Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Stain ❯ A Touch of Despair ( Chapter 2 )

Title: Stain

Show: Yu Yu Hakusho

Pairing: OC/Kurama, Hiei+Kurama

Author: Green Bird

Disclaimer: I don't own this. You know I don't own this.

Rating: R+ (pushing it, but I still believe that it's R or 16+ material)

Note: Kurama goes looking for his muse in the Makai, but falls prey to another Kitsune (OC) that recognizes him as Youko. After a rather horrific encounter Hiei finds him beaten and soiled, not to mention the fact that there is a mark on him… a mark that will be hard to erase. Three Parter. Small Shounen-ai in this part. The timeline however… I have no idea. This chapter is um… I dunno. Medicinal? Violent? Sweet? Awkward? Squickish? O_o… All wrapped in one, mind.

Stain

Part Two: A Touch of Despair

A blade swung through the air, too quick for average eyes to see and still only a blur to more experienced retinas. A tree groaned as it slid slantways, shorn in half by the speedy swipe. Quickly, the blade fell again in several more hacking motions, flaying the flesh of the wood as if it were a butcher's meat. Soon several smaller and more manageable pieces lay out on the forest's floor.

The katana was hidden in its plain black sheath and the figure that had attacked the plant so mercilessly kneeled down to collect the mutilated firewood in his arms. Even though some might not enjoy the task, the fire demon found that it was as good as any physical training. Carving the enormous trees of the Makai into boards as if they had personally insulted him was slightly entertaining.

The wild things of the forest scattered as he bolted by them, hardly a flash in their vision. The youkai was dangerous to them… not even the predators were dumb enough to challenge him. Although his size advertised possible weakness, the bite of his blade and kick of his fists had taught them to turn tail when he came near. The only creatures not frightened to death were the birds… but then again, he could only jump so high.

Crimson painted the sky as the sun sought to flee from the encroaching night. The youkai landed lightly at his shelter's entrance and walked calmly into it. He had decided on a rock overhanging instead of the boughs of a tree… it only seemed logical if he was staying there for a while. A stand of unusual bamboo shot up directly outside of the overhang, thick and nearly impassible. He had shorn a path inward, giving himself a sort of door. Directly inside and far enough away not to cause an uproar of flame was his small fire pit. He hardly ever used it for anything but cooking what he had managed to dice up in the woods or skewer in the nearby stream. Darkness was no problem for him and this time of the year was hardly ever cold.

The location was almost unusual… he was not perched high up and was in quite the remote spot. The nearest city was a good distance away and while he had spent several days in it, the youkai was not willing to be so near so much trash at once. The wilds suited his current mood better and everything was far more undisturbed.

It was in this hushed mindset the demon found himself when the cry came. It was small at first; a prickling at the back of his slender neck that spread in a chilling wave, but soon it grew into a the nagging feeling one gets of being watched. Then came the pain of the cry itself.

~Help me… somebody…~

Like ice water thrown into his face, the small demon reeled at the explosion inside his head. It was harsh and startling, like the breaking of glass. The surge of power that carried the message was unusual to him, but trademarked by something familiar. That something made the wood clatter onto the stone floor.

Outside, the light had faded to a glow and wide, red eyes darted around in a sudden desperation. Hiei sought out the pulse he had felt… where had it come from? His Jagan flared to life under its cloth, an oval of purple alight through the white. His hand snagged the ward and tore it away, the violet iris glinting as it searched.

There was something tense in the air to the west of him. It drew the most attention from the sharp eye and he turned in response.

That way.

~

Koshokuki was a tangle of oversized and noisy trees ringing a small valley. The presence of it was forbidding and somewhat cryptic. He had but run through it once and the clamor of the plants in it was too much to handle. It was an annoying forest, if ever such a thing existed. Hiei hated that that was where his Jagan lead him.

Without pausing, the dark youkai darted under its thick cover, sprinting over the lower dead branches of the trees that seemed overpowered with vines. His ears shifted as the trees began to speak. Their voices were angry… confused. It was an odd occurrence; these entities normally were welcoming and friendly.

He knew what they were meant to do from the very name of the forest. These voices lured their visitors into some incubus's grasp; the best thing to do was to flee or ignore them. He couldn't afford the latter.

