Chapter Text
For as long as Kuwabara could remember, he had rhythm in his soul. He’d bang on pots and pans when his mother was cooking and on the wall when he was crying and on Shizuru’s arm when he was angry. When his father told him that his mom lost her battle with cancer and went to heaven when he was only three, he hit his head against the wall over and over, and even that was in some sort of sick, demented rhythm.
It wasn’t a surprise when Kuwabara, age seven, after listening to Megallica’s first album for the fifth time in a row, grinned at Shizuru and their father and begged for drum lessons. Of course, they agreed. Shizuru would walk him to the music shop down the block every week and learn the right techniques from Genkai, the most respected music instructor in the area.
At age ten, Kuwabara had no choice but to quit drum lessons. Their father had become increasingly absent over the years. He was losing his struggle with drugs and alcohol, and now the three were living off savings and Shizuru’s new part-time job. They couldn’t afford a luxury like drum lessons anymore. He screamed and cried and punched the wall while Shizuru just watched because she couldn’t do anything about it.
He didn’t stop practicing. He spent at least an hour every day working on his technique and building up his chops. Behind his sister’s back, he used the lobby of Genkai’s music shop as a study space and a hangout spot.
Seeing a young Kuwabara borrowing music books from her shelves and hastily putting them down whenever she came to check on him broke her heart. Kuwabara had a passion for music Genkai didn’t often see in children so young, and she felt obligated to see that passion grow.
She hired him at the shop. He was only eleven, so all he did was sweep the floors and clean the instruments, but once he was done with that, after all her other appointments were done, she’d sit him down and teach him as payment for his work.
Kuwabara was one of two children she taught on the side. The first was Yusuke Urameshi, a boy she practically parented because his mother was so undependable. Their schedules didn’t often align, but sometimes Yusuke and Kuwabara would clean together.
It was at these cleaning sessions that Yusuke and Kuwabara became friends, bonding over their love of mixed martial arts and music and their shared trauma from neglectful parents.
At age fourteen, Yusuke told Kuwabara he was a part of a band.
“So you want me to be your drummer,” Kuwabara assumed confidently, “Of course, Urameshi I–”
“Nah, we got a drummer,” he interrupted with a shit-eating grin, “Just wanted to let you know.”
Kuwabara punched him in the face.
It wasn’t the only band Yusuke was a part of. Unlike Kuwabara, Yusuke had this charisma about him that got him into almost any band he came across. He was in and out of bands for a few years until he decided to create his own, Reiki, at eighteen. He had told Kuwabara about it after school one day, during one of their many shared detentions.
“I’d make you the drummer, Kuwabara, but the bassist I really need is connected to a drummer already. I don’t want to fuck it up.”
Kuwabara tried to hide the disappointment on his face, failing miserably, “That’s real shitty, ya know.”
Yusuke sighed and clapped his shoulder, “You’re still the best drummer I know. He probably can’t hold a beat. If he sucks, I’m kicking him out. Promise.”
_____
Now, at age twenty-two, Yusuke was finally fulfilling that promise.
“Are you sure it’s okay?” Kuwabara pressed. He tightened the grip on his backpack strap. The drumsticks in his bag clacked against each other as Kuwabara left his beat-up 2003 Toyota Highlander. Cool air whipped through the trees, and Yusuke pulled a green and black flannel over his white tee to combat the chill. He then led the trek to the doorstep of the two-story house in front of them.
“You’re the one who’s been begging to be in my band for years,” Yusuke said pointedly, “You got cold feet?”
“It’s weird you decide to let me in now!”
“Now I need a drummer. Before I didn’t,” Yusuke continued, “Besides, it’s a temporary gig. We only have a few more shows locally before we’re going on a break, so Hiei can heal his arm. You can quit after if it really isn’t your thing.”
Kuwabara huffed, “Of course this is my thing! It’s just that meeting people isn’t.”
