Disclaimer: I don't want the show. I just want Hiei.
Warnings: shounen ai
Notes: Christmas-fic for Morgan, 2003. Sort of a sequel to Ten Men, Morgan's 2003 birthday-fic.

Hiei knew he was staring, but it couldn't be helped. The beast was of a species Hiei had never seen before, and it was...rather odd-looking. Well, no, that wasn't entirely true - it looked rather normal. The anomaly was that it should have been...much smaller than what it was.

Standing at a towering six-feet, with a body full of glorious yellow feathers and a beak that could possibly snap a log...was a fowl like Hiei had never seen before. Briefly, he wondered if this was a sort of birds' revenge. He recalled having chicken a few nights before. Perhaps this giant chicken had come to have him for dinner in exchange. It was certainly big enough to fit him in its stomach, he noted, studying the big belly the fowl possessed. He jumped when the beast squawked, the noise sounding so much more dangerous coming from a bird of its size.

"Did she scare you?" His ally's voice didn't succeed in hiding his amusement.

Hiei shook his head, not in denial but in astonishment. "Bui, what the hell is this thing?"

The aqua-haired warrior chuckled as he moved into Hiei's line of sight. "What does it look like?" he asked dryly, stroking the white feathers that served as the fowl's mane.

"An overgrown canary," Hiei replied. The bird cocked its head at him, and Hiei could have sworn the beast gave him a dirty look.

"Don't listen to him, Rowena," Bui purred to the fowl. "What does he know?"

"He knows that you're going to break that chicken's back if you sit on it." Hiei gestured to the blanket on its back and then to the saddle in Bui's free hand. "You're not seriously going to ride that, are you?"

The bird squawked again, and Bui scratched the top of its head. "Rowena would like you to remember that she's a lady," the other demon chided.

Hiei rolled his eyes. "I'm sure she would."

"Besides, she got me here, didn't she?" Bui's tone held a good deal of pride for the animal.

"You rode that to Alaric from Gandara?"

"That I did." Bui went about saddling his...horse...as he replied. "And she is a match for any steed, I'll have you know."

"Well, what is she?" Hiei wondered. "I've never seen anything like her before."

"You've never seen an osran?" Bui raised an eyebrow at him, and Hiei shrugged. "They're riding fowls, and they're pretty common in Gandara. Easier to care for than horses, too."

"And if you get stranded somewhere with no hope for rescue, you can eat them, too."

"If you try to eat Rowena, I'll eat you."

"Is that a promise?" Hiei mused, giving the taller demon a coy glance. When Bui reddened just a little bit, he shifted his gaze to the osran. "Well, I suppose anything that gets you where you want to go is all right... But I still think she belongs on a dinner plate."

"You're terrible," Bui chided, finishing with the buckles of the fowl's saddle. "We'll see what you say once Rowena runs your horse into the dust."

"Maybe not a dinner plate, but definitely a cage to sing in."

Bui shook his head in exasperation and adjusted the green cloak over his shoulders. "I thought we were going to hunt. I didn't know we'd be debating my choice of transportation."

Hiei shrugged one shoulder and secured the fastening of his own green cloak. He and Bui were dressed very much alike, in cloth and leather of green and brown shades. It would be to their advantage if they were able to blend into their surroundings. "I'm ready whenever you're ready, I suppose."

Bui nodded, hooking one foot into a stirrup and hoisting himself onto Rowena's back. Despite Bui's assurances to the contrary, Hiei half-expected the beast's back to break under the big demon's weight. He was only mildly surprised when she didn't, standing as tall and proud as she had before, even with the large man atop her. Bui squeezed the heels of his boots against her flank and she started to walk. Hiei didn't even bother following her with his eyes, nor did he turn his head when Bui steered her around him.

"Are you going to flaunt her all day?" he asked dryly.

The response to his taunt was quick and unexpected; he sensed the fowl moving behind him before he felt the beak snap shut on his left buttock. The pain was so sharp it made him yelp. Had he any less control than he did, he might have leapt six feet into the air. He spun around and glared up at the bird, one hand rubbing his sore bottom. What fueled his irritation was the fact that Bui was trying not to choke on his laughter.

Hiei opened his mouth, closed it, and then opened it again, not caring that he was about to state the obvious. "Your canary bit me in the ass," he snarled.

Bui swallowed what might have been a snicker. "Yes, I saw that." He raised a hand and patted the beast's head. "Good girl."

Hiei threw up his hands. "Sometimes I wonder why I put up with you."

"I had nothing to do with it; she just doesn't like you."

"Well, I don't like her, either."

Bui smirked and patted the free bit of space in front of him on the saddle. "Did you want to double up?"

Hiei gave the other demon a mild glare. Without giving the larger man the satisfaction of a response, he stalked off to go and saddle Enola.

"I think I'll bring Mukuro back a fox or two," Bui mused.

