Kurama waited until the moment that Hiei overtook him before making his final move. It was a last ditch effort that would either cost him defeat or win him the race. Firing a seed plucked from somewhere inside his flowing red hair, Kurama waited for the tiny object to connect with the outer garment that Hiei always wore before activating it's energy. At once the seed began to grow and bloom, rapidly reproducing until Hiei was covered with sickly sweet blossoms. This was again a distraction as Kurama readied a more familiar weapon. Pulling a rose from the depths of his hair, Kurama flicked it towards his opponent. It was an adaptation of his rose whip that lacked its deadly thorns, his intention only to bind Hiei momentarily. Kurama would welcome either outcome gracefully, happy merely for the opportunity to stretch his legs and bond with an old friend.

Hiei grimaced as the cloying scent of the flowers overwhelmed him, but he was too familiar with his adversary's tactics to fail to see them for the distraction they were. He dodged the incoming whip at the last moment, landing lightly on the redhead's balcony only a second before Kurama joined him. He hurriedly shucked off his cloak, unwilling to bear the strong perfume of the plant any longer. He was bare chested under it, wearing only his black pants, boots, and several white belts. Wrinkling his nose, he held the contaminated garment out as Kurama landed beside him. "Fix it." He commanded dryly, not as put out as he wanted to appear. It had been a good race and it almost made him forget the growing confusion that the fox stirred in him. Almost. For some reason being so exposed in front of the redhead bothered him in a way it never had before.

Kurama landed gracefully on the crowded balcony only a moment later than Hiei. The redhead blinked when Hiei striped himself of his cloak and held it out before him. His gaze first came to rest on the garment held out before him before drifting off to Hiei's bare chest. He had seen Hiei similarly unclothed before but for some reason Kurama found that this time Hiei's exposed flesh was doing odd things to his body.

Wrenching his eyes away from the muscle honed to perfection, Kurama snatched the flowery cloak from Hiei and slid open the balcony door as he remembered that Machi might be watching. Beckoning Hiei inside, Kurama hoped that the other wouldn't notice his agitation. Only when he was safe from the prying eyes of his nosy neighbor did the redhead focus on returning the cloak as close as he could do it's original state. Running his hands along the blossoms, he reversed the growing process until all of the stems withered back down into a single seed that he quickly returned to its nest in his hair.

Holding the garment back out for Hiei to take, he noted that the perfume of the flowers still permeated the fabric, "Maybe I should wash it?" he asked hesitantly, sort of hoping that Hiei would say yes as it would give the smaller demon an excuse to stick around for another hour at least...and require him to remain bare chested for just as long.

Hiei entered the apartment behind the fox and waited silently for his cloak to be returned. At the redhead's suggestion he moved forward and took a quick sniff of the black fabric. His eyes watered from the flowery aroma and he nodded stiffly. Yes, it would have to be washed before he could wear it. He crossed his arms across his chest, acutely aware of Kurama's eyes on him but unsure whether the fox was really watching him or if it was only wishful thinking. Either way it was raising goosebumps on his shoulders and causing his body to react in other ways as well, the squirmy feeling was back in his stomach and he had to consciously regulate his body temperature to keep from blushing.

Kurama watched as Hiei sniffed at the cloak and although the fire demon offered no verbal answer to his question it was apparent from the look on his face what the answer would be even before he nodded his head in the affirmative. Toting the garment to a small room to the right of the bath, he set it down for a moment presumably to prepare the washing machine, but found himself pausing. Now that his mind wasn't focused on a single goal, he found his thoughts beginning to hopelessly wander again.

Dragging himself back to the present he measured out the appropriate amount of detergent and added it to the washer before selecting the cycle. As he waited for the water to draw however, his mind kept wandering back to Hiei's chest and his inappropriate desire to see more. The fox felt his body temperature begin to rise rapidly at the thought and clenched the side of the washer tightly. 'It isn't like that...' he told himself, shaken by his sudden lust. It was an emotion originating from his kitsune half and Kurama realized with alarm that Hiei was unknowingly coaxing out the ways of his old self.

Realizing that he'd likely been gone for too long, Kurama pushed the cloak down into the washer and closed the lid before returning to the living room where Hiei would presumably be waiting.

