Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Fire and Ice ❯ Kidnapped ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10: Kidnapped

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Disclaimer: I talked to this little bird and he told me I now own these characters. What? You mean the birdie wasn't a reliable source? Damn the bad luck.

Warnings: This chapter has a few people getting a little frisky, but I wouldn't even consider it citrus, let alone lemon, so everyone over the age of 13 should be safe.

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Kurama groaned as he opened his eyes. His head pounded in rhythm of the beating of his heart, building up into an explosive headache. He felt miserable, not because of the headache, but because of the memories. Poor Hiei had suffered a great deal because of him.

Kurama found himself admiring the youkai more than ever. Even through all the torture, Hiei never showed fear, pain, or suffering. The fire demon met Kurama with a fiery attitude and fierce determination. Kurama smiled softly. He could see why his Youko self was intrigued by the fire demon.

Being Youko Kurama, he was used to other demons fearing him, or desiring him. Yet Hiei had treated him like he was just any other annoying demon that wasn't worth his time. Kurama found himself drawn to this, and he supposed he still did. Hiei had drunkenly admitted that he was attracted to the Youko that fateful night in the Dione Sidhe, and Kurama was flattered by such an admission for the first time in his life. This one was genuine from an individual that wouldn't normally admit such a thing. Kurama would had never guessed Hiei's attraction by looking back on the memory, but he knew that there was so much more to remember, so much more that had to have happened.

"Kurama?" A soft voice followed by a light knock on the door broke him out of his thoughts.

"Come on in," he called out. Keket came in carrying a tray of food. She gave a friendly smile as she sat the tray down on the small breakfast table that rested in front of the balcony doors.

"You must be hungry. You slept through dinner last night." She began setting the table and poured him some tea.

"You shouldn't be doing that," Kurama scolded as he removed himself from the bed.

"Why, because I'm royalty?" Kurama nodded. "That's not a good reason. I'm a princess, not an invalid." She giggled at his sleepy snort. "Come on and eat, Dante would be disappointed if you didn't. I personally think that he happens to be the best cook in the three worlds."

Kurama couldn't help but fall for that bait. He sat down at the table and stared hungrily at the food in front of him. Keket shook her head and started for the door.

"Keket, please stay and talk," Kurama said around a mouthful of food. She arched an eyebrow at his uncharacteristic display, but sat down across form the kitsune.

"Since when have you wanted to converse with me?" She snatched a breakfast roll from Kurama's plate.

"Well, it's just that we know nothing about you…and I am curious." Kurama grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.

"You know ningens say curiosity killed the cat." Keket tore off a piece of the roll and popped it into her mouth.

"The cat, not the kitsune," Kurama chuckled and Keket smiled.

"Ok, kitsune, what do you want to know?" She really wasn't used to talking about herself and was a little uncomfortable with the idea.

"Well, where are your parents? When will you become ruler of the Dione Sidhe? What transpired between you and Hiei? What is going on between you and Dante? What do you think about Fornitbras? Have you ever met him? Are you comfortable here? Do you like the Ningenkai? Do you hate me for what I did to Hiei?" Kurama stated so quickly that Keket could only stare at him with wide-eyed shock.

"Uh…can we try that again…one question at a time?" Keket squeaked out. Kurama chuckled and slightly blushed.

"This one thing has been bothering me since we met…where are the king and queen of the Dione Sidhe?" Kurama saw Keket's violet eyes dull with pain.

"They are dead; murdered by humans at the time of the Imperialist Revolution. As you know, humans journeyed to the Makai frequently at that time, and a band of assassins found my parents on their way to peace talks with Raizen. We were hoping to find protection within his territory, but Mother and Father never made it to the meeting. Dante found what was left of their bodies the next day. I've been ruling the Feys alone ever since." She blinked back some tears as she waited for the next question.

"I'm sorry," was all Kurama could say, even though it didn't seem to be enough. "But wouldn't that make you queen?" It was a valid point.

"I cannot become queen until take a mate, council ruled it so." She didn't seem to be too bothered by the fact, Kurama noted.

"Was that the nature of yours and Hiei's relationship?" Kurama tried to keep the jealousy out of his tone, but failed miserably, and Keket couldn't help but grin.

