Title: Growth of a Spirit Detective
Author: Azalea J.
Beta: Amymcclair
Rating: R
Pairing(s): Kurama / Hiei mostly in this chapter…
Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho was created by Yoshihiro Togashi and adapted by Funimation studios. I claim no rights to characters or settings or dialogue. I am making no money off this work.
Warning(s):. Violence, Violent Scenes, Language, SPOILERS, and Angst
Word Count: Approx. 6 000

Growth of a Spirit Detective

Chapter One

He licked the rain from his lips as he sloshed through the damp city streets. The moon and stars couldn’t been seen for the street and house lights; glaring and blurring the night so that the streets looked like moist vomit made up the air, instead of oxygen. It was putrid.

He grinned, revealing fangs.

Water ran down his face in shining rivulets; his hair had long ago soaked to his skull.

His eyes gleamed.

As he walked, he became aware of shadowy figures emerging from alleyways and house steps. The gleam of metal met his peripheral vision occasionally, alerting him to the presence of switchblades - and one paring knife. City slugs.

Maggots.

He stopped in the middle of the street, water flowing around his sneakers and soaking up his pant-legs. He was drenched and loving it.

The clatter of feet behind him, to his left, in front of him.

Another switchblade opened.

He was surrounded.

He could only grin from beneath his sticking bangs. A low, rumbling growl resonated from the bowels of his chest. The silly ningens couldn’t hear or refused to hear the warning in that growl. Their deaths would come swiftly, messily, and painfully, should they refuse to vacate his territory immediately.

A clinking sound came from behind him; intrigued, he turned.

A cocky ningen youth stood grasping a chain with rough hands. The chain was heavy, and long. The human must be strong to lift it, let alone wield it. The youth’s mouth opened and closed, working in the rhythms of speech but the demon couldn’t understand. Still, the message was clear. Turning fully, he faced the youth with a battle-ready stance, his hands clenching into fists over the water running from his sleeves and down his arms.

The chain swung, glinting in the vomit light. And he caught it effortlessly; used it to yank the child into his grasp - it was Kuwabara, struggling to free himself with fear pouring from his eyes.

He only grinned and clutched the throat until it popped and blood spewed out over his knuckles. The other humans screamed in rage and charged him.

With a spike of his youki, he forced them all back. Then he attacked, sending his energy lancing out wherever he sensed life. And bodies dropped around him; some writhing in anguish when he missed some vital organ, which allowed them agonizing life a few moments longer; and some twitching in the mere throws of post-death.

He laughed and allowed the rain to clean the blood from his arms and face.

Stepping over disembodied limbs and ragged torsos, he continued on down the street. The rain sloshed at his heels, urging him on. This was his birthright, and he should enjoy it.

There was a sound of metal on concrete, and he flicked his eyes to the side to see another ningen grasp an iron rod from a body of the fallen, drag it up into the air. It was heavy for the ningen - younger than the other one had been. The demon laughed at the human’s folly. It charged him, and he dispatched it with a flick of his wrist.

The head flew through the rain, the eyes wide and mouth gaping. It landed with a splash and squish on the rain drenched walk. And blood dribbled from Keiko’s mouth.

He wandered onwards and was aware, now, of someone screaming. He turned around but saw no one.

More humans fell to his power and physical strength alone. Mothers grasping sobbing children, fathers running to warn families, arrogant teenagers and city officials too curious for their own good.

An old grandma fell gasping when he crammed his fist into her feeble breasts, and Genkai hissed at him as she died.

The screaming was louder now, and he searched furiously to find the noise and stop it.

Yukina fell armless and bled to death in the gutter. Botan screamed as she was vaporized instantly from the strength of the blast he sent her way; blood raining down intermingled with the rain.

He was drunk on the rush. He wanted more. Wanted to kill. Maim. Destroy.

But the screaming was in his head now, loud and urgent. One word repeated over and over in a scream that annoyed and distracted.

Stop… Stop… Stop… Stop. Stop. STOP! STOP!!!’

