Second Try

Disclaimer: I don’t own Yuu Yuu Hakusho, or any of its characters. Those belong to Yoshihiro Togashi-sama, who made a lot more out of them than I ever could have. ^^;; I just do fanfiction for fun, and earn no monetary rewards for writing it. Reviews are, of course, worth as much as silver.

Title: Second Try
Chapter Eleven: Omen
Word Count: 7,500
Anime: Yuu Yuu Hakusho
Pairing: HieixKurama, ?xKurama
Warning: Angst, violence, language, shounen ai
Author: Kita Kitsune
Date: Friday(gold-day!), October 16, 2009
Miscellaneous Notes(Tuesday, October 13, 2009): The Yukina parts wouldn’t come, so this is a rather Kurama-Youko-Karasu-heavy chapter. D: Sorry. I’d meant for it to be a Yukina-heavy one(I’d had the Karasu/Kurama scene slated for next chapter, even!), buuut… it just didn’t want to happen. x.x (On the plus side, perhaps a few of you will enjoy the Karasu/Kurama interaction found here, y/y?)

More Notes(Friday, October 16, 2009): Wai! Finished the chapter(and by brainstorms and broomsticks, there ended up being a good bit of Yukina in it~)! Although with no Internet at least until next week, it likely won’t get posted… x.x; Saa! I’ll do my best to write more today and Saturday, at least!

Even More Notes(Saturday, November 7, 2009): I rushed this post, a bit—because today marks two years since I joined AFF! :3 As a result, chapter twelve isn’t quite finished, yet… and with holidays and the end of the semester looming, I might not get another chapter out until Christmas. x.x I’ll try, but I make no promises(even though writing does give me quite a catharsis…). Also: I don’t subscribe to NaNoWriMo because… deadlines with writing make me crazy. I’d just end up stressing myself out. D: In addition: this fic would never get finished if I went and tried to type out a 50,000-word novel in the meantime~! My brain would have a hard time adjusting back to fanfiction if I wrote an original work, I think~~

[BlueUtopiah-san, ne, ne, what did you think of the Karasu/Kurama scenes this chapter and last chapter?? They still okay(not OOC or badly written in any way, shape or form)? Happy Belated Birthday('cause I wrote a lot of this chapter around that week... x.o~), too~!]

[SirPsychoSexy-san: Don't kill me if I butcher a certain someone's(Y.O.U.R.) certain favorite pairing, in this fic! I've never, ever written it... and their entering onto the scene just naturally goes with the storyline I've come up with in my head, so... xD Enjoy the randomness of 'more than a mention of' a certain someone's(refer to above parentheses for clarification) certain favorite character(s), at least~? ;3]

So, enjoy this chapter while you can. It may have to tide you over until 2010(hopefully not, but… !). ;.;~

Happy Holidays and such, if I don’t post before then~~~ Loves for wishing you all holiday-safety(for Thanksgiving, at least) and the reviews are the loves, too~~ x3

: : : : : : :

~Several Months Earlier~

“’niichan, ‘niichan!” The teen girl just in her first year of high school fluttered about the room, parading her school uniform excitedly in front of her cousin. He didn’t give her the reaction she wanted, though—merely cast her a frightfully eerie look that gave her the chills. A moment later it was gone, and she relaxed a little at seeing a slight smile curl up the corner of his mouth.

“It is very nice, Tomiko.” She continued prancing out, rattling off some prestigious name, no doubt, but he cared not. As long as she was ranting, she would not seek his input—even if it meant watching her frolic around in that god-awful shade. Who came up with such a color for human children entering a higher level of education to wear on a daily basis?

“Now you’re going to come pick me up from school, today, right? You won’t forget?” Her voice sounded uncertain, and he forced a vague curve onto his lips—he wasn’t one for smiling. It left a bad taste both in his mouth and on his lips. He truly detested this state of affairs… this human family who had ‘taken him in’ to ‘help him with his sister’s untimely death’—among other things—was watching his every move very carefully. It was rare he was alone. What, did they think he would commit suicide over that girl’s death? She meant less than nothing to him. Although it was unfortunate that she had died, as it complicated many things—such as police finding his DNA at the scene. Damned ningen sciences. But they could come up with no motive, and his ‘family’ vouched that he was acting odd, now(likely due to the change in personality from the body’s previous owner to himself) and the police ruled that he was in shock, and he couldn’t have done it as he had no motive to kill his sister.

Other than the fact he had been in a completely spiritual form as he was floating down to her brother, and the sudden movement spurred him on quicker than he would have liked, thinking there was competition for possessing the body. Thus, as soon as he’d entered he’d braced his spirit for a fight, clumsily thrusting the pole at the moving object(being unused to his newly-acquired hands as it were), and dead-on piercing her heart and chest. At that point, he would’ve liked a soul-snack, to keep up his energy—and perhaps in retrospect he should have stolen her soul and devoured her, to keep any witnesses from surfacing in Reikai. However, at this point—what was done was done. At least she wouldn’t be able to recognize him, so it was likely even if she did get in contact with someone important in Reikai, the odds of someone up there putting it altogether were rather dim.

