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 Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 12:52 pm
"I hope so," Kurama said grimly, also having to propel himself up a bit extra to avoid breathing in the water. Rather than continue talking, he merely gave a look that clearly said, 'Ready when you are.'
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 1:12 pm
And with that, Hiei took in a large breath and went under. He had trouble keeping his arm looped with Kurama's under water, but he managed to keep them close together. He tried to hurry, but it the pen was very far away. The jaganshi kicked his feet, glancing at the fox.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 1:31 pm
The fox kept up with Hiei, but hardly. He lacked his friend's speed, though he was an excellent swimmer. He met the glance, signaling that he was fine, for now.
Soon, they got to the pen, but by then the red-head was having a bit of trouble holding his breath. His lungs seemed heavy, and his mind screamed at him to get to the surface. But he met the Koorime's eyes again, silently asking if he thought it was safe. Only then had it occured that if they touched it, it might trigger a trap.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 1:39 pm
Hiei was thrilled that they were finally to the pen. Seeing that Kurama seemed to be struggling, he reached out to the pen. He stopped, though, when he saw the look from the fox. He turned, hair moving slowly in the water, and considered the idea of a trap.
Now was hardly the time for that, he thought, and grabbed the object.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 1:48 pm
Nothing happened. Before even thinking to be relieved, he bolted to the surface, not even waiting for the Koorime, so he was dragged for part of the way. He could only hope that he would make it soon enough... because if he didn't, he knew Hiei wouldn't know how to save him.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 1:56 pm
Once Hiei realized why he was suddenly jerked upward, he grabbed the other's arm and sped up. His stomach lurched as he pulled and kicked. If Kurama were to lose it, things would be bad. Hiei would have to get them both out of the lake, and if Kurama stopped breathing, the jaganshi was sure to get stuck.
He growled in the water, a gurgle of air coming from his mouth.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 2:05 pm
It seemed to take forever to get to the surface. By the time they did, Kurama had swallowed some water, but not enough to cause him to go unconscious. He coughed a bit, until finally he only panted.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 2:10 pm
Hiei panted, asking if Kurama was alright. His chest hurt slightly, but it wasn't anything to worry about. He did worry about the fox, though. Human bodies were rather fragile, even with the power he had.
Without further delay, he began towards land, pulling Kurama along. It was already dark. It was going to be cold.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 2:20 pm
"Don't... worry, Hiei. I'm... fine," he said in between deep breaths, and shivering, still. He let Hiei help him swim, but made the best effort he could to assist, even though his body ached terribly. Kurama felt like a burden, then, but couldn't help that. He'd definitely have to find a good way to repay him.
And he didn't look forward to the cold night. In Makai, it almost always got below freezing while dark. He strongly doubted that they could make it to the castle until morning, and the forest could be dangerous. Tonight was sure to be an unpleasant experience.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 2:36 pm
He wasn't sure if Kurama really was fine. Once they got to land, Hiei shook his head, not unlike a dog. Water dripped from his entire body and he really wished he could take off his clothes. They were heavy, and didn't help with the cold.
He felt Kurama shivering and quickly sat them both down against a tree. "You're not fine," he said, squeezing the water from his clothes.
He was cold as well, but it wasn't nearly as bad for him. He could warm himself, being a hi-youkai, but the cuffs would prove a problem. Even if he heated himself slowly, the steel would end up burning Kurama. He wasn't sure what to do. It would get colder and the red-head's body would not be able to handle it.
Frustrated, he moved closer to Kurama. "Just... stay close."
It would've been so easy to warm himself, and in turn, warm Kurama. But the cuffs. Scowling, Hiei thought maybe if he heated up and then stopped, it would allow Kurama to bear with the burning. That seemed cruel.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 2:47 pm
Kurama didn't reply verbally to either statement, not wanting to sound helpless. He was, for the time being, but saying it would somehow seal it. Right now, he felt so unlike himself, almost hating his human form. It weakened him so much, yet he prefered it.
The closeness soothed him slightly, and he calmed some. If there was a good side to this situation, at least Hiei was the one he was stuck with. And without thinking, he put one arm around him, gently embracing the Koorime, and savoring that feeling.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 3:06 pm
To give him credit, Hiei did not panic when he was embraced. He looked to the side, and told himself that Kurama was in need of support. Leaning slightly, he offered that support. His chest seemed to be filled with hot lead and he was overcome with an unfamiliar feeling.
Still, Kurama was cold and that's all that needed attention. He fought the feeling back, and moved slightly. The fox would need to move a bit, too, or else he might lock up with the biting cold.
"Don't stay still too long," he said. "you'll get colder."
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 3:37 pm
"I'll keep that in mind," Kurama said, finally getting his shivering under control, and composing himself. As the hi-youkai had, he shifted a bit, taking the advice.
Being close to Hiei like this was... nice. More than that. But the right word evaded him. The fox felt safe this way, unlike he had in the water. And oddly, the other didn't seem to mind this. Maybe it was just that he understood the need for it. Actually, that was probably exactly it.
Kurama still was curious about this, though. He got the feeling that if the fire demon didn't truly care, he would have dried himself off already, possibly burning him. Or just kept his distance, since the only one who would really be bothered by that was the red-head. He was thankful that he hadn't, but wasn't sure how to voice it.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 3:54 pm
Hiei closed his eyes and rubbed his own arm to warm it a bit. His clothes stuck to his body uncomfortably, making him move again. He could barely detect the heat from Kurama and cursed to himself. Ningen bodies were so fragile.
He finally decided what to do. He released heat from his body in small, slow pulses. This way, if the steel did heat up, he would be able to stop it before it did any damage. It would probably not be very efficient in heating the other, but at least it was something.
"Tell me if it burns you," he said, twitching his wrist to indicate that he was talking about the cuffs.
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 4:03 pm
"I will," he said, giving a small nod. The heat was comfortable, and the heat on the cuffs was not bothering him. They were at normal body temperature, and that was something he was grateful of. Seemed Hiei knew just the right way to help him.
To keep his mind off of the slight, though now more bearable, cold, he thought of what might happen when they returned. Perhaps the hi-youkai would attempt to kill the women, chasing them around with his sword drawn, and them screaming lamely as they ran. But the last bit was just a bit of strange humor his mind conjured up.
But he did hope they granted their wish, not for their sake, but for Yukina and Shiori's. And then they could leave, forcibly, if necessary.
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