Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Dawning Down ❯ It ends & it begins ( Chapter 1 )

Top of Form 1Latitude

By Youko_karic

Chapter 1: It Ends & It Begins

Kurama stared at the bottles of sake and then at his companion.

"So, are we ready to start?" The redhead smiled. There was a playful glint in his emerald eyes.

"Hn." Hiei snorted. Did the youko really think he could beat him in a drinking contest with his human constitution?

The fire demon's feral grin widened. Kurama smiled secretly from under his thick lashes.

"Let's begin!" Kurama invited the fire youkai. He poured sake on his glass and watched Hiei do the same.

The youko finished off the glass in one shot. Hiei smirked at him and followed suit. Then there was a sound of shattered glass. The fire youkai stared at the pieces of broken glass on the ground and on Kurama's seemingly astonished face.

"Baka! How are you supposed to keep up with me? You're cheating!" Hiei growled.

Kurama frowned at him.

"Now, Hiei. Why would I cheat you? This is just a drinking game."

"Hn." The fire demon muttered and glared when Kurama grabbed his glass.

"There's still one glass left, ne?" Kurama grinned mischievously at him.

The fire demon just stared at him. Kurama calmly poured sake and smiled sensuously at the half-koorime, blinking his long lashes. Hiei's face darkened. The kitsune licked the mouth of the glass and Hiei flicked his own tongue to his lips.

"Ahm." Kurama closed his eyes and stretched his body, looking at the fire demon from under his lashes. The youko chuckled inwardly when he saw a tense, paralyzed fire youkai transfixed at him. He could not resist a gleeful, bubbling sensation inside his chest. He had planned this session with the fire demon. The plan was simple. He was out to seduce Hiei. The youko put down the glass at last and stared at Hiei.

"Your turn."

Hiei swallowed hard. The fire youkai reached out to take the proffered glass and poured another shot of sake. Kurama watched intensely as the youkai brought the glass closer and closer still to his mouth. The fox closed his eyes and licked his lips when Hiei drank from the glass as if tasting Hiei's lips with his own. The fire demon nearly choked. This time Kurama could not repress a chuckle. Hiei glared murderously at him.

"What are you laughing at stupid fox?!"

"Hmm? Nothing!" Kurama winked and proceeded to take the glass again.

He licked the part where Hiei's mouth had touched. The fire demon blushed hotly as Kurama worked his tongue on the rim of the glass; licking and swirling his pink tongue in a passionate imitation of a love dance. The fire youkai clenched his hands tightly. He could feel the tightening of his loins and an aching sweet sensation traveling from his chest down to his very toes. He began to sweat.

"It's so hot, isn't it?" Kurama suddenly murmured.

The fire youkai jerked to attention. The redhead nonchalantly unbuttoned his white shirt very slowly. Hiei's very wide ruby eyes were on his elegant hands.

"Hmm. Hiei shouldn't you be drinking the sake?" The youko reminded the tense fire demon.

"Ch!" Hiei snorted and swiftly took the glass from the table.

When he looked back at Kurama, the fox was fanning himself impatiently; his open shirt revealed a slender, compact torso. Hiei's eyes settled grimly for a second on the erect tip of a pink nipple. He wiped his mouth roughly and decided to pour himself another one.

"Hey, it's my turn!" Kurama said indignantly, but Hiei ignored him and poured the sake. The youko grabbed the glass from him.

"Hiei! You're cheating!"

"Give it to me!" The fire youkai hissed.

The redhead gasped when the liquid sloshed on his naked chest. He eyed the fire youkai grimly. His mood was ruined. The fire demon licked his lips and stared at Kurama's drenched chest. He stared blankly when the redhead stood up.

"Now look what you've done, Hiei." The next thing the complaining kitsune knew, he was toppled on the bed underneath a hot compact body. Kurama opened his mouth to protest and moaned when Hiei's velvety warm tongue sucked on an erect nipple. The youko laid completely lax on the bed while the fire demon discarded his white shirt and ferociously attacked his chest.

"H-Hiei!" Kurama's hands went to Hiei's hips and pulled the youkai against his wanting body.

