December 24th, 2001.

Kazuma shivered in the cold. Yusuke and Hiei at his side. They'd found it. Kazuma would accept nothing less. This had to be where Kurama was.

It took only a day of searching. They may never have found it if it wasn't for Hiei's Jagan. It was rare for Kazuma to show any gratitude toward Hiei. But if the fire demon had let him the tall man would have crushed him in a hug.

Thank you Hiei. Thank you so much for loving your sister enough to have that thing implanted into your skull.

"Go, do it now fool."

Kazuma ignored the insult. Hiei could call him whatever he wanted for the rest of his days. Kazuma wouldn't say another word about it ever again.

Yusuke clapped him on the shoulder and then stood back.

Kazuma called his Spirit Sword, pushing his spirit energy to the max. He watched as the edges became refined, smooth, deadly. The dimension cutting sword was a whole nother beast from his normal Reiken. It shined with vibrant, rainbow bright colors. It hummed, the sound it made loud in the silence of the forest they stood in.

With a great yell, Kazuma lunged. It ripped through the tiny hint of energy that marked the opening to the other place. At first a slit, then it widened. Beyond was darkness incarnate. And before Kazuma could warn his companions it sucked them in.

The opening closed behind them, but Kazuma didn't worry. He would just open another one.

He heard the sound of Yusuke's Spirit Gun powering up. Hiei created a ball of flame in his hand. Kazuma kept his sword at the ready. Together, they cast enough light to get a decent look at their surroundings.

"What the fuck is that...?" Yusuke breathed.

It was as if it were a living, pulsing creature all its own. At first, Kazuma wondered if it was one of Kurama's plants. Maybe he wasn't in as much trouble as he thought.

But as they approached the massive building engulfed with red, wriggling, fat veins Kazuma halted. His sixth sense was screaming at him. Whatever this was...it wasn't good.

"Don't touch it," he said.

Yusuke looked at him quizzically but Hiei held out an arm, causing them all to stop.

"It isn't Kurama's," he said. "And it isn't a plant."

"Then what is it?" asked Yusuke.

"Whatever it is, it's alive," said Kazuma.

He bent to inspect it closer, being careful not to touch. He didn't notice when Hiei stiffened at his side.

"Run!" The fire demon hollered.

Kazuma's head shot up just in time to see a giant eye open. And then the big veiny things started to writh. Not veins...tentacles, he realized. But this realization came too late. He'd sat there stunned too long and one of them had wrapped around his midsection.

He screamed as it hauled him off his feet and up into the air. His Reiken still in his hand, he was quick to hack it up. It dropped him and with another screech, he came plummeting to the ground.

He hit hard, the breath knocked out of him. He struggled to his feet anyway, gasping at the rancid air that permeated this place. He scrambled to Yusuke's side. His friend used his shotgun technique, burning holes through several of the tentacles.

He could hear Hiei in the darkness, flitting about and dicing up the others. Sometimes he'd catch a flash of his sword.

Stealing his resolve, Kazuma jumped back into the fray.

He'd be damned if he let these two take all the glory.

… ~ ...

Something had changed with the creature's demeanor. Though Kurama had lost track of time, for quite awhile now the thing had changed its tactics. It had gone from just straight torturing him to interrogation.

It took Kurama no time flat to figure out what the thing wanted.

And who the man was.

It was pathetic he had held a grudge for this long. What was it...at least three hundred years now.

It was Kurama's turn to laugh. The first bit of emotion he'd shown in a long, long time.

If his voice worked he'd tell the bastard to fuck off.

It was really too bad. He'd thought he'd killed this idiot. He'd been arrogant back then...foolish. He'd made so many mistakes.

The demon's name was Kaien. He had been powerful over three hundred years ago. But it looks as if he'd spent some time honing his power. He was much stronger now.

Kurama had grown complacent in his human life. Of that, Hiei had been right. He should have been more vigilant. How embarrassing to let such a swine get the jump on him.

