Author's Notes

I've been playing around with this idea for approximately two weeks ever since I started re-watching the series. It will use certain plot mechanics from an already existing storyline (think Chapter Black) but it'll add to it in the most logical way possible to keep it realistic. I dislike the Hiei and Mukuro pairing, but the story calls for it due to their involvement in the manga, hence why you see the mention of her wearing his Hiruseki stone. But I guarantee that this will be purely yaoi in essence and will eventually play out like so.

Have fun!

"Power That Binds Us"

Deep in the bowels of Demon World, a predatory gust of wind swept over a formation of trees overlooking a valley, stripping them of its leaves as it zoomed past before coming to a halt at the edge of the cliff. Digging a nimble hand into his tattered clothing, he retrieved a bronze amulet laden with a myriad of colors and a heavy-lidded eye at its center. Infusing the token with his power, which allowed it to hover, he performed various hand movements before activating it with a series of words in Latin. The amulet deconstructed itself before reassembling itself into a mirror, the man narrowed his eyes at his own reflection, which softened once the mirror channeled his master's face.

"Master," he promptly bowed, "I've located the border between the two worlds and I am prepared to go through it."

Sleek black hair obstructed half of his master's face as he angled his chin downwards to leer at his pupil, "You mustn't fail. Find me my psychics."

"OW, LADY," Yusuke yelped, then proceeded to blow tiny puffs of air onto his injured wrist, "WHAT THE FRIGGIN HELL."

With irremediable anger, Mrs. Hayashi huffed as she yanked the appendage away from the cocoon of Yusuke's other arm, "Mr. Urameshi, this would be much easier if you remained calm and allowed me to do my job."

He doubled down until he was at eye level with her, "HOW CAN I BE FRIGGIN CALM WHEN YOU'RE WAVING THAT DAMN THING AROUND."

Having been concentrating on carefully threading the needle through his sleeve, Mrs. Hayashi leapt backwards with a scream, sending a nearby mannequin tumbling over her tiny body. She wrestled it away before hopping onto her feet with her face warped into a scowl and stomping away mumbling incoherencies.

Adjusting his bow tie, Kuwabara sauntered out of the dressing room sighing under his breath, "Urameshi, you can be such a jerk sometimes."

"Heeey," Yusuke sang out mid-laugh as he twisted and flexed into different poses in front of the full-length mirror, "She did a good job, too. Man, I look good."

Shaking his head disapprovingly, Kuwabara wagered, "Vain, too."

Beaming, Yusuke snaked his arm around his best friend's neck into a head lock. Snickering as he spoke through gritted teeth, "What was that, Kuwabara? I don't think I heard you right."

"URAMESHI, LET ME GO!." The man squirmed, wiggling about as he flailed both of his arms, "I LOOK NICE IN THIS SUIT, DON'T MESS IT UP."

"It seems I've walked in on a bad time."

Originally a mess of limbs as they scuffled and bickered about the floor, the two unsuspecting men paused to peer at the mischievous eyes that stared at them, before scrambling off of each other with equally bashful looks.

"Oh," Kurama chuckled light-heartedly, "Please don't let me interrupt."

"Hey, fox boy," The brunette called out, stifling a laugh as he fidgeted with his collar, "You're late."

Signaling one of the seamstresses as he laid his messenger bag on an empty chair, Kurama offered him a warm smile, "Ah, yes. Bit of a mishap with a student regarding some lab work."

Kuwabara furrowed his brow, "What do you mean? Like a mutated plant or something?"

With mirth in his eyes, Kurama shook his head, "No. Nothing like that. More along the lines of fire." Witnessing the pair's bulging eyes, he continued, "Fortunately, no one was badly hurt. The student received minor burns to his hands, but is otherwise perfectly fine."

Mrs. Hayashi extracted the red head's suit from its protective bag and handed it over to the red head, who idly wondered why the seamstress blatantly ignored Yusuke's attempts to communicate with her as she strolled out of the room.

"Bitch," Yusuke uttered under his breath, flipping off her retreating form as she waded through multiple racks of suits and gowns.

"I take it something happened between the two of you?" Kurama's voice was considerably muffled from within the dressing room.

Kuwabara summarized in a condescending tone, "Yeah, Urameshi here yelled at her for pricking him with a needle 'cause he's a tiny little baby."

"Come here, you stupid son of a bitch!"

Perusing his newly donned suit, Kurama rushed out of the commode to be one of the many bystanders of Yusuke pummeling Kuwabara's face to the floor and stomping the small of his back while relaying an array of curse words. Mrs. Hayashi unleashed a gut-wrenching scream before launching herself at the two, seizing both of their ears and hurling them out the main entrance of the store. Yusuke threw a hand over his head to finger a newly materialized bump and ducked to avoid a zooming bag, then nearly cackled over his victory, before he was hit by the second one and flopped back down next to an unconscious Kuwabara.

Minutes later, Kurama leisurely waltz out of the store holding his own bag and waving Mrs. Hayashi goodbye. He assisted the two up, viridian eyes transfixed on a seething Yusuke as he snatched his bag off the ground and awkwardly walked off with Kuwabara in tow.