Hiei took his mouth hungrily. His aggressive tongue delved into the sweet cavern. The youko kissed the fire demon back with fervor; his hands started to take off Hiei's black shirt. Hiei growled when the fox's hands accidentally touched his clothed erection. The youko gasped with delight when Hiei held his hands and pushed them against him.

"Aaahn!" The fire demon moaned.

Kurama suddenly flipped the unsuspecting youkai on the bed and stared ferally down at him.

"Got you there!" He chuckled at the surprised ruby eyes.

The youko deftly unbuckled the youkai's dark pants, throwing the offending garment somewhere across the room. The redhead closed his eyes as Hiei gasped. The youko opened his eyes and stared passionately at the panting, wide-eyed youkai.

"Ku-Kurama..." Hiei whispered hoarsely.

The youko bent down and kissed his small mouth lingeringly.

"Hiei, I'm going to take you." The redhead breathed huskily. Hiei gasped and pushed himself into that arousing touch. He hissed when something pushed against his entrance.

"Ahn...Kurama..." The fire youkai stared at the youko with wild ruby eyes. His muscles contracted from mingled pain and fear. He had never experienced this sensation before. The fox opened his thighs wider. The fire youkai's eyes widened when Kurama positioned himself and slowly impaled him. The youko gazed down in shock at Hiei's pained, baffled expression. It was as if....

"It's all right, Hiei." The youko whispered softly, massaging the inner sides of his thighs sensuously to get his mind off the pain. The fire demon moved agitatedly beneath him and Kurama groaned, biting his lips. He was trying his darn best not to thrust into Hiei. He wouldn't want him to be hurt. He reached out a hand to steady the youkai's hip. "H-Hiei...slowly…slowly." The youko hissed softly and thrust sensuously against him. The youkai pushed back in surprise, but his ruby eyes stared at Kurama with unmasked anger.

Kurama stared back at him with apology and undeniable desire in his emerald eyes. He rode Hiei gently and then more aggressively when the youkai let out a moan of pleasure. Hiei closed his ruby eyes and arched his satiny neck making the redhead lean over and sucked his skin. Pure sensation invaded every core of his youkai cells and he could not think anymore. He thrust his hips to meet Kurama's passion.

******

Kurama stared at the ceiling, biting his lips. His slender hands clutched at the red sheets tightly. He'd done it. He had succeeded in making Hiei his. He had raised their friendship to a higher level, but in a little while all those efforts would come to waste. He closed his emerald eyes when the small hot body beside him stood up to dress. Kurama felt the cold air whipping his back and dragged the sheet higher to his naked body. His new lover was in a hurry to leave, judging from the sound of pants and buckles being put to rights. The youko summoned his willpower and sat up on the bed and stared across the glaring fire youkai, his best friend and recently lover.

"H-Hiei."

The fire demon ignored the soft call and stood on the windowsill . The small was back stiff with anger. The harsh ruby eyes glared at the full moon.

"I-I'm sorry..." The youko murmured and bowed his head. Kurama bit his lips and stared once again at the silent fire youkai.

"Hiei...."

"Goodbye Kurama!" Hiei said coldly and flitted off to mingle with the dark night.

Kurama's eyes widened. The youko jumped from the bed, ignoring the red silk sheets that fell from his naked body. The redhead stood across his window. For a long time, he remained

standing, desperately wanting to believe that the fire demon would come back and change his mind. Then Kurama walked back to the bed and dumped his tired, shaking body, slender hands curled into fists. That bastard! Who did he think he was to treat him like dirt? He was Youko Kurama! The redhead expelled an angry, painful breath and stared with flinty eyes at the ceiling. Maybe it was his fault. He should not have jumped Hiei like that. But how was he supposed to know that Hiei was a virgin? That damned fire youkai acted like he had no innocence left in him. The youko had always been attracted to the fire demon and waited for his chance to bed him. Last night he had found that opportunity. Kurama snarled under his breath. Hiei had been eager, too eager to be taken and then after that.... The youko slammed his fist on the pillow forcefully and closed his eyes. He tried not be bothered by the pain

inside his chest at the thought of his friendship with Hiei coming to an ultimate end.

******

The youko was awakened by the loud pounding on the door. Kurama dazedly reached for the bedside clock. Who the heck would be calling at such an ungodly hour? Mutterung darkly, the youko padded downstairs to his apartment and called through the door.