"In the beginning I suppose. I couldn't help but fall in love with him. He is so easy to love, isn't he? But he kept me at a distance. He often said that he didn't wish to endanger me, nor did he want me to regret it. We never went past the friendship stage and I thank him for that. Now I realize that my heart truly belongs to someone else and I would have cheated Hiei. I am really in love with Dante." Kurama noticed her shy little smile.

"Does Dante know this?" Kurama teased.

"No, but I've dropped hints…and you know Dante. He wouldn't get it if it hit him in the face." A note of sadness was found in her giggle.

"He'll get it one of these days." Kurama winked at the beauty across from him.

"That's what this is about isn't it? You wanted to know where I stood with Hiei." That was quite a stern look the youko was getting.

"Partly, but there is more. I only got part of my memories back, so I still don't know everything. I was hoping you might be able to fill in the gaps." Keket shook her head.

"I'm not at liberty to do so. Your memories will still come to you when you are not on a conscious plain. This is something that you and Hiei need to workout amongst yourselves. No one else can make you understand." Keket stands. "You had better hurry if you wish to make it to school today. I cleaned your uniform last night and it is hanging in the closet." Having said that, the Fey princess left the room, giving Kurama much to think about.

********

Kurama inwardly steamed as he worked the poetry diagram in front of him. He was furious. He was hoping to catch sight of a certain three-eyed fire demon by now. It had been over a week! Nine days since the kiss and still nothing. This wasn't normal, even for Hiei.

"Minamino Shuichi, you have a message." Kurama looked up to see the school secretary standing in the doorway holding a sealed envelope. Kurama approached the woman. "Please take it in the hallway." With that, the woman walked back down the hall.

Kurama shrugged as he opened the envelope and pulled out a single sheet of paper with two sentences written on its surface in a demon tongue. No name was signed, but he exactly where the note had come from.

"Inari no!" Kurama whispered as his heart started pounding in his chest. One hand clutched the letter tighter, while the other hand seemed to go numb and dropped the envelope.

"Shuichi, are you alright? Is it your mother again?" Kurama looked up to see his teacher standing there with a worried look on her face.

"I'm sorry sensei, but I have to go." The teacher nodded and the youko rushed from the school, his you-ki lowering and rising erratically.

********

"Alright class, this question will earn you extra credit on tomorrow's exam. We didn't cover this information in lecture, which means you actually had to read the chapters in order to answer this question. What mountain in Kyoto, besides Hiei, has a shrine that was built in order to be the guardian of the northern quarter of the capital city, Heiankyo?"

Ah, geography class…A.K.A. Yusuke's naptime. Yusuke had just started to snore as a jolt of you-ki coursed through him like electricity before lowering quickly and shooting up again.

"Oh damn, Kurama!" Yusuke shouted.

"Right again Mr. Urameshi," Mr. Hong stated in shock. How did the boy do it?

"Bathroom," was all Yusuke said as he rushed from the room. Mr. Hong sighed in defeat.

"What is with these demons and interrupting my naps? I swear, don't they have any respect for anyone?" Yusuke mumbled as he rushed by the gym and pulled out Kuwabara. They found Kurama sitting lotus-style on the ground, rocking back and forth.

"Hey man, what's wrong?" Kuwabara asked a visibly shaken kitsune.

"Hiei," was his reply as he reached his fist with the crumpled letter toward Yusuke. The dark-haired teen pried Kurama's fingers from the unfortunate piece of paper.

"Oh man, poor Hiei."

**********

Hiei woke with a dizzying headache. His vision blurred as his eyes opened. He felt as if he had been trampled by a herd of golems. What the hell happened to him? He couldn't remember anything past leaving Kurama's house to check on his sister before the kitsune woke. Now he was here, wherever here may be.

The smell of dampness and the stench of rotting flesh was almost like a physical blow to the youkai. He was also aware that he was not chained, that could only mean that he was in a dungeon of some sort. His muscles groaned in protest as he sat up to take in his surroundings. The only thing Hiei was able to focus on was the iron bars that held him prisoner. They were wrapped with wards, so escape was impossible. He was trapped…no chance of escape. Did anyone even know he was missing? Did anyone care?

He looked down at himself and noticed that he was still fully dressed, save his sword, and had no wounds other than a nasty bump on his head. Relief washed over him in waves. Now just to figure out where he was.