The purple eye shifted his direction, bringing him closer to the edge of the valley. His yoki searched the foreign one out. Only one could be sensed. It was weak, injured… a mutation of what he had felt calling to him… but it wasn't it. Hiei knew what he had felt; Kurama was somewhere in this forest.

Why couldn't he find him?

There was a surge of unusual fear in the small demon. Kurama in Koshokuki, in human form, with tainted power, calling for help and was no longer strong enough to relay any signal…

Hiei jumped down onto the ground, eyes glowing in the blackened expanse. He needed to find his comrade in this darkness before the… lecher… found him. Perhaps for the second time.

Sharp teeth gnashed angrily. The thought that passed through enraged the small demon beyond belief. He would not jump to such conclusions; he needed to simply find the kitsune and get him out of this warped place.

It was his sense of smell that came to aide his mission. Something stabbed at Hiei's small nub of a nose… blood and sweat. He hissed slightly as the breath drifted out; the musk of copulation perfumed the scent as well. Booted feet barely struck the ground as he ran, inhaling in small puffs, following the counter-flow of the air that carried the message. He didn't have to go far.

The first thing he noticed was the pale white of bare skin against the black trunk of a tree. It glowed a milky alabaster under the faint light that the newly risen moon gave off, but upon closer inspection the surface of porcelain, the figure's back, was marred with offending areas of imperfection; lines of brown and red, smudges of purple and black. Scratches. Bruises… The second thing he noticed was that the figure was quite naked.

Kurama's gorgeous red hair was tangled and filled with burrs; it created a messy halo around his head, looking like spilt blood. Sharp green eyes were closed in unconscious sleep and his split mouth was parted as it breathed so shallowly.

Hiei approached slowly, desperate to confirm the body. A soft and normally compassionate face, now beaten and pale, ratified the identity. Red eyes took in the state of the kitsune and his stomach clenched in anger. Almost in that rage, he tore off his cloak and threw it over the soiled figure of his partner.

-You cannot have him. - The tree before him growled through the quiet of the youthful night, its branches moving only slightly. -He is ours. We have marked him. We adore him. He is ours.-

There was a hiss of sound and the katana cut deeply into the trunk of the black-barked tree before disappearing back into its holder with a flash. The fire demon stared at the deep score in the suddenly silent tree and prayed that the monster that owned it felt the cut tenfold. Then, unabashed, he knelt down and collected Kurama's bare form against him, hands cautious to injury, unknowing of broken bone or open wound.

"Then," he snarled, turning away, "you must come and get him."

In his arms, the kitsune gave the slightest groan of protest and the youkai dipped his head as if to make certain that he was still incapacitated. The check confirmed, he set fire to his feet, leaving the forest and his personal vow on the tree.

~

In the dark recesses, two shocking silver eyes floated, watching what its plants had come to tell him: his newly made mate was being carted away. No matter, he couldn't go far. This was almost good for him; when the fox called to the human again, he would be healed and healthy. He hated caring for his victims.

A thin hand pressed to the throat where Kurama's grass blades had buried themselves. Only small marks remained as consequence… though his temple still throbbed from the strike.

-So fiery my love, and so very clever as well. You are quite the worthy prey. - A smile passed Tsurenai's lips when remembering the demon that had taken his mate away. - Some wonderful allies you have. I cannot believe your rescuer is the little Koorime damnation himself. - Silvery laughter shook the leaves of the forest.

- My, my, this just keeps getting better and better!-

~.~.~

The light that crept under his eyelids was soft and, oddly enough, tainted green. Heavy dark eyelashes opened and the room swam. The details were blurred in his retinas and Kurama moved his head and blinked to clear the vision.

There was a shadow covering some of the soft twilight. It was the shape of a man, but smaller, more familiar; Hiei.

"I'm here." It came out a croak, his own.

"You are." The silhouette spoke, moving to cover more of the green twilight.

"You found me?" The light seemed to be too powerful. It was too much to look at.

Hiei moved once more and his shadow became larger. "Yes."

