Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Collector ❯ Well It Seems Last Night You Caught Me Spankin' It ( Chapter 5 )

SM: Such a dirty, dirty song.... hehe... oh, btw, do you think you guys could do me an uber huge favor? MM apparently doesn't want me to read my reviews... every time I get an alert in my e-mail, and I click on the link, it takes me to the review page, but it wont show me ANYTHING past the 6th review... so if you don't really mind *clasps her hands together, bottom lip trembling* when you write a review, could you send it to me personally? Just e-mail it?

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Well It Seems Last Night You Caught Me Spankin' It

Chapter Five

Kurama shuddered as that tiny globe, bright with its inner light, moved into his vision. It flared once, then disappeared, and Kurama hissed as his hair was gripped and pulled, forcing his head back. He gasped then at what he saw.

Kneeling on the shore, no more than five feet away, was Hiei. His back was arched, head held high by a gripped hand in his hair. Standing next to him was some sort of Lizard beast, it's black tongue slinking in and out of it's mouth as it tasted the air. Hiei's eyes widened as he registered the scene in front of him, and his parched lips parted.

"K-Kurama?" he said in a raspy, confused voice. Argaus stood, allowing Kurama to make it to his feet. The Fox immediately went forward, intent on reaching his lover, when the Lizard quickly drew a long, bejeweled dagger, placing the sharp edge underneath Hiei's chin. The Fire Demon closed his eyes with a hiss, and Kurama halted.

"You see, Kurama, when I take a soul, I learn all that is in the owner's mind. I know all his feelings, his thoughts, his intentions, his betrayals. And I must say, his is the worst I've ever known."

Kurama growled and turned his eyes to Argaus.

"I don't believe you."

Argaus clicked his tongue, shaking his head as he walked forward towards Hiei and the Lizard. His servant sheathed his blade as his master neared, and Argaus knelt next to Hiei. Gripping his chin, he turned his eyes back to Kurama.

"Look at him, Hiei."

The little Demon obeyed.

"Now tell me the truth. What do you honestly think of Kurama and his choice to live as a Human?"

"It-" he choked on the words, his throat dry as desert sand, "It disgusts me."

Argaus hummed in thanks, "You see, Kurama?"

"That means nothing. It's me he loves."

Argaus smirked then, and turned back to Kurama's lover.

"Do you love him, Hiei?"

Hiei stared hard at Kurama, and the Fox felt something shake within as he saw the hesitation in his eyes. No....

"I... I don't know."

"He is an exquisite lover, though?"

A soft blush rose in his cheeks as he closed his eyes again, "Yes."

"Have you ever told your Fox that you care?"

The Lizard released Hiei's hair, and he slunk down, his head bowed.

"No. I have not."

"And yet you still take him, use his body for your own pleasure while you selfishly withhold your emotions, that which Kurama has freely given to you. You exploit him. Screw him into oblivion so that you may forget your own narcissistic nature, if even for a small moment, in a glorious sweep of ecstasy."

There was silence for a moment, the only sound being the lapping of the river water, and the pounding of Kurama's heart.

"...Yes."

At that very moment, the world imploded, and Kurama damned the Gods for not ending his life then and there. Didn't they realize that the world was ending then? Had they no mercy at all? He choked once, then fell to his knees, no longer able to feel pain as the rocks bit into his skin, drawing his blood. He covered his eyes with his hands and wept, praying and begging for anything that would take that one word back, erase it forever. But no such miracle happened for him, and he was left standing alone in his own personal Hell.

"You see?" came Argaus' voice through the darkness, soft and comforting as an arm wrapped around his shoulder, drawing Kurama into his embrace. The Fox went willingly, crying into his bare chest. He felt Hiei's startled eyes on him, but he did not care, could not bring himself to give a damn.

"Kurama... I'm so-"

"No!" Kurama shouted, cutting Hiei off, and the little Demon shrunk back slightly, as if the words were a blow to him, "No...." he repeated in a whisper, almost regretting it when he saw the sadness in his lover's eyes. With a heavy sigh, he turned his face up to Argaus.

"When you have the Dream Weaver, do you still promise to let him go?"