"You finally decided to wake up. Nine days slipping in and out of consciousness couldn't be healthy." Hiei jerked around to the origin of the amused voice, and growled as he saw a certain red youko.

"You," Hiei stood and started to go strangle the smug looking fox, but stopped as he remembered the wards.

"I must have made quite an impression, you remember me."

"Don't flatter yourself." Hiei felt his stomach churning. Oh how he wanted to kill the bastard in front of him.

"I'm still going to have my fun with you, whether I impress you or not. I'm going to wait on Kurama of course, that way he can watch before we kill him. I want the last thing he sees to be your eyes full of disappointment in him for failing to protect you yet again. This is too beautiful." The youko let out a giddy little giggle, and Hiei rolled his eyes.

"I think you are underestimating Kurama. Just because he is now in a human form doesn't make him any less dangerous."

"Is that so? I guess we will just have to see." Sachi was quite amused. To think the ice maiden was taking up for that bastard silver fox.

"And what makes you think he will come for me? We just barely tolerate each other." Hiei tried not to think about how true that statement may be. Kurama could very well just leave him there; it wasn't like the fox actually held any sort of feeling toward him…right?

"He will come, I can assure you of that. I'll be back in a few for you my dear Koorime." Sachi left.

"Kurama, if you leave me here this time, I will never forgive you." Hiei laid back down on the cold, hard stone of the floor and curled up in a ball, suddenly feeling very cold.

********

"Anzai, tell me where Hiei is right now." Kurama was approaching the marred black youko so fast that Kuwabara and Yusuke had trouble keeping up.

"Patience my dear ningen, we will take you to him soon enough. Who are these idiots?" Anzai snickered as Kurama growled.

"You mean you don't recognize the two people who kicked your sorry ass almost two weeks ago." It took everything Yusuke had not to deck the youko in front of him. Hadn't Hiei and Kurama been tortured enough by these idiots?

"Should we allow them to come Anzai?" Doppo appears behind the three teens.

"I don't see why not. This could prove to be interesting."

"Enough! I want to see Hiei, and I swear I will kill you if you have touched one little hair on his head." Yes, the redhead was angry. The forest around them began to rustle wildly in reaction to his rage. Yusuke was even afraid to be on the receiving end of all that anger. Never before had the kitsune lost control like now.

"Fine, let's go. I've never known you to be the whiny type Kurama." Anzai and Doppo led the way through a Makai portal. When they reached their destination Kurama gasped in disbelief.

"Look familiar? This is the exact same camp we were at all those years ago," Doppo reminded.

"Yes, the very camp where you raped Hiei, you bastards." Yusuke looked at Kurama in shock. So that was why Hiei reacted the way he did when he saw them.

"He was a delicious little piece of ass." Anzai licked his lips. Kurama growled and jumped toward the smug youko in front of him. Doppo prevented the attack and slapped a few wards on the unsuspecting fox. Kurama was dragged to the ground and tied up while Sachi helped Anzai with the other two teens.

"This is more of an audience than I had suspected, but it's all good. Now the little Koorime will know that all his friends were unable to help him." Sachi drug Yusuke toward the cave that housed Hiei's cage while the others followed close behind him.

Hiei jerked up and dropped into a fighting stance. He looked at those entering and saw the Reikai Tantei being dragged in by his captors. Ruby eyes met with emerald and Hiei clenched his fists at his sides. They were fucked…and for Hiei that meant literally. He didn't know whether he could survive another round of assaults by the youko trio. He had to…he had to help Kurama and the other two idiots.

"Come here my pretty little ice maiden." Doppo sat Kurama in such a way that he could see everything around him. Poor Hiei looked like a caged animal ready to pounce. The usually cold, detachment found in the youkai's red eyes was replaced by fear. Kurama couldn't let Hiei down again. He had to figure out a way to help him.

"Not in front of them! Let them go, just don't let it be in front of them!" Hiei didn't want them to see him at his weakest. He could deal with being a personal slut to the youkos, but he couldn't handle the looks of disgust that the Reikai Tantei would give him.

"What, you don't want a captive audience? You don't want to show Kurama what he is missing out on?" Anzai teased as he joined Doppo in the cage.

"Can I go first?" Sachi giggled maniacally as he caressed Hiei's cheek.