Yusuke let out a sharp laugh, “Oh yeah. This is going to be fun.” Kuwabara paled just thinking about actually holding a conversation with either of the band’s infamous members, Hiei and Kurama.
The guitarist, Hiei, was well known in the music industry for being hot tempered and unbelievably talented. He was older than Yusuke and Kuwabara by a few years, but those years gave him a reputation that wasn’t necessarily painting him in the best light. It didn’t help that he recently got into a fight with members of a rival band and gave his right arm a bad sprain.
Reiki’s bassist was the cool-headed Kurama, a person Kuwabara knew next to nothing about. He was mysterious in every way possible, and unlike Hiei, Kurama, as far as Kuwabara knew, didn’t have a reputation at all. Still, Kuwabara had seen them play live many times and he’d never been so enraptured by a bassist in his life. His performances were mesmerizing to watch and his playing was unmatched.
Reiki was good. There was a reason they’d been offered to get signed so many times. They had good management, sure, but they were really talented. Even Yusuke had a vocal range and style that he’d heard Genkai be impressed with, and it was nearly impossible to impress their instructor.
Kuwabara knew he was a fairly decent drummer, but he hoped he could be at least comparable to his new band members.
“Don’t look so scared, stupid. They’re just people,” Yusuke said. He rolled his eyes and knocked on the front door to the two-story.
“‘M not scared, Urameshi. Just a little nervous.” Little was an understatement. He laughed the nerves off and continued, “Anyway you never actually told me why you fired the drummer you had. What was his name again? Started with a K–”
“Don’t even say his name,” Yusuke snapped and pinched his nose in exasperation, “Things are still pretty raw, and I swear to hell and back if you mention him, I’ll kick you out of the band so fast.”
“Geez, was he really that bad?” Kuwabara asked, almost afraid of the answer.
“Yeah, actually. He was a dickwad. Lowest of the low–Where the fuck is Koenma and why isn’t he opening the door? We’re not even late.”
“Wait is Koenma…?”
“I call him boss baby,” Yusuke said, and a light of recognition shined in Kuwabara’s eyes, “Don’t call him that to his face though. Our manager–slash–producer and the owner of this house, or at least his dad owns it. Try not to pick a fight with him. He can’t throw a punch but he can hold one hell of a grudge.”
As if on cue, a tall man with light brown hair opened the front door. He had a lollipop in his mouth and was wearing a leather jacket. Despite his height and authoritative presence, his face still clung onto baby fat. He couldn’t help but see exactly why Yusuke gave him that nickname as he bit his own insults back.
“Oh, Kuwabara. I’m glad you’re here,” he said and waved them inside.
Yusuke raised an eyebrow. “What the fuck are you wearing, pacifer breath?” He asked, horrified at the older man’s appearance.
Koenma straightened out the leather jacket, “For your information, Yusuke, I’ve had this jacket for at least five years now. I wear it plenty. I’m very cool.”
“Yeah, sure, you are,” Yusuke rolled his eyes. Koenma let out a dramatic sigh and ignored Yusuke..
“Anyway, Kuwabara, welcome to my home. The bathroom is to the left there, but you all will be practicing in the basement. It doesn’t seem like it, but the acoustics are actually pretty nice down there,” Koenma said.
“Bingo!” Kuwabara didn’t have to turn his head much to see a woman around Shizuru’s age waving and smiling at him. Her cerulean hair was tied in a high ponytail that bounced with her constant movement. Kuwabara couldn’t help but think that, when he finally dated a girl, she would probably look a little like her. Her pink eyes lit up, “There you are! Hiei’s been down there grumbling for ten whole minutes. And hello there! You must be the infamous Kuwabara!”
“This is Kuwabara, Botan. Botan, Kuwabara,” Koenma said, “Botan’s the head of Reiki’s PR. She runs all our social media and keeps everyone out of trouble. For the most part, at least.”