((Sorry it took so long... I was having a hard time trying to word everything. >.<))

OOC: Naughty fox. Get your mind out of the gutter. lol.

Hiei had little experience with washing machines, so he wasn't overly concerned with the redhead's prolonged absence. In fact, he was almost relieved by it, since it gave him a chance to collect himself. He forced himself to relax from his defensive posture as he studied the small, tastefully decorated living room. It was cozy and the scent of Kurama permeated the place. The glass doors took up a good portion of the outer wall, soothing his claustrophobia and providing an easy escape route should the need arise. 'This wouldn't be a bad place to live.' He thought to himself. 'At least as long as Kurama was here too.' He idly wondered what the bedroom looked like. Just then the fox returned from the laundry room. Feeling embarrassed about the track his thoughts had begun wandering down, Hiei was unable to control a slight bush that stained his pale cheeks.

OOC: Ack! Now Hiei's there too, good thing he's too insecure to say anything or we'd have to fade to black and leave the two alone. lol

((*Blushes*))

"There's nothing to do but wait I'm afraid..." Kurama confessed with a frown as he walked into the room. Upon looking at Hiei however he noticed the faint pink hue that stained the other's face and wondered at its source. "I can fetch you a shirt if you'd like..." he offered with just a hint of awkwardness. He doubted that self-consciousness was the reason for Hiei's discomfort but couldn't seem to come to any other conclusion at the moment.

((Sorry, I got stuck. T_T))

Hiei debated with himself for a moment. He could either continue to be uncomfortable and not admit it, or he could accept the redhead's offer and thereby admit he felt self-conscious about being shirtless now, when he never had before. After a brief internal struggle he decided it would be better to be comfortable, lest he alienate the redhead. He nodded. "Yes." He silently cursed his weakness, certain that he had given away too much with that simple acquiescence.

OOC: I hope that wasn't ooc.... Hiei is probably being overly harsh on himself. I don't know what Kurama might read into his monosyllabic answer. lol

((It looks fine to me. ^///^))

Kurama didn't bat an eye at Hiei's response but merely nodded before disappearing into his bedroom. Hiei had never been one to be self-conscious in the past and Kurama blamed himself for the sudden change. He had obviously been making Hiei uncomfortable with his inadvertent staring and decided that Hiei's decision was likely for the best since the fox's lust was making things difficult otherwise.

After plucking the first shirt he lay hands on inside his dresser drawer, Kurama returned to the living room. He handed over the carefully folded plain white tee shirt and busied himself with straightening a few things he had left out to give Hiei time to put it on without worrying about him staring. When he was certain the fire demon was covered, he finished up what he was doing and sat down on the couch. "You won," he acknowledged at last, "Therefore it's your choice as to what we do while we wait." That had always been the victor's prize in the past and Kurama decided that it should be no different now.

Hiei pulled the too-large shirt over his head. It hung almost to his knees but it was better than the alternatie of letting the redhead see the affect he had on him. He pondered Kurama's words. True, it was always the victor's prize to decide what they would do next. Hiei usually chose sparring or eating but tonight he wasn't in the mood for either. "Talk." He finally said. "Tell me what I've missed in ten years." He sat down on a chair, wishing suddenly that the room had a windowsill.

Kurama blinked at Hiei's order. It wasn't out of the question for him to want to know what he had missed in his absence but the question was easier phrased than answered. Calling to mind the memories that would be most relevant, Kurama began, "Well, Keiko, Kuwabara, and myself spent the first few years in college. Yusuke quit school for good and spent most of his time with Genkai at the temple. After graduation, I got a job doing research for a biochemistry lab. Genkai died about a year later, did you feel it?" Kurama paused for a brief moments to recall her passing. The old woman's death had been a peaceful one but the feeling of her passage had been quite powerful. "She left Yusuke the rights to the temple but Yukina mostly cares for it now."

"Kuwabara was the next to get a job as an instructor at a dojo. He teaches martial arts to high school students. It might be hard to imagine but he's quite good with the kids." Kurama smiled, recalling the few classes he had sat in on. Should Yukina and Kuwabara decide to try, Kurama believed they would both make good parents. "Keiko and Yusuke got married a year later and Keiko's parents left them the ramen shop as their wedding gift. About that time is when Yukina and Kuwabara really started dating. They've been together for about three years now. Kuwabara proposed in the spring and the wedding is set for this winter." Kurama sat back with a sigh. It was almost hard to believe how much time had really passed since Hiei's departure.