"Who is it?" He asked in a husky voice.

"It's Yusuke." A muffled voice answered.

The redhead's hand moved to open the doorknob and started to welcome Yusuke in.

"Kurama-what?" Yusuke's brown eyes widened at the sight of a fully naked Kurama.

Kurama stared uncomprehendingly at Yusuke's shocked face and stared down at himself. A deep flush covered the youko's face before he ran back to his room quickly. Yusuke came in and locked the door. The reikai tantei leader let out a harsh, calming breath and shook his head. He had always wondered how Kurama looked like without any clothes on and now he knew. He quelled the erotic thoughts of having to touch that exquisite body, kiss it all over and-. Yusuke groaned and decided to invade the youko's kitchen. When Kurama came down again, fully dressed, Yusuke was nursing a cup of scalding coffee.

"Help yourself." The youko murmured sarcastically.

"Sure. There's more on the counter." Yusuke answered, giving the youko an all-encompassing secret glance.

Kurama went to the kitchen. Yusuke hurriedly wiped the beads of sweat from his brow. His body was feeling hot despite the air conditioning in the apartment. The youko came back and sat down beside Yusuke. He was sitting very close so that their knees touched. Yusuke cursed under his breath. Fate was determined to play a joke on him. The young man pretended to take something from the back pocket of his jeans and stood up. When he sat down again, he managed to distance himself from the tempting youko. There was a brief

silence while Kurama sipped his coffee cautiously. Yusuke's brown eyes followed the contours of that sensuous mouth, imagining himself to be that cup.

"Yusuke? Are you all right?" The redhead tagged the reikai tantei leader's free hand.

"Oh!" Yusuke blushed and covered his confusion by drinking from his cup.

"What brings you here?" Kurama asked with curious emerald eyes.

"I just wanted to ask if you're coming to the training today."

"The youko's fine brows furrowed.

"Training?"

"Oi, did you forget? Genkai-baasan has made some training sessions for us and that busybody toddler wanted us to cooperate with her!" Yusuke said in a huff, momentarily forgetting his initial uneasiness and awareness of the redhead.

Kurama's face cleared.

"Ah. Yes. The training. I heard about it. What time would that be?" The redhead asked casually, groaning inwardly. He hadn't had his rest since last night.

"In about an hour." Yusuke replied to the redhead's question.

The youko almost choke on his coffee.

"Nani?"

Yusuke grinned.

"I knew I'd surprised you."

******

Kurama looked up into the bright sky and winced at the pain that coursed through his whole body. Genkai had made them run, crawl, leap, and crawl and leap again. The youko's green tunic stuck to his body like second skin. A thick cake of mud completed his new outfit.

"Baasan! We need a break!" Yusuke hollered to the old woman who was calmly smoking a cigarette from the roof of her temple.

"Half an hour!" Genkai finally nodded her head and jumped from the roof agilely.

"Nani? Six hours of straight hell and only a thirty minute-break?" Yusuke muttered unpleasantly.

Beside him, Kuwabara groaned and broadcasted all the aches and pains on his body. Yusuke rolled his eyes at his whining friend and then his eyes were riveted to a dirty,

but still lovely redhead.

"Where are you going, Kurama?" The youth asked curiously.

"I'm going to wash up." Kurama murmured softly and turned gracefully away.

The redhead made his way to a hidden cave behind Genkai's temple. Kurama sighed. The fire demon did not turn up during the training. He knew Hiei would not want to see him after what had happened between them. The youko was relieved to postpone his meeting with Hiei, still he missed the youkai. Kurama murmured with delight when he saw the waterfall inside the cave. He had discovered this pleasant surprise when he got lost within Genkai's territory. The youko began to strip and dipped into the cool water. Just fifteen minutes of soaking and he'd be feeling fresh again.

"Kurama!"

The startled youko turned to face Yusuke. The redhead saw a very intent glint in the brown eyes.

"Can I join you?" Yusuke asked in a clear voice.

Kurama nodded and swam towards the waterfall. There was a resounding splash of water and then Kurama yelped when his legs were pulled down the water. For a moment, the youko fought crazily against the hands that held him. Then Yusuke helped the youko up on the water again. The reikai tantei leader laughed while the youko coughed the water out of his lungs.