But, for now he had to go through with this pointless charade. He was never one for children, or family, or such things as were being thrust upon him, now. Also given the point they were human and he very nearly detested every millimeter of their existence, and oh how he itched to kill them… but without his bombs, he only had his own hands and humans had their ways of narrowing down a suspect. Sadly enough, the police department here in Ningenkai did seem rather more competent than its counterpart in Reikai.

: : :

~Two Weeks Earlier~

He led her further away from the openness of the woods, and she did her best to ignore the inkling of trepidation that shivered up her back. Rui-san would not send someone to harm her, of that she was sure. There was no other way this man could have known her name, or of her brother, or of Rui-san unless he had indeed spoken to the koorime. Even though the thought of a human man surviving long enough on Hyouga’s climate to contact her was questionable… and it was debatable whether or not Rui-san would have sent for a man to search for Yukina on her own, but—

“We’re here.” Slightly startled at the abrupt stop, red eyes blinked upon seeing the mouth of a common-looking cave. She turned her gaze to him in polite, unspoken question. He offered her a smile, although it again reeked of unseen fangs. “My… associates and I are in the area, on our own agenda. My finding you here was quite the benevolent coincidence. Please.” He gestured to her with the last word, offering her a way in. Bowing gently, a few soft steps had her entering the cave, swallowed up by the darkness as he slipped in behind her, the wards going unnoticed where they were dotted around the stone inside the opening.

: : :

It was some time later that they emerged into the ‘cave proper’(if it could indeed be called that), and she smiled upon seeing a few others. There were two young humans, gathered around a ‘game console’. Genkai-shihan had had one, at the temple, and Yuusuke-san and Kazuma-san sometimes visited… although, Kazuma-san often lost. Stifling a giggle at the thought of the man yelling at Yuusuke-san in good-humored competition brought a soft smile to her expression, painting over the two boys in front of her—one brunet, one blond—working as a team, together, instead replacing them with more familiar faces.

Her chin fell, a notch. She… had left a letter, for Kazuma-san, explaining her need to leave so suddenly. She felt saddened that his studies had intensified as such that his ‘exams’ happened to coincide perfectly with when she left. His last visit before she left, she could recall quite well…

“Yuuuuukiiiiiiinaaaa-saaaan~~~!” Half-covering her initial smile with her kimono sleeve, the koorime turned with warm, half-mooned eyes towards the carrot-top who had just burst in the door, breathing hard from sprinting up Genkai-shihan’s stairs.

“Kazuma-san! How nice to see you again. Would you care for some tea?” A big, brilliantly honest smile lit up his face and he practically bounded into the room at the invitation, and she set to quietly preparing the leaves for steeping. Genkai-shihan had mentioned something a few minutes earlier about having a visitor, and so she had already begun the usual traditions for welcoming someone.

However, she hadn’t quite expected…

“Yeah! Your tea is always the best, Yukina-san!” A small warmth colored her cheeks at the compliment, but luckily it went unseen as her back was facing him. Her fingers trembled just a bit as they worked at coaxing hot water from the kettle into the two cups. How would she tell him she must be leaving? He would wish to come with her, that was certain… He was always so nice, but—this was something she must do alone. Touya-san was right. Also, she wouldn’t wish to cause trouble for him—she could not abide with making him miss his ‘very important’ exams, merely for her sake. She nodded to herself, turning with a sweet smile towards her friend, noting only unconsciously, in the back of her mind, how respectfully he sat, straight-backed and politely kneeling, feet tucked neatly beneath his rump with fisted hands on his thighs.

“Kazuma-san. Genkai-shihan recently bought some peanut cakes, would you like to… ?”

“Aa! Anything for you, Yukina! I’m sure they’re delicious!”

She would never forget the look on his face, when he bit into that first one too rashly, with only his front teeth, and nearly broke them off in the process. He’d howled in pain, and she’d hurried to his side, placing a placating hand on his and explaining it was best to chew them carefully. He’d miraculously seemed to recover from his malady, at that, cheeks lighting up with what she could only assume to be gratitude. She’d smiled only slightly, as his untouched digits rose to tentatively brush against her own where they rested on his fingers holding the cake, oh-so-lightly.

“A-Arigatou, Yukina-san. It feels s-so much better, already…” She beamed warmly, to this, squeezing his hand gently in reassurance.

“I am glad you are all right, Kazuma-san.” Patting the hand, she had then returned to her seat, and they finished their tea and cakes with companionable silence—or the occasional agreeable topic—fluttering between them.

A sigh. She wondered what Kazuma-san was doing, at this moment… perhaps he’d already gotten her letter? Perhaps he had found time to visit Genkai-shihan in the two months that had passed—she had not told him where she was heading, to search. However, Genkai-shihan knew, and so if there was a real emergency the elderly Reihado master would divulge the koorime’s whereabouts(in the general direction of Hokkaido) quite easily.

