Learning Curves

This story is Yaoi and Lemon. That means it has Male + Male relationships and sexual content. Please do not read it if you are not old enough. I do not own the characters in this story. I am mearly borrowing them for my enjoyment and the enjoyment of others.

If you read the original posting of this story on the board you may notice there are a few differences. When I was converting it I added a few bits. I think it flows a little better now. Do drop me a note and let me know what you think.

~Shara~

Learning Curves

As night fell in the Makai the wind blew feebly over a field filled with motionless bodies. A tall fair Kitsune stood protectively over a small figure slumped in a heap on the uneven ground. The silky fall of the Youko's silver mane was matted and tangled from the recent battle his clothing torn and stained with dirt and blood. His ears were pressed flat against his skull in anger. His golden eyes narrowed dangerously as he examined his attacker.

The creature standing across from him was four times the height of an ordinary man. Its forehead sloped downward at an angle. Its eyes were black and tiny for the size of its face. The creature shambled forwards chuckling to itself.

Kurama knew he was on his last leg. They had been providing a smoke screen to cover for the rest of their team, Yusuke and Kazuma. Those two were on their way back to the spirit world with the artifact they had just recovered. Hiei and Kurama had stayed behind to hold the gang of demons off long enough for them to escape. The fairly extensive fight had left both sides fatigued and warn. Finally Hiei had exhausted himself using the Koku-Ryu-Ha or black dragon wave to take care of the main attack group. He had only missed one. But calling the dragon had used up most of his Ki. The fire demon fell into a healing sleep, unable to assist the kitsune.

In his weakened state Kurama knew he was no match for huge demon. It was easily an S class demon. While he was only an A class demon. But he stared defiantly at the large creature. "You will not get Hiei, not if I have anything to say about it." His voice was eerily calm.

That calm gave the attacking demon pause. His face sobered as he looked into the glittering cold eyes of one of the most famous thieves in the Makai. The demon stopped moving as he watched the fox to see what he would do. "Surely this spent creature could pose no threat to the likes of him!" The giant sneered down at Kurama. "What an absurd idea," he thought to himself.

Knowing he had only one chance, Kurama struck out with his rose whip. As he expected the demon turned to avoid the bite of the whip. While the giant's attention was diverted elsewhere, the youko pulled a seed from his hair. Throwing it down next to the slow moving giant he poured his Ki into the seed. Silently the seed began to grow. Tiny vines pushed out of the seed surrounded by a small bud that grew as the youko's Ki fed it.

Keeping himself and his whip in constant motion Kurama was able to avoid the slow attacks. "If he lands any kind of hit on me I am done for. He's much stronger." The corner of the youko's lip turned up in a humorless smile. "Unfortunately for him, I am faster than he is."

The Giant grabbed hold of the whip pulling the fox into the air. Flipping around mid air Kurama dropped the whip very glad he always kept a good supply of rose seeds stored safely in his hair. With a flick of his wrist another whipeareeared in the youko's hands.

Raising the unfamiliar weapon into the air the giant slashed out at the silver fox demon. Eyes hard as death the fox leapt away from the giant's clumsy attack. "So he wants to use my own weapon against me, does he?" Sneering at his foe, the fox commanded the whip to revert to a simple rose.

The big demon bellowed in rage as the whip in his hands shrunk down into its normal shape. He snarled as one of the thorns caught his hand. Hissing the giant threw away the rose. Blinded by anger the creature couldn't see the plant that was growing to epic proportions behind him. Reaching out he lumbered towards the fox.

Ducking the lunge Kurama let out a satisfied snarl as the plant's vines began to wind themselves around the creature's legs.

Finally sensing his danger the Giant tried to pull himself from the plant's iron grasp, but it was of no use. He was already off balance. His thrashing about only caused him to come dangerously close to tipping over. The Giant howled with rage. He knew that if the plant were to fell him, the demon-eating weed would quickly devour him. How dared that kitsune get the better of him. Setting himself the creature fought against the pull of the vines.

With a burst of energy born from pure adrenaline, Kurama rushed at the demon hitting the giant in the waist before bouncing back to land heavily in his place above Hiei. His sculpted face bore a smile despite the pain from the wounds that had reopened as he fought. His kick to the stomach had just enough force to tip the demon over. "It is finished." His voice was quiet and fatigued.