Hiei looked up as a bird, far too small to bother with, flew overhead. "In return for sheltering you again?" He wondered where Bui would find these foxes. So far, they hadn't had any luck hearing or seeing any worthy game. Even their bows were still securely slung along their saddles.

"Yes and no. She's always so kind about giving house to my escort as well as myself. I enjoy her company; she always makes discussions more of a deal between friends rather than pure business."

"Well, we're all friends," Hiei reminded him, shifting in the saddle. Enola was a beast with a good temper, and for that he was glad. Some of the mounts he'd had in the past hadn't taken very kindly to traveling alongside another horse - or any other animal, for that matter.

"Yes, but you know what I mean. Mukuro is a very nice woman. I never tire of journeying to and from Alaric on business."

Were Hiei a man more prone to jealousy, he might have been upset to hear Bui sing Mukuro's praises. As it was, he knew very well that while Bui adored Mukuro a great deal, Hiei was the one Bui wanted to roll between the sheets with.

"She likes you, too," Hiei said, glancing left and right in search of any form of life.

"That's why I keep coming back," Bui replied with a grin.

Hiei rolled his eyes, but didn't bother trying to hide the smile his lips formed. Bui never came to Alaric purely as an excursion. Well, sometimes he did, and that made Hiei's heart flutter in ways he would never admit. But as a rule, Bui and Hiei's business lives kept them very busy, and so their frequent trysting hadn't really had a chance to become something more. Bui had made his interest known, and in turn Hiei had made his acceptance plain.

As for how to proceed...neither of them were very certain about that. Their personal time together was limited to the hours Mukuro set aside for Bui to relax. And since they only saw each other once every few weeks, that precious time was usually spent engaging in exercises that involved more physical activity and fewer words.

"Usually"... That wasn't very accurate, actually. They had only started sharing a bed about half a year ago. Since then, they had seen each other three times, this being the fourth. Today, Mukuro was busy settling some disputes among the nobility. Rather than asking Bui to wait on her, she had given him the day to do as he wished. Unexpectedly, Bui had asked Hiei to go hunting with him. Hiei had agreed, and so here they were.

They weren't having any luck as far as game went, but it was still rather nice to be spending time together, since that was a luxury they were so rarely granted.

"She knows how to treat a man," Bui declared, startling Hiei out of his train of thought.

It took Hiei a moment to realize that the statement was an addition to Bui's previous one. "At least the women in my life know how to treat you," he said wryly.

Bui gave him a sly look. "Are you still upset about Rowena?" he asked, patting his osran's white mane. "Maybe if you'd been nicer to her, you would have made a better first impression."

Hiei rolled his eyes, and noted absently that he did so often around Bui. "Of all things, I never expected you to have a thing for big chickens." Though he should have expected it. Large, powerful, and strong Bui was, but he had a tender heart that often moved to the forefront. Now that he was free of the Toguro Team and whatever inner turmoil he'd harbored during that time, he was a very different person.

"You know, if you apologized, she might change her mind about you."

Hiei shook his head. "It's an overgrown canary. I am not apologizing to an overgrown canary who bites."

"Is that all she is to you?" Bui sounded amused. "An overgrown canary?"

"That's what I've been saying," Hiei returned, not exasperated per se, but wondering why Bui was dwelling on it. The other man had one of his thoughtful, considering looks plastered on his face.

"I'll bet Rowena could give that horse of yours a run for its money."

Hiei raised an eyebrow and scratched his mount behind the ear. "Her name is Enola, and she's a girl. But," he hurried on, not wanting to give Bui a chance to retort, "what are you getting at, exactly?"

"A challenge."

"That's your answer to everything," Hiei teased, knowing it wasn't true. "What good would--"

"And that's your usual response," Bui chided back. "Always trying to talk yourself out of it."

Hiei waved the other man on. "All right, so what did you have in mind?"

"A race."

"Race?" Hiei made a face. "I thought we were going to hunt. We won't be able to track anything down if we scamper through the woods and scare them all away."

Bui shrugged, looking as though he didn't care either way. "We haven't had much luck today, anyway. We could be out here all day and have nothing to show for it. Besides," he added cynically, "it won't be a race as much as it will be a chase."

Hiei blinked. He already had an idea about where this was heading, but... "What kind of chase?"

"I said Rowena could give Enola the run of a lifetime. I intend to make good on that vow."

Hiei bit back a smile. "It was never a vow... You want your chicken to race Enola?"

"No, to chase Enola. With you on her, of course..." Bui smiled when Hiei blinked again. "Maybe this can be the day's hunt. If my fowl outruns your horse--"

"You know," Hiei interjected, "the last time we made a bet like this, we ended up having sex." And more than one round, at that...

Bui shrugged, trying to look innocent. "Should we bother setting any stakes, then?" Without waiting for Hiei to reply, Bui went on. "If I catch you, you have to acknowledge the fact that Rowena is just as good - if not better than - a horse."