“This is Yukina-san. She will be staying with us for a while.” Blinking out of her thoughts, she quickly covered her embarrassment at not listening, bowing lowly at the waist to the pair of boys. Although something seemed strange about that statement…

“Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. It is an honorable pleasure to meet you.”

“Kochira koso, for us, as well…” They echoed the customary response in quiet murmurs, watching as she straightened gracefully from her bow, smiling slightly at them both in the silence that followed. The little brunet spoke up, first.

“Hey, Yukina-‘neesan!” She canted her head sweetly towards the child, in demure question.

“Yes?”

“You’re a youkai, ain’tcha!” The ice demoness blinked, then smiled a hint softer, nodding slightly.

“Yes. I am a koorime.”

“Eh?” He stared at her, confused. Kindly, she simplified the term for him.

“A demon who controls ice.”

“Oooooh…” He nodded… then stopped, blinking up at her with a child’s wide(purple, she noted with some curiosity) eyes.

“Like Mr. Freeze, from Batman?!” Blink, blink. She’d never quite heard of him…

“I… I’m sorry, to whom do you refer?”

“Mr. Freeze!” He said the name again with impatience this time, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring up at her. “You had to have heard of Mr. Freeze, ‘neesan! He’s almost as famous as Lex Luther!” Another name she didn’t know… Sweatdropping mentally(and warmly thinking how strikingly this boy reminded her of Kazuma-san, in his honest straightforwardness), she hid her embarrassment(and faint amusement), covering her mouth with the cuff of her sleeve.

“I… ah… No, please excuse me—I have not been living in Ningenkai long… I do not know of him…” He huffed, waving his hands about before shoving them moodily into his pockets and stomping back to his video games.

“You’ll have to excuse Amanuma-kun…” A timid voice broke into her thoughts, and she blinked gently at the soft-spoken, blond-haired boy peering at her with bright blue eyes from under his curls. His face was mostly hidden under the fleecy yellow hood that matched the rest of the sweatshirt. It looked as though he was attempting a smile, but he looked rather uncomfortable… Yukina smiled at him, as though to impart a bit of warmth to the nervous youth.

“It is all right. I am afraid I do not know Ningenkai culture that well, after all…” She gently bopped herself on the head with a small, delicate fist, and he laughed, anxiously edging away from her and back towards the television.

“A-Ahh, yes… well… it was very nice to meet you, Yukina-san, but please excuse me—” He practically scurried back over to the couch they’d been using to play on, squirming down into the cushions and likely taking up a controller. She gazed after him, crimson oculars growing clouded with pensive concern. That boy was troubled… he seemed a bit too meek, or unstable. Perhaps, she could—

“That was Mitarai.” A voice in her ear caused her to jump, and she turned to see the man who had led her inside leaning over her shoulder, and smiling at her. Even though it was a smile, it still seemed rather…

“Ah. I see. Thank you.” Out of habit, she returned the smile. He nodded at her, and withdrew, waving an opened hand to indicate another passageway at the far end of the large interior cavern with his palm.

“The two others that live here are in another room—you’ll see them, later. They are occupied at the moment, and we best not bother them.” She nodded, quietly stepping after her guide as he continued to speak. Yes, of course, she wouldn’t wish to be any trouble… He stopped at the beginning of another passage, bowing slightly and indicating she should go ahead of him.

“It it nothing special, but I have prepared a room for you, this way…” The koorime was—a bit surprised, at that… but in the end, she could not refuse such efforts of hospitality. She bowed deep, thanking him before going on ahead, unseeing as he stealthily slapped a few intricate wards around the edge of this entrance, as well, before following her into the obscurity of the crude hallway.

: : :

Bright azure peeked over the couch as the two figures disappeared into one of the lengthier passageways. Sounds from the screen in front of him were suddenly loud—flashing lights and a buzzer announced he’d lost, and the blond boy sighed, going to reset the game.

“Why do we have to play this same game, again and again, Amanuma?”

“Because! Sensui-san said I need to practice this!” The loud response made him flinch, and he flopped back onto the couch, squirming back into the cushions as though to disappear. The game began again, and he found himself absently musing aloud.

“Wonder why… Makihara brought home a girl.” A derisive snort sounded next to him.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? He’s bored. We all are. There’s nothing to do, up here. …Aaaaaaahhh, I wish there was an arcade around!” The kid complained, effortlessly pressing buttons in a dizzying sequence that left Mitarai’s character sprawled on the ground in yet another defeat. The blond tried not to let it get to him—even as Amanuma continued to complain.

“’ttaku! I’ve played all these games hundreds of times, beaten each of them at least fifty, and…” He gave an obnoxiously arrogant sigh, then. “I guess it’s my fault, I’m just too good for these games, there’s no challenge anymore…”

“That is about to change, Amanuma-kun.” The voice had adverse reactions—the younger brunet straightened and glanced over his shoulder, a happy grin on his face as two of the older members of their immediate group strolled quietly into view. The blond flinched, however, looking jarred at the abrupt interruption as he nonetheless cast a hesitant smile up towards the taller man. The broad-framed elder smiled down at them, face a mysterious mask above the loose-necked black long-sleeved shirt he wore. A single dot took up residence in the middle of his forehead, giving him a vaguely Indian appearance. Behind him, the elegantly robe-clad form of a teal-haired demon hovered over his shoulder. His gaze was quietly reserved—but even from this distance it was obvious his attention was focused utterly on the man he accompanied(even when not actively looking at him).