Hiei listened quietly, nodding at the redhead's question about the old psychic. He had felt her passing. As Kurama droned on about Yusuke and the Oaf, Hiei wondered if the fox was being purposefully obtuse or if he really hadn't understood what Hiei was asking. He didn't want to know about the others. He had gleaned most of that information over the course of the day. He wanted to know more about Kurama's life without him. Had the fox really been upset when he left? When did he move out of his mother's house? Had he dated anyone? Was he involved with someone currently? He settled for a less telling question, though it pained him to ask it. "How's your mother?"

Kurama paused when Hiei approached a more personal topic, one that he might have preferred not to talk about given their previous argument. Although they had put their differences aside enough to repair the damage to their friendship, Kurama was hesitant to talk about subjects that he feared might separate them again. Still, he couldn't refuse Hiei an answer, "She's doing well," he said matter-of-factly, "She was remarried shortly after you left." Kurama hesitated before adding, "I've a younger stepbrother now."

Hiei listened with interest. "Is that why you moved out?" He asked curiously. He had wondered why the redhead would have left his mother, when the whole reason he had given for staying in the Ningenkai was to stay with her. The thought flickered through Hiei's mind that the fox might have found a new reason to stay now that his mother no longer needed him. The idea caused his insides to twist painfully and he shoved it away and tried not to think about it.

Kurama shook his head, "No, Shuuichi spends most of his time at school," he explained briefly. "I thought it best to allow mother more time with her husband. I visit her often and she seems pleased with the arrangement..." Kurama broke off in thought then continued, "The arrangement suits me as well," he said at last, "I no longer worry her if I don't return home on time and I can still keep watch on her from afar."

Hiei cocked his head to the side at Kurama's brother's name, remembering that was Kurama's human name as well. He didn't ask about it, figuring it to be a common enough human name. "That's good." He said slowly, unable to think of anything nicer to say. He didn't ask anymore questions, unable to think of any that weren't far more personal than he was willing to get. Instead he waited expectantly for the fox to either say more, or ask some questions of his own.

((It felt soooo good to sleep in this morning. I'm off today but tonight I should go to bed by 10:00pm.))

Kurama allowed himself a tiny smile at Hiie's momentary confusion. In Ningenkai, humans reused names from time to time but the practice was less common in Makai where some demons bestowed themselves with a title of their own. Hiei didn't ask however so Kurama didn't offer this explanation and his friend's short response suggested that he was tiring of the subject though Hiei's impassive face was hard even for Kurama to read at the moment. There really was nothing else for him to say on the subject anyway so Kurama decided to ask a questions of his own.

"How are things in Makai?" The inquiry was just as vague as Hiei's first question but Kurama hoped that he might learn about the political situation in his former homeland. He hadn't had much news about the changes in the demon world since has last visit apart from the few tidbits he had gleaned from Boton during her infrequent visits. He was thankful that their conversation was focusing his attention away from the fox's feelings of desire, allowing his body to return to a more comfortable temperature. Some of the erratic sensations continued to wiggle in his stomach but they bothered him less than his feelings from before.

Hiei shrugged, "Much the same." Makai politics were always the same, for the most part. The players changedbut it was always the same game.

OOC: Umm...heck if I know. lol. Haven't gotten to any of that yet. Maybe Hiei should leave soon? I don't know what else to talk about.

((But he still needs his cloak,LOL! It's up to you though, he could always come back for it later.))

Apparently Botan hadn't been holding back when she gave him little news. The blue-haired girl had a frustrating habit of leaving out the details but Hiei confirmed that there was little to tell. Hearing the faint noise of the washer come to a halt, Kurama excused himself to the laundry room. Upon extracting the cherished garment from the washing machine, he promptly smelled it. Reassured that the soap had washed away any trace of noxious perfume, he inserted it into the dryer and returned to the main room. "It will be a while longer," announced the redhead. Instead of seating himself once again on the couch he remained standing, "Are you thirsty?" he asked, extra aware of his body's needs after Hiei's scolding. Between the exertion of both running and talking he was beginning to thirst.