Laughing madly, ignoring the scream, he charged and fired a large orb of youkai at a high-rise, and watched the building fall and crumble; the dust and screams of horror and pain and fear dampened by the rain. As the building fell, it listed to the side, and rammed into the neighboring apartment complex. Down went another building.

He loved it.

STOP IT!!! Stop. Stop. STOP! STOP!!! STOP IT!!!

Swinging around, he charged and destroyed a line of houses with one long blast, his energy going for miles.

Turning the other way he clotheslined an officer on a motorcycle, and used the gas to make a boom so encompassing it took out most of the city, and all onlookers.

Dammit, STOP!’

He couldn’t stop laughing - it was too much fun! So much dust and blood in the streets!
A biker lost his head, and the bike with the headless body rolled wobbly into the wall of a convenience store, which exploded soon after.

The scream in his head had stopped, and now simply sobbed as it watched him destroy everything.

He laughed and laughed.

Then he turned and - stopped.

Kurama stood before him, rain running down his face; dripping from his hair. His expression was closed, his eyes down. His hands were lax at his sides, covered with water.

Hiei stood just behind the fox, nonchalant as ever, but there.

He staggered and fell back a bit.

Kurama lifted his head, and his eyes were sad.

The fox opened his mouth, and-

“Guu-uh!” Yusuke sat up sharply, breathing hard, his eyes wide and staring.

Why?

He swallowed and merely sat there breathing. Catching his breath as a cold sweat trickled down his neck.

Coming to himself slowly, he looked around, and his heart rate began to return to normal. He was in his room - well, the room he’d claimed as his own - at Raizen’s keep.

It was only a spare room, but big, with no windows and two large doors facing the bed. A bathroom was situated to the left - with bath and utilities. A modest dresser and the bed were the only furniture - the bed large, with simple sheets and pillows and a large quilt. He had picked the room because it was the furthest from the rooms of Houkoshin and the others - and Raizen’s throne room. Which, as he had ordered, was left completely vacant and untouched.

Throwing aside his covers, Yusuke tromped into the bathroom and threw water onto his face, scrubbing off the sweat. His breathing still shallow, Yusuke gazed into the mirror as he calmed.

A familiar visage stared back, though it was changed a tad from the face Keiko had once loved; and probably still did.

His facial features, of course, remained the same: pert nose, large brown eyes with normal lashes, simple lips with a slight curve, an extremely tanned complexion. His hair, however, he had allowed to grow out some. In the two years he’d resided in demon world, it had grown to just below his shoulder blades. He mostly allowed it to hang shaggy and black around his head and over his shoulders; - the wide bangs Raizen had sported once seemed to be genetic - but when he fought, or when Kurama visited, it was tied up into a mostly flattering horsetail, which made him look older than his modest 18 years.

Besides the hair, his Mazoku heritage made more frequent appearances as the days and months wore on. In fact, it was almost rare now to see Yusuke without his demon markings. Maybe not all of them - sometimes just the sharp triangles beneath his eyes, or the black flames making their way up his arms. Or the tribal lines accentuating his collar bone or sometimes, yes, all of them at once. Today it was just the ones beneath his eyes.

He sighed, and ran a mostly steady hand through his hair - one human habit he was loath to shake. Would Keiko flip if she saw him now? Actually, that was unlikely. The girl was as open-minded as they came and wasn’t surprised easily. Especially when it came to Yusuke.

Sighing once more -to make himself feel better- Yusuke strode back into his room and ripped a ratted pair of jeans and one of his old training shirts from the dresser. Donned them without hassle, and slammed the door on his way out.

Stomping down the halls, his shakiness from before gave way to anger. What the fuck was wrong with him, having a dream like that? And Kurama… Raaah! Less thought more aimless wandering! A few laps around his floor of the keep, and Yusuke decided to go running. Running through the Makai always calmed him and put things into perspective - and there were places, yet, he had to see.