“Really, Sensui-san?!” A low, mildly foreboding chuckle echoed out amidst the cave’s interior.

“Yes… you will soon have the chance to play at your very best.”

: : :

~One Day Earlier~

He was still slightly certain he was wandering in a daze. Kanisawa-san was a shadowy presence by his side, quiet and slightly intimidating in the dusky twilight. Mother was used to him coming home, late—on particularly stressful days, she knew her son tended to spend more time, alone, in the greenhouse. Now and then she chided him gently—suggested softly that he call up Yuusuke-kun or Kuwabara-kun, spend some time with old friends. She’d done this for months, now, ever since…

Ever since Hiei left…

He shook his head, the faint movement causing a gentle rustle in the area of the secluded sidewalk they strode over. It was all so… very strange, now. Absently, fingertips wandered up, tracing over his lips, the kitsune having all but forgotten he had company. A quiet touch stirred him from that, and he jerked, startled emerald falling on his companion. Sienna oculars watched him, silently, the digits that had carefully touched his shoulder withdrawing just as noiselessly as they’d come. The redhead managed a reassuring smile, canting his head just slightly as an indication that they should continue on, it was of no issue, and he settled his eyes on the road ahead, once more.

: : :

He could feel Kurama’s very pulse, now. The lines that drew them together were bonding, bright red entwining with darker black as the third seal settled into full effect, linking their lives. It was… curious, this. He no longer quite saw the kitsune as he had, before—it was as though there was a faint glow around him. Perhaps it was merely a manifestation of Kurama’s energy… yes, that would make sense. After all, now that their lives were bound inextricably together, it followed logic that they would appear different to one another… so long as they were aware of the change. The crow chuckled silently, to himself, tongue idly testing out to catch any lingering taste of his fox on his lips. That had been… rather enjoyable. Of course, it was still mildly irritating that he could not really do all that he wished, but if he had nothing after these months of waiting, he had patience. That wasn’t to say it was the same as control… It had been delicious, how easily the kitsune had given into him, how yielding even with those ineffectual protests staining his lips—

Violet flashed deep within his gaze, and before he’d really registered it he’d walked forward, grabbed the fox’s arm above the elbow and pulled him into a darkened alley. Beryl hues bore up on him in slight surprise, glimmering fetchingly in the dark—but there was something marring that gaze. Instead of pure lust, desire, there was a haunting sadness watching from within. The reincarnated demon forced himself not to rush the matter. Perhaps it was out of habit, caution until the last of his seals had been administered. At any rate, he only moved to pin the arm he held to the wall of the alley, leaning until his forehead rested on soft carmine bangs, the movement pressing the redhead’s back up against the wall of the alleyway. Jade bore up on him, shimmering still in the dying lamplight that barely reached into these shadows. His voice escaped, low and dark—intimidating, almost, in the obscurity.

“Kurama. What is wrong.” That look… he could stand terror, could stand hate, could revel in them both, but this—this draining sorrow was so annoying. He didn’t spare a moment to think of the absurdity of the situation—he, of all people, caring about the kitsune’s state? But it wasn’t really caring, no—the fox would be far more pliable, more accepting of his will if he coated his orders in a simulation of kindness, and patience. Acting as any smitten human would over an infatuation, it was the perfect cover…

The kitsune tipped his head away, gazing so tragically into the night that for a moment he had no choice but to admire the slender line of his neck. His jaw—that pale skin nearly glowed against the shadowy depths they’d crawled into. When no answer seemed forthcoming, he leaned forward, lips resting on the exposed line of throat to one side of the fox’s jugular. He heard a breath catch, and repressed the grin that wanted to sneak out onto his face. So simple, this… Kurama would think it was chance, would perceive this resting place as innocent coincidence. He would dismiss the very demonic implications of having a threat resting at one’s neck, simply because he believed his admirer to be wholly human… How quaint. The would-be teen murmured quietly against the warm scent of greenery that infused that skin in more than one obvious way.

“Kurama. You needn’t concern yourself with injuring me…” Oh, how ironic that statement was—but again he resisted any true reaction, tipping his head as digits released the other’s elbow, trailing down along his arm. Fine tips circled around the wrist as heavy lids fell, slivers of dark intent going unseen from where they rested. His free hand itched for contact, as well, and it found itself sliding over the slight curve of one of the kitsune’s effeminate hips, tugging at the still-dirtied white button-up undershirt tucked against his waistline. “I’m not fragile, I won’t break…”

A small sound of dismay whined from the redhead’s throat, and he kissed where he felt the source of the vibration. Nearly-closed optics still watched closely as the kitsune tilted his head back towards his companion, emerald vaguely clouded but still clear, coherent as those petal-soft lips parted in token defiance.