"Tell me where it is!" Kaien hissed.

Kurama rasped out a hollow laugh again. He didn't know. After all these years he'd probably bartered or sold what the man was looking for. Even if he hadn't it, his dens of treasure would have long ago been looted.

Desperate now, Kaien backhanded him across the face. Kurama spit blood, the only liquid he'd had in his mouth for days.

He wheezed out another laugh. He would be dead soon. None of this will have mattered. And Kaien will never get what he wanted. At least Kurama could go to the grave knowing that.

I wish I could have given everyone their gifts for Christmas, he thought. Perhaps his mother would find them and distribute them later. He especially hoped Kazuma received his.

Ah...Kazuma. He wondered if he'd broken the poor man's heart that day. Kazuma Kuwabara wasn't the type to be interested in someone for a fling. He put his whole heart into everything. And that had scared the living shit out of Kurama. The tall boy...man now, Kurama reminded himself, had cleaned up well. Kurama had stuck around to take care of Master Genkai's gardens simply so he could be close to him.

So, as he hung there dying, that would be one of his biggest regrets of all. He hadn't even given him a chance.

Kazuma...

… ~ ...

"Why won't this fucking thing die!"

"Urameshi, look out!"

Hiei flitted by, chopping apart the giant tentacle that had been about to lob Yusuke's head from his shoulders.

They'd spent God only knew how much time fighting this goddamned thing. Every second that passed was a second closer to them losing Kurama. He couldn't be wasting time here!

With a growl, he cut through another and another and another. There was always more. As if the thing just kept growing them as soon as one was cut down.

"Hiei, can't you burn this thing to a crisp?!"

The fire demon shot Yusuke a sour look. "If I could, I would have!" he snapped.

And it wasn't for lack of trying. Hiei was wasting not only his time but his energy. He'd resorted to using only his sword.

"There has to be some way to kill this stupid thing!"

Kazuma wasn't a strategist like Kurama...but at a time like this he needed to think of something.

"Hey..." he said. There might be one way. "What about that eye?"

"How the hell is Hiei's eye gonna help right now?"

"Not Hiei's eye you idiot!" Kazuma jabbed a finger towards the giant one in the center of what could only be the creature's head. "That one!"

Yusuke's mouth formed an oh and then he grinned. He powered up a giant Spirit Gun blast and let it fly. His aim was perfect. The monster howled in agony as his eye was pierced clean through. It evaporated into nothing, Yusuke's energy frying its skull clean open.

The tentacles stopped moving and as one, they flopped to the ground, useless. The head of the monster slumped and its body slipped. With a great crash that shook the ground beneath them and almost knocked Kazuma from his feet, it fell to the earth. With its passing it revealed what it had been protecting so vehemently.

Beneath was a large, concrete building. It didn't look like anything special but Kazuma knew from the bottom of his heart that's where they'd find Kurama.

"Come on, let's go before something else shows up!" Yusuke took off running, Hiei close behind.

Even after all these years Kazuma would never match their speed. Soon he would no longer be in his prime and his health would fail, just like Genkai.

He ran after them as fast as he could.

We're coming Kurama, just hold on a little longer.

… ~ ...

Kurama might live through one final beating. He'd lost too much blood. His vision had gone black a long time ago. His mouth harbored a horrid metallic tang that made him want to vomit, but his stomach was empty.

What he wouldn't give for even a single sip of water.

His wish was granted a moment later. At first he thought it was a hallucination, but the violent way the water was forced down his throat told him otherwise. He choked, spitting up what he'd been given. Again, the bottle was forced between his lips. He swallowed what he could this time. He was greedy for more, but Kaien gave him just enough so he was able to use his voice again.

"Now tell me where it is."

Kurama sucked in two slow breaths. Breathing had even become a chore. "Gone."

He was backhanded across the face.

"Wrong answer."

