Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Fire and Ice ❯ Poor Kurama ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 8: Poor Kurama

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Disclaimer: Still not owning it.

Warnings: Nothing out of the ordinary.

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"Hiei?" Kurama felt as if he was going to pass out. What was this crazy youkai talking about? Hiei…raped? Kurama really didn't want to think about that. Was he the one…oh no, he couldn't be…could he? "Did I…" He wasn't even able to finish that thought.

"No, you…stopped." Tears began to well up in Kurama's eyes. He had allowed Hiei to be violated and came close to doing so himself. "You would have been proud of me, I didn't cry."

The room started spinning and Kurama felt light-headed. A wave of nausea crashed over him and he ran out of the room into the bathroom. Hiei blinked a couple of times in confusion before pulling himself from the bed to check on Kurama. He stumbled to the bathroom to find the redhead on his knees, offering the contents of his stomach to the porcelain god.

"K'rama?" Hiei didn't know what to do. He had never seen Kurama completely fall apart like that. He was lost.

"How can you even bear looking at me? I know I would never want to look at me again." Kurama turned to Hiei, green eyes shimmering with tears. "Kill me, I deserve it."

"Nani?!" Had that stupid fox lost his ever-loving mind? "Don't mo-ve." Hiei slurred out as he unsteadily left the room. Hiei drunkenly stumbled out in the hallway about the same time that Yusuke and Kuwabara were returning from the hot spring.

"Yusuke. Ssome-thun's wrong wif K'rama," came the drunken slur. If the little fire demon had not looked so worried, Yusuke would have laughed. Man oh man was Hiei drunk.

"Where is he?"

"In the bafroom." Hiei turned to go to his room, but lost his equilibrium. Yusuke caught him right before he could fall.

"Kuwabara, help Hiei get back to bed and I'll check on Kurama." Yusuke pushed Hiei over to Kuwabara, who just gawked at Yusuke like he had grown to heads.

"Why do I have to put up with the shrimp?"

"Now is not the time to argue!" Before Kuwabara could open his mouth to respond, he was interrupted by Hiei's snoring. "See he's passed out, nothing to worry about." Yusuke picked up Hiei and flung him at Kuwabara.

"Fine." Kuwabara adjusted the surprisingly heavy weight of the demon and followed Yusuke into

the room.

"You look like hell." Kurama jerked his head up from its resting place on the toilet seat to find Yusuke standing there.

"Well I look as good as I feel then." Kurama laid his burning cheek back against the cool porcelain. Yusuke walked over and placed a dampened cloth on the back of his neck, which was helping his stomach from churning again.

"What's wrong?" It was obvious to Yusuke just why Hiei was worried. Kurama looked like he wanted to die.

"Where's Hiei?" Kurama was so worried that Hiei had flitted away forever.

"He's passed out, Kuwabara's with him. Now quit changing the subject. What in the hells is wrong with you?" Kurama slid off his knees and leaned against the wall behind him.

"I hurt him…no, I destroyed him." Kurama barely whispered.

"What is that supposed to mean? Hiei seemed to be perfectly fine, other than being rip-roaring drunk."

"Remember when we talked about what made Hiei act the way he does?" Yusuke nodded.

"I'm the reason." Kurama felt ill again. `If you hadn't let them rape me…' Kurama started pounding his head softly against the wall, as if it would help clear his muddled mind.

"What are you going on about? I'm missing something here." Yusuke followed Kurama's example and took a seat in the floor.

"I don't remember anything or know any details. All I know is what Hiei told me, and that wasn't much."

"Damn it Kurama, quit dancing around it and tell me what the hell is going on." Yusuke was starting to become annoyed.

"He was raped back when I was still in my demon form and apparently I stood by and let it happen." There was that sick feeling again.

"Oh man, poor Hiei," Yusuke said without thinking. A whimper drew his attention back to Kurama. "Sorry Kurama, I didn't mean anything against you."

"How could I forget something like this? How can he look at me day after day?" Two tears slipped down Kurama's pale cheeks. Yusuke was shocked; he had never seen Kurama cry.