“K-Kanisawa-san… it—you don’t understand, it’s not—”

“Oh, isn’t it?” That breath was cool, as he nosed into the kitsune’s neck, drawing another quick, surprised inhale from the one beneath him even as the slender youth’s chin rose to accommodate. Oh, the redhead was so fetching, like this. Permitting him to go so far, merely because he was under the misconception of ‘Kanisawa-san’s true identity. It was exhilarating, and—like an addict—once he’d had a taste, he couldn’t get enough. His next exhale was translucent, heavy with long-repressed desire.

“Kurama… Your concern for my well-being is so… very—”

Ironic?

Teeth grazed the youko’s throat and a shudder woke him to the fact he was all-but-bodily pinning the fox against the wall—but there was that strange, yielding acceptance, again, and he purred low in his throat as a faint whimper graced the air around them.

“…endearing.” He finished the sentence with a warm murmur of intent. It was worth it, for he’d said it(or something like it) before, but it had been so long ago—and here, it counted for so much more, especially when it made the kitsune’s breath hitch in surprise, so he drew back enough and cloaked his heady violet gaze into brown. He allowed only the quiet sincerity of the phrase to ring within the sienna-hued eyes as grass-green ones locked onto them a moment too late to notice the shift in color.

The fox was staring, and it was painfully tempting—a slight flush had dared color those fine cheekbones, lips parted only slightly as far too many emotions swam in the verdant depths. Of their own accord, pale fingers rose from the fox’s waist to caress his cheek, a close, wordless murmur breathing in the air between them. He gazed seriously into the eyes that had graced his thoughts far too many times to count, forehead again cushioned on crushed, darkened scarlet fringe. A wry grin tugged at a corner of his mouth as the kitsune still stared at him, speechless—until he could resist it no longer, and he leaned with the intent to capture those stunned lips—

“I assure you, it is not needed. Trust me…” He’d paused just a hair’s breadth away, giving the fox the illusion that he could withdraw from the contact if he truly wished to. As though if Kurama did not ‘trust’ him, he would not move forward and press any contact that was unwanted. To say, those beckoning tiers mere millimeters away were hard to resist… Darker depths watched his prey beneath their lids, a slender thumb tracing along the apple of his beloved’s cheek in an aimlessly repetitive motion. He was patient, for a few moments after that—intently watching and identifying each emotion as it flitted through the kitsune’s expression. So easy to read…

He was, yet, not expecting slim, elegant digits to abruptly curl around his own—he’d nearly forgotten they rested around the fox’s wrist in a loose hold—and the slight, tentative brush of lips against his mouth as the kitsune raised his chin, to accommodate their difference in height. It was… strange. He’d never expected the fox to voluntarily respond to his actions—it was something quite opposite from the reaction he’d expected. As it was, there was a moment where his own expression must have mirrored that look of shock, because watchful verdant depths crinkled at the edges, and a chuckle bubbled out from between the contact of their lips, tasting the air.

“Ah, there it is…” It was a voice lit with warmth and fondness, and his own reaction-time was further put off by the surreal quality of it. An arm wrapped around the back of his neck, pulling him down and he was absently aware of the redhead arching into him. As a result, his fingers tightened as playful hips brushed against the pressure that’d gathered in his groin, the following teasing line of words gentle enough, their lips brushing with every utterance. “I was beginning to wonder when you’d start acting like the ’endearingly’ young human you are…~” It was a teasing purr, and the crow felt his own eyes narrowing at the barb. That reaction only further lit the amusement in the jade hues below, though.

“You—” A light laugh interrupted his affronted curse, and soon enough he had the kitsune pinned fully against the wall, again, silencing that rebellious mouth with his own. There was no pretense, this time, simply a foraging of the area past those quirked tiers in search of both silence and more of that intoxicating flavor. The redhead hummed against him, and that naughty tongue slid away so he gave chase, purring in smug response as one of his own hands wandered down, cupping and molding one of the perfect globes concealed beneath the seat of the other’s pants. A sharp gasp interrupted their kiss, with that, digits curling further around paler ones in their grasp as the fox groaned in the aftermath, hips canting upward against his own as those talented fingers massaged the firm flesh. Teeth flashed in a grin as he took the initiative once more, delving past kiss-swollen lips to continue with the worship. A muffled sound greeted that, and he was treated to the lovely sight of jade husking further as he ground into the effeminate hips below. It earned a soft cry as the kitsune’s head tipped back—and he felt a hard resistance pooling behind the innocuous appearance of the magenta slacks.

He chuckled, low and dark, affixing teeth to the other’s neck and biting into supplicant flesh. Oh, it was everything he could want—although it was lacking in terror, but that could come later—Kurama entreating him with his body to continue. Movements that shouldn’t’ve been graceful and yet were coated every shift of his head, his arms, his body… It was all too much like an eddy, sucking him in to destruction but it was so breathtaking a demise, how could he refuse… ?