"There is no...other answer...to give." Talking had become hard. It had been awhile since he'd used his voice. Too long.

Kaien screamed in outrage. He took his anger out on Kurama. A punch to the stomach, one to the ribs, another to his face. He stood against them like a rock against a storm. But the internal damage...

Without his energy to heal him his body would soon fail.

"When I heard you were alive...oh it brought me so much joy." A punch to the stomach again. "I wanted my revenge, had to have my revenge."

If Kurama's eyelids weren't so swollen he might have rolled his eyes.

"I'd spent years thinking that hunter had killed you. I was so angry then. Someone had taken what was rightfully mine – your life."

"But then I heard about the Makai tournament. I heard the stories of Youko Kurama's participation."

He pulled a knife from his pocket and sliced at Kurama's arm. He did it slow, so Kurama would feel the maximum amount of pain.

"At first I didn't believe it. This weak, red haired, human boy couldn't be that legendary thief."

He cut a path down Kurama's left cheek, slicing through the dirt that was surely there.

"So I did a little digging...and found out it was true. Oh, what a happy day that was."

Kurama figured he would say more but he paused in his ranting, the knife poised for another cut. He listened for a moment and then cursed. He tossed the knife aside and strode from the room.

Kurama was left alone in the darkness once more. He sagged against his bonds, his breath coming in harsh pants.

Soon...soon...

… ~ ...

They'd spent hours searching the building. They had opened every door, run up and down every hallway. Still they had found nothing. There was no residual energy, nothing that screamed that Kurama had been there. Kazuma was growing frustrated.

Each door he threw open he grew more desperate. He'd checked the same rooms at least a hundred times.

Yusuke and Hiei hadn't given up either.

He was here. He had to be.

They regrouped at the main entrance. All three of them held expressions of anger.

"This is some kind of sick joke," Yusuke groused.

Kazuma said nothing. Think you idiot. Where the hell could he be?

He looked to the floor. At the same moment Hiei realized what he was thinking.

"Move," was all he said.

Both Yusuke and Kazuma did as they were told.

Hiei jumped as high in the air as the building allowed. His fist began to gather energy, bright greens and reds. With a cry he slammed it into the floor. The concrete cracked, splintered, and then fell inwards.

Just as Kazuma had suspected, there was a hidden basement. He grinned in triumph. Just a little longer now and they'd have their friend back, safe and sound.

… ~ ...

Something had happened, of that Kurama was certain. Kaien had returned much later in a panic. Now, he was pacing the room muttering to himself.

Kurama held no hope that he had been found...but...

It was awfully strange.

Kurama took this reprieve to look Kaien over. He'd changed in the past three hundred years. Dark purple hair shaved on one side of his head, long on the other. His obsidian eyes looked older, more hollow. Kurama took some joy in that – he had taken that light from him.

His body was fit, if not muscular, and he was just a smidge taller than Hiei was.

If the man didn't hold such a grudge against Kurama he might have gotten along with the fire demon quite well. Their personalities were a good match.

But that is where similarities ended. Kaien had been a bastard three hundred years ago and he was even more so now. He had collected and coveted rare, dangerous, and dark artifacts. The particular item Kurama had stolen had not only been priceless...it was irreplaceable.

He was glad it would never find its way into this man's hands ever again.

Kaien stopped pacing and grabbed Kurama by his chin. He wrenched him forward, causing the chains to rattle and tug at his broken wrists. "We haven't much time. Tell me where it is...or I'll end you."

Kurama was already dead.

"Gone." he repeated for the hundredth time.

Kaien screamed and for a brief moment Kurama was certain he would take his life then and there. He smiled, ready to embrace death. He would give anything for that relief. He felt like he'd waited an eternity.

But that relief never came. Instead...a range of emotions took its place. First surprise...then amazement...and his heart finally settled on grief.

For them to see him in such a state...

For them to sit here and watch him die...

