Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Kirinashi ❯ Blood Calls to Blood ( Chapter 2 )

"Hiei," Kurama called up to the Koorime flitting ahead of him. "Have you any idea of where to find this shape-shifter?"

The speedy fire demon slowed down for his benefit, letting the breathless redhead come up beside him. "I have an idea." He conceded shortly. "Mukuro's been grumbling about some mischief making or other on her borders." He lifted one shoulder and let it drop. "I think it's this shape-shifter Botan was babbling about."

Kurama gave him a feral grin. "It's perfect… the forests surrounding Mukuro's borders are just my style."

One corner of Hiei's mouth flicked up as Kurama let out a low, wicked chuckle. "You're crazy, fox." He commented before taking off again, flitting from tree to tree, a dark, barely visible blur. Kurama sighed and set out after him. Sometimes Hiei was a mystery that even he could not decipher. He knew much about his past, knew the pain and sorrow the Jaganshi had suffered, all the measures he'd gone to so that his sister might be safe. Yukina was the one person Hiei cared most about, if only the gentle girl knew that he was her brother… They were twins, the two, although Hiei's father had been a fire demon- that was a forbidden pairing for the Koorime. They had no need of men to reproduce, and it had been solely their mother's choice. And yet as a child Hiei had been thrown from Ice Mountain, left in the world to fend for himself, a mere week old. From that point a lot of the youkai's history was unknown to Kurama- all he'd been told was that some person had taken him and used him to their own benefit. It was needless to say that Hiei's well-being had not been taken into consideration.

Kurama remembered a time that seemed long ago when he himself could have been so cruel and heartless. Oh yes, Youko Kurama had been well known not only for his numerous lovers and skills as a thief, but also for his ability to be a cold, calculating killer. He would become especially vengeful if one of his possessions were taken from him- thus was revealed to an even fuller extent the part of him that was kitsune. His memory of that time was not complete, but to look back at what he did remember… Kurama shuddered and drew away from those recollections. At least he could fondly remember the feeling of complete and innate freedom coursing through his veins like wild-fire.

The smile that had drifted onto Kurama's face faded. Perhaps he had been too free, gotten too caught up in that sense of carelessness. He tried to shake himself out of the reverie that had taken him, but a strange sense of something lost lingered over him as he slipped through the Makai forest that reminded him so much of the home he had lost. Kurama sighed and sent his you-ki out, questing for some strange energy signature. And then it occurred to him.

"Hiei," he again called out, waiting for the slightly exasperated fire demon to once again slow and accommodate his pace. "How will we know its you-ki? If this creature is a shape-shifter, that also means it can change to the forms of plants and trees, and can easily disguise its energy levels so that they match those of the flora surrounding it."

"Hn," came the surprised grunt. "I suppose you're right. I guess we'll just have to lure him out."

He turned to continue on their way. "Hiei," Kurama said softly, grabbing the small youkai's arm to halt him. "Mai kaonajimi… why did you say `he'?"

"Watashi…I think I know him." He said reluctantly, tugging his arm free and shifting uncomfortably.

"I see," he said, realizing it was something the Koorime did not wish to discuss. "If you find you want to talk about it… well, I'm here."

Hiei took a step back, eyes widening in surprise, then nodded his understanding and took off, this time completely disappearing. Kurama sighed and shook his head. If ever there was a thing that unbalanced Hiei, it was usually something emotional, close to his heart or past. It frightened him to confront such feelings, he knew- the Jaganshi had built walls against anyone or anything that tried to get close to him. There were only a few hair-line flaws in that fortress of ice, but the stoic little youkai would never admit such a thing. He feared to place trust in anyone… he'd been betrayed and rejected too many times. That was part of the reason why he was always so shocked when Kurama reached out to him.

The redhead picked up his pace, now sending his you-ki out among the plants and trees, steadily searching for the slightest inconsistency. It could be anything… one misstep and they could both be dead. He gave a mental shrug and drifted back into thoughts of Hiei and his dark past. Such a riddle was the small Koorime… sometimes it seemed like he wanted to be unraveled, and sometimes like he never wanted to be touched by another soul. He knew, however, that the compact fire demon had a larger capacity to love than any would ever guess- that was yet another reason he tried not to let anyone get too close to him.

Kurama continued his headlong dash through the Makai forest, still attempting to understand Hiei's most recent reactions. There was certainly something wrong, but the slender redhead couldn't seem put his finger on it. He'd just started to have this niggling at the edge of his awareness, like he knew, like there was some clue that would unlock everything. So he sent his mind questing after that stray wisp-then he froze.