Kurama would say nothing more. He couldn't… Hiei had found him; Hiei had seen the state he was in. He couldn't look at the shadow of his friend who now approached him and turned his face away. Red streams of silk fell away from his shoulder, revealing the curve of his swan-like neck. Then, merely steps before him, he heard Hiei inhale sharply. Kurama understood and his hand flew to his neck and touched the mark upon it.

It was hot and sore, sending a quiver of pain through him. The wound felt wrong to his expert touch… too soft, too moist. Kurama drew his fingers away and stared at them. The fingertips were coated in fluid, both black and red. A smell came to him.

Rotting flesh.

The silhouette of Hiei backed away, ruby eyes staring at the festering sore. For the first time his face became clear. The fire demon almost recoiled, seemingly disgusted at the sight of the mark.

"So it's like that is it?" He frowned, watching the wound.

Frown turned to an angered scowl and Kurama found that he couldn't speak. The mark was rotting away his entire neck… he couldn't breathe.

The Jaganshi spoke in a sudden hiss towards him, not glaring at the rancid wound that ate his skin, but into his widened eyes. "…How revolting."

~.~.~

The fire crackled angrily like a set of human fireworks. Small pockets of moisture in the flesh of the wood burst as they were heated by the flames, popping outward in little geysers that were quickly eaten by the tongues of the fire. Suspended above the angry lashes of red and yellow was the spitted body of a pigeon.

Hiei watched it idly; the cooking meat was beginning to give off an appealing scent. He'd be damned if the birds weren't afraid of him now.

Night had folded around in a thick envelope, but in a few hours the sun would rise and shatter the still void. The orange light of the fire crawled its way across the smooth stone floor, dancing upon it with a quiet ferocity. Hiei would not sleep.

A sound came from the back of the dwelling… a quieted moan. Kurama's. The demon blinked at the still sleeping figure. He lay on a soft make-shift mattress of fronds… the Jaganshi thought it would be better then letting the redhead sleep on his extra clothing; they were coarse and most-likely uncomfortable.

An arm moved slightly under the black cloak that had been draped across his still bare body, coming up to touch his neck. Hiei needed to find some creature to rob clothing from, but he would not leave now when Kurama was in such a weakened state.

The youkai was very aware of the protective stare he was giving and felt himself soften up in it. In the condition that his partner was in; he would have to sacrifice some warmth to the kitsune. Kurama was injured in both body and soul, throwing cold shoulders and hardened glares would not heal him. For once, he would have to serve as the host. The thought was estrange to him, but required. Hiei prodded the fire uninterestingly. The fox had indeed done this for him on occasions before: he must return hospitality. He preferred to return hospitality. A block of wood collapsed into embers; glowing white hot and dangerous. Red eyes thinned in thought.

What was Kurama doing wandering around in the Makai without assistance? Although the kitsune was by no means weak or vulnerable, it was a fool's errand for one that had been removed from an environment for so long to simply reintroduce themselves. He couldn't possibly have been looking for him could he?

Why would Kurama come into the Makai to search him out when he would eventually come to call? What was so important to come looking for him?

Another cry sounded from slightly parted lips and Hiei jerked back to the alert, watching as Kurama's face contorted in a sort of anguish.

The fire demon scowled as he took the spit and bird off the fire. He did not want to consider what Kurama was having nightmares about.

. . .

There was something warm and scented against his face… wet as well. It moved gently over his cheeks and down to his chin, barely brushing his lips. Cooler fingers pulled infringing hair away from his forehead so the warm, moist thing could pass over it as well. It took a moment to figure out that his face was being cleaned.

"Ahhh…" It felt good; the cool air that bit the moist skin soothed him.

"Finally." The voice was softer then he had ever heard it, but still held that characteristic condescending tone. "You sleep quite a lot."

"Hiei…"

"Don't move." The cloth went away and came back on his right hand, lifted by the other's. It passed between his fingers, trying to clean away any dirt or grit that had rubbed it's way onto him. Kurama was very aware that his body had been turned to its side and he lay so that his left shoulder was to the ground. Sleepily, eyes still closed, he shifted only slightly under the thin covering that was draped over him.

Pain shot him like an arrow, tearing down him with a vengeance. Suddenly… everything came into a horrific focus, tearing him out of the almost euphoric state he'd been bathing in.