"STOP! Don't touch him!" Yusuke yelled. Hiei looked at the detective in shock. Yusuke was taking up for him, much like he would for Keiko.

"I swear if you think about touching him again, I will rip your hearts out and eat them." Kurama was panting heavily as he struggled against the wards holding him.

"Just let him go. I'll do whatever you want, just let Kurama go." Hiei's eyes shimmered with hatred.

"You don't mean that you shrimp! Like hell we are going to let those mutts touch you!" Kuwabara yelled, strangely staying very still.

"Hiei, no." Kurama whispered.

"We can't do that precious, we are after him after all. You are just a bonus. Hold him." Anzai and Doppo each grabbed him and pushed him against the wall. Sachi tore off Hiei's cloak and shirt.

"Stop it you freak!" Yusuke screamed.

"Freak! I used to be beautiful, until Kurama ruined me. We were all beautiful. Do you know why he did this to us? I'll tell you. It was because of this dirty whore of the glaciers. He would rather protect this slut than be loyal to his own kind." Sachi licked Hiei's cheek and the youkai whimpered in disgust.

"I can see why. Hiei may not win a personality contest anytime soon, but, damn it, he's hell of a lot more than you could ever hope to be!" Yusuke could feel his rei-ki rising…that's it. He and Kuwabara could still use their rei-ki. He looked back at his carrot-topped companion and saw that Kuwabara was actually ahead of him, sawing away at his ropes with a small version of his rei sword.

He looked back to see Hiei being ridded of his pants. Red eyes closed in shame as two of his four belts were removed. Hiei opened his eyes and bit his lip as he looked over at Kurama. Kurama swallowed hard as he watched another belt fall to the ground.

"I'm sorry fox." Hiei whispered so softly that Kurama had to read his lips to understand what was said.

No, Hiei, don't give up on me yet. I will get you out of this. "Stop. You have me here, what do you need him for now? Just let him go and I'll take his place." Kurama's three teammates gasped in shock.

"Are you crazy fox? That's what they want kitsune no baka!" Hiei growled as his pants were pulled down.

"I know. That's the only way I can help you. Now just shut up and let me help you!" Kurama yelled.

"What a time for those two to argue." Yusuke said to Kuwabara who was now working on his ropes.

"It's keeping those three youko's distracted, so we shouldn't complain." Kuwabara finally cut through the ropes and snuck over to the cage with Yusuke behind him. Hiei's katana was lying nearby and Yusuke grabbed it before rushing into the cage and grabbing Sachi. Kuwabara elbowed Doppo before clothes lining a charging Anzai. Hiei pulled up his pants and grabbed his sword from Yusuke, who was on his way over to untie Kurama.

"Now you bastards die." Hiei ran his sword through Sachi's throat, watching as the youko gurgled and coughed in pain. He then thrust his sword backwards to impale an attacking Doppo on it. The sickening thud of bleeding flesh was heard as Hiei jumped over to Anzai chopped him in small pieces…very slowly, rejoicing in the painful screams given by the deformed kitsune. Even though the slaughter hadn't taken much effort, Hiei stood over the bodies, covered in blood and panting. The look in his eyes was positively frightening. There was no trace of the Hiei the others had come to know. This was a look of a hunted animal that fought and gained its freedom.

"Kurama." Hiei said softly as he turned to look at the redhead with a blank stare. The poor youkai had went into shock. Kurama rushed over to Hiei and fell to his knees.

"Hiei, I'm so sorry." Kurama wrapped his arms tightly around the fire demon and buried his head in Hiei's chest, not caring that he was currently covered in blood.

"I never realized just how strong the shrimp is." Kuwabara met Yusuke's confused gaze.

"What do you mean?" Yusuke knew Hiei was strong enough to kill the three youkos when on a fair playing field.

"I wouldn't have been able to be so calm and composed if I had went through what he has. He is one of the strongest people…uh demons…I have ever known." Yusuke nodded in agreement.

"Come on Kuwa, let's leave them alone for a minute and let them get their bearings. We have no place here." Kuwabara said nothing, but followed Yusuke out of the cave.

"Kurama?" Hiei whispered, still standing there, lifeless as a statue.

"Yeah Hiei." Kurama rubbed Hiei's back in a soothing motion.

"I want to go home." Hiei's voice slightly cracked.