"Yusuke! Are you crazy?" Kurama demanded in a rasping voice.

The brown-haired youth pounded Kurama on the back.

"Gomen, Kurama. I thought you expected me." Yusuke murmured to the coughing youko.

"Well, I didn't expect a monster to pull me down the water!" He countered and coughed again.

"That monster might have been attracted to your legs." Yusuke joked, but his brown eyes were serious.

Kurama bent his head and pretended not to hear those words.

"So much for a peaceful dip in the water." The youko said, hoping to sway Yusuke to a safer topic. The redhead's heart thumped madly against his chest when Yusuke barred his path.

"Ano...Yusuke. I think it's getting chilly out here." The redhead laughed nervously.

Yusuke advanced nearer, trapping the redhead against a rock.

"Kurama...." The young man whispered huskily at the side of Kurama's tense face.

The redhead closed his eyes, refusing to raise his head. Yusuke moved nearer still until their wet naked bodies brushed. The brown-haired youth pressed against the redhead.

"No, Yusuke." Kurama's left hand snaked out to push Yusuke away from him.

The brown-haired youth grasped the slender hand and pressed it against his chest. Yusuke's other hand tipped the youko's chin and dipped his head to press his seeking mouth against the redhead's. Kurama pushed against Yusuke's chest. The soft touch only inflamed Yusuke's senses. The youth pulled the slender waist to his body and invaded the youko's mouth when the latter let out a sound of protest. The slender hand on Yusuke's chest tightened and Yusuke deepened the kiss, wrapping the redhead completely against his naked body. A sudden splashing of water broke the two apart. Kurama took the opportunity to free himself from Yusuke's tight embrace, gasping for breath. Yusuke was breathing raggedly and stared at the youko's very pale face.

"Ku-Kurama...." Yusuke murmured huskily.

"H-Hiei!" The youko whispered in horror, staring behind Yusuke.

Yusuke turned and encountered Hiei's deathly ruby stare. The fire demon stared coldly at Kurama before he left. The redhead followed Hiei's retreating back helplessly before he

waded slowly out of the water.

"Kurama! Let me explain!" Yusuke swam after the youko and held his hand. "Kurama, I--I want you." Yusuke whispered hoarsely.

Kurama shook his head at him.

"I'm not into that kind of relationship, Yusuke."

"I'm sorry. I put that badly, didn't I? What I wanted to say was that I like you more than just a friend."

Kurama looked at him grimly and turned away to put his clothes on quickly.

Yusuke stared at him. When the youko started to walk away, Yusuke grabbed him back.

"Kurama, talk to me! Tell me what you think of me!"

Kurama sighed.

"What do you want me to say? This--physical attraction happens to us, to all of us at one time, but it wouldn't last. And I don't want it that way. Not anymore...." The youko whispered. "What you feel for me won't last, Yusuke, so just forget it" The youko added and left the youth with his confused thoughts.

When Kurama got back to the training camp. Hiei was waiting, listening to something Genkai was saying. The old woman nodded to the youko and snorted at Yusuke.

"Hurry your slow butt out here!" She roared, noting Yusuke's furtive glances to Kurama.

"Tonight the four of you will stay underneath the makai sky."

Kuwabara groaned. Genkai ignored him.

"Yusuke, Hiei, you go together. Kurama, you team-up with Kuwabara."

The fire demon eyed Yusuke icily while Kurama breathed a sigh of relief, but frowned when he saw the antagonistic faces of both Yusuke and Hiei. Obviously, Genkai noticed it too because she looked over at Kurama briefly.

"Well, what are you four waiting for?" Genkai narrowed her eyes.

******

"Shit! I never thought that Genkai-baasan was serious when she said under makai dark skies. It's too dark out here!" Kuwabara muttered.

Kurama smiled a little and took out a seed from his hair. The youko threw the seed to the ground where it bloomed and emitted a bright yellow light. Then the youko helped the carrot-head make a campfire.

"Do you know exactly why baasan chose this place for training?" Kuwabara asked, staring up into the sea of dark clouds.

Kurama nodded.

"This place is populated by makai thieves."

"Wha-aaat?" Kuwabara fell from the rock where he was sitting complacently.