Argaus looked confused for a moment, blinking.

"You still wish the best the for him? After all he has done to you?"

Kurama closed his eyes briefly, turning back to the bruised, defeated Fire Demon.

"Yes. I do. He may not love me, but I loved him." his voice quivered as the words were spoken, and fresh tears stung in his eyes. Hiei blinked back at him, looking as though his very soul was shattering then. Argaus rested his cheek upon Kurama's head, and slowly rocked them both.

"Of course I promise, Kurama. I would do anything for you."

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~*Friday*~

Argaus sighed gently as he pushed some of Kurama's hair from his eyes, his fingertips trailing over the Fox's cheek as he slept. It was the afternoon, the sun would set in a few hours, and Kurama had been sleeping since he carried the poor, broken hearted Demon back to the campsite. Argaus' heart hurt as he thought about last night, how Kurama had cried on, even in his slumber. He did not mind that he was still asleep, that he would probably sleep on through till tomorrow; Kurama was emotionally exhausted, and deserved the rest. He could ask nothing of him yet, could not prod him into continuing their journey. He may have been cruel and underhanded, but this was Kurama. The being he had fought tooth and nail to acquire, to get him to look his way. And last night, he finally had. Argaus tried not to let the guilt slice through him when he acknowledged he had to practically destroy the Fox in order for that to happen at all.

"You are better off without him." He whispered, his thumb rubbing gentle circles against Kurama's temple. The Fox mumbled something in his sleep, and turned his face in subconscious need of that comforting touch. Argaus smiled and leant down, placing a soothing kiss to the apple of his cheek. His heart leapt when a small smile graced Kurama's lips, and the crease between his brows, which had been there through the night, finally released into relaxation. Carefully, he lay himself down next to Kurama, resting his head on his arm, the other still touching his face as he watched him sleep.

"I promise you, my lovely... I will never let anything hurt you again."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kurama opened his eyes slowly, the corners burning from the thousands of tears he had cried, vision fuzzy as he tried to blink the sleep away. Slowly, things cleared, and he found a pair of kind, concerned looking, green eyes staring back at him. He could not help but smile when he felt Argaus' hand at his cheek, stroking softly.

"Good morning - or rather, evening."

Kurama closed his eyes again, still smiling.

"I had a dream about you."

The hand stilled for a moment, Kurama worrying that he had perhaps insulted Argaus in some way, until the fingers moved back to thread through his hair, rubbing small circles in his scalp. He sighed in pleasure, relaxing into the touch with much gratification. He felt the body next to his move closer, the heat of Argaus' skin permeating and warming his own.

"What did you dream of?" he asked in a quiet voice, his face so close their noses touched. Kurama opened his eyes again, drinking in the light inside Argaus'.

"You were laying over me, smiling. Really smiling at me..... Yes... just like that...." Kurama whispered back, his own smile widening as Argaus' lips spread in tender happiness. The Illusion Master moved forward a bit more, nuzzling Kurama's nose with his own in sweet Eskimo Kisses. Kurama laughed a little, scrunching his nose as it was tickled. Argaus laughed gently with him, his hand traveling down to grip Kurama's waist, pulling their bodies flush together, holding him warmly.

"Kurama?"

"Hm?"

Argaus was still for a moment, long enough that Kurama opened his eyes, to find his wide again, reservation and nervousness shining through.

"Could I... Would you mind, if I kissed you now?"

Kurama smiled again, his own hand reaching out to touch Argaus' cheek.

"I'd like that."

Coyly, Argaus moved forward, closing his eyes at the last moment, and their lips brushed together. Kurama gasped silently as he felt Argaus' lips tremble against his own, his body quaking. He again, did not understand. Is he nervous? He opened his eyes, finding an apologetic, lopsided grin on the Demon's face.

"I am sorry, Kurama. I am being so terribly selfish."