Kurama lagged behind with a calmer demeanor, relishing the coolness of the autumn day and its trees, ones that adorned the length of the sidewalk and were in the midst of going through various stages of shedding their leaves to pave way for new growth. He buried chilled hands deeper into the pockets of his coat, eager for warmth as they walked in comfortable silence with crisp orange leaves crunching under their every step.

"So, Kurama," Kuwabara cut through the silence, "You never told us what happened at the university with that kid. How did that fire start?"

"He had been playing with the lab equipment. The burner to be precise. I'm under the impression he did so because he hadn't finished his lab notes, which he had to turn in this very morning. Futile effort, though admirable. I can only give him so many opportunities to raise his grade before I eventually tire of that, too."

"Geez, Kurama," Yusuke replied, "Give the punk a break! You probably use too many big words."

Kurama smirked, "I've given him far too many and they've all proved fruitless."

"Hey, Kurama, have you heard from shorty yet?" Kuwabara grumbled, burrowing into his coat. "I'm sure Urameshi wants him here for this thing."

Originally glinting eyes dulled into a faded green, "No. I've sent word to him through the means of a letter. I wouldn't necessarily get my hopes up, Mukuro has kept him a very busy man as of late."

Yusuke's quizzical gaze fell on him, "Can't you call him up on the phone? I thought demons had phones and all that crap?" He couldn't resist his howl of laughter as the demure redhead cracked up at the statement, "No, seriously. It'd mean a lot to me for him to be here. Have the gang back together for some drinks and bouquets. Hell," he elbowed Kuwabara, who rolled his eyes in response, "Yukina might even catch it."

"And yet you want Hiei to bear witness to that." Kurama countered with a bland smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"What does shorty have anything to do with that?" growled a fuming Kuwabara, staring at the two accusingly as they stammered into an abrupt stop, "You know what, I don't even care. I'll rival Hiei for her affections. I'm a better man than he'll ever be. She'll see."

Yusuke threw his head back in a guffaw, before casting an arm over his best friend's shoulder, "That's the spirit!"

Nearing the Yukimura household, Yusuke volunteered a half-hearted wave at Keiko's father on the way up and left the man to his cooking devices, seeing as he had customers. Upon swinging the door open, he was met with a flash of lace and white, followed by a shriek and Keiko's fist colliding with his face. He rolled all the way to the bottom of the stairs, managing to miss both Kuwabara and Kurama on the way down, with a groan, "God frigging damn it, what is it with women today?"

Mr. Yukimura snorted, shoulders vibrating with laughter as he flipped some beef on a steaming pan, then deposited it on a customer's plate, "Keiko's up there trying on her dress since your last proposal was the real deal. I should've probably mentioned it to you on your way up."

"Yeah," Yusuke seemed irritated, plopping down on one of the stools before the bar, "You should've."

The chef flashed a cheeky smile, "The usual?"

"Yes, please." Brown eyes softened, and he slouched further down, eyeing the tuxedo securely enclosed within the bag.

Kuwabara placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Hey, Urameshi. Everything will be great, you know? Don't go and get cold feet now."

"I believe he's anxious, rather than regretful." Kurama speculated softly, eyeing his watch, "I should be leaving. It's my mother's birthday today, and I shouldn't arrive late to that as well."

Yusuke straightened up with a grin, "Oh, nice. Wish her a happy birthday for me!"

Kurama nodded obediently, making a mental note of it. Midway out the door, Yusuke sprang up after him in one fluid movement and called out hesitantly once they were both out of Kuwabara's earshot, "Hey, Kurama."

The red head merely looked over his shoulder, "Yes, Yusuke?"

"I know it's none of my business... trust me, I know. But have you been cool with Hiei being MIA these last couple of years? You two were close."

Viridian eyes widened considerably, obviously caught off guard. His eyes traveled downwards before he mustered a reply shortly after, "You're right, Yusuke." A mere whisper as he continued his stride home, "It's none of your business."

In Alaric, Hiei strolled along the corridors of Mukuro's castle upon finishing one of many patrols along the border, they managed to capture a dozen unsuspecting humans that had aimlessly wandered through, but they easily fell prey to the Jaganshi's eye and were safely relocated. A task he deemed tedious, but dutiful of. Later that day, he was scheduled to oversee the initiation of several A-class demons alongside Kirin, per Mukuro's request.

Mukuro patiently waited for him at the end of the hall, casually leaning against the wall with an inquisitive blue eye. Vermillion locked on hers with reverence, prior to trailing downwards to admire the Hiruseki stone resting idle over her collarbone, then down the length of her arm to examine the envelope between her delicate fingers.

"Smells like your fox." She pushed herself off the wall and deposited the item on Hiei's awaiting hand, who grew restless at her leisure and scrutinized her as she walked away. Tearing through the offending envelope to retrieve the letter in neat writing, he skimmed it with tangible apathy, then promptly incinerated it prior to dematerializing.

Next chapter soon!