Yusuke took in a deep breath and let out a heavy content sigh. Behind him came Hiei Rabbit and Dodo Karasu. Seems magically, Dodo Karasu got clean and mended clothing, making it seem as if nothing at all had happened.
The trio walked some distance from the palace and Yusuke turned to Dodo Karasu and smiled, " Thanks. Y’know, you were kind of a pest at first. But....you really saved my ass back there. I owe ya one."
Dodo Karasu stopped, causing Yusuke to stop, wondering why this had occured. Dodo Karasu nodded,
" I suppose I can overdo it sometimes. I just get really excited and my enthusiasm runs off with me."
Hiei Rabbit was about to comment. Yusuke shot him a glance which prevented it. Instead he chuckled and walked ahead of the pair.
" So...." Dodo Karasu began softly, averting his gaze to the ground.
" Something wrong?" Yusuke asked.
" You’ll be going home now, won’t you? Leaving me behind?"
" Yeah...but don’t look at it THAT way, Dodo." Yusuke gave a smile and gave a light and playful punch to Dodo Karasu’s arm. He wasn’t sure if he smiled or scowled at the action....face still hidden under his mask.
" At least we’re parting on good terms. I don’t DISlike you. I just don’t belong here."
" I see. But....you....owe me a favor, yes?"
Yusuke was silent a moment and then nodded,
" Yeah, I do. You saved my life....I owe you big time.
" Anything?"
" Well, go ahead and name it. If it’s something I can do, I’ll....I’ll see."
Dodo Karasu though a long moment, shutting his eyes to contimplate the opportunities. Had this been the normal real world Karasu, Yusuke would have been horribly afraid and surely regretted such an offer. But, this Karasu, though not as innocent as he once thought, was friendly and caring. Surely the favor wouldn’t be....too bad....or...perverted?
Dodo Karasu nodded, " Very well. I know what I want....then I’ll be able to watch you go with a smile."
" What....is it?"
Dodo Karasu was silent, but he removed his mask and smiled at Yusuke. He approached slowly and placed a hand on the boy’s cheek. " This is all I want in return." With that, he embraced Yusuke with one arm, stroking his cheek with his free hand, placing a kiss onto his lips.
Yusuke’s eyes shot wide open, surprised and embaressed. But...it wasn’t...THAT bad. Certainly this was nothing compaired to what Dodo Karasu COULD have asked for....were he more perverted. He sighed in the back of his mind. =Oh, Hell, Yusuke. Not like anyone you REALLY know will ever find out. Go with the flow....you owe it to him. It’s just a damn kiss.=
So, he did. Yusuke relaxed and faced his promise like a man.....repaying Karasu’s favor in this way. When Dodo Karasu released him, Yusuke was a bright red. " Uhm... that was what you wanted?"
" Yes," Dodo Karasu replied simply. " That was what I wanted."
It was that simple? Dodo Karasu really WAS an innocent. No poisons? No tricks? No hidden agenda? That was it! It was a simple and gentle, caring kiss. That was it...nor more no less. Yusuke swallowed hard and nodded,
" Alright."
Dodo Karasu cocked his head, " Are you alright?"
" I’m...fine....It’s alright. It’s what you wanted...I owed it to you." To emphasize there were no hard feelings he even smiled at him. Dodo Karasu smiled back, feeling relieved he’d not offended Yusuke.
" You better catch your rabbit," He said gently.
" Eh?"
" Go. Go home. Hurry before I have to put my mask back on."
" Why..."
" I wanted you to see that I’m going to let you go...with a smile." It was true. Dodo Karasu even beamed.
" Hurry, he got a head start."
Yusuke let out a chuckle and patted Dodo Karasu on the shoulder, " See ya around, Man." With that, he turned and ran, hoping to catch up with Hiei Rabbit before he was too far ahead.
It took him a long time but he finally found him,
" Rabbit, wait!"
" What do you want?!" Hiei Rabbit snapped, releasing a gasp. " You’ve no need for me!"
" I want to go home!"
" Then, go!"
" Get your ass over here so I can CATCH you! You’re the reason I’m here in the first place!"
" Procrastination is what got you here in the first place," Hiei Rabbit retorted..." And you’re grubby ningen hands aren’t TOUCHING me!"
Hiei Rabbit turned tail and jet. Yusuke took after him. Luckily for him Hiei Rabbit was not as swift as regular everyday Hiei at this point. He was tired and rundown from persuit and daily errands. It was apparent when Yusuke caught up. Hiei Rabbit let out a yelp and tried to make a leap only to have his feet swept from under him by Yusuke’s crafty thinking.
Both tumbled to the ground, Hiei Rabbit landing on his back. " Oh....my gloves are dirty again." He let out a sigh and then a gasp as Yusuke crawled over and wrapped his arms around Hiei Rabbit’s waist, hugging his cheek against his chest. " Now, take me home, dammit! I caught you!"
" Yusuke!!!!!!" A voice hissed. Yusuke opened his eyes and felt the cool breeze of the air conditioner. He saw the wide eyes and confused faces of his friends. Keiko was by the kitchen, a little confused. Botan sat in front of Kuwabara with a bowl of cheese cubes, but her eyes were focused on Yusuke as with Kuawabara who was seemingly shocked, not even paying attention to the hand-held game he was holding. Kurama was halfway turned towards him, a little confused, shocked and amused...perhaps one of the calmest expressions in the room considering.
" What? What are you all looking at?" Yusuke asked. Then HIS eyes suddenly went wide. That fabric...it wasn’t the couch. In fact, he noticed he was halfway off the couch and halfway into the windowsill. " Oh....."
He peered up to see Hiei glaring at him, wide-eyed, confused...and a little freaked. " Yusuke," he muttered, almost childishly, " I don’t EVEN want to know, but, dammit, please....please let me go...or...I’m just going to snap."
Yusuke glance the situation over. He swallowed hard. He had obviously leapt from the couch in his sleep during the wrestle in his dream and grabbed Hiei around the waist as he had done in his dream. Slowly and with some confusion, he released Hiei...who...as promised...didn’t even ask WHY. In fact, he kept a close and frightened glance on Yusuke, not sure whether to attack or run or...just stay...peeeeeeeeeerfectly still. He swallowed hard and remained silent.
" Sorry."
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