In the last story… Sage, Shiori, and Ian were to participate in a tournament specifically designed for young demons to compete in. The purpose: to show the power of the upcoming heirs. Kurama and Hiei were also back together and neither of them were acting like idiots (for the moment).

Between the past and the present… The tournament was fought and won by the skill of Ian's blade, Sage's rose whip, and Shiori's ice manipulation. They won nothing other than the power and glory of saying that they were the strongest; that they were worthy of the positions they would one day take over. The reward for winning the tournament was to have one wish granted. The three victors agreed. They wished for Ayden and Nevaeh to be released from the grips of the 'curse' they had been afflicted with. The two dragons returned to their destinations, one to hell, the other to his master's side. The tournament only lasted a week, and the world returned to normal when the group returned to the human world… Or as normal as it could get…

Chapter One

"You're beautiful." His voice was smooth like caramel as it fell over the fox, a deceptive mirage that Kurama found himself ensnared in. Beneath the softness, the falsified image of prey, there was a hard edge that marked the man in front of him for what he was, a predator far more dangerous than Kurama anticipated. Kurama's blade slid from his hand and rolled down the hill, far out of his grasp.

"Who are you?" the fox whispered, keeping his eyes locked on the calculating hazel eyes. Footsteps crushed the autumn leaves decorating the ground as the predator approached the prey captured in its gaze.

The larger man stopped in front of the fox and tilted up his chin so they were once again locked in another's gaze. Kurama felt helpless, trapped by a cobra's unflinching stare and unable to look away. The man before him was strange, black hair with crimson streaks and hazel eyes that changed color every few seconds. His skin was pale, almost translucent. Kurama was quite sure he would be able to see the veins in the man's arm if given the chance, and trace them up to his elbow.

"Are you asking for my name Yoko Kurama?" The voice captivated the fox in ways that were unnatural, in ways that froze him in place.

"Yes," Kurama whispered. Fear pulsed through him, spurred on by a quickening heartbeat. He felt the adrenaline pump, felt his carefully honed instincts scream at him to run. He had encountered a predator far more deadly than himself. In this world, it was kill or be killed.

"Names are unimportant," the stranger replied, running sharpened nails down the expanse of the fox's pale throat. "I want you to listen very carefully, Yoko Kurama."

The creature closed his eyes to gather his thoughts and Kurama felt his mind catch up to the events. Run. His body did as told after being released rather than locked in place. His eyes darted from the man's face to the forest behind him. If he could make it to the safety of the trees, they would protect him until he could make it home and in to the safety of Hiei's arms.

Kurama made it a full two steps before his hair was yanked viciously and he was brought to the ground, his cheek pressed in to the dirt. His breath came in short gasps of panic as he struggled against the grip. The man above smiled, showing two sharp fangs as he broke an arm. Kurama's cry of pain echoed through the forest.

"Do not defy me," came the warning.

Kurama stilled instantly. In the matters of prey and predator, he was skilled, though he was usually the predator. This wouldn't be the first time he had come against something far stronger than himself. He had learned to simply comply until there was enough of an opening to give him the advantage over an enemy. This opening had just failed miserably.

"Hiei will come," Kurama huffed, squirming just a little to get his broken arm out of an even more painful position. "He'll kill you." The threat was empty. His lover had taken the four children out for pizza and a movie an hour earlier to give the fox a much needed rest from cooking.

"He left your home an hour ago with your children fox. You are alone. At my mercy." The voice whispered on, taking on the seductive tone once again. Kurama listened patiently with intensifying horror at each word, at each threat leveled against him.

"If you had to choose between your mate and your children, which would you pick to live, and which would die?" came the hiss in the fox's ear.

Kurama shuddered, only to wince when his broken arm was jerked painfully. "I couldn't." He closed his eyes, willing himself not to show weakness in front of such a creature. He wanted to cry, wanted to scream in rage, and wanted to rip the demon sitting on his back to shreds. More than anything, he wanted Hiei to save him. None of those options were a possibility, so the fox stayed unnaturally still, waiting for the next round of threats or pain.

"You will do as I say then?" The man's breath was hot against the back of Kurama's neck as he threatened to dislocate the broken arm from his shoulder.

Kurama nodded, admitting defeat at this moment. He would figure a way to break his promise as soon as the words were uttered from his mouth. "Yes."

"Do you understand your timeline?"

"I have a year to do as you say."

The weight was lifted from Kurama's back and he picked himself from the dirt, cradling his broken arm to his side and looking in to the ever-changing eyes of his enemy. He didn't doubt the words that had been spoken to him, the truth contained within the depths. He watched the retreat of the creature with wary eyes, uncertain if he was still in danger.

As the presence left, Kurama stumbled back home. Part of him cursed Hiei for leaving him alone in the house and taking the children on an outing, for leaving him defenseless against such an enemy. Part of him thanked him, as it now gave him time to hide the evidence of the encounter. The threats had been quite clear. If this man was hunted, he would hunt as well. Kurama shuddered despite the searing heat of the shower as his limb healed itself.

A year. He had figured out ways to free himself of messier situations in less periods of time. Cian had been an unfortunate challenge of his skills, and now the ice demon was living happily with a mate and two children. There had been obstacles, though he had always had the support of a certain fire demon, when it wasn't the fire demon causing all the pain. This time, Kurama convinced himself, I'll be able to do this myself. Hiei will know nothing of it until it's already over.

Author's Corner: So, I have started the final chapter in the Skeletons series. I have also changed the first chapter around, for those of you who read the original first chapter of this story, I apologize. It was subpar and not up to the standards I know you are used to. This chapter is much more... interesting. Much more me. I hope you all enjoy, and I will try to add chapter two today as well. Thank you for reading and please review. I hope you all enjoy.