He was surprised to find that the garment was still intact and frowned, 'Showoff.' Despite his argumentative nature, Kuwabara was thankful for Kurama's intervention as he had nothing to respond to Hiei's gesture with. "Happy, right," he said dubiously before pushing aside the argument. "Anyway, I just came here to buy a few things for Shizuru, what are you two up to?"

Kurama was glad when Kuwabara let Hiei's demonstration slide and dropped the argument. The orange-haired male had really come a long way in controlling his temper. At one time, he would have likely been all over Hiei and instead of giving the two a verbal warning he would have had to pull them apart. Kuwabara's question put them in the direction he hoped the conversation would go in as he struggled to find the most appropriate way to reveal their news. '"Just stocking up on provisions," Kurama replied with a smile, "I have to buy more than usual now that Hiei is staying with me."

Hiei was both disappointed and pleased that Kuwabara had backed down. Maybe the idiot really had matured some in the last ten years. Maybe he wasn't a completely horrible match for Yukina. 'Right...' The fire demon adopted a bored expression as the oaf asked them what they were doing but Kurama answered before the snarky little demon could point out the inherent idiocy of that question. 'We're in a grocery store with a basket full of food. What else could we be doing?'

Taking Kurama's calm statement of their new living arrangement as permission, and remembering the fox's promise that they would tell their friends about their relationship and not try to hide it...Hiei felt his mask slip into an almost smile. He didn't think the oaf would be able to guess what was going on between them from Kurama's nonchalant admission that he was staying at the redhead's apartment, so he decided to have a little fun and give the orange haired baka's mind a little shove in the right direction.

Hiei smoothly slipped his hand into the redhead's empty one and gave it a small squeeze before relaxing so he was only holding Kurama's hand loosely, in case the fox wanted to pull away. It was a small gesture but from someone usually so restrained when it came to nonviolent physical contact, the casual touch could speak volumes. 'If the oaf is perceptive enough to notice.'

Kurama's body gave a nearly imperceptible jolt at the unexpected physical contact as Hiei slipped a small hand into his own. He immediately relaxed however as Hiei tightened his grasp for the briefest of moments. A small, sweet smile spread across the fox's face and he returned the squeeze with one of his own before relaxing his muscles slightly. His grasp remained firm however, as a testament to his pride in their relationship as Yamata's words remained fresh in his memory. The fox decided to give Kuwabara the benefit of coming to his own conclusions given the hints he had been provided. Though Kurama wouldn't admit it, even to Hiei, he also found it occasionally amusing to toy with the easily excitable human.

Kuwabara nodded, "Yeah, I bet he eats like a..." His statement was cut short however as he caught sight of the movement between the two demons standing before him. The oaf's jaw suddenly slacked as he flat out starred at the couple before him, a horrified look spreading across his face as if he feared they might start kissing at any moment. 'Is he... Are they...?' Kuwabara's eye began to twitch and realizing that he'd been staring for far too long, he averted his gaze to the side and raised a hand to his mouth to clear his throat. "So uh... Is there something going on between you guys?" he asked nervously, looking from one demon to the other for a definite answer to his suppositions. Kuwabara could be really, really, thick sometimes but holding hands was the universal symbol of dating and it wasn't something his pea brain could easily mistake.

Hiei felt a surge of pride that Kurama didn't pull away. The fire demon felt a small smile cross his face as the oaf was struck speechless by the small gesture. "Yes." He said in answer to the human's nervous question. "Kurama and I are, what you would call, dating." He was strangely satisfied to be able to tell someone, even if it was only the idiot. Kurama wasn't ashamed of being with him, the slender hand gripping his own was proof of it. The small smile flickered at the corner of the fire demon's mouth again as he glanced up at the redhead at his side. Crimson eyes cut back to the flabbergasted human, all trace of the soft expression gone. "Is that going to be a problem?" The short demon asked sharply.

Kuwabara was startled when it was actually Hiei that answered his question rather than Kurama who always seemed to be the one giving explanations. As the smaller demon confirmed his fears, Kuwabara's tiny brain began to whir as he thought furiously. 'Is this a joke?' was one of the very first things he asked himself, afraid to ask the thought aloud. Kurama and Hiei were two of the scariest demons he had met between Kurama's psychotic fox half and Hiei's dragon, Kuwabara doubted he'd come out alive if he insulted them in this matter. Although both demons had been known to participate in their fair share of jokes at his or Yusuke's expense, a small voice reminded him of the evidence: they way they always seemed to appear together, those strange looks of knowing something everyone else did not, their hands clasped tightly together and even the happy expression on their faces. 'Oh god...' he moaned to himself, 'Why did I have to ask...'

His worry augmented as Hiei turned from looking at Kurama to face him. The taller demon's mind froze and chills ran down the length of his spine in response to the look he was receiving and the all-too-seriously voiced question. Hiei had allowed him to take Yukina as his wife and despite his disgust he could not refuse Hiei his own version of happiness. "W-whatever makes you happy!" he stuttered, sweat beginning to bead on his already wet forehead as he forced a smile. "How long?" he managed to choke out the question that was making itself known above the noise of his other thoughts. It was just his luck that he was the last to be let in on everything. It was possible that the two had been hiding their relationship from him since the very start.