"Remember he sought you out to help steal the artifacts. Apparently he doesn't hold you to blame." Yusuke did have a point.

"I don't see why. I would hate someone who just stood by and let it happen."

"I'm sure Hiei has his reasons. Look at it this way, he trusts you more than anyone. Find out the details first, and then condemn yourself." Yusuke stood and offered his hand and pulled Kurama to his feet. Noise from the bedroom caused the two to rush back in there to see what was going on.

"I don't want to sing that song, it's stupid." Hiei pouted.

"It's not a stupid song you shrimp!" Kuwabara yelled back.

"Well, then by all means, you can be a teapot, but I refuse." Hiei plopped back down on the pillows and crossed his arms.

"I'm a Little Teapot is a classic and simple enough for even you."

"You mean simple enough for you, you idiot." Hiei stuck his tongue out at the carrot-top. Yusuke and Kurama just looked at each other in shock.

"Hiei's drunk, what's your excuse Kuwabara?" Yusuke chuckled.

"That little shrimp is just trying to make me mad." Kuwabara sent an evil stare to the fire demon.

"Looks like he's doing a good job," Kurama replied softly.

"Hn." Of course Hiei had to put his two cents in; for all that it was worth…, which wasn't much.

"Come on Kuwabara, let's get out of here and let them go to bed." Yusuke started for the door.

"When do we get to do something that I want to do?" Kuwabara whined.

"When I say you can. I'm the one in charge here." Kuwabara slumped his shoulders as he followed Yusuke out of the room.

Large crimson eyes turned their gaze toward Kurama. The fox, however, refused to meet his stare. Had he said something wrong? Hiei dropped his eyes as he realized what was wrong.

"I disgust you." That got Kurama's attention. "I'm damaged and dirty, so now you're just going to throw me away…just like everyone else." Kurama finally looked at Hiei. The youkai was rolled in the fetal position, clenching the blankets tightly around him. "I suppose *hic* that I should have *hic* expected it."

"Inari, no Hiei." Kurama went over and got on his knees beside the bed. "No Hiei, I could never throw you away. I told you that we were friends and I meant it." Inari, he looked so young and scared. He finally looked into Hiei's pleading red eyes and knew what he wanted. "I promise." Hiei's eyes brightened slightly as his body relaxed.

"I'm tired, `night K'rama." With a little kitten-like yawn, Hiei fell asleep. Kurama got up and dug around in his bag for the bottle of aspirin that he was currently in desperate need of, and he was almost certain that Hiei would be begging for it in the morning. After taking the medicine, Kurama went through his normal nightly ritual, making sure to spend extra time brushing his teeth. He finally made it to bed and he was more than exhausted. He took a glance at Hiei who muttered something about being short and stout before turning to his other side. Kurama gave a deep sigh before allowing sleep to claim him.

********

He and Yusuke had fought again and the human was still pounding on his head, even though it was fairly obvious that he was no longer able to fight back. He opened his eyes, but quickly shut them back as the light caused a stabbing pain to shoot through his brain. A low moan made its way out of his dry throat. What the hell happened to him?

"You're awake." Hiei opened his eyes again to see Kurama standing over him with a glass of water in one hand and a pill bottle in the other. He handed Hiei the water and opened the bottle to get out the little white pills. "Here take these." Kurama hand the medicine to the fire demon who, surprisingly, took them without question.

"What the hell happened to me?" Kurama tensed at the question. How much should he tell? Better yet, how much did Hiei know?

"What is the last thing you remember?" Kurama crossed his fingers while chanting to himself, `Please forget, please forget, please forget.'

"You and I talking about the differences between humans and youkos, and something about a teapot..." He squinted his eyes in concentration. "Everything else is blank." Hiei held his head as he tried to remember…something. Kurama, on the other hand, sighed in relief. He would not have known what to do if Hiei had remembered.

"That's pretty much it. You got drunk and passed out, nothing major." Kurama tried to act nonchalant about the whole ordeal, hoping that Hiei wouldn't notice his discomfort.