As the giant had suspected, once the plant had him down it easily subdued him. Curling its thick vines around the giant it pulled the demon, inchworm fashion towards the hungry bud.

Ignoring the screams of the giant, Kurama turned his attention to his friend. Kneeling down next to the fire demon he gently began re-wrapping the ward around Hiei's arm. When he had finished that task he made a quick visual inspection of his friend's wounds. "A little banged up, but you'll be fine." He whispered not knowing if Hiei wouldn't be able to hear him in this state.

Sensing that the giant had been completely devoured, Kurama forced the plant back into seed form. He was sweating badly by the time he actually managed the feat. Plant master or not some plants, just did not want to listen.

Wobbling slightly, Kurama looked around the body strewn ground. "We have to get out of here. Scavengers will be coming soon. Looking down he noticed his hands were shaking," I think I had better find a safe place for us for the night. We can go back tomorrow.

Carefully Kurama lifted Hiei up, staggering a little under the combined pressures of the weight and fatigue.

They walked through the Makai woods for what seemed like hours until the fox found a good campsite. Setting a few precautionary traps around the perimeter was all he had strength left to do. Pulling himself back to his best friend and love the fox sank down into the soft grass and slept.

Something warm that had been pressed up against his chest was suddenly taken away. Murmuring in his sleep the youko reached out to pull the warmth close again. Opening his eye he smiled at the fire demon who had obviously awoken.

The red eyes blinked tiredly at him for a moment. "Kurama? What happened?" Hiei asked before his memory came crashing back. "The giant! There was one left. I wasn't able to get them all." Sitting up Hiei looked around himself in concern. Noticing that they were no longer on the plain where the battle had taken place, Hiei looked back up at his friend.

"Shhh," Kurama soothed running his hand over Hiei's chest to help relax him. "You should to rest now. Don't worry about the demon. I fed it to one of my plants."

Hiei's eyes widened slightly. Inwardly he was quite impressed. Tired and tattered as Kurama was he had managed to take down an S class demon on his own. Looking over at his friend he noticed that the fox's normally pert ears were sagging. The golden eyes lack their usual luster. "You don't look all that bright eyed and bushy tailed yourself at them moment."

The youko chuckled swishing his tail around so that it lay against Hiei's chest. "Well one out of two isn't bad is it?"

"It's so soft." Hiei murmured stroking the silky length.

"Mmm, that feels nice." Kurama stretched out next to his friend reveling in sensation of the fire demon's fingers moving through his tail.

"Is it safe to stay here, Kurama?" Hiei asked as his hands continued to toy with the bright fur.

"Safe enough, I think. That gang of giants only came after us because we stole back the artifact they had taken. And I managed to get us well away from there, before I set up this camp."

Following the tail up towards its base, Hiei turned to rest his head against the youko's chest. Kurama wrapped his long slender arms around his friend's neck, his fingers reaching down under that black top the fire demon normally wore. With a satisfied sigh he nuzzled into the spiky black hair.

Unintentionally the fire demon's hand fell below Kurama's belt line. Smiling the fox leaned into the hand. Hiei looked up at him in confusion. "Kurama, your shaft is swollen."

A wicked glint entered the youko's eyes. "It gets that way when cute fire demons touch it."

Making a face, Hiei looked up at Kurama. "I am serious fox, there's this round swelling at the base. It's pretty thick too."

"Oh that's right, you have never seen me nude before in this form have you? Hiei, there is nothing wrong with my shaft. That swelling is entirely normal for a Youko. It's called a knot. Most canines have them. Including foxes."

"A knot?" Hiei's bright red eyes were filled with bewilderment.

"Want to see?" The Youko asked with a naughty glint in his golden eyes.

Unable to help the curiosity that flowed through him, Hiei leaned forward as Kurama wiggled out of his pants. Hiei let out a little sound of surprise. The sheath was more tapered than the one Kurama had when he was in human form. Around the base just as he had felt the skin formed a thick round base. Touching it he found it felt much like the rest of the shaft.

Kurama smiled down at the fire demon amused and delighted that Hiei was curious about his other forms. "It's for keeping things inside long enough for us to finish." The fox blushed at his next admission," You see it can take a while for us orgasm."

Hiei snorted as he continued to stroke the unusual looking shaft. Too tired to do much more than watch Kurama leaned back onto the tree they had been resting against. Closing his eyes he simply enjoyed the sensations that the fire demon was giving him.