“Hey! I take offense to that! But I will say you look much nicer than the last drummer we had, Kuwabara,” Botan said, and Yusuke slapped his hand against his face so hard it made an audible clap.
“Is it really that hard to not talk about that piece of shit? We’re trying to forget and move on, Botan.”
She grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of her neck, “Oh, sorry Yusuke. Slip of the tongue.”
Koenma cleared his throat, “In all seriousness, thank you for coming in and learning everything on such short notice. It’s rather fortunate that Yusuke happened to know a reliable drummer.”
Kuwabara felt his shoulders relax. He liked these people.
“It’s no biggie, I swear. You’re doing me a favor,” he said, and he felt his ears turn red at the compliment, “It’s, uh, nice to meet you both.”
As much as he liked his new friends, Kuwabara hated being the center of attention. There was a reason he went into drumming–he’s always in the back, partially hidden by his instrument. No one watched the drummer at a concert.
“C’mon, let’s go downstairs. I wanna have time to actually practice today,” Yusuke said and tugged on Kuwabara’s arm.
“We have to work on some paperwork, so we’ll stay up here, but let us know if you need anything,” Koenma said and walked to the kitchen, dragging Botan along with him.
Kuwabara watched as they left the room and turned to Yusuke, “Are they dating? They seem pretty close.”
“God, I hope not. They’re cousins, you freak,” Yusuke replied.
“How was I supposed to know that?!” Kuwabara shrieked, his face aflame.
“I’m just joking, you big idiot,” Yusuke laughed, “Also, even if they weren’t related, neither of them are straight, so I’m sure it wouldn’t last long.”
“Oh.” Kuwabara raised his eyebrows. There went the idea of Botan maybe, possibly being his future girlfriend. His hands fidgeted with the end of his Megallica t-shirt.
In an almost comically similar fashion as Koenma and Botan, Yusuke grabbed onto Kuwabara’s wrist and dragged him to the basement door.
_________
Before they reached the bottom of the stairs into the basement, they heard static from someone plugging a guitar into an amplifier and an immediate shred of a guitar riff. He recognized the solo from their song, “Dragon of the Darkness Flame.”
Kuwabara saw Hiei, rocking his head in time as he effortlessly moved his fingers across the frets. He looked almost exactly like he did on stage: spiked black hair, piercing red eyes, and an all black outfit. The only difference was the white bandage peeking from his right sleeve as he moved his pick to different strings.
Watching Hiei, Kuwabara couldn’t help but be reminded of those guys at music shops who spent all day playing the most complex guitar solos they knew on the display guitars with no intention of buying anything. What a showoff.
“Hiei! Turn it down and meet our new drummer!” Yusuke shouted over Hiei’s playing. He finally looked towards them and he could feel Hiei’s immediate judgment and disdain. His fingers still pressed against the strings, but he stopped strumming.
“I’m warming up,” he said plainly.
Yusuke didn’t miss a beat, “You can stop for a few seconds to say hi. This is Kuwabara.”
Hiei huffed and placed his guitar on a nearby stand. “We’re already running late, Yusuke.”
Yusuke frowned. Kuwabara shifted his weight on his other foot.
“Uh, we can talk after practice–”
Hiei interrupted him sharply, “You’re the one who’s never played in a band before.”
“Yeah,” Kuwabara said.
He glanced at Yusuke, “You don’t have anyone else?”
Kuwabara felt embarrassment warm his face, “Hey! I’m right here!”
“My point still stands. It’s only a few shows. We could just use a backing track.”
Kuwabara reflectively clenched his fists, “Alright, you little shrimp–are you trying to pick a fight?”
It was useless. Hiei was no longer acknowledging him. He was already back to aimlessly picking arpeggios on his instrument.
“We’ve been over this Hiei,” a new voice reasoned, “There’s too many variables. It’s best to have Kuwabara here.”