“You’re—” Sin incarnate. It shouldn’t have been rasped, and yet it was, his own patience unraveling with each additional point of contact and this time he was interrupted. Momentarily, he gave himself over to the reinstated kiss, eyes falling shut as he accepted the fierce challenge, tongue warring and rubbing against the invading one until he defeated it enough that it took the time to flee. He pursued it, swallowing a low groan of his own as Kurama whimpered for air beneath him. He didn’t allow it, just yet—he shoved that wet muscle inside the ambrosia-like cavern, damp and hot and they battled for air and with one another until their lungs burned, fingers clenched enough for nails to be painful against skin or fabric. At last, they broke apart, panting and gasping in each other’s breaths as neither wished to withdraw completely, hazed and dusky chocolate with glimmers of darker purple devouring seductive jade…

It took all his willpower not to throw the fox to the ground, in this instant, violate and rape him until he cried, begged to be taken again and again and again, screaming out his assailant’s true name in harrowing realization as—

Gentle fingers on his cheek stirred him from the fantasy, and he snapped his once-more cinnamon gaze to the other’s. Emerald was clearing, concerned… He attempted to shake off the erotic visions, instead leaning to press lips to the other’s forehead in lieu of a vocal reassurance. They remained like that, for a while… not moving, simply drawing in each other’s presence and the abrupt change that had fallen between them, allowing their thoughts to wander over various musings—until that soft, melodic alto broke their silence.

“’kaasan… will be worried. We should continue on—” Simple and effective, it broke the spell over them and he idly offered a nod, withdrawing from where he’d pinned his beloved, beautiful fox to the gritty wall of the alley. He was forced to pause, though, when warm fingers would not relinquish his own. The taller youth offered an idle glance toward the kitsune, but found his attention drawn as the smallest of smiles dared twitch at the redhead’s lips. Both of the other’s hands wrapped around the captured one of his own and brought it to that enticing mouth. Kurama scarcely touched the back of the slender knuckles with a mimicked motion of feathery, warm lips. The unspoken sentiment behind the action echoed in his eyes, although the silence remained to consider the air between them.

: : :

~Present Time~

“You call that Jagan useful? Geez, man, you need to go see an eye doctor or something…” The complaining was not well-tolerated, the responding tone a touch too frosty to be a harmless jab.

“And you, the ‘detective’. What use is that device if it cannot locate who you are searching for!”

“It’s the same problem, isn’t it~?” It was a jeering reply, smug brown sliding to smirk into angered red. Offhandedly, he tapped the face of the ‘watch’ on his wrist. “—’sides, you could fool it, way back when. What makes you think they’d really have made it better?” A snort greeted that—until he suddenly stopped. The brunet teen didn’t quite notice this, at first—or perhaps he did, as a few paces ahead he drew to a halt without turning around, eyes darting from side to side.

“…something wrong, Hiei?” Silence. He hadn’t really expected a response, but…

“The wind.”

“Wha—?” A dark flicker of air, and they were suddenly standing atop one of the thinnest, gangliest pine trees he’d ever seen—much less stood upon!

“Waah! Hiei! You bastard! Give a guy some warning—”

“There.” Raising his head from where he clung to the top of the bristly branches, chocolate orbs narrowed slowly upon seeing something out of the ordinary.

“Hey… that sunset don’t look right, do it?”

“Fool.” He mustered for a response, but the Jaganshi kept on while ignoring his sarcasm. That crimson gaze was locked to the strange, huge dark bubble over the crackling horizon a ways in the distance. It hovered over the woods—warped and darkened the clouds overhead, twisting them into a downward spiral over one part of the vast forest like a ghoul. Electricity and something unmentionable crackled in the air like dynamite, prone to combustion with just the right spark…

“It’s not the sunset. It’s a portal. The wind here has the comfortable scent of home…” It wasn’t like Hiei to sound so nostalgic, and Yuusuke found himself mildly disturbed when that tone continued in its calm, peaceful cadence, slipping to something almost dreamy with the ongoing comment.

“Of freshly spilt blood and death…”

“…You’ve got some seriously messed-up sense of what’s ‘comfortable’, Hiei.”

: : :

Fury. It pulsed within him, drew his eyes to slits, glowing embers of amber fire.

The mother was hidden behind the door, but moreso behind her husband, clutching the boy who had warned him so kindly, to the front of her apron.

“I have taught your children the ways of the wood. I have taught them of healing herbs and medicines, of salves.” His own voice sounded a hiss. “I have, against my better judgment, allowed them into my domain and let them come back to you, unscathed, countless times. For all of this, you will not help me?”

The bearded demon was firm, raising his chin, and as it was he yet-towered over the adolescent silver kitsune.

“That’s right, Youko. We don’t need a murderer and thief teaching our kids such things! Who cares if your precious forest is burned down! With that gone, and with it the source of all your power, this entire town would be better off! We could revitalize the city, start the horse trade, again, with the land your forest takes up!” The adolescent demon grit his teeth internally, forcing instead a smooth smile out onto his lips, flaxen oculars glinting, cooling into blades of saffron rage.