Having been given tactic permission to do whatever he pleased, Hiei leaned down close enough to the shaft to flick out his tongue and taste it. It tasted like Kurama. He shrugged," well what did you expect it to taste like?" He asked himself with a tiny smile. "I wonder what it feels like. It looks so different, more pointy." Hiei thought to himself as he watched the fox's shaft stiffen.

Slowly Hiei ran his tongue down the length of the sheath memorizing the curves and shapes as he went.

It felt rough and a little bumpy in his mouth. He grinned showing a fang when he saw the blissfull look that has appeared on the youko's face.

Taking the knot in his left hand he squeezed it gently. Kurama's mouth fell open in a silent moan as his body arched forward in reaction. The pointed head slipped entirely out of the sheath as the member hardened. Moving his hand up the sheath Hiei angled his head so that he could lick at the sensitive underside of Kurama's member.

Moaning aloud Kurama surrendered to the pleasure filling his every pore. It was as if his very being had been suffused with light. Hiei's soft caresses were fluttering over him like the gossamer wings of a butterfly.

Slipping his hand behind his lover Hiei searched for the point where Kurama's tail joined to his back. He knew the moment he found it for the kitsune's head lolled back and an odd little bark fell from Kurama's lips.

Hiei grinned around the shaft as the heavily panting youko screamed in pleasure.

"Hiei! Oh..Hiei…I..ahhh." Kurama's whole body strained with the orgasm. Kurama bucked against the tree burring himself in Hiei up to the knot. His shaft pulsed in the warmth of his lover's mouth.

The fire demon pulled all he could from Kurama wondering at how long it was taking. Though the flow had stopped, it seemed as though his lover was still in the throws of the orgasm.

Seeing his lover's look Kurama smiled," Remember what I told you about it taking a while? Don't worry. It's completely normal. AHHHH," With a final sigh the fox sagged back against the tree.

Hiei looked down at the hand that had been under Kurama's tail. It was very moist with some kind of fluid.

Lifting it to his nose he cautiously took a whiff. It was as if Kurama's sent had been distilled into liquid form.

Clenching his hands Kurama fought the urge that was surging within him. It was instinct for a youko to want to mark his mate. But he had no idea how Hiei would react if he knew that his lover wanted to mark him as his mate. "I have been wanting to mark him as my lifemate for a very long time."

"Yes that is exactly what it is." Hiei thought to himself. Tilting his head to the side he remembered something he had heard said about Youkos. It was said that youkos would mark their territories and family members by sent. Glancing up at the fox he could tell that Kurama wanted to ask him about the scent but was holding back. "Probably because he is afraid that I will be disgusted or something."

The look in his lover's eyes finally decided him and he reached down behind the fox. Lifting the tail he found the sent gland.

Oversensitive the startled fox yelped at the sudden touch. Kurama's gold eyes widened in surprise.

"Sorry." Hiei apologized as he collected as much of the moister onto his hand as gently as possible.

Kurama's jaw dropped open as he watched the fire demon rub the scent all over his face and arms. "Does he have the slightest idea what the marking means in youko culture?" He wondered.

"Mmm, I like your sent." Tipping his head up at the foxes open mouthed stare, he asked," You don't mind do you ?"

A slow smile spread across the youko's face," Of course not. You are my mate after all. You don't mind being claimed by the notorious youko Kurama?

"Not particularly. Especially since I get to claim him in return." Hiei kissed the youko before curling up on the kitsune's chest.

Joy thrilled through the youko as he happily returned the kiss.

"Right now though, I am still a little sleepy." Hiei yawned wrapping his arms around his silver fox.

"Me too." The fox admitted through an answering yawn. All the fighting and running about seemed to suddenly take its toll on Kurama despite the earlier nap. His eyelids began to feel very heavy. "It feels right to smell my own scent on Hiei." He thought pleasantly to himself. Curling his tail around so that it covered his small lover Kurama sighed feeling safe and secure. Letting his eyes close he allowed sleep to take him.

Hiei looked adoringly up at his lover as he felt Kurama's breathing slow as the fox slipped into slumber. As sleep crept up on the fire demon, he sighed happily. "I am the luckiest demon in all the Makai." He managed to kiss the fox softly on the chest before the sweet darkness of sleep swallowed him up.

The end /\_/\