"I told you not to move." Hiei was working the cloth up his arm, seemingly having previously wrapped the lacerated wrist, careful of the scratches in his flesh. The cloth was moving up his right arm… his right shoulder… to his neck…

Kurama jerked his arm out of the tender grip of Hiei's hand. The pain roared at him for the sudden movement and his face clenched. The redhead drew his arm in protectively… he must not let Hiei go near that mark… he must not see it!

The Jaganshi nodded in silent conversation. "I understand." He withdrew and sat back, Kurama managed to open his eyes a crack and gaze at him. The smaller demon sat cross-legged to his front, bowl of steaming herbal water near his foot and cloth in hand. Hiei looked strangely at him, absolutely calm and… normal.

"But, you're wounded…" he continued, dipping the cloth again. "If you want to clean yourself, I will not help." Kurama blinked, confused. "If you do not want to be touched, then I will not do it for you."

Hiei looked patiently down on him. So, he knew very well what had happened in the forest's bowls. Why did he look so… so… docile? Why didn't he have that same look as the Hiei in his dream?

That's because he hasn't seen it yet. He may know what has happened, but he might not know how bad…

Kurama became aware that Hiei was waiting for him to speak. His arm moved again and in a sort of foolish yet valiant effort, Kurama tried to push himself up. He fell, but his head was caught by a quick, white hand.

"Let me do it." Why such a soft voice? That voice had never been that soft before. Was he still in the dream? "Your energy is too low to aid much in healing; we'll need to resort to the original formula of dress and wrap before you become infected."

Infected… like the putrid, rotting wound on his neck. I am already infected.

"Enough." Hiei had heard it, and suddenly the voice became harder. "Be logical." His hand gripped the cloak that had been used as a blanket to cover him and pulled it partially away.

"Hiei!" Kurama gasped at the sudden exposure.

"Kurama." A warning was there now, and the Jaganshi moved himself up onto his knees, pushing the injured one's shoulder lightly so he could get to his chest. The cloth passed smoothly down the scratched plane of flesh, passing over bite marks on his breast and scores over his stomach in indifference. Kurama groaned in mortification at the fact that some of his seed had dried to his abdomen and hid his face. Hiei didn't seem to notice or care, cleaning him off, dipping the cloth, and then moving to Kurama's sides.

Over the arm he had drawn up to hide himself, the fox watched Hiei's face as he worked. Normally anyone else would have said it lacked any expression at all, but Kurama saw how the corners of the demon's mouth were drawn too tight. It seemed to be a sort of worry.

Suddenly he found that Hiei had turned his head to look at him. Red eyes asked a silent question and he picked up on it in a second. The fire demon's hand was hovering over his hip, right were the cloak had fallen to conveniently cover from the waist down. He had finished with his chest and side.

"Go on." Kurama whispered breathlessly, turning his eyes away to the fronds of his bedding. His right leg moved feebly to give the proper access needed for the coming task… his body throbbed dully in infuriated response.

"Kurama…"

"Do it." The cloak was tossed aside and the fox lay bare on the mat. Hiei sighed at the shame on his companion's face, but went to work.

The fire demon set his jaw as he carefully worked. There were finger's bruised into Kurama's hips, bite marks on his thighs, not to mention what looked like rope burns. The warm and tainted water rolled off the discolored and raw skin and Hiei's found his heart beat suddenly faster at where his clothed hand fell.

Kurama's breath shuttered when he was touched and he screwed his eyes tightly shut. The fire demon's caress was far more feathery on the tender flesh and quickly moved away, uncomfortable. The youkai then picked the cloak up once again and covered him before coming to his feet.

The nervous embarrassment that Kurama had worked up disappeared as his foot was suddenly submerged in the warm and invigorating water and kneaded between two small hands. The torn heel and open wound in the hollow of his ankle were scrutinized over before being gently cleaned.

Hiei carefully wrapped Kurama's ankle in a pale bandage, somewhat like the one covering his dragon. The other foot was addressed with another bandage as well, protecting the torn sole of his foot. The slipper-like shoes that Kurama had worn had been long lost.