"Hnnn," the unasyllable had more pain than annoyance behind it and Kurama couldn't help but grin.

"You should know better than to drink so much," Kurama berated good-naturedly.

"Oh, and I suppose you didn't have a hand in this at all? From what I can remember, you were the one pouring the drinks." Hiei rubbed his temples, willing the pain to go away.

"You're a big boy Hiei; you know when to say when it is enough." That little comeback earned Kurama the infamous death glare. Kurama just chuckled and began packing.

"What are you doing? We are far from catching Fortinbras." Hiei was slowly removing himself from the bed, as if he was afraid that moving faster would make the pain worse.

"We are leaving today. Didn't Yusuke tell you that we're taking Keket and Dante to Genkai's?"

"Obviously not." Hiei stumbled to the bathroom and gently shut the door. Kurama couldn't help but laugh at the poor youkai. The sound of flushing and the sink running caused Kurama to compose himself. Hiei came out of the bathroom about the same time Yusuke came bounding the room with a silly grin on his face, soon followed by a blushing Keket.

"Urameshi, I swear, was all that necessary?" Keket's face got even redder if possible.

"Don't you people knock." Hiei's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Why are we whispering?" Keket whispered to Kurama.

"Hiei has a hangover." Kurama didn't bother to humor the youkai by lowering his voice. Keket really tried, but the longer she looked at Hiei, the harder it was hold back her laughter. It suddenly burst forth and Kurama and Yusuke couldn't help but laugh along with her. Kurama supposed that was just the charm of the Feys…their amusement became everyone else's. Hiei glared at her and her face softened as a lover's would. Damn her for being so beautiful.

"Sorry, Hiei, but I couldn't help myself." She gave him a peck on the cheek and his scowl deepened.

"Don't do that," Hiei growled as he wiped his cheek.

"I think you're a little old to be worried about koodies, Hiei," Yusuke teased.

"What are koodies?" Hiei and Keket asked in unison.

"It's a ningen term used among children that refers to an imaginary disease that can be passed along by the opposite sex." Kurama explains in his best authorative voice.

"Um…yeah…okay." Keket sounded as if that didn't clear up much of anything.

"The first part of a ningen's life is spent avoiding the opposite sex due to the belief that they are disgusting." Hiei and Keket looked at each other and shrugged.

"Whatever you say sensei," Hiei mumbled sarcastically.

"Bionne-falas bi aicheanta, bi iad gun." (Human beings are strange, are they not.) Keket says to

Hiei in her native demon tongue, not wanting to offend anyone.

"Sibh seilbhich cha brath." (You have no idea.) Hiei responded. Kurama shivered. That just sounded so…sexy.

"Hey, that's not fair! We can't understand you," Yusuke pouts.

"Faic na me mosach." (See what I mean.) Keket giggled at Hiei's response to Yusuke.

"I'm sure they don't want to offend your human sensibilities, Yusuke." Kurama said softly.

"Why, what are they saying? Hey someone fill me in here." Yusuke looks around at the bemused

faces around him.

"It's nothing to concern yourself with." Kurama's eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Man, I'm going to learn how to speak demon," Yusuke pouted.

"Which tongue?" Hiei snorted.

"What do you mean?"

"Well the tongue Hiei and I were using was the Southern tongue. I'm wagering that Kurama's native language is the Western tongue. Hiei probably speaks pidgen fluently. Then there are the Northern and Eastern tongue as well as some lesser dialects." Yusuke sweat dropped as he listened to Keket's explanation.

"How is it that you know Japanese so fluently?" Yusuke asked.

"Demons interact with ningens more often than you realize. It is to our benefit that we learn all

we can about humans." Keket had a twinge of sadness in her voice.

"There you guys are, we were wondering where you two went after that little stunt you pulled." Kuwabara muttered as he and Dante walked through the door.

"Sorry guys, but you have to admit it was good. It's starting to get the results I was looking for." Yusuke grinned mischievously.

"What are you idiots talking about?" Hiei growled.

"Nothing to worry about Hiei, just trying to find out certain things." Yusuke's grin widened, if that was even possible.