This was a fool's errand. They should have left him well enough alone.

They'd never get him to a healer in time...

His heart slowed. Each beat painful, each breath labored. Before he blacked out he was able to see his friends one last time. The bright powerful energy of Yusuke, the slow burn of Hiei's...and the bright, heroic energy of Kazuma.

With a wistful smile, Kurama fell into the black.

… ~ ...

December 25th, 2001. Christmas Day.

Kazuma had never been more enraged in his entire life. He'd seen some horrible things, had killed countless demons who'd murdered and pillaged. It was the same pain he'd felt when he'd watched Urameshi die during his battle with Sensui.

And just like that time his power rose in answer. He saw real fear in the demon's eyes. A sick satisfaction gripped him and then Kazuma lunged.

The only one faster was Hiei.

The bastard put up a fight. He was strong. Perhaps he would have been a challenge. But he picked the wrong people to fuck with.

His life was ended after only minutes. Minutes that Kazuma knew they could not spare.

Hiei lopped the bastard's head straight off his shoulders. And then burned the corpse for good measure. Kazuma knew if he hadn't been so angry he would have tortured the man to death. Hiei would have given him the same pain that he'd inflicted on Kurama. If only he'd had the time.

The fire demon shattered the chains holding Kurama to the ceiling. The only person he'd ever seen him hold with that type of tenderness was Yukina. And even then, it had only been that one time during the Dark Tournament.

Wide red eyes stared up at him and Yusuke. Hiei, normally so expressionless, was in pain too.

"Is he breathing...?" Yusuke asked what they all wanted – needed, to know.

"Barely."

Kazuma couldn't speak. The sight of his friend...it was too much. How...how had this creature managed to do something so awful? Why hadn't Kurama fought back?

"We need to get him out of here."

Blood...there was so much blood. How? How could one person make so much blood?

"Kuwabara, come on!"

Their voices sounded so far away. If this could happen to Kurama it could happen to any of them. He couldn't lose them...he just couldn't. Even Hiei, the cantankerous bastard. He didn't want to live in a world where they didn't exist.

He didn't register the feeling of the tears that dripped down his face. Or the fact his nose was streaming. All he saw was Kurama's broken body. His hair had even been sheared off...

So lost inside his own mind, Kazuma didn't have time to try and dodge the punch Hiei threw at him. It wasn't hard enough to break his jaw, but it was hard enough to make his face swell up.

"Snap out of it idiot! Kurama doesn't have time for your blubbering!"

Shit, he was right.

Together they ran from the building. Hiei had handed Kurama over to Yusuke, his height making it too awkward for the fire demon to carry him so far a distance. Kazuma once again wished he was as fast as them. He was the only one who could get them out of here and even though he pushed himself to his limits it still wasn't enough.

He paid no attention to the burning in his lungs or the way his heart raced in fear for his friend's life. He just booked it towards the distortion that had brought them here.

It took what felt like hours, the light of Hiei's flame guiding them through the never ending darkness. Kazuma sensed it as they drew close and he wasted no time pulling out his dimension cutting sword. He sliced it through the empty space, seeing the forest looming beyond.

As they emerged into the light of early morning on Christmas Day, Kazuma prayed to God they'd make it back in time.

… ~ ...

December 31st, 2001. New Year's Eve.

Six days later, Kurama was still in a deep sleep. They had brought him back to the temple. He still didn't know how they'd made it in time. The only theory he had was that Kurama's energy had healed him just enough to keep him alive.

In the interim Kazuma had gone to Kurama's mother's and lied, even though it had left a bitter taste on his tongue. He knew she hadn't believed him, but he wanted to take away some of her worry.

Yukina had done what she could. Her abilities in healing had gotten much better over the years, but still Kurama slept.

Shizuru had fixed his hair, saying she didn't want him to wake up and see himself like that.