“…I see. Your entire town would be better off, would it? Then perhaps I’ve no need of your town, either.” Here he turned, striding away down the road and into the heart of the city. He flexed his claws and closed his eyes, calling upon the stores of youki he’d gained over the decades—it wasn’t much, compared with the power he would gain over the next millennium, but it was enough, at least, to destroy this ungrateful town and all its inhabitants. Demons. They were useless, foul little vermin who only cared about themselves. He had no use for them—and as for the forest, for his forest, on fire… he did not have nearly enough stones to put it out, and without the help of the townsfolk he had so stupidly come to trust, over the past few decades…

Better it all die.

He strode into the night, seeds and plants germinating deep beneath the dust-coated, dead ground. They rose up as specters glowing fiercely around him, in intimidating and venomous shadows that killed everything that moved, releasing a pollen that put the entire city to sleep, venting their master’s anger on the world that had betrayed him. For the second time, he was so foolish as to place his hopes in living beings, be they foxes or demons. They destroyed every inch of the city as his precious trees were burned away while the night raged on, his own revenge just as silencing and deadly as the flames that engulfed the lush groves.

: : :

~One Day Earlier~

She was not worrying. She was preparing dinner. She had been preparing dinner for the past few hours, but, really, she wasn’t worrying. Suu-kun had always told her not to worry. Taking a slow breath, the woman calmly continued cutting up the daikon for the soup, tonight. He was always a little late, coming home from school. He tended to the greenhouse plants, didn’t he? That was likely what was keeping him. Yes, yes. He had lost track of time, and the reason he was so late was because—

Relief flooded through her as she registered the key working in the lock of the front door, and she hurried from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron and anticipating the soon following after utterance of—

“Tadaima, ‘kaasan!”

“Okaeri, Suu-kun!”

He toed off his shoes in the genkan, lifting his head and offering a smile in his mother’s direction as she appeared at the end of the hall, her answer just slightly preceding her. Stepping up into the house, he laid his bag by the side of the hall and—blinked, as the brunette apparently noticed something outside their front window.

“Suu-kun, what is…” She quietly advanced towards the window by the door, peering out of it into the semi-darkness. There was a figure standing on the sidewalk, just across from the door. He was moderately tall, an arm crooked as though he held a cell phone to his ear. Curious, she cast a glance back to her son, slightly perplexed. “Suu-kun, is that a friend of yours?” The way he smiled, slightly abashed, told her all she needed to know and she narrowed her eyes at him, playfully swatting his arm.

“Suu-kun! You should invite him inside, we can’t have a friend of yours standing out there in—” Her voice trailed off as a limousine pulled up right in front of the shadowy figure, and she saw he turned, paused as though noticing he was being watched, and offered a faint wave before sliding gracefully into his car, as the driver held the door open for him. Astonished—she’d never seen a limousine on their street, before!—she looked to her son, lips slightly parted. This one was so different from the other boys Suuichi brought home… He laughed, gently, at her expression, smiling absently as he shook his head.

“’kaasan, that was… Kanisawa-san. He couldn’t stay.” Kanisawa? “He’s a… recent friend of mine.”

“From school?” It was an automatic question, she always wondered why—but he waved it off, smiling once more.

“Well… no. It was a chance meeting.”

“I see…” She mused over that, for a moment. Wasn’t the president of her company a Kanisawa? She could have sworn she’d heard that surname, before—sighing in exaggerated exasperation, she teasingly swatted her son’s shoulder as she stepped up from the genkan and into the house proper, casting him a chiding glance from the corner of one dark eye as she passed him and headed down the hallway.

“Well! Next time, invite him in, Suu-kun! You know I always love meeting your friends.” The smile she gave him after that was warmly beamed over her shoulder, and she was aware of her son’s slightly nervous shift before he nodded, murmuring an assent as he followed her back to the kitchen. Oh, yes. She wouldn’t allow her son to keep secrets from her, too much~!

It’s not as though anything he did could ever truly disappoint her, after all.

: : :

~A Few Hours Later~

He sighed. The meal had been pleasant, with only the two of them, as was per usual. The Hatanaka and Minamino families were becoming better acquainted, but the process was slow, and as such they still spent many suppers in their own homes. Turning over on his side, in the bed, he gazed quietly out at the silhouette of the tree bordering his(locked) window. A faint smile pulled at his lips, recalling the other night, when he’d ‘caught’ something with that tree.

Rolling onto his back, the kitsune stared silently at the ceiling. It was… nice, to be wanted again. It was—interesting, to not always be the pursuer, and to have one chase after him, for once. For most of his life it had been that way—Yomi, Kuronue, nameless, countless others—and Hiei had been the exception to them all. Lashes moved, fully obscuring the dark room from his view.

Human infatuations were so fleeting… Kanisawa-san would likely get his fill, soon enough, and move on. Humans lied, just as demons did. They professed things, without ever really thinking of their consequences. It was a sad truth, and it only seemed void in light of conditions concerning ‘family love’.

Unconditional…

Needless to say, it did make him feel better. It promoted his sense of self-worth, which had been sorely lacking, in recent months. It gave his ego a boost that he could still draw admirers in(a trait he thought he’d given up after his reincarnation), or some such thing. Rolling once more, he snagged the pillow from its place by the headboard and curled around it, exhaling into the cushy softness.