"Dante! Where are you lover boy?!" A crowd of females called out.

"Yusuke, you didn't," Kurama scolded.

"Oh yes he did," Keket practically growled.

"Help me…please," Dante begged Kurama.

"Unh." Hiei whimpered while massaging his temples as the crowd of screaming females came closer. Kurama shook his head at the entire display.

"I have no idea how to deal with this. If I did, I wouldn't go through it everyday," Kurama

commented.

"Yeah, you should watch this guy leave school. Almost every girl in the city is there yelling:

`Shuichi, we love you!' It's hilarious." Yusuke laughed and Dante groaned.

"It's disturbing," Hiei muttered. " I would just send them to hell."

"Hiei! I can't do that, it's illegal!" Kurama's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Please, since when did that stop you? You only put up with it to feed that youko ego of yours." Kurama thought for a moment and realized that Hiei did have a point.

"I think he went down here girls!" One female called out, followed by the rumbling of running feet down the hallway…coming closer to them.

"Fine, if you won't help me, I'll help myself." Dante approached Keket and pulled her into his embrace. Keket's eyes widened a moment before he captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. The jaws of the Reikai Tantei dropped in shock. The stampede of women stopped in time to see Dante bury one hand in Keket's hair as the other pulled her body closer. The viewers all whined in unison as they sulked back down the hall.

"Let me guess, this is the result you were looking for," Hiei observed.

"Oh yeah." Yusuke beamed.

"Do you think they will come up for air anytime soon?" Kuwabara asked.

"They do look rather caught up with each other don't they?" Kurama smirked much like the fox he used to be.

"Your whiskers are showing, fox." Hiei stated sarcastically.

"Should we stop them?" Kuwabara asked.

"Nah, they look like they are enjoying one another." Kurama chuckled.

"I wasn't aware that you were a voyeur, Kurama." The kitsune blushed at Hiei's comment.

"Well, I hate to keep anyone from getting their jollies, but we need to leave sometime before

nightfall." Yusuke tilted his head wondering how to separate the two.

"Hey guys, Hiei's in a tutu," Kuwabara shouted. The two jerked apart and turned to see Kurama and Yusuke holding back a cursing and kicking Hiei as Kurabara ran to the corner laughing.

"Drats, that was one sight I was really hoping to see." Keket's sarcasm earned her a growl from Hiei. Keket looked briefly over at Dante and they both blushed.

"Sorry," Dante muttered softly.

"Okay guys, let's go." Yusuke said and they all finish preparing themselves.

*********

"I'm sure that it's not as impressive as the palace in the Dione Sidhe, but you'll be safe here." Genkai stated as she led her new boarders around her temple.

"Boy you can say that again, Grandma," Yusuke muttered under his breath.

"Shut up, you dimwit. I hardly care what you think." Genkai continued the tour as she lit up cigarette.

"I've never been above ground before." Keket muttered in amazement as she looked around.

"Well, you're missing out on a lot." Yusuke smiled.

"Why don't you show them around then." Genkai took a long drag off her cigarette.

"They could have dinner at my house. I'm sure `Kaasan would love the company." Kurama offered.

"Great idea Kurama. We'll stop by the market and get some food, that way she won't have to

worry about whether she has enough for all of us. Hell, we can even help her cook it." Yusuke suggested.

"So long as you're not the one cooking, Urameshi. I've ate your cooking before and it was horrible." Kuwabara made an awful face as he remembered that culinary catastrophe.

"I suppose Home Ec. isn't for everyone." Yusuke scratched his head as he chuckled.

"I'd rather not think about that." Kurama said under his breath.

"I'm glad I'm not going to be there for this." Hiei replied.

"And who said you can worm your way out of this?" Kurama arched an eyebrow.

"You have got to be kidding me. You really didn't expect me to participate in this nonsense did you?" The look in Kurama's eyes told Hiei the answer…the one he didn't want. "Forget it, kitsune, I refuse."