Kurama wasn't surprised when Hiei offered an explanation to Kuwabara's nervously asked question. The little demon loved tormenting the human and would do anything just to get at him. The fox had to admit that the look that flashed in Kuwabara's eyes was priceless and he could almost imagine the smoke rising from the taller man's ears as his brain overheated from the knowledge. Hiei's threatening question only seemed to add to the orange-haired man's distress and the fox had to turn his head to hide a chuckle. He did however recover in time to answer the other man's question, "Only a day so far," he announced rather cheerfully, "You're the first to know." Kurama knew that the second piece of information he had offered would make Kuwabara happy at the very least.

Hiei nodded sharply at the human's answer, seeing how hard it had been for the oaf to offer it. No matter how strained it sounded, it was acceptance and for now that was good enough. He knew that many humans were uncomfortable with the idea of two beings of the same gender being in a relationship and he could tell Kuwabara fell into that category. 'He'll get over it.' The fire demon told himself, not sure why it actually bothered him a little that the human might be disgusted by his relationship with Kurama. 'Since when do I care what the oaf thinks?' It was mildly disturbing as was the snide little voice that insisted he cared because the annoying human was his friend. 'No, more likely because of Yukina.' He insisted, silently telling his traitorous brain to shut up. 'Yukina...damn. She should have been the first to know.'

"You will not tell anyone else about this." He phrased the request as more of an order, but he kept his tone flat enough that the oaf wouldn't have much reason to take offense. "We will tell everyone when we see them." Hiei tried to hide it but he was somewhat uncomfortable with having to rely on the orange-haired human's discretion. 'I'll tell Yukina first thing in the morning.' He swore. 'Sooner, if the rain stops.'

Despite being creeped out by what was going on between the two demons in front of him, Kuwabara allowed himself a genuine smile, albeit small, at the news that he was the first to know. For once he wasn't the last one to know and he fervently hoped that Yusuke would take his usual place on this one. His brow furrowed slightly however at Hiei's rather forceful request. For once he knew something and wouldn't be able to boast about it? Part of him was disappointed but Kuwabara knew it wasn't his place to go about spreading news of their relationship and thinking about it he honestly wasn't sure he wanted to. "Will do," he answered simply. "Well I better get going before Shizuru starts thinking I went to the arcade or something..." the tall man said, rubbing the back of his head in a nervous gesture, "See you later!" With that the comical man nearly bolted from their presence and finished the rest of his shopping in record time, breathing a sigh of relief only after he had checked out and exited the supermarket to walk home in the ever-present rain.

Kurama could almost read Hiei's thoughts as he ordered the human not to speak of their relationship to anyone else. According to his original plan for the day, the fire demon should have already visited his sister to tell her the news. It wouldn't do for loudmouthed Kuwabara to visit the ice demonness first and tell her before they made the trip to the temple themselves. Kuwabara seemed quite content to keep his mouth shut on the matter however given Hiei's order. It was obvious that their ex-teammate was intimidated by their relationship. Hiei could be daunting at the best of times and with their powers combined, the fire demon and himself could take on almost any foe, including a disapproving human even with upper-class spiritual powers.

The fox said nothing as Kuwabara practically ran from the unexpected encounter at the first opportune moment but he couldn't help but feel a least a tiny bit disappointed. He had been hoping for a congratulation from the human male. Even if he couldn't approve of their same-sex relationship, Kuwabara could at least be happy for his friends. Kurama had generously congratulated Kuwabara upon hearing the news of his own relationship with Yukina and found it rather rude that his friend had not returned the favor. "Well that went well..." he remarked at last, looking down at the demon whose hand he was still clenching.

Hiei snorted in mild amusement at Kuwabara's hasty retreat. "Hn. I suppose so." He admitted thoughtfully. It had gone better than he would have expected from the loudmouthed human but at the same time there was still that lingering hurt that he did not want to investigate too closely. 'At least he didn't start yelling.'

After giving the redhead's hand a gentle tug to set them moving again, the fire demon reluctantly let go so Kurama could continue his shopping. "Come on, Fox. I want to get home..." He froze as his words replayed in his mind. 'Home.' He had just called the fox's human den his home. The only place to ever hold that title in his mind had previously been the whole of Makai. That world was his home and he had wandered it freely for years without feeling the need to lay claim to a smaller piece of it as his own. Hiei felt that something fundamental to his being had shifted in that simple statement and he was uncertain how to feel about the change.

Kurama took Hiei's cue and set his body in motion again as he contemplated the demon's choice of words, 'Home...' Did Hiei really consider his apartment home now? He had never heard the smaller demon used that phrase lightly and only ever in reference to Makai. 'I want to get home...' The simple phrase meant a great deal to him. It was reassurance that Hiei would be there at night to share his bed, to share his meals, and his love. Kurama smiled and allowed the warm sensation creeping in his heart to overwhelm him until they reached the far end of the store.

