The beginning

I don't know how it started, but it might have been from our first encounter. It took me months to track him down, the infamous Yoko. There were only two reasons anyone would look for the fox spirit, to have him as a mate, or to have him as an ally. Either way, he was dangerous. It must have been that danger that drew me to him. That was probably it.

Any fool could sense him from a mile away, and when I found him I was more amazed to find a human. I was repulsed at first, the so-called monster was living among humans, and it was only natural that I take it upon myself to force him back into reality. Since that moment we joined forces. Sure, after the vault was raided he left, but for some reason I wasn't really angry, we did have to pass a sentence together; dealing with the spirit detective and the orange haired fool is torture enough. Our missions became many, but after each one, I always found my way to him. It was something about his presence, it was calming, I would never admit it to anyone, but I found a family with him.

It was a chilly morning, the fire youkai found himself at a familiar windowsill. He didn't want to wake Kurama so he just watched the other demon sleep from the tree. He noticed the sun start to come out, and lightly tapped on the window. He watched the other figure stir from his sleep, and he kept tapping until the latter opened the window.

"Hiei? Why are you here? It's too early, let me sleep."

"Hn. Figures you'd forget, today we have to go to Genkai's temple for training. It's not too early, I told you I'd come at sunrise, and the sun is rising. Now get out of bed."

Kurama mumbled under his breath, and didn't waste time to get back at the fire demon. Hiei noticed Kurama started to undress in front of him, and he quickly turned around to hide a blush. "I'm dressed, you could turn back now." Kurama smirked in victory.

"I have to tell my mother I will be out for the next few days; you could come with me or wait outside." Hiei silently followed Kurama to the kitchen; Shiori was always up early to prepare breakfast.

"Good morning Suichi, good morning Hiei. Don't tell me you'll be gone again."

"Yes mother, I'm very sorry about it, but this training is very important."

"Alright then, remember to be careful you two. Oh and Hiei, I have a lunch ready for you. I know you'll be hungry later on."

Hiei said a quiet thank you and the two males made their way to Genkai's temple.

Kurama and Hiei were the first to reach the temple; Genkai would surely scold Yusuke and Kuwabara for being late, again. Hiei and Kurama went inside o greet Genkai, they found the older woman drinking tea and smoking a cigarette, it wasn't long after when Yukina stepped into the living room.

"Good morning Kurama, good morning Hiei. Would the two of you care for some tea?"

Kurama accepted a cup, and Hiei just asked for water. Genkai then turned to them, "you two didn't happen to see the dimwit and the buffoon on your ways here did you?"

"No, Yusuke is probably still sleeping, and Kuwabara is most likely attempting to wake him up."

"The two of you can begin sparring; I'll wait at the stairs to give the slackers a warm welcome."

Hiei and Kurama wasted no time; they quickly went to the training grounds. They witnessed Genkai's 'warm welcomes' even the most experienced fighter wasn't prepared for one of those. As soon as the two stepped foot on the dirt, they wasted no time. Hiei attacked Kurama using his lightning speed as an advantage, but Kurama kept his defenses steady with his rose whip.

Yukina watched the two in amazement, with Genkai next to her, "They're amazing. It looks like they're dancing though."

"So you notice too, it's time to make them get serious."

"What do you mean?" Yukina spoke too soon, "I had no idea I was training ballroom dancers. If you two stopped flirting, you might be able to get some training done."

Hiei lost his footing at Genkai's words; he was not 'flirting'. His moment of weakness gave Kurama the opportunity to kick Heidi's feet sending him to the ground. Hiei was able to avoid the fall and leapt into the air soon after. He had abandoned his weapon long before, and faced Kurama in hand to hand combat. Hiei was serious now; he was not going to let Kurama get away with almost knocking him down.

"What's wrong fox is that all you've got?"

"No, but I don't think I'm going to need much if I was able to bring you down so quickly."

Hiei rushed at Kurama, the other demon was ready to block, but was sent into a tree with an impact from the right. Kurama dusted himself off, and took his whip out once again. Kurama summoned one of his plants, but Hiei was not going to let him use it. He assaulted Kurama with fireballs, but Kurama dodged every single one with grace and agility. Kurama's plant caught Hiei in a web of vines, but Hiei managed to throw his sword at Kurama pinning him to the tree. Genkai signaled for a stop and the vines that trapped Hiei took the form of a seed.

"Yukina, heal Kurama. Hiei, take a break until your next spar with Yusuke."

Hiei walked away, he didn't want to see what he had done to Kurama. Already he knew it would be a bad day.

"Yukina, where did Hiei go?" "He was told to take a break while I heal you. It's nothing too serious, once I'm done you could go back to sparring." Kurama spaced out for a while, and Yukina snapped him back into reality, "Kurama, I finished ages ago." Yukina smiled when Kurama had an embarrassed look on his face. Yukina stood up and commented one last thing before going back inside, "The two of you would make great partners."