The water that swirled in the bowl had become dirtied with the blood and dirt that the cloth had collected. Hiei stood swiftly and looked down at the still hiding fox before him. He frowned, knowing that what he would say would only amplify the discomfort of his new ward.

"I'll be back in a moment to clean your other side."

Hiei stalked quickly away, sneaking out the entrance of the dwelling. The redhead stared after him, not even noticing the place in which he was housed and too frightened to actually care. His other side… no. That was going too far, too intimate. He wouldn't let him.

Pushing slightly with his one free arm Kurama attempted to roll onto his back, but had to muffle a cry as he did. He knew now why the youkai had decided to keep him on his side; the cuts on his back and pain at his tailbone were the worst of his entire collection.

"Stop that." Hiei was back in the doorway, empty bowl in one hand and vial in the other. The low burning fire held a large pot over it, the water mixture turning inside. It was filled in haste and the fire demon walked towards him.

"You don't need to." Kurama stared at him, not threatening, but pleading.

"I do now that you've seen keen on hiding it from me."

"I don't want you to…"

"Can you do it yourself?" Hiei asked the question knowing that the answer was no. Kurama could hardly move his legs and his arms did not have their flexibility back to reach properly.

"Just…" The fox closed his eyes. "Just leave it… you've done enough."

"If it was enough, you would be healed."

Green eyes opened at the statement to find that Hiei had moved, determinedly walking around his mat. Kurama flattened himself on his back and glared at the demon who had kneeled down at his side.

"Move." Hiei looked at him calmly, but it wasn't going to last for long.

"No, I do not want you to do this."

He had expected for the fire demon to get angry, but the look he got had more of an upset feeling to it. The youkai spoke again, a tired frustration in him. "Don't be difficult… and foolish for that matter. It needs to be done."

"Why by you? I am disgraced enough." Kurama frowned, his face was growing hot.

"There is no reason to be disgraced." Hiei dipped the cloth and began to wring it, never looking away from the fox. "All I'm doing is cleaning your injuries."

"And what is going through your head as you do?!" The higher voice broke in distress and Kurama was amazed by it. He snapped his eyes shut and remained a stone on his back, breathing heavily.

-"So dirty… like spoiled meat."-

It was the thought that did it… Hiei had heard it too well. The rag fell to the floor and both of his hands gripped the sides of Kurama's head almost violently. Verdant eyes stared, shocked at the rage-filled face now so near to his own.

"You dare to think I think that! You dare to lower me to such a level?!" The youkai's eyes burned in some nameless indignation, the fire in them sparking and conveying a frightening heat.

"Hiei… I didn't…"

"Turn." It was a command.

"Please Hiei… don't force me…"

"Don't make me force you! I don't wish to do it!" His face was released and his shoulder grabbed instead. Hiei's fingers gripped onto Kurama's shoulder none-to-kindly and wrenched it forward, lifting the fox's body. The redhead gasped as the demon's touch grazed the mark, and he pulled the hand roughly away, trying to roll back.

Hiei's hand caught it and pushed him even further, getting Kurama to lie on his stomach more then his side. "Stop it!" The youkai snapped, not too loud, but sharp enough when the redhead suddenly thrashed to guard himself. "Kurama stop this!"

The fox gasped in a sudden unrecognizable panic and tried to strike Hiei with his free arm only to have it caught in a firm grasp. The demon was obviously trying not to hurt him, but the bruised flesh made Kurama whimper as his hit was prevented. Hiei suddenly pressed his palms down on the fox's shoulder blades, forcing him to lie still.

"Kurama please stop!"

He did.

Hiei sighed as his friend went limp, but scowled when he felt the unmistakable shutter of a sob. It wasn't the start of a crying spell, but a single weeping gasp. The product of exhaustion, pain, and simple misery of being humiliated.

The cloth came back from where he had dropped it, and as carefully possible, the fire demon massaged the bruised and broken flesh free off its caked blood and dirt. Hardly touching the skin, Hiei traced the line of a claw-mark with his fingertip. Kurama shook once again in a sob.