Right, couldn’t go home until he’d seen all of demon world.

An inner Yusuke scolded him for his insensitivity to the friends he’d left in ningenkai.
An armless Yukina screamed in pain just behind his eyes, and he shook all thoughts of past friends from his mind.

“Lord Yusuke?” Houkoshin paused in the papers he was scanning as his lord stomped passed his office / rooms.

Yusuke didn’t stop.

Rising to his feet behind his desk, Houkoshin raised his voice. “Where are you going, my Lord?”

“Out.” Was the stern reply, and the footsteps faded down the hall.

Houkoshin sighed and sat back. Running. Again.

Yusuke leapt from the second floor balcony - not bothering with the stairs that led from each floor to the ground and from there to the main doors - and hit the ground running. The area around the keep was the same as always: barren. He knew, though, that directly north laid Gandara. To the west lay a vast forest, and beyond that many smaller demon villages. To the east lay the plateaus and more barren land where the demon tournament had been held two years ago and would be held again in another year. To the south lay ningenkai beyond an incredibly dense forest that made up the border. And if you went further in any direction, you would encounter more forests, more lakes, more demon villages, more hoards, more castles and keeps- and more demons. Seriously, it never ended.

Blinking, Yusuke gazed to the north for a time, before veering off sharply to the west. His feet pounded into the dirt, and a dust cloud rose and billowed in his wake. A small demon squawked and scurried out of his path.

It felt good to run. All he had to think about was the earth beneath his feet and the oxygen in his lungs. It would be a while before he felt any sort of exertion, but when he did he would welcome the burn in his thighs and lungs, the pounding of his heart, and the sweat rolling down his body. A couple days were just what he needed.

Unfortunately, he barely had this evening. A messenger was due from Enki’s keep this afternoon, and if it was urgent, it would be better if he were there to receive it.

---

Green eyes stared unseeingly from his room window - a grand thing that covered most of the wall facing west, which was a good thing or the sunrise would be a nuisance every single morning. The redhead sighed and propped his cheek in his hand, resting his tired body on the luxurious window seat.

A lot had changed since the demon tournament, much for the better, though some…some that could use improvement.

Lord Enki had been in power for the last two years and true to his word, had been instrumental in changing quite a few things in the makai. The patrols along the ningenkai and makai border were now paid positions for two-year terms - this would ensure a steady patrol during the change of power during and after the next demon tournament. You could not compete in the tournament if you were currently part of a patrol. Gold or jewels, a room in the palace, food to last the patrol term, or any number of other things could be requested as payment - so long as it was within reason. Really, it was ingenious. What better way to make demons behave than by giving them exactly what they wanted, whatever they wanted?

Gandara had become [by tacit vote] the capital of the Makai, its location and size made it perfect. Youmi’s old fortress was now referred to as the “palace”. Youmi had made no objections - in fact, the old king had returned just a year prior, and now worked along side Kurama as Lord Enki’s personal counsel. Between the two of them, the entire infrastructure of the capital and most of the makai was managed. Kurama also acted as Enki’s diplomat, in times when the Lord needed to commune with the reikai over certain matters, or simple lords, such as Yusuke, who had gained their title because of services paid to the Lord of all Makai or by sheer power. The title, however, did not exempt them from the laws.

Chaos was still the major ruler, but the homicide rate had dropped as swiftly as the kakai, and there was now a basic semblance of order to be had in demon world.

With one more year in his term to go, it looked as if the logic of Enki’s laws were finally starting to sink in, and the next demon tournament was looking to be a success. The next lord would reign for only three years, and so on.

Kurama’s life, in comparison, had become quite simple; he’d told Shiori a few months after Enki was made king, about his past, [omitting the bloodier parts] and she eventually had come to terms with her son being a demon. He stayed in demon world two weeks out of each month. The other two weeks he split between Shiori and his family, and Genkai and the others, relaying news about Yusuke and Hiei and the Makai in general, and absorbing news to take back to Hiei and Yusuke.