Kurama glanced around sharply.

"I don't think I can sleep tonight!" Kuwabara groaned.

"That's the idea." The redhead murmured absently.

******

Hiei and Yusuke walked in silence amid the makai forest. The fire demon's face was very gloomy, but he maintained a cold silence. Yusuke glanced sideways at the fire youkai and noted that youkai's quick, heavy steps and clenched hands. Hiei was pissed about something.

"Oi, Hiei can we rest here?" Yusuke suggested to the fire youkai.

"Hn. Do what you want!" Hiei told him snidely and leaped on top of a tree.

Yusuke sighed and started to gather dry leaves and broken tree branches to make a fire. Hiei watched his movements with narrowed eyes.

"I guess it would be too much to ask you to lit us a fire?" Yusuke asked flippantly, judging from Hiei's cold treatment and the look of fury he was subjected to back at Genkai's temple, the fire youkai was in another one of his foul moods.

The fire demon did not answer him.

"Never mind." Yusuke sighed and lighted the fire himself. Then he sat down and gazed at the burning mixture of wood and dried leaves, his thoughts inevitably strayed back to Kurama, thinking what it would be like to see that youko's naked form bathed by the light of the flickering flames. The reikai tantei leader licked his lips and closed his eyes. He tried to imagine that delicious scenario inside his head.

Hiei watched the brown-haired youth closed his eyes and glared at him. He had seen him and Kurama kissed, their naked bodies pressed together as they both got carried away by their passion. The unfaithful, carnal youko that took him the other night and abandoned him for a new lover the morning after! The ruby eyes blazed. And Yusuke…how dare he touch Kurama like he had every right to! The fire youkai snarled under his breath. He didn't have any right to Kurama either. He was just a sexual toy to the youko. Suddenly, the fire demon lifted his face in a tense manner. His youki started to rise erratically. He could swear that Kurama was calling him. Hiei jumped down and prodded Yusuke's limp body with a boot.

"Get up! Kurama needs us!"

******

Kurama had dozed off, leaning against a tree while Kuwabara laid next to a rapidly dying campfire. The youko was startled to attention when he heard hissing sounds. The redhead sat bolt upright and sniffed the air. Youkais were coming! The youko swiftly kneeled before Kuwabara's sleeping form and shook him firmly.

"Kuwabara, Kuwabara-kun wake up!"

"Huh?" The carrot-haired youth sat up groggily and stared uncomprehendingly at Kurama.

The emerald eyes stared at him gravely before they scanned the dark surroundings sharply. Kuwabara tensed and followed the direction of the youko's eyes. He yelped when Kurama suddenly pushed him aside. The youko rolled to the ground and stood up swiftly.

"Rose whip!" The redhead immediately brandished his weapon and sliced the youkai that had attacked from behind Kuwabara.

Kuwabara stood with his back against the redhead, reiken ready.

"Kurama, I sense them everywhere!"

Kurama nodded his head.

"That's not unusual, Kuwabara. They have every purpose of overwhelming us with their numbers."

Kuwabara glanced behind the youko and screamed.

"Look out Kurama!"

Kurama looked up just in time to see a horned youkai charged at him. The youko pierced the youkai's body with his whip.

"Whew! That was close!" Kuwabara wiped the sweat that gathered on his brow.

Kurama was silent.

"Kuwabara...." Kurama began quietly. "I can't see the enemies with my ningen eyes." The youko murmured in a low voice.

"Nani?" Kuwabara gasped and impaled an invisible youkai with his reiken.

"Kurama, that's not good!" Kuwabara whispered, concentrating very hard on the whereabouts of the enemies' youkis.

Kurama did not answer. The youko was extending his senses to the best of his abilities. His eyes widened when he finally saw a single

youkai. He was behind a makai tree, standing stiffly and murmuring something under his breath. Bright yellow eyes suddenly opened and

stared straight into Kurama's emerald ones. The youkai smiled evilly and a red light glowed on his fist. Kurama let out a voiceless scream

when the red beam flew straight towards Kuwabara's direction.

"Look out!" Kurama shouted and instinctively pushed Kuwabara to safety.

The beam of red light struck the youko squarely on the chest.

"Shit! Kurama! Kuwabara roared. The youth felt for Kurama's pulse and growled. His brown eyes narrowed angrily.