The fox knew that this was all meant to help him, that it was all in good nature… and no matter how many times before this day he had wanted to be touched in any caring way by the youkai, he wanted nothing more for Hiei to stop. He didn't want him to see what had been done... The fire demon knew that Kurama had been raped… he most likely did the second that he had found him, but he didn't want to be invaded like this. He wanted to deny it. He wanted to deal with it on his own. Hiei wasn't supposed to involve himself at all! Why was he? Why wouldn't he listen!

A hand rested on the small of his back, patiently waiting for any message. Kurama buried his face into the mattress, drawing an arm over his head, fisting the hand in his hair. It was horrible; the two of them had never been intimate before. He had never lain with Hiei… they had never gone much father then their tine moments of mutual curiosity. He didn't want it to be this way… if there was ever the chance of it being real at all.

And now it never could be.

"Kurama…" A warm whisper broke over him, laced with a sort of unusual, calm pity that was alien to the voice and even the speaker. "I'm trying to help."

He screwed his eyes shut and nodded.

The cloak was pulled away for the last time and the cloth continued its steadfast work. Color had risen to Hiei's face as he glided his hand down over the fox's rump and moved to address the cuts on the back of normally smooth legs. There was fresh blood painted on Kurama's inner thigh, Hiei gritted his teeth, knowing exactly where it came from.

"I need to apply some salve."

The small vial was uncorked and the unscented transparent liquid was poured down onto the cloth. Knowing that he should be mortified at what he was doing, but overcome with a sense of duty, Hiei gently slipped his hand between the abused flesh and felt Kurama gasp and jerk at the sting of the liquid.

He moved slowly, taking time for the salve to work its way into the raw skin. The cloth was dropped in the bowl… the water tinted itself red. Hiei groaned internally, it wasn't enough, he didn't reach far enough. There were open wounds... inside.

The youkai frowned for a moment in indecision. It was no matter to him what had to be done, but, for Kurama it was a totally different situation. This could do more damage then good… Red eyes watched the kitsune's face for a moment and when no protest was sounded, Hiei continued his work.

The thick, clear unguent had a cooling quality on the skin of his hand, one finger was slicked with it and, holding his breath, he slipped inside. Kurama hissed through his teeth, face burning in absolutely painful chagrin. His hand clamped down hard on the claim mark on his neck, making pain stab his spine, distracting him from the sting of the salve that would try to heal him, but at the same time, threatened to break him completely.

Hiei tried to finish quickly, knowing what this was doing to the fox, knowing that Kurama was suffering the worst humiliation possible. The second he withdrew his hand, Hiei plunged it into the dirty water and drew the cover up over the fox's nude form. Ruby eyes caught where his ward was violently grasping his neck, making the flesh ghostly white. Crimson blood seeped out from under the fingers.

The fire demon collected the bowl and stood quickly, wanting to give the proper space for recovery. The truth was that he didn't want to stay near any longer then necessary… Kurama obviously did not want or need it.

Dirty water was dumped outside and Hiei washed the cloth and his hands of the ointment in the water over the fire, no matter that it was boiling. He cast his eyes over to Kurama's immobile and silent form and felt his stomach sink. Now exactly what was he to do?

Hospitality was difficult.

. . .

The minute details carved onto the underside of a fern became the only thing that Kurama could bear to look at. Rows of small spoors lay embedded into the leaflets and the ends of the green fingers curled inward.

The fox's paced breathing caused a few particular fronds to rustle. He had refused that one tear that had rolled down to hang from his sharp nose from dropping to its fragmented end. Instead, the back of his hand smeared the salt water across a burning cheek.

This was all part of survival; attack and injury, rest and recovery… but why did he feel like it would have been better to wake up alone in the forest? Why did Hiei have to hear that desperate plea of his?

His touch was so unusual… why did it have to be so personal? Why couldn't he be cold and uncaring like he had always come to expect?

-"You dare to lower me to such a level?"-

The darker demon remained near the fire across the shelter. Kurama felt a sort of tremor of nervousness overcome him. He couldn't hide the scar of the claim on his neck for long. Hiei would know soon enough, if he hadn't figured it already, but then what would happen? What would the youkai do now that he knew that Kurama no longer belonged to himself; was no longer was a free being to choose who he wished, if he ever wished for them in the first place…?

Kurama had to break the bond.