It was best, to not become accustomed to this. He had warned Kanisawa-san, that he wasn’t quite over someone else, and that it would be unfair to continue this. The boy had pushed ahead, single-mindedly, regardless of his protests. A slight smile tugged at his expression. Typical human teenager—not thinking ahead into the emotions involved, only interested in satisfying his spur-of-the-moment hormonal urges and fickle passions. Well… he couldn’t blame him. His own body was in the pubescent shift, too, after all—burrowing his face into the cushion, he released another ragged breath, refusing to allow the tumultuous haze of conflicting emotions drag him down.

It would be fine. He would let this relationship run its course, and prepare himself for the quick end that would follow the faulty promises. Humans were so flighty… but he could at least take comfort in the ‘love-that-was-not-love’ while it was there, take solace in the fact he need not hide his demonic heritage from at least one person. It would help keep him sane for a little while, perhaps—and prepare him for life, for moving on, at last.

It was, truly, the healthiest thing he could do for himself at this point—unresolved issues involving a certain hiyoukai notwithstanding.

: : :

~Present Time~

“Botan!” She jumped, startled out of her listening state as he addressed her so succinctly, flaxen gaze narrowed and intent upon the two ghosts ‘sitting’ before him. The demi-god did not turn to face her, even as he belted out orders in a curt voice.

“Bring me the list of youkai souls collected on the last day of the Dark Tournament. You.” He gestured at the purple oni wringing his hands on the other side of the door—the ogre straightened respectfully, drawn taut as a clothesline in one instant. (Nevermind the fact Koenma-sama hadn’t bothered to face him while speaking, either.)

“Yes, Koenma-sama?!”

“Bring me the records of all youkai who died during the final rounds.” They knew to what he referred, mentioning it further would be a waste of time. However, the purple-skinned oni voiced their mutual surprise at the request.

“A-All of them? But, Koenma-sama, that’s the end of the Ankoku Buujutsukai—hundreds of demons died, especially after Toguro began attacking the audience—”

“Did I stutter?!” Koenma barked the reiteration of that previous demand, angered amber at last settling harshly on the hapless employee. “Just do it! I want those records here in twenty minutes!” They were shocked into stillness at the ardor of his tone—until he rounded on them both, then, displaying his back to the two spirits and suddenly acting every bit the spoiled godling he could be, at times, gaze serious and uneasy despite his testy and impatient tone.

“Time is a factor! Kurama’s life could be in danger! I need those records yesterday!”

“H-hai, Koenma-sama!” The blue-haired ferry girl and purple ogre scurried out of the room, a pop in the hallway outside telling them that Botan had summoned her oar to better navigate the crowded halls of Spirit World. When the door fell shut, lengthy digits moved to pinch the bridge of his nose just beneath the telltale “Jr” sign on his forehead. He dropped them after a moment, turning back to the two ghosts yet remaining in the room, the man’s face somber and quiet, the girl’s lifted into one of fright.

“Now, slowly. Minamino-san—if you could please tell me again what you have observed Kanisawa Takashi doing, at night… Could they have possibly looked like seals?”

“Well… I’ve never seen a seal, so I couldn’t know…” The spirit rubbed his chin thoughtfully, shifting only slightly to accommodate the preteen girl yet clinging to his arm, who was settled at his side. “But… it looked like old writing. Cursive, grass-roots kanji, almost. Hard to read.”

Koenma let out a slow, would-be calming breath.

No. Really. Kurama wasn’t in danger. It couldn’t be that youkai.

They’d collected his soul—right?

And yet…

No other demon was so fixated on Kurama as him… no other demon fits the profile…

The brunet godling prayed it wasn’t him. He prayed that his single overlook of a seemingly run-of-the-mill occult ceremony victim meant nothing. He prayed Botan would return with the list of souls collected, and that crow demon would be at the top of the list(he’d been the first to die that day, after all, right?).

It couldn’t be him… the odds were far too predictable, but—

If it was…

If it is him… !

He’d let this go on for far too long, already. Who knows what the deranged youkai could have been doing—or had already done—to Kurama, in the months past…

It can’t be him.

He would continue to tell himself that, at least until he had undeniable proof that that demon’s soul was not accounted for.

Hurry, Botan.

: : :

Morning rose red, painting the altered scenery with stark clarity as the light grew.

Where Kurama-mori had been, there was only a charred, seemingly-infinite expanse of dead dirt.

Where Kurama-machi had been, there was an endless, entangled jungle of poisonous, blood-sucking plants.

The warlords left, their favor having been dutifully accomplished.

The few townspeople that survived the night(only a few children, curiously enough), shivering and terrified, retreated to other towns, spreading the word.

Kurama-mori, “Saddle-Horse Forest”, and Kurama-machi, “Saddle-Horse Town”, were no more.

Youko Kurama was baptized within the ashes and blood that coated their graves.

~*~To Be Continued~*~