"And if I escape?"

"You won't."

Hiei snorted. "You sound confident. I want you to call her an overgrown canary if I elude you."

Bui made a face, but didn't protest. "Fine. And I'll even give you a head-start."

"Deal, then," Hiei quipped, kneeing Enola and compelling her to break into a gallop. He hunched over and gripped the reins as she tore down the forest path. Bui had never said just how much of a head start Hiei would have, but the seconds turned into minutes and he didn't hear any sound of pursuit. He glanced over his shoulder numerous times, but Bui was nowhere to be found.

When he was certain three or four minutes had passed and Bui was still nowhere near him, Hiei started to worry. Bui wouldn't have made such a bet if his riding fowl wasn't at least a fast animal. He couldn't have gotten by without my knowing...

The crashing of branches alerted him, and Hiei whipped his head to the left. Sure enough, through the green of the trees, yellow feathers could be seen. Those bright feathers were matching Enola's speed.

What a cheater, Hiei thought, but then remembered that they'd said nothing of how Hiei had to be caught. He urged Enola faster, and steered her more to the right of the path. He did so just in time; Bui and Rowena burst through the trees seconds after, appearing right behind him.

I should have known, Hiei groaned inwardly, urging Enola to go even faster. The osran's form and clawed feet made it an ideal choice to travel quickly and securely through the forest area. Enola was very fast, but she was best on pathways and solid ground. Bui's fowl had the advantage here.

He was suddenly glad that they hadn't staked anything worthwhile...

He glanced back when he heard Bui and his fowl scamper back into the bushes. Wonderful. Hiei turned back to face the front. Now they were probably going to try cutting him off.

Or not.

They emerged from the bushes once again, this time alongside Hiei and Enola. Hiei's eyes widened, and Bui smirked at him.

"What did I tell you?" the other demon yelled over the scampering of feet and hooves. "Rowena could catch Enola any day!"

Hiei gave Bui a smirk of his own. "Maybe I want to get caught!" he called back, realizing as he did so that he really didn't mind if he lost. It was just a silly game.

Bui considered him, stared at him for so long that Hiei began to wonder if he'd said something wrong. He turned back to face the road when Enola stumbled, and started to slow her down. This was not a dire situation; there was no need to chance Enola being injured.

The next thing he knew, a heavy body was slamming into him, knocking him right off Enola's back. He cried out, already preparing to meet the hard ground while taking as little damage as possible.

He didn't hit the ground - Bui did. The larger demon took the brunt of the fall and they rolled a few paces. Hiei ended up on his back, with Bui's weight pinning him down. Not an unusual position, but under uncanny circumstances.

It took a few seconds for his head to clear, but when his eyes focused, he glared up at Bui. "Are you trying to break our necks?" he demanded, watching Bui blink his own dizziness away.

"It would take more than that, I'd like to think," the aqua-haired demon replied dryly. He reached down and ran his hands freely over Hiei's face and neck. "You're not hurt, are you?"

Hiei closed his eyes and permitted the inspection. "Not really - but I always seem to end up getting hurt during these games of yours... Where are Enola and your chicken?"

There was a pause, possibly signifying that Bui was looking. "Enola's grazing. Rowena is kicking at the grass. They're fine."

"Rowena's as good as any horse," Hiei declared, fulfilling his end of the bargain before Bui could demand it of him. Bui didn't offer any cocky reply, but Hiei noticed the other demon's hands roaming a little too freely. "I'm not doing anything in a pile of sticks," he informed Bui, wiggling on the ground and feeling the twigs dig into his back.

"I guess I can't blame you," Bui relented. He didn't insist on any intimate actions, but did bend to give Hiei a kiss - a brief, gentle connecting of lips. "Can I bite you, though?"

"Why?"

Bui moved off him and sat down on the ground. He tugged on Hiei's sleeve and Hiei followed the pull, sitting up. "Because I caught you; you're mine."

Hiei snorted softly, but laid his head against Bui's arm for a brief moment before standing up. "Bite me later," he suggested audaciously, making his plans for their return blatantly clear.

Bui raised an eyebrow. "I don't know if I want to wait... You might run away."

"No, I don't think so." Hiei winked as he turned around. "I'm not sure I'd want to run."

"Are you sure?" Bui mused, and Hiei heard the leaves rustle as he stood up, too. "You were easy to catch; it must be hard to keep you."

"Maybe I want to be kept," Hiei offered, waiting for Bui to appear beside him before beginning to walk back to their mounts.

"An interesting hunt," Bui replied, snaking an arm around Hiei. "I must be a fortunate hunter - to have prey let me catch them."

"I'm fortunate, too," Hiei pointed out, "to have such a persistent hunter." Bui's arm tightened around him, and Hiei smiled. "Let's go back. I've had enough of the open air for today, and we weren't having any luck, anyway."

"I wouldn't say that," Bui declared. "I think I caught the worthiest game of all."