Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Stone of Darkness ❯ Demon Hunter Revealed ( Chapter 3 )

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"You know where we are, don't you?" Hiei asked, coming to a stop as soon as they cleared the trees.
Kurama glanced around, puzzled. He felt a familiar vibe in the air but couldn't pinpoint why. Had he been here before? His memories were fuzzy, drifting in and out of focus.
"You don't. That human body of yours is affecting more than your power level."
"My memory is not being affected by my human form, Hiei. I simply don't remember. This valley looks familiar but I don't know why."
"Take a closer look. This is the last place in Makai that you were a full Youko."
Kurama's eyes widened in horror. He recoiled, stumbling back with a hand involuntarily going to his chest. Memories of the hunter, the chase, and his near death flooded his mind. This was where it had happened. He looked at Hiei, his face pale.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"It was not intentional. The gate opened here on its own. Tell me, Kurama, how did that hunter manage to nearly kill you? As Youko your powers were even greater than they are now."
"Well, you see, the hunter had help. My lair near here was attacked. Somehow four powerful demons managed to evade my plants, and they attacked me. I killed them but lost a great deal of energy in the process. I had no choice but to flee. I didn't know if there were other demons on the way. In my condition I could not fight and win. That's when the hunter appeared and started pursuing me. Needless to say, I wasn't strong enough to escape."
"Sounds like a set up to me. Someone who had intimate details about your plants helped them evade them. That person had to be close to you."
"Yes, I know. I was set up, but I don't know by whom."
"Who was the hunter?"
"I never saw him. I was too busy running for my life to explore his identity."
"Hn," Hiei smirked, although it lacked its usual bite.
"Fox, you're lucky you survived. Who could have set you up? Who knew enough about your plants to nullify them?"
"There were very few that I allowed to get close to me. Kuronue was my partner for years. Yomi was my second in command until... Well, you know the story. There were a few more but none that I think could have studied my plants that much."
"Kuronue was dead, yes?"
"Yes, and he wouldn't have betrayed me."
"You truly are a fool. Everyone is capable of betrayal."
"I didn't say he wasn't capable of betraying me. I said he wouldn't have."
Hiei shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. The fox was nervous. Hiei could tell by the darting of his green eyes that the place of his near death disturbed him.
"Have you remembered where the stone is?" Hiei asked softly.
Kurama crouched and touched trembling fingers to the damp soil. He frowned and glanced up, his eyes narrowed.
"Something is not right here. Do you feel it, Hiei?"
Hiei reached up and pulled the ward away from his jagan. His hand found the hilt as his sword as he sensed the energy scattered around them. Yes, something was definitely not right.
"Get up, Kurama."
Kurama stood quickly, feeling the energy suddenly increase. Hiei drew his sword as the energy joined and began forming the shape of a man in front of them. Kurama gasped as the energy rolled over his senses.
"The hunter, Hiei. It's him."
Hiei stepped in front of Kurama, stunning the frightened fox.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"No one has ever been hunted by me and lived to tell the tale. We have unfinished business, Kurama," came the voice form the darkness.
The newly formed man stepped forward. Kurama's eyes widened. It was the demon that had poisoned his mother. Kurama stiffened in anger.
"So all this was to get him back here?" Hiei asked.
"Partly. I do want the stone, but, as I said before, we have unfinished business."
The demon raised a hand and energy sparked to life from his palm. He closed his hand into a tight fist, and Kurama cried out. Hiei whirled to find Kurama gripping his chest, his face contorted in pain as he doubled over. A scream was ripped from his lips as his body began to transform into Youko Kurama against his will.
Hiei swore and lunged at the demon, swinging his sword. The demon hunter threw up a shield that knocked Hiei off his feet when he collided with it. Hiei was on his feet in second and summoning dark flames into the palm of his hand. The demon vanished, disappearing in a flash of darkness. Hiei allowed his energy to settle and turned back to find Youko Kurama trembling face down on the ground. He hurried to him, seeing the blood soaking through the back of Kurama's white tunic. He knelt beside him.
"Kurama!"
He grabbed Kurama by the shoulders and pulled him onto his knees. Kurama slumped forward, leaning against Hiei's side. Hiei supported him, wrapping his arms around the shaking shoulders.
"What happened?" he demanded.
"He.forced me into demon form. Somehow, he caused the injury to reform. I will die this time," Kurama whispered.
"Don't be a fool," Hiei sneered and covered the bleeding wound with his hand.
"My healing powers may not be as strong as Yukina's, but I know I can heal a scratch like this."
A warmth spread through Kurama's chest. He gasped and felt the wound begin to close under Hiei's warm hand. Hiei leaned back, steadying Kurama.
"You should feel special. I've never used my healing powers on anyone other than myself before," Hiei said and stood, pulling Kurama to his feet.
"I think I'm rubbing off on you, Hiei."
"I wouldn't go as far as to say that but... I just.... You understand me, and I understand you."
Kurama smiled despite his exhaustion and said, "At least I remember where the stone is now. My memories seemed to have improved since returning to this form."
"Kurama, this is a trap. You know that, right? I believe that they want you more than that stone."
"I know, but I have to do this. My mother.. I can't let her die."
"You better be glad that I'm here to save your miserable life," Hiei muttered and leapt up, grabbing onto a tree branch and disappearing amongst the tree tops.
Kurama glanced up and sighed. Would Hiei wait for him or was he on his own now?
"What are you waiting for, fox!?" Hiei's voice broke from the trees.
Kurama grinned weakly and took a hesitant step forward. The world spun, and Kurama pressed a hand to his forehead. Hiei was suddenly beside him, a hand on his shoulder steadying him as he wavered on his feet.
"Am I going to have to carry you?" Hiei practically growled.
"I didn't weaken myself, Hiei."
"I know that, Kurama. I'm not blaming you."
"You sounded angry."
"Yes, but not at you, idiot fox!"
Kurama's furry ears twitched and his tail began wagging in agitation. Hiei glared up at him, noticing how much Kurama's height had increased with his transformation.
"Can you change back?"
"No. That's why I'm so drained. He forced a change that I wasn't ready for. And it hurt," Kurama murmured, wincing.
"Are you going to be all right?"
Was that concern in Hiei's usually sarcastic voice? Kurama was still puzzling over it as he slumped to the ground with darkness closing in on him.