"Argaus-"

"You have had your heart broken. I cannot ask anything of you. You are not just some whore that I could take advantage of. You have been treated that way for far too long." The Demon smiled once more, then sat up, carefully avoiding Kurama's eyes as he poked at the coals of the fire, brining the flames to crackling life. It was well that he had done so, for he could not see the glimmer of pain in Kurama's eyes as the Fox caught his lower lip between his teeth and turned away, feeling the broken pieces of his soul swim through his veins like shattered glass. He sat up after a moment, composing himself, and watched as the sun made it's decent over the tree tops, bleeding orange and red against the dusky horizon. He stared at the wash of colors, an odd feeling coursing through his blood. What am I doing? Why did I...

He allowed his mind to wander, drifting over the experiences of the past. It had only been five days since he had left home, yet it felt like an eternity. All he had seen, all he had felt, seemed nothing more than clouded memories or a dreamy afterthought. It was no longer real.

It was the strangest thing, as he thought on what he had witness in those short hours... his once lover being tortured and beaten, two innocent young girls raped and murdered... There was nothing there. The guilt, the loathing he felt when he realized he could do nothing but watch them suffer... it was gone. It was all gone. And, left standing in their place was a monster, shrouded in shadow.

A monster he had known for three hundred years. The one known as Kurama.

No! He refused to believe it. Refused to allow it. That was who he had been, not who he was. He was... I am... I'm...

The walls crumbled, and he gave in. He was, and always had been Kurama, a mockery of the one known as Suiichi, inhabiting the soulless shell of a human boy. He had stolen this child's life to save his own, selfish and greedy. He had been living that lie for sixteen years, justifying his actions by falsifying himself. Sixteen years of honest living with love and kindness could never, would never compare to three centuries of sin. This life, this body, belonged to that human boy; his mother, his friends, his lover... He had tried to live his life... The Devil stealing the wings of an Angel. And he had fallen; plummeted helplessly to the ground below. So what now? Where did he go from here?

He turned, looking at Argaus' saddened profile, and smiled. What other alternative did he have, now that Suiichi had lost everything?

He would pick up the broken pieces of himself, rearrange them the way they were supposed to be. He felt a gentle warmth in his belly as he thought on the Demon before him, and how he would not be alone in this. How he would never truly be alone. Scooting forward, he wrapped his arms about Argaus' shoulders, resting his forehead against his back as the other sighed, leaning into him.

"Do you hate me, Kurama?" the quiet, timid voice asked. Kurama chuckled and squeezed him a little tighter.

"No."

"But why? I have hurt you, so terribly much. I broke your heart."

Kurama sighed, sitting up a little so Argaus would relax against his chest, and he rested his chin on the top of his head.

"I have been thinking, Argaus, about what you said. About calling myself a Demon. And you know, you are right. I haven't been a Demon for sixteen years. I have grown quite fond of my human life, my family, my friends. But, you know, even a lifetime as a Human could never compare to, nor erase, the three hundred years when I was myself."

Argaus tilted his chin up, looking up at an upside down Kurama with confusion.

"What are you saying?"

"I think it's about time I grew up, and saw past the trivial things. I... I want to ask you a favor."

Argaus nodded his head, his stomach fluttering in high hopes.

"Tonight, at midnight, I want you to let Hiei out of the globe for a little while. There is something I wish to say to him, now that my mind is clearer."

Argaus frowned, but agreed to it.

"Why not now? It is just as easy to do it now as later."

"No. It has to be tonight, at midnight. It will have more impact then."

"Alright... anything else?"

At that, Kurama sighed, closing his eyes. Argaus stared at him, wondering why his cheeks were flushing.

"When... when this is all over, and you have released Hiei... Could I... Could I go with you, to wherever it is that you are going?"

Argaus could swear the gates of Heaven opened at that exact moment. He sat up, nodding his head quickly as they embraced, hoping that he wouldn't burst into tears. Kurama hugged him tightly, thanking him silently for not thinking him weak, and for accepting him. His eyes burned, however, at the thought of what he was planning to do. It was cruel, cold, but if he was going to be himself once more, he may as well start with the one who pushed him into this decision, who took everything he thought he knew away, and hurt him more than any he could ever remember. His hands fisted in Argaus' loose shirt as he trembled.