~You know what that requires.~ The voice interrupted his consciousness almost harshly. It was the first time the Youko had spoken, perhaps because his energy had been too weak to allow it. By the way the rumbling voice almost quailed, it seemed so. ~You know what the law is.~

Are you saying we can't do it?

~I'm saying that you might not have the window of time needed. This poison still runs thick in you, by the time it is diluted your putrid lover will be well recovered.~ There was a silence and Kurama could swear he sensed the flick of a silver tail in thought. When the voice echoed in him again, it was more cautious. ~You know what the claim does. If he calls you, you must heed it. That is both of your price. He may not give you the time to recover.~

And Hiei…

~What do you think?~ Kurama moved to look at the youkai again, who had kneeled near the pit, making no move to approach.

He won't allow it…

~Tsurenai is not foolish. He will take him out first.~

The jolt of internal humor hurt him. Heh, good luck.

Hiei's gaze jerked across to him and the Youko spoke gravely. ~Do not doubt the power of collateral.~

There was the soft exhale of more laughter. Are you saying that I am what he will bargain with?

"Do you need anything?" The question drew Kurama out of thought and the fox looked up to see the darker one was standing slowly, almost awaiting command.

He decided he would use the temporary obedience. "Yes. If it wouldn't be too much, I'll need some water and leaves to dilute the toxins in me."

The youkai blinked at the sudden change of the fox, the blush was still there, but fading. Kurama recovered from things rather amazingly.

"Toxins, you mean drugs?" Hiei rumbled, noting that the paralysis that plagued the fox was not merely injury-induced. There was a nod in response. "The wound on your ankle I suppose?"

"A plant… its effects seem to be long lasting." Kurama tried to hold their mutual gaze longer, but it broke as he glanced down to his covered feet. "I need you to fetch me some herbs to counter it."

Hiei bobbed his head slightly, agreeing calmly. "Of course."

. . .

A few moments later, a streak of dark fabric sprinted out the bamboo shrouded entrance on a hunt for some odd flowers and a particular root. As Hiei's black booted feet struck the ground, his mind raced just as fast. His thoughts went back to the untreated wound on Kurama's neck, to the degrading task he had forced upon the kitsune, and above all; to the maker of the wounds themselves.

The fire demon scowled and decided that he would need to find a few more choice weeds if things were to work out properly.

. . .

Kurama closed his eyes, drawing in a long, rattling breath. Hiei had left with his orders and without question. Finally, he could…

The tears angered him, but wouldn't comply with his plea for them to cease. Hot lines of water drew streaks down his face, but his complexion did not become mottled and red like most when crying. It was not crying, it was merely tears. He could justify tears, couldn't he?

~You can survive this. We can…~ For the first time, the Youko was no longer scolding or condescending… but spoke warmly. ~You need to handle this.~

"I will." Why he spoke aloud… he couldn't tell. "I can do it."

~Breaking a bond…~

"It requires bloodshed."

~Both bloods.~

"I'll do what I must." Kurama's hand quivered as it hovered over the still-bleeding wound of his neck. The wound that to him, was like a leper's sore. "You know that… and Hiei… he must be dealt with."

~ The fire demon will deal with himself, and with us for that matter. He will not stand idle.~ The fox gave a flicker of obvious nerves. ~Please tell me that you are not so vain as not to see it! We are a valuable catch…~ the Youko hissed, and his eyes glowed their dangerous amber, ~… but the damnation himself…~

Kurama's eyes shot open… "Oh no."

~ TBC ~

Note: Alright, alright. I'm sorry! This turned into three parts instead of the planned two and I've warped it a little. Don't worry, it gets nice and violent in the next part. Whatever you expect… that's what you'll get. The plot bunnies have fled in fear and I'm not in the mood for any big twists. Actually, I just can't think of any.

The update will be in another month or so. I had meant to get this up earlier but my computer disk deleted a good half of this and I had to rewrite.

I know I said I'd tell you what the names meant in this part, but I'm waiting until the end. Now you've got to figure out what Koshokuki means too.

In some fics people kill Hiei… I pimp Kurama. For some reason I love to torture him. Poor kitsune.

Love you. ~ ã¿ã©ã'Š ã¨ã'Š

(Midori Tori = Green Bird) … oh come on, you knew that!