GLASS

Kurama leaned back in his chair, wine glass pressed to his lips, his slim fingers curled delicately around it. He sipped the rich red liquid, never taking his jade eyes off Yusuke's flushed face. They seemed to sparkle with gold flecks in the soft light of the room.

Kurama lowered the wine glass from his lips and licked them slowly. Yusuke was mesmerised by the action. Kurama set the glass down on the coffee table. Yusuke barely noticed as he watched the fox's lips turn up into a sly, sensual smile. He knew exactly what he was doing, damn it.

TRACE

Kurama peeled back the bandage on Hiei's arm. The cloth stuck to Hiei's skin, resisting Kurama's efforts. Hiei's expression remained stoic, despite his pain.

The bandage finally came free. The black lines of Hiei's dragon tattoo were seeping blood. Several of the cuts had re-opened due to the bandage being removed.

Kurama leaned forward, long hair brushing Hiei's arm. His tongue flicked out, licking along one of the cuts near Hiei's elbow. He heard Hiei's breath catch. He felt fingers bury themselves in his hair. He continued to trace the lines of Hiei's tattoo with his tongue, savouring the taste.

FLASH

Kuwabara sat on his bed, staring down at the upturned palm of his hand. No matter how hard he concentrated, his spirit energy refused to answer his call. He squinted with effort as he tried to make something happen. He was focusing so hard that beads of sweat began to slide down his brow.

And then, a brief flash of orange light. Just a spark. He might have imagined it. But he was certain that he hadn't. He felt the tension in his shoulders ease as he squeezed his hand into a fist. He'd get his spirit sword back again.

PEACE

Hiei scowled and sank his chin deep into his scarf. From his perch in his tree he had an excellent view through Kurama's open bedroom window.

The fox sat at his desk, busily studying. As Hiei watched, Kurama tapped his pen against his chin, deep in thought.

Hiei's attempts to get the fox out of the house to spar with him had proved futile. Kurama had become complacent. He'd grown accustomed to the peace and safety offered by living in Human World.

Hiei was not so easily lulled. He knew that the peace this world enjoyed was merely an illusion.

ART

Karasu's gaze raked over the macabre display he had created. It was perfect. It surpassed all of his most ambitious expectations.

The fox's abused body hung limply from metal chains, suspended by his frail wrists. Blood trickled from his swollen mouth, sliding down his bare chest. His head hung to the side, eyes as lifeless as the emeralds they resembled. His long crimson hair was tangled and sticky with blood.

Karasu raised the camera and snapped several photos, careful not to disturb the scene. What a useful human invention. Now he could keep his masterpiece preserved long after it decayed.

OUTPUT

Yusuke struggled to keep the flow of spirit energy constant, while also trying to keep his body balanced. Doing so while upside-down was no easy task.

The energy flowed down his arm and out through his finger in a constant stream. The spike that he was balancing on was almost invisible in the blue glow of energy.

"The output of your energy must not fluctuate," the old woman lectured him, cigar smoke drifting with her words. Yusuke wished that she would just be quiet. This was hard enough without her voice distracting him. But then, she never made anything easy.

ILLUSION

Yusuke stood on the porch of the temple, staring out into the courtyard. A translucent lone figure swung a glowing sword about, his chiseled face set in a focused, determined mask. His orange hair seemed to lighten in the sunlight. He was oblivious to Yusuke's presence.

Decades ago, Yusuke might have interrupted him. He might have teased him. Deliberately drawn him into a friendly sparring match. But today he just watched, a warm ache growing in his core. It was an old, familiar ache. Kurama had told him that it would ease with time. For once, the fox was wrong.

BLUSH

Kurama's fingers toyed with Hiei's scarf, playing idly with the fabric. The material was thin and in need of a washing. Though Kurama suspected that the cloth might fall apart if he put it in the washing machine.

Hiei pushed at Kurama's hands, knocking them aside with a scowl. "Stupid fox," he muttered. "Leave me alone."

Kurama smirked as his dark-haired friend turned away from him, staring out the window at the sunset beyond, as if it were more fascinating than his present company. His cheeks were dusted with a faint blush of red, the colour reminiscent of Kurama's roses.

PART

"Puu-uu!"

The blue lump in Keiko's arms squealed in distress as she squeezed him. Startled, Keiko loosened her grip on the struggling form. Pu relaxed, snuggling into her.

"He's gone again," she told him, though there was no need. Pu already knew that. He was linked inextricably to Yusuke.

Pu made a sad 'puu' of sympathy.

Keiko's eyes lingered on the empty bed, sheets tossed aside as if in haste.

Pu's warmth was a weak consolation for her missing husband, but Keiko was grateful for the little creature's comfort, nonetheless. At least, through Pu, she knew that Yusuke was safe.

LOSS

Hiei ignored the rain soaking his black hair and cloak. He nudged the pitiful figure curled up beneath the blooming sakura tree with his boot.

The figure raised his head slowly, long, dark red hair plastered to his face. His pale, sunken cheeks were wet. With rain or tears, Hiei wasn't sure. His forest-green eyes were dull.

"She's gone," he whispered, his voice cracked and hoarse.

"I know," Hiei told him. He didn't know what else to say. The depth of the fox's emotion was entirely incomprehensible to him.

How could someone love so deeply, when loss hurt so much?