Hiei and Yusuke…

Thoughts of his friends brought another sigh to Kurama’s lips. Since the demon tournament, Yusuke had yet to return to living world. He never spoke of why or even hinted at a desire to do so. Instead, he spent his days working as Enki’s “problem patroller” of sorts. Whenever there was a demon who refused to stop killing humans or causing mischief in the ningenkai or was just making a nuisance of themselves in the makai, Yusuke was sent to solve the problem. It was a good job - the Mazoku rarely had to kill; he just beat the problem senseless until it or they agreed to Enki’s terms, or agreed at the very least to behave.

He visited the demon once or twice a month - whenever his schedule allowed it. And during his visits the demon lord always seemed to be pleased to see him, but never let on more about what he was doing with his time than the time he spent hunting down rogue demons. Truly frustrating was that Houkoshin, Yusuke’s second in command, refused to disclose any such information.

His loyalty was admirable, but annoying.

Hiei had come with him once - only once - to visit the ex-detective. The jaganshi hadn’t said a word the entire visit, but having him there, oddly enough, seemed to relax Yusuke enough to get out of the former detective that he was eating fine and that he was planning on returning to ningenkai - he just didn’t know when.

It almost made Kurama jealous.

Almost.

Hiei…

Wow.

After the demon tournament, Hiei had volunteered himself into the patrol almost immediately - and now that his term was almost up, he showed no signs of calling it quits.

A couple of weeks after the tournament, right before Hiei enlisted, the koorime had come to Kurama bearing a gift. Kurama’s eyes misted over as he remembered…

---

Kurama stopped, backpack slung over his shoulder, listening. After a moment, he grinned, and continued on.

After four months of dodging back and forth between the demon and human worlds, making excuses for his absences and such, Kurama was going to tell her. He was going to tell the woman who had raised him that her son was a demon - a youko. He was going to tell her his past and - well, omitting the… more gruesome parts - everything else. The demon tournament… Koenma… everything.

He would remain as Enki’s emissary between the living and spirit worlds, and would help in his own way with the unification. Maybe someday he’d train to be king of demon world… but right now, he was content with how things were. Well, he would be, once he no longer held any secrets from his human mother.

He couldn’t help his smile. His life had turned out to be nothing like he had pictured fifty, fifteen or… two years ago. But it was grand, the way it had. Also, there was a quite insistent little youkai following him right now; it seemed as if he had something to say.

A rustle, and Kurama stopped when Hiei landed soundlessly before him beneath the canopy.

“Hiei.”

“Hn.” Without a word, the demon stepped towards him, and stood a foot away, just staring. The gaze started to get a little uncomfortable.

He had a history with Hiei that went back slightly further than Yusuke thought he knew.

They hadn’t met when Hiei had tracked him down for the job to raid Spirit world. They’d met when the demon “Eight-Arms” had been terrorizing Kurama’s hometown*. A friendship had budded then and only grew as they did odd jobs for Koenma to earn their freedom, during the time Yusuke was being trained as spirit detective. The more time they spent together, the closer they got, until one mission when Kurama caught the scent of the beginning of Hiei’s heat cycle. At first he pretended not to notice. It was Hiei’s business, and the only reason the demon hadn’t sought seclusion or relief was because they were currently on a mission - and try telling Koenma that Hiei couldn’t continue on a mission because he was starting his heat cycle.

But then Hiei had become needy, and Kurama did the only thing he could - he helped.

They had rutted occasionally since then - more pre-Dark Tournament than at any other time. But they had never been lovers.

When Hiei suddenly yanked him down by his shirt collar in the border forest however, and took his lips in a kiss that left him wanting and hot; Kurama’s thoughts of his relationship with the jaganshi did a 360. When Hiei flitted back into the trees, leaving his mother’s tear gem in his palm, his intentions were cemented. And Kurama’s way was clear.