"Sure thing. Anything you want, firefly...anything you want." Kurama stood and dressed the unresisting fire demon in his school jacket and picked him up. Hiei wrapped his legs and arms around his friend, allowing the gesture. Hiei shuddered as he buried his face in Kurama's shoulder, smelling the fresh scent that always clung to the fox. Suddenly, Hiei felt so dirty, so tainted.

"Can I have a bath too?" Hiei asked softly.

"Of course, I will even get you some sweet snow." Kurama heard Hiei sigh in thanks as the fire demon relaxed in his arms. Kurama blinked back some tears as he walked outside, not caring what the other two teens may think about his carrying Hiei.

"Let's get you guys home so you can rest." Neither Yusuke nor Kuwabara made a comment about what had just transpired or the fact that Hiei was being carried like a baby. Kurama nodded and turned his head to check on Hiei. He looked like a lost little child as his eyes drifted shut. Poor thing had to be worn out.

"Don't worry Hiei, I'll take care of you." Kurama whispered into the youkai's ear as they walked back through the portal that led to the Ningenkai.

***********

Hiei woke to the feeling of being warm, safe…and wet. He looked up and saw the worried face of Kurama hovering over him. The smell of lavendar bath salts and soap assailed his senses and he looked down to the pink-stained, steaming water, relishing the feeling of the soft lapping of the hot water soothing his sore body.

"I see you finally decided to wake up." Kurama grinned down at a sighing Hiei. "I can wash your hair now. Lean back." Hiei ducked his head under the water, wetting his hair. Kurama chuckled and shook his head at the fact that, even wet, Hiei's hair defied all laws of gravity.

"You are not going to use that stuff are you?" Hiei asked as he caught the smell of roses.

"You don't like it?" Kurama feigned insult.

"For you it's fine, but I don't want to smell like a flower. The bath stuff is my limit."

"Pouting doesn't become you Hiei." Kurama chuckled and reached for a different bottle of shampoo, and lathered his friend's hair.

"Shut up…" Hiei's sentence was cut off as Kurama dunked him and rinsed his hair. Hiei surfaced and splashed the laughing youko. "Kitsune no baka."

"Hey now, no splashing." Kurama reached into the tub and pulled the plug. "Come on you pyromaniac, bath time is over. You're starting to become a prune."

"I'm not sure what a prune may be, but I don't like the sound of it." Hiei stepped out of the tub and into a towel Kurama held out for him.

"Don't worry about it. Mom is downstairs cooking dinner for us. I told her that you have had a small accident and you are physically fine but a little mentally shaken. She insisted that you spend the night so she can keep an eye on you." Hiei snorted as Kurama chuckled.

"What's it matter to her?" Hiei dried off quickly and walked into Kurama's bedroom.

"She likes you. She thinks you are absolutely adorable." Kurama laughed as Hiei scowled. "Here, some clothes for you to wear. I'll buy you some tomorrow that fit." He handed Hiei a pair of shorts, not bothering with the t-shirt this time.

"I can't walk around half-naked in front of your mother. It isn't decent," Hiei muttered.

"This is coming from the guy who refuses to wear underwear. It's nothing she hasn't seen before. Now come on, I'm hungry." Their argument was interrupted by knocking.

"Shu-chan, Yusuke and his pretty little girlfriend brought some clothes over for Hiei. And you guys better hurry up, dinner's ready." Kurama cracked open the door and Shiori handed him a bag of clothes.

"Thanks 'Kaasan, are they still here?" Shiori shook her head in a negative motion.

"Is he okay sweetheart?" Kurama couldn't help but smile at the worried look on his mother's face…once a mother, always a mother.

"I think he is in denial right now. He hasn't mentioned it since he woke up, but I guess that's his way of coping."

"Okay, well hurry up and get him dressed so you two can eat." Shiori gave Kurama a kiss on the cheek and went back downstairs. Kurama turned back into the room, rummaging through bag Yusuke had brought him. The redhead couldn't help but smile as he found a receipt for the clothes in case they didn't fit and a note attached to a pair of black silk boxers that said: "Keiko's idea." He also found a pair of pajamas, a black button down shirt, a pair of jeans, a belt, and a pair of tiny socks.

