In The Lap of Luxurious Love

A few hours later, I awoke to find Heero already out of bed and re-dressed, sitting on the edge of the bed watching me sleep. "Hi, Heero."

"Hey," he said.

"Why are you up already?" I asked, sitting up.

"Because I need to go," he said. "Master Kurama expects me to be at dinner. I was just going to leave you a note to tell you where I was going."

"Give me a second to get ready, and I'll come with you," I said. With just a nod of my head, the suit I had been wearing before was suddenly on my body again, completely free of wrinkles. This time it was Heero's turn to be shocked.

"Forgive me for asking, Duo, but..." he said. "Where the hell did you learn to do that?"

"From an aquaintance of Master Hiei's, and a friend of mine," I said. "I'm sure you know Master Genkai, if you've been around Master Kurama all this time."

"When did you train under her?" he asked.

"When I was in training to be a pilot, that was part of the training they put me through to develop my adaptability," I said.

"Amazing," he said. "Master Kurama hasn't even mastered that technique yet, and he's known Genkai for years! Spirit Energy is one thing, but re-materialization is a completely different story! But I'll tell you one thing, I wish you'd have gotten those clothes off as quickly as you just put them on."

We went to dinner and were greeted by several of Heero's friends, some that even I knew. I was only 19, and there were many who were younger than I, but everyone was being served a glass of wine or champaigne, and I found it strange that Japanese laws were being bent here. Not that I minded or cared, because I'd developed a taste for alcohol long before I was even 16. The dinner was absolutely divine, and was a better meal than I'd had in a long time, being a broke college student.

After dinner, Heero and I were summoned to Kurama's suite. Heero couldn't help making a snyd comment that this meeting was going to be an 'initiation' rite of having sex with the master. I shot back that I doubted it, but when I heard moaning coming from the other side of the door as we knocked on it, I became slightly nervous, and Heero could tell.

"Don't worry, Lover," he said. "Hiei probably jumped him when they got into the room after dinner." When Kurama opened the door, I could see that his hair was a slight mess, and his normally crisp and well-pressed suit was partially open, revealing a gorgeous upper-body.

"Gentlemen, please, do come in," Kurama said.

"Our apologies for interrupting you, Master," Heero said. "But we were instructed to meet you here."

"That's quite all right, Heero," he said. "I'm glad that you came as promtly as you did, actually." His eyes became dark, gesturing to the bedroom. "Hiei's illness is becoming very progressively worse, and according to him, increased sexual energy is a 'side-effect' of the disease, if you will. In the late stage, one can die after a powerful climax."

"What a way to go," Heero breathed.

"Yes, that is what Hiei said as well," he said, a sad smile gracing his lips. "But the reason I asked you both here is because I am in need of someone to take my place as the leader of this household while I am away. I must go with Hiei to our city in Demon World to try to get him the medical care that he needs. I'm afraid that we've already acted too late, but I must try."

"Yes, of course," he said.

"Heero Yuy, I would greatly appreciate it if you would take over guardianship of your brothers and sisters here at my estate while I am away," Kurama said. "Will you do this for me?"

"I would be honored, Master," he said. Kurama moved forward quickly and kissed Heero's lips softly. Heero's breathing quickened, and I could see tears filling his eyes. "Oh, my god..." I had never seen Heero in such a vulnerable state. One of his best friends was dying, and he couldn't do anything about it. "May I see him?"

"Yes, of course," Kurama said. "He's in the bedroom." Heero walked into the bedroom and closed the door, and I could feel the room grow very cold, and I wrapped my arms around myself. Kurama immediately noticed, and walked over to me. "You seem troubled, Duo."

"Yes, Sir," I said. "I've never seen either of them like this. Master Hiei has always been so healthy that I just can't imagine him not being around."

"Believe me, I know the feeling," he said, wrapping his arm around me. I could feel his warmth around my shoulders, and I knew that he was using his magic on me, but I didn't care. This would be an embrace that I would learn to dearly love, though I didn't know it yet. "Do not worry about Heero, though. He is strong and he can make it through just about anything."

A few minutes later, Heero came out of the bedroom, tears in his eyes, and I walked over to him and took his hand. "He's asleep." Kurama nodded, and kissed him softly in an attempt to console him. "How soon will you be going, Master?"

"This evening, after the ball," he said. "I would take him now, but if he enters the portal while he's asleep, he may never wake up."

"I understand, Master," Heero said. "Please excuse us."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Later that evening, Heero and I were introduced at the Grand Estates Ball as the newest couple to be formed in Kurama Estates. As soon as we arrived, we were called to where Hiei and Kurama were, and they introduced me to the men and women we would be mingling with as caretakers of the estate. Heero, of course, knew them and was joking with them throughout the evening.

Shortly before the end of the party, but before anyone had left, Kurama called for the attention of everyone in the main hall. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I have an announcement to make. As many of you know, my partner, Hiei Jaganshi, has become increasingly ill over the last few weeks. So, in an effort to obtain proper medical treatment for him, it is needful that we travel to our home in the city of Ghosts and Apparitions." A hush fell over the crowd as people looked at each other in surprise.

"Because I know that my house needs to maintain strong leadership within its ranks, I have employed the aid of one of my closest friends," Kurama continued. "During the time that I am away, Heero Yuy and his partner, Duo Maxwell, will act as the masters of Kurama Estates. As such, I expect you to follow their directions as you would mine or those of any of the other owners." The room was silent for a few moments, then everyone began to applaud and cheer. The young men from our house knelt in respect, and Heero and I bowed to them in return.

"Thank you, everyone!" Heero said. Kurama turned to Heero, and hugged him one last time. "Thank you for your great trust in me, old friend."

"And thank you for not disappointing me," Kurama said. "I'm sure that the house will thrive under your care."

"I'll do my best," he said. He bent to one knee next to Hiei's wheelchair, and the dark-haired apparition ran his weakening hand through Heero's hair. "Please return to us, Master Hiei."

"Unfortunately, I can't guarantee anything, Heero," Hiei said. He looked at me, and I was caught off guard at the look in his eyes. He had never looked at me in such an admonishing way. "You take care of things for me, Duo. The people in this house will need you a great deal in the near future. Don't disappoint me."

"I promise to do all I can," I said, not realizing what he was talking about until much later. He knew that he wasn't going to make it back alive, and that something terrible was going to happen but he didn't know exactly what it was. "Goodbye, my friend." The two demons quietly slipped away from the crowd and were gone from the house within half an hour.

"You okay?" Heero said to me as we sat together in Kurama and Hiei's chairs.

"I will be," I said. "I just can't stop thinking about how much I'm going to miss him."

(Author's note: Chapter 4 is finally done! Sorry it took so long to write! Please Rate and Review!)