Even still...Yukina hadn't been able to spare him from the scares. Kurama had faint ones...a bad one on his stomach from Hiei all those years ago, burns from his fight with Karasu. A faint one on his cheek from that moron during the Dark Tournament. But this...this was in another league.

He was branded everywhere. They would always be a constant reminder.

And over what? Something as petty as whatever it was Kurama had stolen. Kazuma wished he could raise that bastard from the dead and kill him all over again.

The door to the room they'd placed him in opened. The soft, gentle energy of Yukina registered in the back of his mind. He did not turn to her. He had not left Kurama's side in days. He'd barely slept or eaten. If it wasn't for the Koorime making him meals and pestering him to get some rest, he wouldn't have bothered at all.

"It is News Year's Eve...don't you wish to spend time with your family?" she asked.

Kazuma sat slumped in a wooden chair. He held one of Kurama's limp hands in his own. He had such fine hands. At least that bastard hadn't touched those.

"No...I'll stay here," he replied.

He heard her sigh sadly. She set down a tray of food for him on a small table that rested beside the door. She continued to bring him food, even though he ate only bites. A second later, the click of the door latching told him she'd left.

He squeezed Kurama's hand.

Please wake up...

… ~ ...

The day went by in a blur, just as they all had since Kazuma had realized Kurama was missing. Yusuke stopped by, dressed in formal kimono and complaining. Keiko was forcing him to go to a festival. But much like Kazuma, the other man was in no mood for any kind of fun.

"She's worried about him too, Urameshi." Keiko just wanted to get her mind off things. She was probably hoping Yusuke would do the same.

"That's not the point! Why do I always have to do this stupid crap..."

Sometime later, after Yusuke had taken his leave, Hiei had come climbing through the window. He was mindful to shut it behind him, barring Kurama from the chill of the winter air.

He didn't speak and Kazuma wasn't willing to have a conversation anyway.

He stayed for awhile, watching over the redhead. Kazuma knew when he had decided to take his leave, because he nodded at him right before he flitted off again.

Kazuma waved, a half-hearted gesture, pointless because the demon was already gone.

Once again it was just him and the man he had grown to love as more than a friend.

He drifted off to sleep after a time. The silence and the warmth of the electric heater he kept running lulling him into slumber.

He didn't know how long he rested, if it was hours, or minutes, or days. But a gentle pressure on the hand he still held had him drifting back to the world of the living.

At first, sleep still heavy in his mind, he thought he was dreaming. But the hand squeezed again and his eyes snapped open.

He'd never seen such a beautiful shade of green. He probably wouldn't ever again.

His breath caught in his throat and it took every ounce of his willpower not to launch himself at the man in the bed.

"Tell me I'm not dreaming," he said instead.

Kurama's lips turned up in a smile, "You're not dreaming."

His voice was raspy from disuse and lack of water, but it was like music to Kazuma's ears.

"Shit," Kazuma said. His eyes watered and spilled over. With the hand not holding his friend's he wiped at them, embarrassed.

Then he came to his senses, "L-lemme go get Yukina! And some water!"

He leapt up from the chair but Kurama's hand tightened. He tugged the other man back towards him.

"Don't go," he said.

"B-but..."

"Don't go," he repeated.

And so Kazuma didn't. He sat on the edge of the bed and brought Kurama into an embrace. Even though his worst wounds were gone, he was still gentle. A gentle giant...he'd heard Kurama call him that more than once.

"I didn't think I'd see any of you ever again," the man mumbled into his shoulder.

Kazuma's arms tightened. He buried his face into Kurama's hair and breathed in his scent. It smelled like the herbal shampoo Shizuru had used to wash it.

"I should have noticed sooner," he said.

"There was nothing anyone could have done."

Kazuma didn't believe that. None of them had noticed. For three weeks Kurama had been missing. Hiei had an excuse...even Yusuke didn't see him all the time. Out of anyone, Kazuma should have noticed. He would never forgive himself.

"Don't," Kurama whispered.

