Kurama ran his hand through his long red hair tossing it back over his shoulder. As he did he hand grazed the hairline scratch on his right cheek. He would have to be more careful, this monster was strong. Although, not strong enough, he smiled to himself at this as Yusuke fired off a spirit gun. The creature waited till the last minute and dodged it neatly sending the blast spiraling instead at half exhausted Kuwabara. The poor guy looked terrified, but managed to fall over and avoid the blast, quickly jumping back up and screaming at Yusuke for his poor aim. Kurama found himself blushing slightly as the two started yelling insults at each other, completely forgetting the demi demon they were supposed to be fighting. The demon, for his part just looked amused.

"Fools," Hiei muttered, catching the beasts attention. He held is sword up ready to attack.

"Clearly if I want to end this I will have to finish it myself," he growled. Yusuke and Kwabara finally took notice as Hiei rushed forward taking a swipe at the demon, who reached out to grab him. Hiei used his speed and began appearing on every side of the monster looking for an opening.

"Come on shorty I thought you were gonna finish him," Kuwabara taunted from the side letting go of Yusuke's foot. Yusuke followed suit and let Kuwabara out of the headlock.

"He's setting him up," Kurama whispered, mostly to himself. He realized that Hiei would not be able to land a direct attack, the beast simply turned to fast and was always facing him when he would strike. Surely Hiei realized this too and was trying to turn him so that one of his teammates would get the opening to attack that he could not.

Kurama scouted the room with his eyes and decided that he would be the best to attack. Kuwabara and Yusuke were still standing next to each other and if one or both attacked the demon would notice them. It had to be him. He moved his arm slightly so as not to draw attention to himself and set up his whip. As Hiei appeared again his shimmering red eyes locked onto Kurama's for just a split second before he vanished again. That was all it took, his next attack has the beasts back to Kurama, Hiei moved slowly (for him) drawing his sword high and swinging down. The demon caught it easily.

"You must be getting tired little one," the monster crackled from behind his greasy fangs. "It's a shame, you were entertaining, and now you DIE."

As the last word left his throat Kurama swung his whip. Without even so much as a moments hesitation and hit his mark. Hiei jumped clear as the creature yelped in shock. Kurama snapped the whip a few more times for good measure leaving the demon laying bloody and in pieces.

"All right! Way to go Kurama!" Yusuke shouted.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," Kuwabara said staring at the assortment of body parts on the floor. Kurama cracked his whip again to shake loose any debris then put it away. Hiei did the same for his sword.

"Being sick would be the most you contributed," Hiei said sheathing his sword.

"Ha your one to talk you runt, Kurama's the one who got him, you just danced with him a bit," Kuwabara hollered, forgetting to be ill.

"Hiei gave me the shot, his distraction bought me time," Kurama smiled at his little friend. Who only stared back in agreement.

"Then great teamwork every one, lets go home, its starting to smell in here," Yusuke said clapping his hands on Hiei and Kuwabara's backs before they could continue their argument.

Outside the warehouse where they had tracked the beast Yusuke and Kuwabara said goodbye and headed home leaving Kurama and Hiei alone in the cool night air.

"I really should be getting home, Suuichi's mother will worry," Kurama sighed looking over at Hiei.

"Pesky human," was all he replied, but as Kurama walked Hiei followed along beside him. The two said nothing for awhile. Hiei was no doubt enjoying the silence of the night. Kurama's mind, however was working overtime. Finally he worked up the courage to speak.

"Would you like to meet me in my room once we get there?"

Hiei continued to stare straight forward, walking steadily as if Kurama hadn't spoken at all. The kitsune could feel a blush coming on again and fought it violently. He wondered if he should ask again when Hiei finally answered.

"Why?"

"We could get you cleaned up a bit," Kurama said, focusing hard so he wouldn't stammer, "that one did spray a bit unfortunately."

"That's fine," Hiei replied.

Kurama tried to read his tone, but it was the same as his tone always was, unreadable. He could tell someone they had two months to live or say that he really enjoyed the movie with the fuzzy bunnies and he would have the same delivery.

"OK then," Kurama said finally. Really he didn't have to say anything, but his nerves made him speak, he was just glad he hadn't said anymore.

When they reached the Minamoto house Kurama dusted himself off again, glad he wasn't the one covered in demon blood this time.

"Meet you upstairs then?" He asked.

"Yeah," Hiei replied before he vanished. Kurama went in the front door. Luckily his mother hadn't been waiting up for him this time. He was hurrying upstairs when a note on the kitchen table caught his eye. His mother was visiting family overnight and there was dinner in the fridge. In all the demon fighting excitement he had forgotten.

He knew this sealed the deal. Tonight had to be the night, he might not have another opportunity like this one. He could feel the 500 year-old fox inside him grow giddy at the thought. He had waited a long time for this. Kurama took a nervous breath. Attraction was a funny thing, even after all the time he had lived the fact that he still got nervous at the thought of actually telling those he adored his intentions made him smile inwardly. On the outside he looked like he might be sick.