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~*Friday - 11:55 pm*~

Argaus watched Kurama out of the corner of his eye as the Fox sat silently, staring into the fire. He had been like that for the past few hours, looking to be in his own personal little world. He had asked Kurama if he was alright, but he had simply smiled at him and nodded. Argaus felt his stomach tighten as he knew the time to honor the Fox's request was nearly upon them. He felt a swell of jealousy rise within him. Kurama was his now, there for he should have nothing more to do with the little bastard Hiei. He should cast him from his mind for eternity, seeing only him. Kurama was, after all, all he could see.

He worried though.... What if Kurama decided to try and make a break for it with the little Fire Demon? Granted, it wouldn't do much good, but even so, what if he still wanted him? What if he had not completely purged Hiei from Kurama's heart and soul? The results could be disastrous for him. But Kurama had asked to come with him, to be with him, had kissed him, had dreamt of him.... You are being paranoid, Argaus. Of course Kurama wants you. You did, after all, free him of that false love.

"Argaus..."

He turned to look at Kurama, answering that soft call, finding the fire light dancing in Kurama's emerald eyes. So beautiful....

He nodded and stood up, fishing in his pocket for the little pouch where the globe was kept. Sighing, he retrieved the globe, and took a few steps back. Whispering the words, the light flashed, and the bauble disappeared. In its place, a few feet away, knelt Hiei and the Lizard beast.

Kurama stood, slowly making his way around the camp fire, until he was standing next to Argaus, staring at the Fire Demon as he gazed at him with sad, pleading eyes.

"I'll... I'll let you be." Argaus mumbled, turning to leave, when Kurama caught his wrist, halting him. He looked at him, his brows creased in confusion.

"Please stay. I wish for you to hear this, as well."

Argaus swallowed the lump in his throat, and nodded. This can't be good. Kurama smiled at him in thanks, then slowly made his way towards Hiei. He watched with a heavy heart and bated breath, praying against the worst, not daring to hope for the best. He bit back the bitter envy as he watched his Fox near the unworthy fool before him.

~*In the forest is a monster*~

~*It has done terrible things*~

~*So in the woods it's hiding*~

~*And this is the song it sings*~

Hiei kept his eyes trained on Kurama as he neared, following his movements as he knelt down in front of him.

"Kurama... I-"

A single fingertip hushed his words, pressing against his lips gently. That hand moved over, brushing his knuckles against the still bruised, swollen skin. With a heavy sigh, he spoke.

"On this day, two years ago, we sat on a bench together, alone in the park. You had disappeared for two weeks before that, me fearing the worst. I had loved you for so long, Hiei. It hurt me every moment we spent together, ever time I saw you, every time you spoke, my heart broke a little more, because I knew I could not have you. But then, on that day, you leaned over and kissed me. I thought that, at that moment, I had finally been given the key to my own personal Heaven, for you returned my feelings. You had granted the one wish I held dearest in my heart. I never imagined that it would be held within a lie. I never thought, not even once, that I was just some.... some form of release for you. I, being the stupid Fox that I am, and that you are always telling me I am, really believed that you cared. It was foolish, I suppose. You don't care about anything, do you Hiei?"

Hiei did not answer, simply stared into Kurama's eyes, his own filled with confusion and fear.

"Today is our two year anniversary, Hiei. I want to give you a present, regardless of the fact that we are no longer anything to each other."

~*Who will love me now?*~

~*Who will ever love me?*~

~*Who will say to me, you are my desire*~

~*I'll set you free*~

~*(Who will love me now?)*~

"What?"

"I think you'll like it. You were always telling me how pathetic I was, what with my Human morals and sense of conscience. Well, let me show you how truly heartless I can be, and that what I would not do for you, I will do for him."

Kurama stood, staring down at Hiei, a darkness within his eyes, shadows across his face, the likes of which none had seen for sixteen long years.

"I am leaving everything behind, Hiei. I'm leaving my mother, my friends, you... for him. Why? Because he cared enough to show me the truth."

He turned on his heel, feeling oddly satisfied when he heard Hiei's wail of sharp pain as he tried to stand in chase, and the Lizard beast struck him back down. He stepped up to Argaus, who was looking at him with wide, mirthful eyes.

"Kurama?"

The Fox smiled, and Argaus could not help the rush of burning gratification when he saw Kurama in those green, human eyes, belonging to the one who was known as Suiichi, now never more. You are mine!