"Don't what?"

"Blame yourself."

Kazuma didn't know how the other man knew what he was thinking, but it didn't matter. Of course he should blame himself. In fact...he would take the brunt of that burden, he was the most at fault.

"What did I say?" Kurama admonished.

Kazuma pulled away from him, holding him at arms length. "I should have noticed sooner."

Kurama shook his head, "I knew...I knew there was someone after me. I thought I could handle it without getting anyone involved."

"Why would you do that?"

"I didn't want to burden anyone."

Kazuma stared at him in disbelief, "I never took you for an idiot."

Kurama's eyes widened and then he turned away. A wry smile spread across his lips. "I suppose you're right."

"This isn't a joke! You...you...shit, you nearly died! Do you know how scared I was?!"

Kurama's smile faded, his eyes turned downcast. "I'm sorry."

That was all he had to say for himself. Didn't he understand? Didn't he?! Kazuma loved him! And he thought he'd never have the chance to tell him.

He took a deep breath and before he could change his mind blurted, "I love you."

He said it with conviction. He said it in a way that could not be misinterpreted. He said it for as much his benefit as Kurama's.

He would have his heart broken. But that was okay. Kazuma would survive, so long as Kurama knew. As long as Kurama thought twice about ever pulling a stunt like that again.

Kurama's mouth had fallen open. It was rare to see the other man completely lost for words and Kazuma used it to his advantage.

"I will always be here for you. Urameshi and Hiei too. No matter what."

Kurama wouldn't look him in the eye after that. He just turned to stare out the window. It had started to snow again at some point and it had grown dark long ago.

"Will you take me out for some fresh air?" he asked.

Kazuma frowned but did as he asked. He grabbed a robe that was folded at the foot of the bed. He helped Kurama rise, doing his damndest to ignore his nudity.

Kazuma swept the robe over his shoulders and Kurama tied it closed. Knowing that wasn't enough warmth, Kazuma also bundled him up in his coat (which was at least two sizes too big). He didn't notice when Kurama brought the sleeve to his nose and inhaled the scent of his cologne.

A pair of slippers completed his 'outfit' and so Kazuma slung one of Kurama's arms around his shoulders. He stooped so the other man wouldn't put any strain on his still healing injuries. It was slow going through the long hallways of Genkai's temple, but eventually they made it outdoors.

Kazuma stopped at the porch and helped Kurama take a seat on its edge. The redhead reached out a hand to catch the falling snow, taking great gulps of the nighttime air.

"I never knew what a luxury fresh air was until I was stuck in that rotting hole," he said.

Kazuma sunk down beside him. "I'll never let something like that happen to you again."

Kurama had no reply to his oath and instead asked, "What day is it?"

"New Year's Eve," Kazuma replied.

"Ah...I missed Christmas. Mother must be heartbroken."

"She's doing the best she can...considering."

Kurama turned to him with surprised eyes. "You went to see her?"

"Of course," said Kazuma.

They sat in silence for a long time. Kazuma was too afraid to ask what the other man was thinking. And considering what he'd been through Kazuma let him have his peace.

"I'm sorry," Kurama said again.

Kazuma started, not having expected him to speak. "For what?"

"That day...three months ago. I should have said something, instead I was a coward."

Kazuma shook his head with vehemence, "No, I shouldn't have surprised you like that."

"I won't deny I was shocked. But not for the reasons you think." Kurama looked to his feet and clasped his hands in his lap. "I don't deserve someone like you."

Kazuma gaped at him. Was he truly such an idiot?

"How can you think that? I'm the stupid, ugly one."

The look Kurama gave him at that comment could have melted the skin clean off his face.

"Don't ever say that again."

"Why? It's true."

"No it is not, nor has it ever been."

Kazuma blushed and looked towards the sky, if only so he didn't have to look at Kurama anymore.