"Come out here you bastards!!"

******

Yusuke ran as fast as he could. Hiei's black-clad figure was swiftly disappearing. The fire youkai's face was very pale. There must be really something wrong! He watched as Hiei totally vanished from his sight. He yelped when the fire youkai reappeared and stared at him wildly for a second.

"What the hell is going on?" Yusuke asked angrily. This was not his idea of a good time.

"They are being attacked." Hiei snarled and flitted off again.

"Wait!" Yusuke called uselessly and cursed. He ran towards the forest clearing. Fear shot through his entire body when he heard Kuwabara's

hoarse scream.

"Kurama!"

******

Hiei took one look at Kurama's still form on the ground and charged at the invisible enemies. The jagan glared fiercely at the swiftly fallen enemies, matching the raging ruby eyes of the fire demon. Yusuke came to Kurama's side and checked the youko's pulse. He looked up into Kuwabara's hurried face.

"We've got to get him out of here!" The reikai tantei leader said harshly.

Kuwabara nodded grimly. Yusuke stood up with the redhead in his arms and handed him over to Kuwabara. Yusuke smoothed the red hair carelessly, but tenderly and without looking up into Kuwabara's astonished face, he joined Hiei finished off the enemies.

******

Kuwabara opened a portal back to the ningenkai and hurried the unconscious youko to Genkai's temple. The old lady was already waiting at the steps.

"What happened to him?" Genkai asked sharply.

Kuwabara settled the pale youko on the matted floor once they were inside the temple doors.

"I don't know! He was hit by a red light when we were attacked by invisible youkais!" Kuwabara panted heavily.

Genkai stared down grimly at the redhead. She placed her palms on the youko's chest and bathed his whole body with healing light, hoping to stabilize his condition. After a few minutes, Kurama's breathing returned to normal. Genkai's brow was covered with sweat. Her palms glowed even more brightly before she finally withdrew them. Kuwabara

swiftly covered the youko with a blanket. Then Genkai stared at him grimly.

"I thought it was poison, but it wasn't."

"Thank the gods!" Kuwabara whispered in relief.

"He caught a spell that's wrecking havoc inside his body." Genkai continued.

"Nani? What spell baasan?" The carrot-haired youth asked worriedly, looking down at Kurama's calm, gentle face.

Genkai just stared at him.

"We will find out when he awakens."

******

Kurama blinked his eyes and opened them reluctantly. The youko stifled an exclamation and sat up. He stared suspiciously at the three people around him.

"Who are you?" The redhead queried in a whisper. His mouth curled into a thin line, the slender hands fisted.

Yusuke came closer, but Kurama raised his hands up in warning.

"Stay where you are!" The youko hissed softly. The wild emerald eyes glared at one confused face to another.

"Ku-Kurama." Yusuke whispered softly.

Kuwabara stepped forward and held Yusuke's hands firmly.

"No, Yusuke. Let him be." Kuwabara said solemnly and Genkai nodded her head at him.

She moved closer to the redhead and held up her hand in a consolatory manner.

"I won't hurt you." That old lady whispered and came nearer still. Kurama relaxed and sagged against the wall. His slender frame began to shiver.

Immediately, Kuwabara and Yusuke stood behind Genkai as the old woman felt the youko's forehead. Kurama grimaced, beads of sweat gathered on his brows and matted his red hair.

Genkai's eyes widened and she stared at Kurama for a long time. Then her gaze transferred from Yusuke to Kuwabara and back to Yusuke again. She had the look of a woman who had finally made her decision and was not planning on changing it. She got up and turned to Yusuke.

"Yusuke, bring Kurama to the main quarters of this temple, then come back here." She commanded softly.

Yusuke gathered the now unconscious redhead into his arms. Genkai turned to Kuwabara.

"Go home and rest. You can check on Kurama tomorrow."

"B-But-" Kuwabara began.

Genkai quelled his protest with a glare.

"He's gonna be fine! I promise you." She added softly.

After a few minutes, Kuwabara finally nodded and left. Genkai stared at Yusuke as the latter closed the door to Kurama's temporary quarters.

"Baasan, what is wrong with Kurama? Why couldn't he recognize us?" The young man queried worriedly.