~*Who will forgive, and make me live again?*~

~*Who will bring me back to the world again?*~

~*(To the world again)*~

He lifted his hand, prepared to replace his servant and Hiei back into the bauble, but Kurama caught his hand away. Argaus looked at him in question as Kurama held his hand in a comfortable grip. He nearly backed away in surprise when the Fox stepped up to him, faces inches apart as he tilted his head, their lips brushing as he spoke.

"You enjoy an audience, don't you?"

~*In the forest is a monster*~

~*And it looks so very much like me*~

~*Will someone hear me singing?*~

~*Please save me*~

~*Please rescue me*~

That rush of electric pleasure shot up and down his spine at those words, and he leered darkly at his Fox, before catching those full lips with his own in a searing, vicious kiss. Their teeth clashed, tongues probing about in each other's mouth at a fierce rate, both snarling and clawing at the other's flesh. Argaus fell backwards, taking Kurama with him, as the other quickly unzipped his vest and threw it aside, the buttons of his crisp, white shirt popping off as it was torn open.

Argaus gasped, then groaned as that hot, moist mouth took one of his nipples in, nibbling and flicking his tongue across it. Kurama's unclipped nails dragged mercilessly down his rib cage, going quickly to the black leather belt about his waist. His clever, questing fingers easily opened the buckle, and popped open the snap with a single twist of the wrist.

Argaus felt high, twisting on the sensations, feeding off the feelings like his very life force. Kurama was ruthless, animalistic, and exactly what he had been craving. He felt his own lust rise, pulsing with his quickly growing erection, and he snarled, easily flipping the body above him over, dominating the struggle. The Fox half yielded, arching his neck back in sinful offering as his fingers crawled over Argaus' shoulders, pushing his shirt down and off his arms.

"Kurama!"

Argaus stopped short, looking at the writhing Fire Demon as he tried to stand and was pulled back down, easily subdued by his Lizard beast. He felt the satisfaction balloon when Kurama caught his chin and turned him back, sealing their lips together once more. The Fox's teeth bit into his lower lip, drawing blood, and both relished the flavor of it on their tongues. Argaus matched Kurama's move, and the liquid of their life mingled together as they drank each other in.

The world suddenly tipped over, and Argaus found himself on his back once again, staring up into Kurama's malicious eyes, the fire light dancing in them as he smiled. Those hands never stopped working, one slipping into the open fly of Argaus' pants, stroking his heated flesh with insistent pulls. The Illusion Master groaned and arched his back, his head lolling from side to side, and he caught his bloodied lower lip between his teeth. Teasing fingertips took his chin, goading him to look down as Kurama caught a single drop of his coming ecstasy. Argaus watched with wide, lustful eyes as the Fox lightly closed his own, smearing the pearly liquid across his lower lip, then sucked the finger into his mouth with a blissful sigh.

~*Who will love me now?*~

~*Who will ever love me?*~

~*Who will say to me, you are my desire?*~

~*I'll set you free*~

They kissed again, groaning and their bodies shuddering as they tasted sex mixed with the blood.

"Are you watching Hiei?" Kurama's voice was a cruel snarl, laced with darkened amusement as Hiei answered in a whimper, "Because I'm going to give him what only you have had."

Both Demons sat up, Kurama straddling Argaus' thighs as the other quickly divested him of his shirt, practically devouring his exposed throat. Kurama sighed, raking his nails up and down his back as his head tilted back. He had forgotten what it was like, to take a new lover. He had been having the same for nearly two years; almost unheard of for a Kitsune. Laughable. A disgrace to his lineage. He hissed in a gasp, his train of thought completely shattered as Argaus dipped his hand into the now open front of his pants, cupping at his arousal, fingertips rubbing gently behind his sac.

Slowly, their lips meshed in another brutal, bighting kiss, Argaus lowered Kurama onto his back once more. He tugged the jeans from the Fox's narrow hips, and began a leisurely trek up the insides of his thighs, tasting every inch of flesh. Kurama whimpered, his fingers clawing into the grassy ground, his feet riding up Argaus' sides. Fucking tease...