********

Hiei's scowl deepened as Shiori patted him on the head…again. They had practically dragged him along, not to mention they dressed him in these stupid ningen clothes. At least he wasn't suffering that fate alone. Dante looked just as uncomfortable in his clothes as Hiei did. What had they called those pants again? Ah, yes, blue jeans. And they referred to the stupid red shirt as a hoodie sweatshirt. What the hell? At least it was better than that blue "polo" shirt they had put Dante in. At least Keket liked her outfit. Hiei and Dante didn't particularly care for it, but the ningens had insisted. The purple sweater was too low cut, the black skirt was too short and too tight, and then they put her in fishnets and black knee boots. It was indecent to say the least, but even Shiori had commented that the outfit looked nice on her. Then, there was another problem…

"Keket, so are you and my son seeing each other?" Keket almost choked on her tea as she looked at Kurama in panic.

"No mother, she's seeing Dante. They are betrothed." Kurama explained quickly, much to the relief of the Fey princess. Dante, however, looked like he was going to pass out.

"How nice. So dear, Keket is an interesting name. What does it mean?" Shiori laid some sushi on

the table.

"Maiden of darkness, morbid isn't it." Keket smiles charmingly, clearly having Kurama's mother wrapped around her finger.

"It is different. So, are you from around here, or here visiting?" The timer on the oven goes off

and Shiori rushes over to remove it's contents.

"Visiting. I'm staying with my and Yusuke's grandmother. I try to visit as often as I can, especially since I am to be married." Keket said smoothly, like they had practiced.

"Well that's very nice of you dear. So Hiei, how have you been? I see you are as cute as ever." Shiori gave him a little peck on the cheek.

"Fine." Hiei scowled as he wiped the lipstick off his cheek.

"I'm glad you could join us. You are such a good friend to Shuichi. I see you and him together all the time." Shiori beamed and looked at her son. Kurama gave her a gentle smile and she winked. "Well, dinner's ready, let's eat."

*********

"Thank you for the wonderful dinner. I can't remember the last time I ate so much." Dante said as he gave Shiori a polite bow.

"Anytime. I hope you guys come back soon. It's been a long time since I had the chance to make a large dinner like that. Have a nice evening." Keket, Dante, Kuwabara, and Yusuke waved their goodbyes and walked to Genkai's. Shiori turned and went inside when the foursome could no longer be seen.

"I'm glad to see you stayed Hiei. I have something special for you." Hiei looked up from his crossed arms as soon as he heard Shiori's voice.

"Hn." Shiori went to the freezer and got out a gallon tub of cherry vanilla ice cream.

"Shuichi wasn't sure what kind of dessert you would like, so I went out and got some ice cream." She scooped out a bowl full and sat it in front of Hiei. He brought it close to his face and studied it closely. He could feel the cold sensation that radiated from the substance.

"It's cold." Hiei said as he looked at Kurama for explanation. Kurama smiled warmly at Hiei, a gesture not lost on his mother.

"It's like sweet, flavored snow. Go ahead and try it…it's really good." Kurama stuck his spoon into Hiei's bowl and scooped out some of the ice cream and ate it. "See, it's good." Kurama winked. Hiei supposed some things never change.

Hiei cautiously filled his spoon with the cold substance and looked at it closely before putting it in his mouth. His other hand came up and covered his mouth as his eyes widened. Kurama thought that maybe ice cream wasn't such a good idea before he heard it…the moan of ecstasy. Kurama looked over at Hiei, whose eyes were now closed with a look of complete and utter bliss crossed his features. Kurama looked over at his mother who smiled broadly as she watched Hiei with a maternal look on her face.

"So, I'm taking it that this is the first time you have ever had ice cream." Hiei nodded as he kept shoveling the cold, sugary substance into his mouth.

"Hiei, you might want to slow down…" Kurama started to warn him about…

"AHHH!!!" Hiei held his head as the pain of cold hit his brain. "Is this some strange way to kill me or something?" Oh, Hiei was not a happy camper.