---

Hiei now stayed with Mukuro - in the same keep of course, not in the same bed; for now he and Kurama had a very firm relationship. Since Hiei had left Kurama his gem, the two had not gone a month without intimacies of some sort passing between them. And their feelings only grew with every encounter. Despite the silence on Hiei’s part, his actions spoke volumes.

Hiei returned to living world with Kurama on occasion, - but always in secret - mostly to check up on Yukina and assure himself that the useless bag of cells wasn’t overreaching his boundaries.

Despite Kurama’s subtle prodding - and sometimes not so subtle - the demon remained adamant about ever revealing his relationship to Yukina to the poor ice apparition. But that was fine. In his own time, Kurama knew Hiei would tell her.

Kurama’s smile vanished, and a frown reappeared. But thoughts of his fire demon could not override his concern for Yusuke. At first Yusuke had seemed happy- to be living in demon world and working for Enki. Lately though, Kurama’s visits had seen Yusuke growing into himself, growing more contained, more secluded and quiet - a far cry from the youth he’d met four years ago.

Glancing at the shadow the palace cast over the smaller buildings and dwellings surrounding it, Kurama pushed himself to his feet and strode from his chambers.

He straightened his robe as he walked down the marble pillar-lined hallways. If he left now, he could arrive at Raizen’s keep in time to have dinner with Yusuke. And if he spent the night and left early the next day, he’d be back in time for the meeting at noon with Youmi, Enki, and the council.

As he made his way to the entrance, Enki, – chatting with a pair of demon imp’s the palace used as messengers [their land speed was useful] – caught sight of him, and motioned him over with a wave. “Kurama, out for a stroll?”

“Of sorts - I was going to visit Yusuke, while I had the time… Was there something you needed?”

“Oh? No, no. But since you’re going - I might as well spare their legs” He gestured at the imps behind him, who scowled. “Would you mind bringing this missive to Lord Urameshi? It’s a thank-you for his work this year, and a note about the mission I’d mentioned to him.”

“Yes, I can bring it to him.” Kurama smiled and placed the envelope in his robe. Good. Work should make Yusuke happy. He chuckled internally. No matter how many times Yusuke pitched at fit about it; Enki, Houkoshin and some of the demons close to him - but not too close - still referred to him as either “Lord”, or “Lord Urameshi”, it was quite entertaining. “Is there anything else you’d like me to do, before I go?”

“No, it’s fine. Everything’s quite slow here at the moment - in fact, if you’d like to take your time, we could afford to lose you, just for tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Lord, I’ll consider it. But I really should be there - it’s a delicate matter.”

“That it is. But if all else fails, I can always call in Yuta**.”

“Oh? Is he near Gandara? The last I heard he was up north helping Lord Shurai with a blood problem.”

“He returned early last night - mumbling about ‘nitwits.’ You know him, probably solved the problem in an instant but stayed on to fix a hundred more problems he found when he first arrived.” Enki laughed heartily.

“Yes. That does sound like Yuta.”

“Well, enough chit-chat - you’d better be off. Oh! And see what you can do about cheering Lord Urameshi up, he seemed a bit… withdrawn, last time he was here.”

Kurama nodded and headed off. So others have noticed as well. Behind him he heard angry muttering and an irate voice answer back, “Stop your griping now. I’ve plenty of jobs for you - Kurama’s just a personal friend of the recipient, I figured it would be best. Now if you don’t stop complaining, I’ll have to put you in the kitchens - and the cooks’ll like that less than you, I can promise…”

He shook his head, grinning, as he closed the doors behind him.

---

Breathing regularly, though sweating some from the heat of what had been a scorching day, Yusuke threw the doors of the keep wide open and strode into the cool, welcoming lobby.

As soon as he had some free time, he was going for a nice, weeklong run.

Ignoring a yammering demon that tried to greet him as he entered, Yusuke made his way up the stairs two flights to the second landing, and walked around towards the next set of stairs, which would take him up the next two flights, and to his floor. Damn the fool who designed this place! Haven’t they heard of elevators? Passing Houkoshin’s study, Yusuke ignored the demon when he started to gabber at the sight of his returning Lord and continued on to the stairs.