Argaus pressed chaste little kisses to the inner corners of Kurama's thighs, his hair tickling at his arousal. Kurama growled, threading his fingers into that white hair, pushing him insistently towards his pulsing flesh.

"Suck me, Argaus." He hissed, letting his head thump to the ground. The Demon chuckled, smoothing his palm up Kurama's stomach and chest, fingertips resting on his chin. The Fox growled, and caught the first two into his mouth, sucking insistently. Argaus' eyes fluttered closed, and took the head of Kurama's cock into his mouth; he was rewarded by a choked cry from his lover, the suction on his digits increasing greatly. His lips slipped down the shaft, his tongue lathing it in burning saliva, and he chuckled deep in his throat when he felt Kurama's teeth bight down. Slowly, he withdrew his mouth and fingers, lifting his eyes to Kurama's flushed face.

~*Who will love me now?*~

~*Who will ever love me?*~

~*Who will say to me, you are my desire*~

~*I'll set you free?*~

The Fox whimpered, and reached down to grasp his ankles, pulling his feet back, spreading his legs wide. Taking the not-so-subtle-hint, Argaus braced himself with one hand, looming over Kurama, while the other trailed down his side and hip, rounded over his thigh, and found their mark.

"Arg-" he choked as he felt teasing fingers trace his opening, "Ple-e-e-e-ease."

With an immoral grin, Argaus pressed one slick digit inside, and rounded.

"Stop it!!"

Both Demons turned their heads towards Hiei, finding him straining against the clawed, scaly hand gripping his shoulder, his bottom lip trembling.

"Are you-really going to cry-Hiei?" Kurama panted out as he rolled his hips against Argaus' hand. For good measure, he pressed a second in half way, making the Fox groan.

"G-Good."

~*Who will love me now?*~

~*Who will ever love me?*~

~*Who will say to me, you are my desire*~

~*I'll set you free*~

Argaus captured Kurama's lips again, slipping his tongue inside as his fingers withdrew. He pulled his hips up onto his thighs, the head of his aching cock nudging against his prepared body.

"No-o-o!!!"

Argaus pushed himself in without pause, and Kurama shrieked, his back arching upward as he was scorched all throughout his very body and soul. He felt the remainder of what he was before simply fall away, and he was redefined by the pulsing, burning flesh that ripped him apart without mercy.

~*Who will love me now?*~

~*Who will ever love me?*~

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~*Friday - Earlier that day*~

"You're shittin' me."

"I'm what?"

Yusuke flushed and scratched the back of his head, biting his lower lip.

"It's an uh... expression."

Kyla blinked at him, tilting her head to the side in complete confusion.

"It means he doesn't believe you." Kuwabara supplied, shaking his head. Kyla snapped her head from him, back to Yusuke.

"Why would I lie to you about this?"

"No! It's just - agh... How can Hiei be there? I don't see anything." Yusuke said, pointing towards the small pond in the middle of the park. Kyla sighed, crossing her arms.

"I swear to you, he is there. Just under the water's surface."

"Wouldn't he drown, though? I thought you said he was alive."

"He is, Kuwabara, sir. Argaus has placed a protective shell about him, so he would not die. If he died, so would the illusion he has shown Kurama."

Yusuke huffed and placed his hands on his hips, still not believing it.

"You'd think he could get outta something like that."

"Normally he would be able to, but Argaus managed to still his spirit before placing him there."

The group walked towards the pond, trying to see past the sunny reflections of the trees around it, so as to look into the water. Faintly, hardly noticeable unless you knew what to look for, they could see a smudge of black, an odd whiteness placed right in the middle of it.

"Holy shit!"

"It's him!"

Kyla grinned and stood straight, not needing to voice the 'I-told-you-so'.

"So how do we get him out of that thing?" Kuwabara asked, straightening himself as well.

"It is very easy to release someone from a shell. I could do it myself, if you would rather not. Firstly, we must take him from the water."

"No dibs!" Yusuke piped in, raising his hand. Kuwabara glared and growled at him, and begrudgingly removed his shoes.