"Brain freeze. Don't worry, it will go away momentarily. I tried to warn you not to eat it so fast. Something that good has to come with a price." Kurama grinned at the scowling youkai as Shiori

watched quietly. Why hadn't she seen this before?

"Well, I have to go. Arigato for dinner, Minamino-san. Bye." Hiei headed for the door quickly.

"Hiei, I'll see you out." Kurama rushed behind him. Hiei was sitting in the foyer putting on his tennis shoes when Kurama found him.

"Thanks for the food fox." Hiei stood.

"Where will you be staying?" Kurama knew that Hiei probably wouldn't attempt to go back to the Makai while still on probation…at least not without Koenma's permission.

"I will probably be around. I have to look for something." It was just like Hiei to be cryptic.

"Very well then. I'll leave my window unlocked in case you need a place to stay. Be careful Hiei." Kurama watched as the little youkai nodded and walked out the door.

"So, when were you planning on telling your mother that you're in love." Kurama jerked around to see his mother leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and a grin on her face.

"Mother, I have no idea what you are talking about." Kurama started to break out in a cold sweat. If his mother found out what he felt about Hiei, she would disown him.

"Please, Shuichi, give your mother more credit than that. I know you, and you are smitten…with Hiei. Am I right?" Kurama gulped and had a look of panic on his face.

"B-but Mother, Hiei is a male…" Kurama didn't want his human mother to be ashamed of him.

"I realize that baby. I also realize that it wouldn't matter to you if he were a boy or a girl, just so long as it was Hiei. I can see it in the way you look at him, the way you talk to him, and how open you are with him. You have been so much happier since you two having been spending more time together. I can tell that you are disappointed that he didn't stay." Kurama worked his mouth, but words refused to come out. His chin started to tremble as he fought the urge to cry. The past few days had been hell for him and this was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

"Shuichi, honey…don't cry baby. Why are you crying sweetheart?" Shiori pulled her son into her embrace and they collapsed on the floor as Kurama cried his eyes out. It was so much, too much for one person to handle. He cursed these human emotions that made him feel so unbalanced, realizing that the youko no longer had control at this moment, so he sobbed harder.

"Is it…you hate…I can't help it…" Shiori held him closer as her son mumbled nonsense through his tears. "I'm sorry." He finally managed.

"Whatever for dear?" Kurama's hold tightened on his mother.

"About Hiei, I know that it's looked down upon, but I can't help it." Shiori stroked his hair.

"Why are you sorry about that. Love is love, no matter the gender, race, or creed. You can no more stop love than you can stop your heart from beating. Although I'm not sure how I'll get grandchildren out of this, but we'll figure out something." Shiori started to gently rock her son as he continued to cry.

"He doesn't know." Kurama said softly.

"I see. Why?"

"I'm sure that he doesn't feel the same. I would rather keep him as a friend than not have him at all." Kurama finally looked up at his mother and she wiped the tears from his eyes.

"I think you underestimate him baby. He is a lonely soul, his eyes are so full of pain. But when you do things for him, like with the ice cream, his eyes light up and the pain dulls. I don't think he understands love like you do. The way he speaks of his life, he has never known love, but you offer it to him unconditionally. Shu-chan, he admires you, perhaps is even slightly jealous and that would make him feel inferior. Maybe he thinks that friendship is all he could have with you. It's obvious he has no self-esteem. Come on baby, I'll make you some hot chocolate while you go put on some pajamas. You need some rest, you've had a long day." Shiori helped Kurama out of the floor as he sniffed and blinked back his remaining tears. He never hated being human as much as he did at that moment. How did they survive this long? This tendency to break down when under stress was not conducive to survival, at least in his opinion. This was the first time that the youko completely lost control to Shuichi and Kurama was not thrilled about it to say the least.

**********

"Do either of you have a plan?" The white youko asked.

"No, I've never planned a plot for revenge before…have you?" The red youko looked over at the black youko.

"Can't say that I have. We do have to admit something though, this was usually Kurama's specialty." The black youko growled.

"Surely we wasn't completely dependant on that son of a bitch were we?" The red youko interjected.