"Looks like Yusuke outdid himself this time. Look Hiei, he even bought you some underwear." Kurama looked over at the fire demon and, if he wasn't mistaken, saw the little youkai blush.

"He shouldn't have done that." Kurama handed Hiei the boxers first and watched enviously as the youkai put them on. He never wanted to be a pair of underwear so much in his life.

"Why not? He considers you a friend, and that's what friends do. Now put on the pajamas and let's go eat." Kurama unfolded the pajamas and couldn't help but laugh at the black silk set that had red flames crawling up from the pant legs, sleeves, and bottom of the shirt.

"Hn." Hiei jerked the clothes from Kurama and put them on quickly. Kurama blinked a couple of times as he looked at the perturbed fire demon. "What? I'm hungry too. I'm not going to wait on you to inspect every little article in there." Hiei walked out the door and Kurama rushed after him.

"Hiei dear, did you have a nice nap?" Shiori rushed over and pulled a resisting fire demon into a tight hug. Kurama bit his lip to keep back his laughter as Hiei reluctantly patted Shiori on the back, hoping that the human woman would release him.

"Yes, arigato Minamino-san." Kurama almost choked with shock. Hiei was actually humoring his mother? He supposed small miracles happened everyday.

"I bet you are starving. You are a tad too thin, but don't worry I'll be sure to fix that." Shiori had really outdone herself, Kurama noted, as she sat the feast in front of the overwhelmed youkai. Hiei would definitely not have to worry about being too thin if he was even able to make a dent in the amount of food on the table.

"Kaasan, do you think all of this was necessary for just the three of us?" He looked over at his companion and saw that the fire demon was practically licking his lips. He had no idea how hungry Hiei may be. It had been nine days since Kurama had last fed him. Had those youkos not fed him anything? Kurama shivered at the idea, but he noticed that Hiei was looking thinner than usual.

"Why are you staring at me?" Hiei asked, not looking up from the food in front of him.

"When was the last time you ate, Hiei?" That caught the youkai's attention. Hiei turned to look at him with a confused look on his face.

"I remember the pizza, but I can't recall anything after that." Shiori was now paying attention as well.

"Hiei!" Kurama shouted in shock.

"What? I can assure you there is no reason to yell baka."

"That was nine days ago! You haven't eaten in nine days?" There was the kitsune worrying again.

"Not that I can remember."

"Well, then, we better hurry up and eat now don't you think. Come now Shu-chan, sit down so Hiei can eat." It was amazing how Shiori was able to fuss over Hiei while allowing the little guy keep his pride. Kurama listened to his mother and they all filled their plates and prepared to eat.

**********

Kurama and Hiei was sitting in his room watching an old Kung Fu movie, well Hiei was anyway. Kurama, however, kept staring at Hiei in shock. The fire demon, up to this point, had been able to ignore the invasive staring, but he was now coming to the end of his proverbial rope. He couldn't truly relax while the redhead gazed at him.

"What is your deal, have I suddenly sprouted an extra nose, ear, or some other random body part?" Hiei turned, his crimson gaze burning into the youko.

"How are you able to eat so much? Where do you put it all?" Hiei opened his mouth and started to answer the fox, but blinked his eyes and squinted his eyebrows in annoyance.

"I am not going to dignify that with a response." Hiei turned back to the movie and Kurama chuckled before sitting on the floor beside his friend.

"Want to talk about it?" The question was intentionally ambiguous. That way, the youkai could talk about anything he so desired.

"No." That was simple enough.

"How 'bout…"

"No." Hiei interrupted.

"You don't even know what I was going to ask." Kurama pouted.

"I could probably guess." Hiei turned to the redhead beside him. "And I'm not sure how I would go about addressing that certain issue." Kurama turned his head and met an unreadable ruby gaze. He wanted to kiss Hiei again, but knew that it probably wasn't the best idea right now.

"Hiei…I want…" He didn't know how to finish that thought.

"You want what Kurama?" Damn the bastard, he was teasing him for sure.

"I want…to…"

"To be able to create a full sentence?" Hiei smirked. Kurama growled.

"I hate you."

"I know." Hiei chuckled.

"Come on, let's go to bed." Kurama crawled up into the bed and patted the spot beside him.

"You're not going to tell me what you want?"