“Oh! My Lord!” Houkoshin scurried from behind his desk. The Lord’s back so soon! I told him he might have to wait a couple more hours at least! “Lord Yusuke! Kurama arrived earlier today - he’s waiting for you in your–” But Yusuke had already made it across the landing and up to the second flight. Shaking his head, Houkoshin returned to his work. His Lord would find out soon enough.

Another flight and Yusuke was on his familiar landing - nothing but empty rooms, libraries, and the harem up here. He shivered at the thought of the harem as he kicked open the doors to his room, ripping his shirt over his head as he strode into the welcoming space. All those female demons were constantly hyped up on various aphrodisiacs and their own heat. He kept them well fed and sheltered, since he couldn’t very well release them - they’d be raped by the first demon that came along. God knows why Houkoshin kept them - or even amassed the new ones. He had no inclination, and Houkoshin knew that. And heaven help Yusuke’s poor mind if Raizen had ever once used them…

His thoughts died in his mind as he tore the material from his head and opened his eyes to find a very succulent-looking demon sitting cross-legged on his bed, smiling at him.

There was a book in his hand -– he’d been reading. Had he been waiting a while?

“Yusuke, you’re looking well.”

“Hey, Kurama.” Yusuke threw his shirt to the floor and made his way into the bathroom. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Kurama smiled. “My own volition - and a letter from Enki.”

Yusuke paused. “He sent you?”

“Not initially. I just happened to be passing by.

“Ah.” Yusuke continued into the bathroom and, not bothering to shut the door, went about splashing water on his face to get rid of the dirt running across a desert always seemed to amass.

Kurama watched him silently. He’s changed… so much. I’d noticed it before, but… never just how much. He’s becoming so distant. I… miss him. I miss the old Yusuke.

“What?” Yusuke raised an eyebrow at him from beneath the towel he was using to wipe his face dry.

“Yusuke… have you-”

“Don’t even say it, ‘Rama. I’ll return when I’m ready. ‘K? I promise.” He sat down beside Kurama, the bed dipping dangerously, and tossed the towel aside. “You have a letter for me?”

Kurama reached into his robe, and handed the envelope to Yusuke.

Taking it, Yusuke ripped it open with a nail and started to scan the contents.

Kurama used the time to observe his friend. His Mazoku markings were vibrant today; from the run Houkoshin had mentioned, no doubt. His hair was a mess. Internally, he chuckled - the boy was starting to look more and more like his ancestral dad as each day passed. He was more filled out now, too. When he was still Spirit Detective, he’d been muscular, yes, and toned. But now there was no amount of baby fat or youth left to prevent his body from filling out completely. Beneath the thin material of his pants, Kurama could see the hard thighs. His eyes traveled further to a toned chest, muscular arms and a man’s hands - even Yusuke’s neck seemed to have strengthened. His nails were more like claws now, Kurama noted. Yusuke seemed more demon each time Kurama visited. Always less… Yusuke.

“Heh.”

Kurama looked up and asked with his eyes.

“Turns out the mission Enki mentioned before - was solved yesterday by Lord Shura.”

“Shura?”

“Yeah. Apparently the little tyke beat the crap out of said demon for badmouthing his dad. Heh. Seriously, that kid’s gonna to rule us all someday.”

“So might you.”

Yusuke looked at him, and Kurama remained serious. And for an instant Kurama saw the old Yusuke, cockiness and all. Then a blink erased the vision, and he was staring at the Mazoku.

“Yusuke, she misses you dearly.”

“Dammit Kurama, can’t a guy get some peace?”

“You’ve had peace, Yusuke, for over two years now you’ve had nothing but peace. When are you going to admit that you miss them too? A visit from me once a month? That’s hardly enough social contact for a hermit!”

“Are you calling me a hermit?”

“You might as well be - you hole up here, go on missions for Enki, eat, and run. That’s all you do!”