"I think that we were, and that makes me hate him even more." The white youko slashed through the brush as they continued on their journey.

"What could that snake possibly gain from Kurama's death?" The red one was always the curious one.

"Who knows, who cares. All that matters is that he pays, pays for what he has done to me." The black one growled.

"To you, you mean to all of us. You wasn't the only one who has suffered you know." The white one growled.

"Hold on a moment you two. I though a spiritual hunter killed that bastard about fifteen years ago." So the curiosity had served the red one well it seemed.

"You're right, but that thing swore that Kurama still lives, and in the Ningenkai to beat all. Surely it won't be that hard to find a silver youko among a bunch of ningens. The tail would be a dead give away." Leave it to the black one to find logic in the illogical.

"All we have to do is find this "school" and we are supposed to find Kurama. If he isn't there, he is usually with a human boy named Urameshi. I've heard things about that kid." The white said with a shiver.

"Yes Toguro mentioned it in passing the other day. Did you know he is working for a human by the name of Tarukane. The human has caught himself an ice maiden and is making a fortune off her tear gems." The black one explained.

"Damn humans. I don't particularly care for Koorime, especially when it happens to be a certain male Koorime, but it's still a human using a demon for their own personal gain." The red one snorted.

"I wonder if the Reikai is informed on this little bit of information." The white one said absently.

"It could cause quite an uproar between the Ningenkai and the Makai." The black one pointed out.

"Not our problem." The other two agreed with the red one. The were close to the gate of the Ningenkai and closer to Kurama.

********

Someone was following him, but he didn't have time to worry about that. He was going to be late…again. And then Keiko would hit him…again. It was sad really. The leader of the Urameshi team, one of the most successful Reikai Tantei groups under Koenma afraid of a human girl. Unfortunately, Yusuke had no choice but to stop as a figure jumped right in front of him.

"Hiei, I really don't have time for this today, I'm late as it is." Yusuke started to walk right past him, but Hiei slammed something right in his gut.

"It's from Koenma. You are to watch it, it's a new assignment. Kurama and I will not be assisting you with this one. We have other things to do. No one but you and the idiot are allowed to see this. Do I make myself clear?" Yusuke looked down at the tape and nodded.

"Since when were you a messenger for Koenma?" Hiei growled.

"This is my punishment for stealing the artifacts. I have you to thank for this Urameshi. And let me tell you that I am not happy with this situation." Hiei said no more as he flitted off to who knows where.

"Wait a minute. We already have a case!" But Yusuke's words were heard by no one. The life of a Reikai Tantei was not an easy one.

********

"Does Hiei know?" Kurama asked as he walked through the door.

"The Ningenkai and the Makai is still in one piece. What do you think?" Koenma replies.

"Don't you think he has a right to know? This is his sister we are talking about here." Kurama replies.

"Exactly my point. It is better that he is not involved because he'll kill everyone and anything that got in his way. He is on probation and my word is law. I know that if he went, my orders would go unheeded and I'm sure that he would not be happy with the consequences." Koenma leaned back in his chair. "I'm counting on you to keep tabs on him. If he kills one person, you will share his punishment." Kurama sweat dropped.

"This is wrong! Yukina is the reason that Hiei has that Jagan, and you know that he at least deserves to help get her to safety." Kurama scolds the young god of the dead.

"He cannot know of this. You are in no position to order me around Kurama. You are in the same boat as Hiei, and I'm sure that your mother would not understand her son and his soul spending an eternity in exile." Koenma actually had the nerve to threaten him.

"You can be a real bastard sometimes, Koenma. But do not forget whom you are talking to. Do not underestimate either Hiei or myself. Believe it or not, we do not fear your threats. If you hurt my mother in anyway, Hell will be more pleasant than my wrath." Kurama turns and walks out of Koenma's office while Koenma cowers in his chair.

"I swear, those youkos have no respect whatsoever."

********

"So I take it that you are going." Keket says as pets the squirrel on her lap.

"She is my sister. I've failed in keeping her safe, the least I can do is rescue her." Hiei sighed. Did this madness ever end? Could he never have peace in his life?