"It better not be cold." He mumbled as his socks went off and he began to roll the cuffs of his pants up to his knees. Yusuke snickered, covering his mouth with his hand to hide the smile. Kuwabara's squeal as his legs went into the icy water made Yusuke burst. After his laughter died down, he turned to Kyla. She too was smiling, giggling slightly.

"Hey, Kyla?"
"Hm?"

Yusuke sighed, scratching his head again.

"I've been meaning to ask you, how did you know where Hiei was, or even what was going on?"

She turned to him, her brown eyes bright as she smiled softly at him.

"I did not. Laria did."

His expression must have been hilarious, for Kyla laughed then.

"She has been, and always will be, connected to their minds, Yusuke. Though Hiei has managed to block her out most of the time, Kurama hasn't. She feels what they feel, sees what they see. She knew what was happening a day after Hiei 'disappeared'."

"Oh.... So uh, why did you come, instead of her?"

At that, Kyla sighed, and she bowed her head.

"Because she was afraid for me. She stayed behind, so as to fight them off of her own accord."

"Afraid for you? But... you're just human, aren't you? Why would this Argaus guy want to add you to his collection?"

She half smiled again, her eyes going back to Kuwabara, who was barely ankle deep in the water, trying to let himself get used to it before he went any further.

"Yes, I am human, Yusuke. But I'm not like you, or he."

Yusuke was silent, an indicator for her to go on. She chuckled dryly, her arms going about her waist in a hug.

"I'm dead, Yusuke. I have been dead for over one hundred years. Burned alive by my village, accused of heresy and witchcraft. Lord Koenma reconstructed my original body, after everything happened here with Laria, as reward for my good behavior in life."

Yusuke breathed out, his eyes wide in understanding. He nodded once, and turned to watch Kuwabara as he pulled a perfectly dry Hiei to the surface, and dragged him onto the shore.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yusuke poked his head through the front door, making absolutely certain his mother wasn't home. She said she wouldn't be, but he learned long ago never to trust her word when it came to her plans for the evening. Ducking back out, he waved Kuwabara and Kyla forward urgently, before slipping in behind them and securely locking the door. The three of them went into Yusuke's bedroom, Kuwabara dragging Hiei across the floor, his hands slipping occasionally due to the slippery type encasement that Argaus had locked him into. It was like trying to keep your grip on a greased pig.

"Set him there, Kuwabara, sir." Kyla directed, pointing towards the Northern most corner of the small bedroom. Kuwabara did as he was told, while so Kyla turned to Yusuke and sent him into the kitchen for the supplies they would need. Kuwabara sat on the bed with a huff, wiping the sweat from his brow with his coat sleeve.

"So tell me something, Kyla. You said you were killed unjustly, right?"

"Mmhm."

"Then how come you know how to do this kinda stuff?"

Kyla glanced at him, smirking slightly, wondering if this was the best time to mess with his head. Yusuke rushed back into the room, supplies in hand, and she decided that perhaps the bad jokes could wait.

"Ok, place the candles about his body, one at his head, one at his feet, the others at his arms."

Yusuke did as he was told, the white candles surrounding his unconscious friend.

"Alright then, which one of you would like to help me?"

Both boys were silent, and Kyla gave a little huff, her eyes rolling.

"I'll do it." Yusuke mumbled, pulling his coat off as he stood.

"Very good. Please, stand at his feet."

Yusuke again did as she bid, and stood there dumbly, his cheeks flushing slightly as he watched her. She was standing at Hiei's head, her own head slightly bowed, and palms turned upwards towards the ceiling. He could see her lips moving, mumbling some sort of incoherent verse or chant. He could not hear her, but he could feel the power lifting around the room, and it made his skin crawl.

"What are you doing?"

His question went unanswered as Kyla slowly lifted her face, eyes still closed, lips still moving in her unheard words. The power seemed to rise, condensing all about them, becoming suffocating in it's weight. Yusuke could almost feel it bearing down on his body, threatening to knock him off his feet. Then, suddenly, her eyes opened, her left hand lowered, and her right hand extended out as far as it could go. With a small smile, she brought her middle finger and thumb together, and her fingers snapped.

It a small flash, all four candles lit.

"That was cool!" Kuwabara said, staring at the candle closest to him. Kyla gave a little laugh, and shook her head.