Kurama walked into the room, bass guitar slung over his shoulder. He was taller than Kuwabara thought he’d be. Kuwabara, in all his six foot three glory, still towered over all of them, but Kurama was noticeably taller than both Yusuke and Hiei. Long red hair with choppy layers flowed delicately over his slender but toned frame. He was almost positive the haircut was Botan’s messy handiwork, but he thought it suited him really well.
What stood out most of all about Kurama’s appearance was the yellowing bruise surrounding his left eye, remnants from what Kuwabara assumed was a nasty black eye.
“Kurama!” Yusuke grinned, “Here’s Kuwabara, our new drummer.”
Kurama gave him a quick once-over and smiled. Kuwabara brushed the curls out of his face nervously. He wasn’t used to being looked at so directly.
Kurama put his guitar down next to him and reached out a hand, “It’s great to see you, Kuwabara. I’ve heard you’re a fantastic drummer.”
“Oh, aha. Thanks. I’m real excited to be here. I’ve been to a few concerts and you’re pretty good yourself–on the bass I mean. Not the drums,” Kuwabara choked, trying desperately to salvage the conversation he was sure he just butchered.
Kurama laughed breathily through his nose and agreed, “No, of course.”
Kuwabara smiled. At least one of them was nice.
Kuwabara met Kurama’s hand with his own, and he couldn’t help but notice the rough calluses on his fingers from playing the bass for so many years and the warmth that exuded from his hand and how nicely Kurama’s hand fit into his own.
Wait.
Girls. He liked girls. Women. Curves and softness and other typically feminine things. Women.
It had to be Kurama’s long hair or the way his jeans hugged his hips that he was attracted to. That was it. Definitely.
Thankfully, Kurama took the awkward staring a very different way.
“Don’t mind my black eye. I’m afraid I was a bit careless,” Kurama said. Despite only knowing him for a few minutes, Kuwabara couldn’t imagine Kurama ever being clumsy in his life. He continued, “We’ll be working closely together, so I hope you’re ready to see a lot more of me.”
Kurama smiled at him and Kuwabara couldn’t help but smile back. That was right. Kuwabara’s instrument was the backbone of the rhythm, but the bass was the backbone of the melody. He was glad that Kurama was the bassist and not Hiei. HE wasn’t sure how well this would work if the bassist hated him.
“Hey assholes! I’m gonna start practice soon. We can all talk more after,” Yusuke called out. Kuwabara took his drumsticks out of his bag, the peeling tape on them feeling familiar and comfortable in his hands.
He sat in front of Reiki’s drum set. His own drum set at home was old and falling apart. The pedal for the bass drum was stiff and no matter how Kuwabara tuned it, the snare sounded a bit off. This set, on the other hand, was in great shape. There were slight signs of wear, but compared to his own, it was like a brand new set. The drums were a shiny black and the accessories had yet to be dulled with wear. Even the painted design on the bass drum, displaying their band name in jagged letters seemed fresh. He could already tell he was going to have a great time playing with them, even if only to enjoy the feeling of brand new equipment. He took a few experimental minutes trying out each piece in different ways.
“Alright!” Yusuke said, “Can we start off with ‘Dragon of the Darkness Flame?’ Hiei, I know your arm’s fucked, so it’s cool if you want to skip it.”
Hiei grimaced, “I was playing it earlier I’ll be fine. You should be more concerned if the oaf can play it.”
Kuwabara’s ears rang from the sudden spike in anger and he growled, “Are you talking about me, tiny?”
“Don’t instigate anything, Hiei,” Kurama sighed, “I’m sure Kuwabara can play just fine, and it is his first practice after all.”
“Yeah, I’ve personally seen him play and he kills it, okay? He’s in the band now. No more arguing over that shit,” Yusuke said. Kuwabara smiled at both of them.
“Whatever,” Hiei dismissed and checked the tuning on his guitar. Yusuke grinned, clearly seeing a victory in the argument
“Yo, what are we waiting for? Count us off, Kuwabara!” Yusuke said into his microphone.