"Oh, nicely sensed," a melodic voice commented. "I'm surprised- it's been a long time since anyone could unlock my codes of camouflage."

Kurama spun around to face the spot where a Lithalia blossom had been `growing'. Well, it certainly wasn't a plant any more. His emerald eyes followed the white hem of a dress up, and his breath caught in his throat. Long, silvery white hair tumbled down to her waist in graceful, shimmering waves, and framed a face of such beauty as Kurama had not laid eyes on in all his years. He felt Hiei land silently behind him, saw the deep azure eyes of this seeming apparition shift to take in the youkai.

"Hiei," she greeted him. "It's been a long time, hasn't it? Why, the last time I saw you, your hair was grown out long, like your pretty friend here."

He heard the diminutive fire demon growl and step protectively up beside him. "How do you know who I am?" he snapped at her. Deep inside, though, he feared he knew exactly how.

"Why, don't you remember?" the voice shifted and contorted into a deep baritone not so different from Hiei's own, followed closely by the change of her- no, his face and form. The long silvery hair gradually faded into a raven black, and sharply pointed ears emerged from the thick mass. The once beautiful azure eyes blinked to reveal orbs of startlingly deep amber shot with gold that had cat-like slits for pupils. The form now completely cloaked in black was still breath-taking… any normal person would be reduced to a shivering pile of uselessness, cowering in fear and awe.

Kurama looked down at the strange sound that issued from Hiei's throat. The little fire demon took a step forward, ruby eyes widening in shock, and reached a hand towards the katana at his side. "Ekitai," he hissed, lips curving into a snarl. A chill wind whistled through the small clearing and Hiei's hair began to snake around, slowly separating into two forks as the Jagan glowed through the band on his forehead and his skin started changing colors.

It shocked Kurama to the core of his being to see his friend react in such a way to anything, his rage so instantly potent that it crackled like lightning in the air around them. He also knew that anger wasn't the only thing to it. There was a horrified recognition in the small Koorime's eyes as he slipped into the stance of a water-dancer, an expression he'd never before seen on his face. Hiei looked as if he knew he was facing death in the next instant, and it frightened, disgusted, and angered him. Kurama knew without a second thought that this was one of the unspoken of figures in the youkai's past.

A low, discordant laugh drew his attention back to the shape-shifter standing before them.

"It looks like you do remember, koibito." Ekitai purred, his tone heavily laden with amusement and attempted seduction. Hiei took a threatening, barely restrained step forward.

"Never, never call me that again." The little fire demon whispered in torment.

"What, so shy in front of your friend?" The tall shape-shifter taunted.

"Watashi daikirai maro!" Hiei screamed, launching his compact body at the other with such a blinding speed and rage that Kurama was forced back a step. He saw only the brief flash of light as katana left sheath before his friend went hurtling into Ekitai. Or so he would have, had the tall figure not stepped gracefully to the side. Hiei whirled around and charged again, moving faster than the human eye could ever see.

"Kieuseru!" he yelled in frustration, growing ever more frantic as the slender form easily shifted stance to avoid his flashing blade. Ekitai smirked, taking no notice of the black whirlwind that surrounded him.

"Fiery, isn't he? I've always loved that about him. A very… attractive quality, wouldn't you say?" He said, addressing Kurama. "But now, I think…" the metallic eyes narrowed and his hand shot out, wrapping itself cleanly around Hiei's neck. He used his free hand to shake a reprimanding finger at the struggling youkai.

"Ah, ah, bishounen. Shouldn't you know better, chicchai hitotsu? I taught you much more than that, surely!"

"Get your filthy hands off of me you ugly sai ato--!" he was cut off as a fist was slammed brutally into his face.

"Let him go!" Kurama cried, lunging forward to reinforce his demand. He was stopped in his tracks by a finger flicked in his direction. He struggled fiercely, but the ward stubbornly allowed no movement. His emerald eyes snapped in rage and he tried to call up the plants around him, but realization came too late and pain lanced through his head, leaving a white, agonized slash across his field of vision. Sealed… His you-ki was completely and totally sealed inside him. A low, menacing growl issued from deep in his throat- what right did the bastard have?!

"Kisama!" he spat venomously, straining towards the shifuto. "Release me!"

"Of course, pretty one," the amber eyes narrowed. "Right now my business is with Hiei, but don't you worry." His laugh was low and wicked, echoing through the clearing as he faded from sight, taking a struggling Hiei with him. Leaves drifted through the empty clearing, leaving only a whisper in their lonely wake.

"I'll be back for you."

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