Genkai spoke slowly and carefully.

"That beam of light that struck him was a mixture of strong black spells that could induce temporary loss of memory."

Yusuke exhaled sharply.

"Is there any cure for that?"

Genkai stared at him grimly.

"We simply wait for the effects to fade off."

Yusuke's face darkened.

"And there's something else." If anything, the old lady's face looked even grimmer.

Yusuke sighed heavily and braced himself.

"He's also been hit by a lust spell."

Yusuke stared wide-eyed at Genkai.

"W-What?"

Genkai merely bowed her head and looked away. Yusuke held the old lady's shoulders firmly.

"A-Are you sure?"

"Hmmm. Makai thieves nowadays are tricky, but they are cowards. They are practicing spells to make sure that their victims won't be able to fight back." She murmured and eyed Yusuke's confused face.

"B-But-W-What...." Yusuke sputtered. "H-He's gonna be all right?"

Genkai paused for a second.

"No."

"What do you mean?" Yusuke asked harshly.

"Kurama has to extinguish the spell or he will suffer physically."

The reikai tantei leader swallowed hard. He was suddenly seeing the real reason why Genkai had detained him.

"And you are suggesting?"

"A normal solution-assuagement of the fire in his veins."

Yusuke narrowed his eyes.

"I don't think Kurama would allow anyone to come to him and-and..." Yusuke trailed off and blushed at his thoughts. He remembered his fiasco down at the cave near Genkai's temple.

Genkai simply stared at him. The young man sank to the floor and covered his face. Genkai started for the entrance door and gazed outside.

"Stay with Kurama. I have somewhere to go." The old lady murmured and disappeared.

Yusuke expelled his breath tensely. Gods! What were they gonna do with Kurama? His head snapped up when he heard a moan from inside the room where he had taken the youko. Kurama was waking up. Yusuke slowly stood up and hovered just outside the door, leaning very close to listen to the youko's painful whimpers. Yusuke opened the door and came into the dark room illuminated only by a single lamp.

"Ku-Kurama?" Yusuke called softly.

The youko was huddled on the floor, shivering violently. Yusuke stepped closer. The redhead raised his head. Yusuke's breath almost stopped. He was so beautiful! The silken red strands of his hair were matted to his face, clear green eyes luminous from recent tears and that soft quivering mouth….Yusuke clenched his fists to his sides and kneeled from across the youko.

"Ku-Kurama, are you in pain?" He asked tentatively.

The wide emerald eyes stared at him. Kurama bit his lips and tried not to moan at the sudden sharp, fierce pleasure-pain that shot through his body when he saw that intense look on the brown-eyed youth. And he didn't even know him.

"I-It hurts...." The youko whispered harshly. Fresh tears rolled down his cheeks. He cringed in alarm when Yusuke reached out a hand.

The brown-haired youth covered the distance between them and wiped the tears from the flush face in a lingering caress.

"Hush. It's all right. I'm right here." Yusuke said in a thick voice. Spell or no spell, Kurama needed him and he needed him.

The green eyes bore on him intensely and the youko licked his lips. He stared up in alarm when Yusuke stood up again. The redhead grabbed Yusuke back. Yusuke patted the redhead's hands reassuringly.

"I'm just going to lock the door."

******

A black shadow leaped from tree to tree towards Genkai's temple. The ruby-eyed youkai's jaw was set grimly, small lips curled tightly. The worry on his small, smooth face could be readily discerned. A presence shut that open expression away. Hiei settled himself on the ground from across Genkai. The two eyed each other in silence. The old lady's eyes studied the fire demon's calm mask for a long time before she finally broke the silence.

"If you've come to ask for Kurama's condition, he is fine."

The fire demon's fine brows rose.

"What makes you think I've come to see him?"

Genkai's eyes bored into his for a fleeting moment before she turned away.

"I see things...." She murmured softly and faced the fire demon back grimly.

"Hn." The fire youkai grunted and started to move away. He had decided not to go to Genkai's temple after all.

"Hiei...." The old lady called to the youkai's retreating back. The fire youkai stared at her.

"Sometimes it's best to forget about pride."

Hiei glared at her and left as swiftly as he came.

Genkai sighed and settled herself more comfortably under the tree.