“Uh, sure,” Kuwabara said, and he wasn’t sure why, but he looked over at Kurama who gave him an affirmative nod, “Ready?”
He clapped his sticks together. One, two, three, four–
–and Kuwabara was lost in the song. It felt completely different than playing with the track, but, at the same time, so much better. It was more authentic, and there was more at stake, more that could go wrong. He became hyper aware that any loss in tempo or missed beat could derail this whole practice. Anxiety crept into his forearms and he knew he was becoming too stiff to play well so he looked up at the others in hopes that they would distract him from himself.
Yusuke was the first person he noticed. Yusuke was a natural performer, and Kuwabara’s eyes couldn’t help but watch how fluidly he danced with the music. He couldn’t hear much of the words he was singing over his own intense playing and his protective ear plugs, but what he did hear was even better than what he heard at Genkai’s every other week. “Dragon of the Darkness Flame” is a song he’s heard before while practicing, but, somehow, he finally understood the lyrics when Yusuke sang them.
He then redirected his attention to Hiei, because it was a lead guitar-heavy song and Hiei fucking owned every second of it. There was a little hesitation from his injured hand, but it was something that even Kuwabara barely noticed.
And then there was Kurama, and god, Kuwabara really couldn’t keep his eyes off him, could he? He engaged with both Yusuke and Hiei in a way that kept them in rhythm and kept them focused on the complete sound as opposed to their own individual instruments. He was grounding them, and Kuwabara felt like an outsider seeing how well they all worked together. How could he ever hope to be on the same level as them?
He was overanalyzing the song. Everything felt rigid and forced and he could tell he was losing the beat of the song. He was still holding on, barely, but his anxiety was giving him tunnel vision and he couldn’t knock himself out of it. Hiei sent him a threatening look over his shoulder and Kuwabara’s veins turned into ice.
“Fuck,” he hissed and started overcompensating with raw energy.
He looked up again, trying to ground himself, and he immediately met eyes with Kurama. His vibrant green eyes held a look of confidence. Kurama looked at Kuwabara like he was doing the best drumming he’d ever seen–like he was the star of the show. It was a look that relaxed his shoulders and cleared his mind. They didn’t break eye contact for what felt like hours but had to be only a few seconds since they were still playing the same song.
Suddenly, Kurama broke into a wide smile, all bright, white teeth, and tossed his long hair back before sliding his fingers across the frets again and returning to Hiei who was just starting his big solo.
Kuwabara didn’t even realize when it happened, but he felt his cheeks hurt from smiling which only served to make him smile wider. His groove was back. Kuwabara yelled out a whoop of excitement. A new wave of adrenaline rushed through his veins and pooled into his wrists and fingers. Time seemed to slow as the song reached its end, and he felt confident enough to add a few extra fills on the toms before putting his entire body into the final cymbal crash.
Sweat dripped from his forehead and he reached for the towel in his bag to wipe it off. He breathed deeply, relishing in the glow of fucking killing that song.
“That was sick, Kuwabara!” Yusuke shouted, rushing to the drum set, “That bit at the end there was super clean!”
“Of course, Urameshi,” he punched him lightly in the arm, and his chest puffed out, “Didja think you hired an amateur or something?”
Hiei’s arms were crossed against his chest as he joined Yusuke, “It needs work. The whole third verse was so shaky it was throwing my rhythm off.” Kuwabara couldn’t help but agree with him, the excitement draining from his body quicker than he wished it would.
“But he got back into it,” Kurama said, “That shows great skill.” Kurama gave Kuwabara a sly wink that Kuwabara would have missed if he wasn’t so drawn to Kurama’s face. His ears warmed at the attention.
Hiei interrupted their small moment, “Let’s do it again.” He re-tuned his guitar, holding back a wince.
“As long as you’re okay with it, man,” Yusuke shrugged and bounced back to the microphone, “Whenever you’re ready, Kuwabara!”
“Alright!” He yelled and raised his drumsticks in the air again.