"Hey, I thought you said you were burned for heresy and witchcraft." Yusuke said, placing his hands on his hips and narrowing his eyes at her.

"I was."

"But... but you just... it... you-"

"I never said I did not practice magic, Yusuke. At the time of my death, I was only proficient in the uses of herbal remedies and tonics. I was schooled in the after life by a distant ancestor. She was... well, we do not have time to get into this. We are running out of candle light."

Yusuke sighed and nodded his head.

"Alright. What do you want me to do?"

"I simply need you to channel some of your energy into me. My own is far too weak to do this properly."
"Sounds easy enough."

Kyla nodded her head, and slowly dropped to her knees. Yusuke closed his eyes, and focused his power into his very center, bright and burning. She too closed her eyes, her hands reaching out to sit inches away from the sides of Hiei's head. She could feel the shell humming beneath her touch, emanating with power; it was strongly cast, but not strong enough.

"Now."

Yusuke exhaled, envisioning his expelled air as a conduit, breathing his force into Kyla. He heard her gasp sharply as the energy poured into her being. Her resolve wavered for a moment, but she took a firm hold of herself, and directed the power into what she was doing. Kuwabara watched with wide, amazed eyes, as the shell about Hiei began to glow with an odd, blue light.

Kyla felt the sweat dripping down her brow, into the corners of her eyes where some seeped through her lids, leaving a stinging sensation. She pushed harder against the force around the little Fire Demon, her heart pounding in her ears as her blood rushed. She was so close, she could feel it giving, quivering and shaking. This was going to work. It had to work.

Suddenly, there was a loud snapping sound, like something was cracking open, and the light intensified. Both boys half closed their eyes against it, watching with still breathing and fluttering hearts.

Kyla pushed harder, letting out a whimpering sound, feeling her own strength draining. She sobbed, her head beginning to pound, forcing her will forward. She was almost there. The seal was breaking.

The light flashed, a colossal force slamming into the three of them, causing them to fly back in their own directions. Yusuke slumped against the wall, holding his head in a groan as the light slowly began to fade. He looked up, finding the other two doing as good as he was, and he shook his head. Kyla composed herself, and crawled on hands and knees towards Hiei. He lay there still, arms arranged over his stomach as they were before, eyes closed, breathing deep and slow. Yusuke and Kuwabara joined her on the floor, Yusuke back to his feet, Kuwabara by his side as they stared down at him.

"Did it work?" Kuwabara whispered.

"Yes... I think so."

"Why is he still asleep?"

"I... I don't know."

Yusuke sneered, and smacked at Hiei's leg.

"Hiei, you lazy bastard! Wake the fuck up already!"

They all went silent, waiting for something to happen. They're hearts began to fall, until there was a soft, mumbled voice.

"Ng... Eat... Shit... Yusuke."

They all three cheered, grasping each other in ecstatic hugs and laughter as Hiei opened his eyes to slits, glaring at them all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SM: *twiddles her thumbs and whistles, her eyes rolling in faux innocence*

Kylyx: *jaw dropped*

TheBoy: But... Kurama... Hiei... They... but-!

SM: I know, I know. I told you it was gonna get worse! I swear, you people should listen to me more often....

Kylyx: *glares* This is so not cool, Jen. Kurama would never, EVER, do that to Hiei!

SM: *blinks* He was heartbroken and feeling betrayed, so he felt like dishing out a little revenge. What better way than to screw your new 'boyfriend' in front of the old?

Kylyx: So he's just gonna forsake everything he had in his Human life for Argaus, because Hiei betrayed him?

SM: Looks that way.

TheBoy: But it wasn't even the REAL Hiei! It was just some illusion cooked up by Argaus!

SM: I know. Wonderfully evil, isn't it? *grin*

Kylyx: That's it. When the fans come to flog you, I'm just going to stand back and laugh.

SM: *snicker* That's cool with me ^_^ A good public beating is worth posting this chapter, I tell ya.

Well folks, review, review, review!! Are ya ready to kill me yet?

Song - Who Will Love Me Now

By - Pj Harvey

Chapter Title from "Spankin' It" by Stephen Lynch