“You’ve been talking to Houkoshin–”

“I don’t have to, Yusuke - I can see it when I look at you! And you know Houkoshin never looses a word about his Lord. Why don’t you go back!? Tell her you miss her as well! Go see the others–”

“And what!” Yusuke whipped around and caught Kurama by his collar. “Tell her she’s the only one for me, and I’ll never do something as stupid as leaving her again for the rest of my life? What if I can’t? What if I- What if I lose control of my power and destroy her and every one else? What then?”

“If you’re so afraid of losing control of your own power, Yusuke, then maybe you need to give yourself a bit of credit. And as for loving Keiko - If that confession was actually a confession, or just your way of being sarcastic, then that’s your business. I don’t make a habit of controlling other people’s lives.”

“But you already are, Kurama. Every time you’re here, you try and get me to go back - not usually in so many words but you’re always hinting at it! Just… just let me live my own life, Kurama. I’ll return when I’m ready…” The fury faded from Yusuke’s words, and his hands released the fox.

“But I can’t, Yusuke. Because friends don’t let each other ruin their own lives.”

“You think I’m ruining my life.”

It wasn’t a question, but Kurama answered anyway. “Ruining it? In a sense. Wasting it? … Definitely.”

“Then… d-DAMMIT!!! Let me fuckin’ WASTE my life then, Kurama.”

It was as good a dismissal as he was going to get. And he left.

Flinching as the door slammed behind him, Yusuke just stood there a moment, fists clenched. Then his lip began to tremble. Two strides had him back at the bed, and he slammed his fist in the quilt so hard he ripped a hole straight to the mattress. “Fuckin’… DAMMIT!!!” His eyes glowed red, and a blast of youki smashed through the rear wall of his room, sending debris raining down to the desert far below. The one guy who takes the time to care and check up on me… and I have to go and… DAMMIT!!! Why couldn’t thing’s have just stayed simple? Normal, human delinquent falls in love with normal, human girl. He drops out of school and gets a thousand yen-an-hour job, and she graduates and becomes one of the top-minds of Japan, and they live happily ever after! NO! Normal, human delinquent has to turn out to be not-so-normal Mazoku-demony... thing. Then not-so-normal Mazoku has to go and… go and… Sobbing, Yusuke collapsed onto his bed, clutching a pillow and soaking it with his tears.

A timid knock at his door went completely unnoticed, and as Houkoshin silently retreated back out onto the landing, he heard something sobbed which sounded suspiciously like: “Dammit, Hiei - had to just… fuck, Kurama…”

He shut the door with a click.

---

Slamming his door behind him the way he’d slammed Yusuke’s door, Kurama made to disrobe and climb into bed, when the light on his bedside table alerted him to a shadowy figure occupying most of said bed.

He stood there, trembling, meeting that steady, crimson gaze with his own, before he broke and practically flew into Hiei’s arms. He was more pissed than anything, but still he cried. He cried long and hard - it felt good to get it all out in Hiei’s arms. His sobs were swallowed by Hiei’s caresses, and eventually; he melted into Hiei’s kiss.

Later that night he lay with Hiei resting half-on and half-off his chest, stroking the demons hair as their breathing slowly evened out in the night air gusting through the window, which Hiei had conveniently left open.

It was late. When he’d returned from Raizen’s keep, it had already been past midnight - now it had to be nearing dawn.

“So…” Hiei muttered into his chest. “What’s wrong with the detective now?”

Kurama smiled internally; Yusuke had been fired from his position as spirit detective well over two years ago - yet Hiei still referred to him as “detective”. Old habits died hard, after all. Aloud, he sighed. “Everything, it seems. I mentioned–”

“Mentioned?”

“All right, I told him to go back and see the others. This time he didn’t just change the subject; he nearly bit my head off.”

“Sounds like Yusuke.”

“But that’s just my point: it’s not like Yusuke at all. The old Yusuke fought for his friends - now he refuses to even go see them… And he mentioned something which has me concerned…”

Hiei just nuzzled into his chest, silently urging him to continue.