Consistent with Hiei's request, Kurama quickly picked out the remaining items on his mentally-composed shopping list. He added a variety of greens to his basket with a mixture of other colors as well, red tomatoes, orange carrots, yellow peppers, white radishes, purple beats, and even a few others. He didn't usually buy quite so many but with reassurance that Hiei would be eating with him, Shuichi vowed to cook flavorful meals rather than the simple ones he usually often prepared for himself. The final addition to his overflowing basket was a bottle of juice to replace the one he had finished earlier. "Is there anything you want before we check out?" he asked when he had satisfied his own list, uncertain if Hiei planned on cooking for them again anytime soon.

Hiei shrugged expressively. He could manage with whatever the fox purchased, now that the redhead had shown him the workings of his human kitchen. He walked towards the checkout line but something in the bakery area caught his eye and he darted at a carefully human speed over to look more closely. 'Sweet rolls.' They looked like the pastry Kurama had gotten him that morning and Hiei grabbed one of the plastic boxes of four rolls, bringing it back and holding it up with both hands for the redhead to see. "This." He said simply.

Spotting some candy as they waited in the checkout line, he threw a few different types (mostly chocolates) onto the conveyor belt as the redhead was preoccupied with emptying the basket.

Kurama took Hiei's shrug to mean that he didn't need anything else and started for the checkout with the havy basket. Shuichi wasn't surprised that Hiei had nothing to add since he wasn't accustomed to most human products or packaging and likely wouldn't be able to track down what he sought in a grocery store without understanding the complex rules of organization that most stores followed. They passed through the bakery as they neared the front end of the store and Kurama paused when Hiei dashed off to inspect the clear plastic containers displayed on a nearby table. He returned a moment later with some sweet rolls in hand and Kurama shook his head, affirming that the treat could be added to their order.

When they reached the checkout, Shuichi began unloading the heavily laden basket. Produce piled upon the belt before he could extract the bottom half of his order from the container. As he set the slightly melted ice cream down on the convener, he noticed a few candy bars roll away towards the cashier and smiled knowingly. Maybe Hiei could come to like living in the Ningenkai... The redhead finished fishing out the remaining items from his basket before moving past the cashier who was obviously trying to get his attention to pack the groceries away in the bags he had brought with him. Most of the produce went in a netted bag while the other objects were packed away in an an insulated one.

He paid the bill with a crisp paper note and took the offered change, thoroughly ignoring the flirting smile the checkout girl offered him lest Hiei have to stake his claim for the other customers at the checkout to see. Hefting the heavy bags, one in each hand, he toted them to the door before trading the insulated bag for the umbrella under Hiei's arm. He slipped the object out of the bag and popped it open as they left through the automatic doors and held it over both of their heads to protect them from the cold water that continued to drip from the dark sky overhead.

Hiei glared daggers at the flirtatious checkout girl as he drifted past her in Kurama's wake. He was pleased to see her squeak and hurriedly direct her attention to the next customer in line, and away from eying his redhead as said redhead walked away. Once they reached the door, the fire demon handed over the umbrella readily enough, reminded again that his small stature would make it very difficult for him to cover them both.

He almost balked at carrying the bag, but took it grudgingly after a split second of hesitation. It wasn't that it was really heavy, he just didn't like having his sword hand occupied. After a moment his mind pointed out the obvious solution and he switched the bag into his other hand and darted around to walk on the fox's other side, trusting the redhead to adjust the umbrella and his own bag accordingly.

Feeling more secure with his weapon hand unhindered by the sack of groceries, Hiei was ready to set off for...'Home.' The word flickered through his thoughts again, leaving confusion and warmth in it's wake. The close quarters of the umbrella's cover were again soothing him and he soon put the issue out of his mind. Open air on all sides to keep him from feeling trapped, but still requiring him walk close enough to often brush up against the fox in order to stay out of the rain; Hiei decided he might actually grow to enjoy going out in the rain, as long as Kurama and his umbrella came along.

Kurama noticed Hiei's dilemma but thought nothing of it and adjusted the objects in his hands accordingly. As they walked he recalled the frightened noise the cashier made as they left and sighed, "You needn't be so jealous Hiei..." he stated awkwardly. He could see the situation wasn't fair however. Though the shorter demon's stature did not bother Kurama in the least, most people thought of his mate as a child or a midget and he wondered if he might not feel pangs of jealousy as well if he were in Hiei's place.

As they walked back to his apartment, Kurama again reveled in the closeness that the umbrella required. His only regret was that the hand unoccupied with the umbrella was stuck carrying the mesh bag since this prevented him from being able to hold the shorter demon's hand as they walked. He had to admit that he thoroughly enjoyed the brief physical encounter earlier although the action had undoubtedly distressed their longtime friend.