Hiei nodded. He wasn't overly thirsty but he knew the redhead wouldn't have anything if he refused. He wondered if he should go as soon as his cloak was dry. The conversation had grown more difficult since they arrived back at the apartment and he was afraid of saying something that would break the friendship they had just mended. Of course he could always ask for the cloak and dry it himself in a few seconds but he couldn't bring himself to mention that fact.

Kurama took Hiei's nod to mean yes and walked through the remainder of the living room to reach the hallway that connected to his front door. Across the hall was his rather small kitchen. A tiny table sat against the wall immediately to the left of the door and across from it was the sink. Kurama had originally planned on filling two glasses with water for the both of them but changed his mind when he saw the kettle sitting beside the sink. Tea would be a much nicer beverage for them to share.

The redhead set about making a quick batch of the steamy beverage and brought it out on a small small tray. He held the tray out to Hiei for a moment to allow the fire demon to take his piping hot beverage before setting it down on the stand next to the couch. Taking up his own cup, he held it between both hands, enjoying the warmth the ceramic ware was giving off. The hot beverage made Kurama think of Yukina. The ice demonness made the most wonderful tasting tea. Thoughts of her sparked a sudden question, "Will you be staying at the temple?" Kurama asked. Hiei usually preferred more open spaces but he wondered if the fire demon might not make a bed out of one of the trees surrounding the dojo where he could be closer to his sister.

Hiei took the cup with a nod of thanks. He took a sip before he responded to the fox's question. "No." He grimaced. "Did you know the idiot eats breakfast with her everyday?" He asked incredulously.

Kurama's likewise took a sip of the bitter liquid and found the taste refreshing. It had been a few days since he'd brewed tea for himself. When he lived at home, mother would always be waiting for him with a freshly brewed pot upon his return and they would sit and chat about the day's activities. He rather missed those conversations...

Kurama cocked his head ever so slightly at Hiei's response but said nothing until asked about Kuwabara's morning eating habits. His brow furrowed lightly at the question, "No, I didn't," he replied truthfully. Though they sometimes sparred, it was usually in the evenings and Kuwabara had never mentioned this daily ritual.

"Hn." The fire demon scowled. His disgust at the thought of starting his day with the orange haired human was painfully obvious. "I'd rather sleep in a tree than put up with that idiot first thing in the morning." He said anyway, wanting to make it clear that he wasn't scowling at the redhead before him, rather at his own thoughts.

OOC: Far away, Kuwabara suddenly sneezed. lol ^_^'

((LOL! Sure, why not. ^_^))

Kurama took a quick sip of his tea to hide the smile that was forming. He had always found Hiei and Kuwabara's rivalry to be rather amusing but did his best to keep an impassive face for Hiei's benefit as it was obvious that he didn't find the situation entertaining in the least. The redhead continued to stave off a smile at the second comment as well as he was quite certain the fire demon would rather sleep in a tree than anywhere but the fox failed to point this out. Instead, he made an offer of hospitality, "You're welcome to rest here any time should you wish to; I'll leave the balcony door unlocked." Kurama finally allowed himself to smile. He had little fear of anyone breaking in. Most of the city's youth was too caught up in turf wars to be bothered with burglary.

Kuwabara blinked from his position on the floor. The room had become suddenly quiet as his students came to gather round. "Whoa, you beat sensei Kuro..." one of the students whispered from somewhere nearby. Kuwabara sat up and rubbed the back of his orange head, "That's true, he did," admitted the teacher with a smile. Getting to his feet, the tall man bowed neatly in front of his student and when he had straightened said, "Good job Kuro." Looking at the group that had gathered around him he announced, "That's enough for tonight, you can go change." As the students filed from the room he heard one of them mutter, "He's just afraid of getting beat again..." and smiled. At one time in his youth he would have beaten up anyone that dare speak about him in that way but he had changed. Though Kuro's win had been a fluke caused by a rather sudden and strong sneeze, he wouldn't take that victory from the boy. The upset would do wonders for the quiet boy's self-confidence and gain him some respect among his stronger peers. Wondering at the source of his sneeze he recalled the old myth, 'Yukina must be thinking about me...' he thought suddenly and a lopsided grin plastered itself on his long face.