"No, you're being mean. You don't deserve to know." Hiei shook his head at the kitsune's antics as he slid under the blankets beside Kurama.

"Kitsune no baka." Hiei turned over, presenting his back to the fox and settled in.

"What if I said I wanted to kiss you again?" Kurama whispered to what he was sure a sleeping fire demon.

"I would ask you why?" Hiei whispered.

"Then I would say that I enjoy kissing you. Then I would ask you if it made you uncomfortable to know that?" This may have not been the issue they needed to discuss, but it was one that Kurama wanted to.

"I would ask if it really mattered if it did?" Hiei twisted his fingers in the sheets.

"I would say of course it mattered, because I want to you to be comfortable with me and, not to mention, I want you to enjoy kissing me as well." There was a slight tint of humor coloring his voice.

"I would then tell you that I never feel uncomfortable with you, and that I think that it's nice." Kurama smiled at Hiei's shy response. He then turned the fire demon his back and gazed into uncertain red eyes.

"Do you really?" Kurama asked, he green eyes sparkling.

"Maybe," was Hiei's normal smart-ass reply. "Do you mean it?"

"Yeah." Hiei was amused by the sudden lack of elegance in Kurama's speech.

"Are you going to do anything about it?" Hiei teased.

"Yeah." With that, Kurama joined his lips with Hiei's. The kiss was a chaste, closed mouthed joining of lips, but still held a great deal of intimacy. "Goodnight Hiei," Kurama whispered, his lips still resting against his friend's.

"Night, fox. We have yet to determine whether it is good or not." Kurama chuckled at Hiei's cynicism, laid back down, and curled around the smaller youkai. Within moments, both were sound asleep.

********

They were not far from the vault now, but night was falling and they were tired. Kurama thought it best that they stop and make camp for the night. Granted, the silver kitsune's motive wasn't very altruistic, all he wanted was to talk to the halfling some more, but no one questioned his reasoning. Tents were sat up and the trio of idiots were sent for food.

Kurama's only purpose for stopping now was scuffling around across from him in his tent. The Jaganshi hadn't spoken in days, other than an annoyed grunt or an irritated snort. The demon in question had just finished building a fire and was now situating a bed roll to just the right angle in case someone was to attack. Kurama's ears twitched in amusement as he watched the youkai ensure the camp's safety, well at least their tent anyway. This was a nightly ritual that Kurama was sure that transpired even when Hiei wasn't party to a soon to be theft. No doubt the fire demon led a rough life and still was…thanks to a certain silver kitsune. Kurama tried to shake the feeling of guilt but found that he couldn't. He should be used to being selfish, but this instance made it difficult.

"Hiei, sit down. We have nothing to worry about." Kurama's tails wagged as Hiei sat down across from him, laying his katana to the side.

"What caused you to be all bright eyed and bushy tailed all of a sudden?" There it was…the Jaganshi that he had missed this past couple of days. The sarcasm, the attitude, yes…this was what he needed, as masochistic as that sounded.

"We are spending time together, Chibi," Kurama said as if that explained everything.

"It doesn't take much to amuse you does it?" That caused the youko to smile.

"All it takes is you."

"Aww…how romantic," Hiei stated sardonically as he rolled his eyes.

"You should cheer up, it could be worse you know." Kurama crawled over beside him.

"Thank you for reminding me…I feel much better now." It was amazing how the youkai could send barbs without a hint of a smile or feeling…just nothing.

"You don't have to be so nasty all the time. Give me a chance, I'm not so bad." Hiei just stared at the youko without emotion.

"Believe what you want I guess." The fire demon jerked as a hand suddenly touched his cheek.

"Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you. I have no desire to ever hurt you Chibi." Hiei was still tense as long, slender fingers slid through his hair. It didn't feel too bad, so he relaxed a tad. "You make me feel things," Kurama whispered. "It confuses me. I've never had these feelings before. What are you doing to me Chibi?"

Hiei gulped as Kurama's hand cupped his face and tilted his head back. Soft, warm lips brushed over the sensitive skin of his neck and Hiei closed his eyes in pleasure. It felt so good. The kisses continued, but stayed soft…asking, not demanding. Kurama pulled Hiei into his lap, so the youkai would not feel trapped, and tugged the fire demon's shirt from his pants.