"But I thought you couldn't tell her…"

"I can't." Hiei interrupted. "I wouldn't even if I had not promised. She doesn't need to know that her brother is a murderer." Hiei hopped down from the tree they had taken temporary residence in. Keket sat the sleeping woodland creature on a wide branch before she hopped down herself.

"Did you want my help?" Keket offered as they walked back toward the temple.

"You would only be in danger if you were to come." Hiei plucked a branch of a bush and preceded to divest it of its leaves.

"But you might need help." Keket insisted. "Besides, I'm bored. Dante will barely let me breathe without him being there. I can sneak out now, he's asleep. Genkai wore him out." Keket couldn't help but giggle at Dante attempting to train with Genkai.

"Fine, but stay out of trouble. If there is danger, you leave. Got it?" Hiei gave her a look that left no room for argument.

"Hai Hiei-sama." She winked at him and he rolled his eyes. They left the temple, next stop Tarukane mansion.

********

"It looks like Yusuke has already gotten here." Hiei muttered as they walked across all the dead bodies on the ground.

"What was your first guess?" Keket snarled her nose at the mess.

"Think you can get us inside?" Hiei asked and Keket smirked.

"Can chimeras fly?" Keket walked up to the gates and waved into the security camera. "Humans are so entertaining." She stood back from the large metal walls. "You may want to stand back some Hiei dear." Hiei didn't need to be told twice. He had only seen her do this once, and he was glad he wasn't on the receiving end. Summoning was dangerous for both the summoner and the victim of the attack. In order to summon a spirit beast, one had to offer a part of their rei-ki as bait. If the person was not well versed in this art, the spirit beast could destroy the summoner as well as its target. Not to mention the beast one can summon chooses who can summon it, not the other way around as many believe.

`Here it goes,' Hiei thought to himself as he watched Keket. Red and white flames surrounded her body (white flames do burn the hottest). A loud, thundering screech of a bird was heard as the apparition appeared in a fiery blast behind her. The large, flaming phoenix reared its head and let out another screech before it spread its wings in time with Keket's spreading arms. It looked like Hell was coming for its chosen, fire and brimstone coming forward to create Hell on Earth. She directed the bird toward the gates that blocked their path. The sound of metal twisting and bending before boiling filled the surrounding forest. When the sound ended, the phoenix seemed to bow its head to Keket before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

"We're in," she said calmly as she walked passed the still steaming molten metal of the gates. Hiei shook his head and walked on past her, looking for some sign of his sister. After catching sight of the wards hanging on a window in the far tower, Hiei flitted away, leaving Keket standing there.

"Yeah, I can wait here, no problem." Keket muttered as she crossed her arms and waited.

********

"You should have told her." Kurama appeared in the corner.

"How much did you hear?" Hiei glanced at Kurama who was sporting a smirk. "Enough right." Hiei joined in with a smirk of his own.

"She does have a right to know." Kurama approached the youkai.

"A right to know what I am? I think not. It is better as it is." Hiei and Kurama walked out and found Keket laying on the ground, watching the clouds.

"Are we ready?" She asked as she stood. The two nodded. "Well that's good. At least I got some excitement." The three walked back without Yusuke and Kuwabara who had pressing business with Koenma.

Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Toguro stirred. He and his brother left the mansion to find three very tired youkos.

"You just missed him. Better luck next time." Toguro said as he left to go Inari knows where.

*********

That's it for this one kids. I tried to make this one long, but interesting. I think I failed, but I tried. Please read and review.

Kurama: I look like a pussy.

Yusuke: Such language.

Hiei: No, he's right. He looks like a pussy.

Kurama: Thanks Hiei, I appreciate that.

Hiei: My pleasure. At least you didn't have to suffer a hangover.

Kurama: I suffered more than anyone in this chapter. How fair is that?

Hiei: Stop your whining. It doesn't become you.

Kurama: I see how it goes. You should kill him in the next chapter.

siren: Sorry, can't do that. The fans would hunt me down and kill me, and you would still look like a bad guy.

Laters.