“I think… Hiei, he’s afraid of losing control of his power.”

“Feh. How?”

“He might be afraid of succumbing to his youkai side.”

“He already has - sort of. During the demon tournament he came to terms with it - then mastered it. We all saw it - his spirit energy merged with his demon energy and achieved a balance - a very rare feat. Of course, if anyone could - Yusuke could.”

“But does Yusuke know that? Chances are, he never even noticed what happened - he just went with it.”

“So he’s afraid of losing control of his youki and destroying ningenkai?”

“More precisely, he’s afraid of destroying his friends - yes.”

“So, we knock some sense into the boy.”

“I don’t think it’s that simple.”

Hiei rose from his demon-made pillow and looked his fox square in the eye.

“I think there’s something else compounding the problem. I think he might still be in love with us.”

Well that sent Hiei for a run. The demon could only sit up and blink. Memories returned to him fast and relentless of the one and only time he’d had sex with the eager and hormonal detective. He growled. “He knew, as well as we did, that that time and the time he spent with you, were one night stands meant to help him get through the Dark Tournament and defeat Sensui.”

“Yes, but humans are sensitive–”

“He’s not human anymore.”

“–and I don’t think the sex is all that Yusuke remembers. I think he fell in love with us long before the demon tournament - he just never realized it.”

“So what makes you so certain?”

Something in Kurama’s eyes glinted.

“Hn. Fine. Go on instincts and your stupid clues.”

“I think... you should go see him tomorrow, Hiei. Just to talk, if nothing else.”

Hiei glanced out the window, his eyebrows drawing tight; they could just see the horizon starting to lighten.

Kurama chuckled. “Alright, noon.”

Hiei glared. “Have I no choice, fox?”

“None.” Kurama leaned forward, sultry as always, and Hiei dove for those lips.

-TBC…


A/N: A little side-note on the gem Hiei leaves Kurama in this chapter: In the anime, Hiei gives the gem to Kurama originally so Kurama can give it to Yukina and tell her that her brother has been dead for years. Kurama returns the gem and tells Hiei to give it to her in his own time. So this was my little twist on that. ~_^

*See manga number 7, I believe, if you’d like the whole story on “Eight-hands.”

**Just in case anyone doesn’t remember Yuta - he was the little brown demon who was the brain working for Youmi at the head of the demon tournament. He later co-hosted the demon tournament with Koto. ^-^

REVIEWER RECOGNITION!!!

Marikalay Thank you! But we shall see with this chapter whether or not I did my part in setting you guys up properly for the actual story. *Worried*

DuosAngel My chapters seem to be shrinking… but I shall do my best in keeping them over 5 000 words!

Assassins_Kiss I was going to do a “morning after” where Kuwabara confronts Yusuke about being gay - and with Kurama, no less! But no matter how I wrote it, it just didn’t seem to work. So I scrapped it completely. My apologies!

Devious Lil Devil I know what you mean! Those were my two most favorite “suspect-moments,” but I have THOUSANDS of others. ^-^ And reviews always have that effect on me - one positive review and I feel like I could write a book! Lol. Especially the really flattering one’s like yours. Thank you!!!

SirPsychoSexy Thank you for all the helpful pointers - I shall work on it in the future. I even caught a few times in this chapter when I started to get into the “chocolate” of Yusuke’s eyes but settled for plain brown instead. Hopefully with more practice, I’ll solve it completely? And I’m glad to hear I actually have humor! I always saw Sensui as either a-sexual, completely in love with Itsuki, or a sub in a very naughty way. But that’s just me. ^-^

BlueUtopiah Oh dear, you didn’t get in trouble for being late, did you? *laughs* I’ve done that before. And yes, I had fun with that last chapter, so many ideas… and I honestly couldn’t see first-time sex between Yusuke and Hiei all light and fluffy, either. Thank you for such a flattering response!


-Azalea J.