Hiei gasped in surprise as cold hands found their way under his shirt. The feeling wasn't entirely unpleasant. The hands were moving slowly and tenderly over his back, rubbing some of the still tensed muscles. The lips hadn't stopped either, but Hiei had yet to protest the caresses. Soon, he found himself lifting his arms as his shirt was pulled over his head.

"Open your eyes, Hiei. I want to see your eyes." Kurama's warm, moist breath tickled his ear, and Hiei found himself complying with the seductively whispered demand. He knew he should stop this madness, but it just felt too good. His crimson eyes smoldered with a blazing fire as Kurama's topaz orbs glinted golden.

"Touch me, please." This was the first time Kurama could recall begging one of his lovers to touch him. Hiei was at a loss at what to do. So he did the only thing he could think of, he ran his fingers through the silvery silkiness of Kurama's hair and massaged the base of his ears. The youko moaned in pleasure.

Kurama dropped his kisses to Hiei's collarbone and lower to his chest. He finally received a extremely positive reaction as he took a nipple in his mouth. The youkai groaned deeply as the kitsune worried the tender nub of flesh with his teeth, then soothe it with long, slow laps of the tongue. Kurama took his wet torture to the neglected flesh and the fire demon's hips began to move against his. Kurama felt as if he were on fire. This is what he had been wanting…tasting the fire demon, caressing him, and hopefully making love to him.

Kurama gasped in surprise as his head was jerked back by his hair. Nervous, uncertain little nips rained on his neck, and Kurama found himself deeply touched by the tenderness of the action. He dropped his hands to Hiei's thighs and massaged the strong muscles before he dropped his head back and mewed in pleasure. Shaky hands pulled his tunic down over his shoulders and soft kisses followed.

"Ah…Hi-ei," Kurama groaned as Hiei imitated his earlier torture on his nipples. Kurama pulled Hiei away from his chest and the fire demon looked at him in confusion. "I have very little control left Chibi, and I don't want to scare you." Kurama panted as he gently lowered Hiei to his back and crawled over him. He settled between Hiei's legs and the fire demon growled at the stimulation of their arousals pressing together. The little demon pushed his hips up experimentally and bit his lip to keep wonton sounds escaping past his mouth.

Kurama's eyes widened as the youkai under him rubbed against him experimentally…that felt entirely too good. He needed to buried deep inside the body under him as soon as possible or it was going to be over even before it began. He quickly unbuckled the many belts and untied the pants with little effort. It's when he began pulling down the pants that he ran into problems.

"K-Kur-ama…" Small, strong hands closed over his wrists and he lifted his head to look at the fire demon. Garnet eyes were closed tightly and his head was turned to the side and his delicate-looking chin quivered. Kurama then turned his gaze to the trembling hands that held his wrists at small hips that were colored in finger-shaped bruises. He gently rubbed his thumb across the black markings that were fading into green that contrasted starkly against alabaster skin. The physical signs of his assault were healing, but the mental and emotional scars were not. Kurama dropped his head to the small chest heaving under him.

"I-I'm…gomen…I didn't mean…" Kurama silenced him with a finger to the lips.

"I told you that I wouldn't force you, and if you are uncomfortable we will stop." Hiei nodded and Kurama rolled off him.

"What about you?" Hiei ran a hand down Kurama's chest in a frantic motion. Kurama had never turned down a chance for foreplay, but he had a feeling he better turn down this one. He beat his head against the ground a few times before he grabbed Hiei's hand and brought it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss in his palm.

"It's okay Chibi, let me worry about what's going on in my pants." Kurama gave the youkai a wink and grabbed the fur off the bedroll. He tucked the little one in the blanket before sitting up. "Get some rest Chibi. I'll go get us some food." Kurama left his tent and decided he needed to go take a bath in the nearby stream. He only hoped that water was cold…very, very cold.

*********

That's it for this chapter.

Kurama: I just can't get any lovin'.

Hiei: Is that all you think about?

Kurama: Well, what do you expect? You build me up just to let me down. You are such a tease.

Hiei: Hn.

Kurama: If you feel that way, maybe I should just go to Yomi.

Hiei: Think about it and die kitsune.

Kurama: You do care! *grabs Hiei and starts dragging him*

Hiei: Where are you taking me.

Kurama: We will be in my room if you need us.

siren: Um…ok. Please review.