Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Goodbye, Lady Luck ❯ Money Where the Mouth Is ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: See second chapter.

Warning: Do I really hafta repeat myself. *whines* Ah well, this fic will have plenty of yaoi yumminess and will be based on mature themes. So if you're under fifteen you probably shouldn't read this.

For those of you still with me, congratulations. I hope you enjoy this.

AN: "Why should I bother so much with physical abuse when damaging them psychologically is so much more permanent?"

Heh, anyway, I just want to say that I will be cutting back on some of the humor because, frankly, what I have in mind is not that funny.

Happy Halloween and now for the treat…

Chapter Three: Money Where the Mouth Is

After a few minutes of silent consideration, Kurama had reached a conclusion.

And he did not like it.

The kitsune was caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, staying in the same place with an unconscious human covered in blood was just asking for trouble. Might as well shoot a flare in the sky and hang up a neon sign that advertised fresh meat. But on the other, traveling any distance meant reopening Yusuke's wound and then he would die for sure anyway. For the fox, the latter was not an option, and neither was abandoning the helpless detective to the wilds of the 'demonically-infested' island. Hah, funny thing was, he hadn't detected a single sign of sentient life that posed even the faintest threat. His gaze settled wryly on the human's semi-prone form. The native fauna, however, was another matter.

Kurama blamed himself. It was really his fault that Yusuke had managed to almost trip over the thing before he could warn him. Having noticed the creature's token warning posture, he prudently gave it a wide berth and expected Yusuke to follow his example and avoid it as well. Obviously the boy had never seen a porcupine and thought of the taut mound of spikes as an immensely fascinating carcass that deserved a good poke with a stick. For the sake of his nerves, Kurama's mind chose to skip over the rest of the ensuing encounter. The brief scuffle dwindled down to a flurry of flashing energy and slashing blades and the end result was too depressing to dwell over. No, better not think about how he had almost lost one whom he had secretly pledged his loyalty, life…his love, all because of oversized swamp vermin. Best to ignore for the moment how his current object of affection was limply resting against a crumbling piece of wood and how his limbs splayed weakly out before him.

So much for not thinking.

'Oh gods!' Kurama's hands dug their fingers into his scalp. He sat there for a moment and let the soothing relief wash through him like a warm waterfall, rinsing away the tension to spill over and soak into the ground where he hoped it would stay. After a time, his grip loosened with a sigh and he allowed his back to thump against the fallen log that supported both Yusuke and himself.

Turning to his sleeping companion, he smiled at his soft features. Tousled black hair clung desperately to it former slick hairstyle, but parts of it still hung loosely over his eyes, casting a shadow over the boy's cheeks and emphasizing his long lashes. In places not smeared with blood or dirt, his tanned skin looked smooth and new, shining with the freshness of youth's vitality, its innocence.

Entranced, Kurama's hand reached up and touched Yusuke's jaw next to his ear before trailing down to lightly thumb his chin. Such startling contrasts between consciousness and slumber. He found it strangely invigorating. How could someone could be so boisterous and strong-willed one moment, but a peaceful lamb the next?

Then again, how could an exotic, manipulative fox spirit be transformed into a pining, whimsical teenager in a matter of months? What kind of fortune allowed him to find two people that he loved so much it hurt--only to have one of them belong to someone else? Kurama dropped his hand. He really shouldn't be complaining. After all, he had Hiei. A relationship that he wouldn't trade for the world. They had been lovers for a very long time and he treasured their intimate friendship more than anything, but the fox was accustomed to getting everything he wanted. Everything.

However, he already owed Yusuke too much to put his own desires first.

'The only thing keeping girls from falling all over him is his reputation, ridiculous as it is. Keiko is a lucky girl, to have won such a prize. Too bad she cannot see that for Yusuke's sake. He deserves much better.'

'Someone like you?' Ah, ye heralds the Youko. Kurama was familiar to conversing with the inner voice of the fox spirit even though, in actuality, he was only talking to himself. He and the demon were one and the same, sharing one soul and usually the same mind.

'It would be good for the both of us. He has so much potential for affection and…I fear the girl is ruining him. She is not someone who can understand his ways and appreciate him for what he is. She wants him to devote his life to books, studies, and petty human goals. Yusuke is destined for a much grander future. I can feel it in my heart.'

'So why don't you rescue him, so to speak? Take him for yourself and the Koorime.'

Kurama hesitated. 'He will come to me of his own free will, or not at all. There must be giving on each side.'

'You are serious about this one.' It wasn't a question. The Youko knew his human aspect inside and out.

'Yes, I am. He is too special to treat casually.'

'And you know all about 'casual,' don't you?' Again, not really a question. Kurama felt a flush spread across his face. Soft laughter.

'You have no room to talk! I never would have done any of those things if-'

Kurama's attention was pulled from his private conversation by Yusuke's groan of discomfort. Cursing himself for becoming distracted from his patient, he pushed forward to kneel by the detective's side. The teen was still asleep, but evidently the pain from his injury was enough to reach him in his slumber. His head tossed restlessly from side to side and lips twisted in an unconscious grimace. Time for more medicine.

Lacking in any sort of pestle-mortar equipment, Kurama once again had to use his teeth to grind his painkilling herbs into a sweet paste. He smirked as he remembered that this type of remedy was most effective when taken orally.

Before he could stop himself, he took a deep breath to keep his heart from beating out of his chest, then the fox stilled Yusuke's thrashing head, parted the detectives mouth with a touch to the chin, and leaned forward. Eyes closed as lips engaged for the first time and Kurama forgot everything but the feel of the raven-haired boy's pliant mouth under his. He used his tongue to spread and thrust the painkillers down his friend's throat until all traces were swallowed, helping him by massaging the back of his neck. Kurama wasn't sure when he lost it, he just knew that his entire world suddenly focused on the warm, tantalizing wetness of Yusuke's mouth and he moaned into it, running his tongue over even white teeth and lapping into every crevice. Pure, blissful heaven.

"This is new."

Kurama's eyes shot open and he stared into half-open chocolate pools. 'Shit!'

In his haste to detach himself from that clouded gaze, Kurama stood up too fast and tripped over his own two feet, landing flat on his back in front of a pair of mud-encrusted boots.

"Ommph! Hello, Hiei."

"Hn."

SB*grins evilly* "Doncha just hate me?"

Babymuse* "Do you really want an answer to that?"

SB*"shaddup! Anywho, I'm so proud of myself. I wrote this chapter in only a few days from the last posting." *bows* "Thank you, thank you. Stay tuned for more updates and if anyone sees any mistakes, I'd appreciate it if you would point them out to me."

"Oh and Happy All Hollows Eve…WhOOOOOOO!!"

Babymuse* "Oh please. No more candy for you."