A hand slid across the porch to grasp his. It squeezed, offering comfort when Kurama was the one that truly needed it.

"What time is it?" Kurama asked.

Kuwabara lifted his arm so he could look at the watch there, "Nearly midnight."

"Mhm." Kurama turned back to the falling snow, as if he were waiting for something.

A couple of minutes later he asked, "What time is it now?"

Kazuma looked at him funny but answered, "Eleven Fifty-eight."

Kurama nodded and again he waited.

"And now?"

"It's midnight Kurama, why do you keep asking?"

Kazuma received his answer in an unexpected way. Before he could place some distance between them or put out a hand to stop him, Kurama leaned forward. He placed a chaste kiss against Kazuma's lips, chapped but warm.

At first Kazuma could do nothing but stare with eyes wide open. What did this mean? Had that bastard done something to Kurama's brain too?

But when he did not respond Kurama began to pull away. Afraid he'd never get the chance again, Kazuma lunged forward.

He smashed his head into Kurama's and they both shot backwards with a yelp.

"Oh shit, sorry!"

Kurama laughed...and laughed...and laughed. He laughed until all the stress left his body. He laughed until his hoarse voice gave out and he was reduced to wheezes. He laughed until tears streamed down his face.

When those tears turned from ones of mirth into real, gut-wrenching, heartbreaking ones, he placed a hand against Kazuma's cheek.

He leaned forward again, every movement making his intent clear. Kazuma met him in the middle.

They shared a New Year's kiss, one that was deep and precious and grand. Kazuma's weariness faded in that brief moment. The fear he had harbored for days fell away. He took in all that was Kurama. And that night he vowed to never let it go again.

Leaving his bruised forehead pressed against Kazuma's, Kurama pulled back and smiled with his eyes still closed. "Happy New Year, Kazuma."

"Yeah...Happy New Year."

… ~ ...

6 Months Later.

"You two need to get a room!"

"Shut the hell up Urameshi!"

"This is the fifth time this week I've caught you guys!"

"No it isn't!"

"Yes it is!"

"No, it is not!"

"You two are like children."

"Who asked you fox boy?"

Kurama shook his head, exasperated with the both of them. What a time to get into an argument. He'd just managed to get Kazuma's shirt off too...

"Why don't you call before you show up?!"

"Cause I don't expect you two to be screwing like rabbits in the entire temple!"

Kurama blushed and Kazuma slapped a large palm to his face to cover his own. "Shut up, Urameshi," he mumbled.

Yusuke left down the hall, cackling the entire way. Kazuma assumed he was headed for the living room. He buried his face into Kurama's shoulder, stooping so he could reach.

"He's so annoying," he said, muffled by Kurama's shirt.

"Kazuma?"

"Mhm?"

"I love you..."

Kurama felt Kazuma smile against his neck. "Yeah, you too..."

The taller man leaned down to pick his shirt up off the floor. He pulled the button down back on, fumbling with the buttons. Kurama helped him put himself back together and then took his hand.

He threaded his fingers with Kazuma's and then headed after Yusuke.

They walked slower than they needed to, little grins on both their faces.

Just before they reached the living room Kazuma stopped, causing Kurama to pause as well.

"Hey...I never asked before because I didn't think it was important, but -"

Kurama raised an eyebrow, "Yes?"

"What did you steal to make that Kaien guy hate you so much?"

Kurama suppressed a grin. "It was something very dangerous indeed."

"I know that, but what was it?"

"His virginity." And then Kurama turned on his heel and marched into the living room.

"H-hey, wait! Kurama, you liar!"

His lover laughed, the sound more joyous than it had been in many years. Kurama didn't want to dwell on what happened six months ago. He had decided on New Year's Eve to live in the here and now. He loved Kazuma and the only way their relationship would remain intact was if he put the past behind him. He must let go of the things he did, who he was.

And in turn, he would spend every waking day making Kazuma realize how amazing of a man he truly was.

Because what he had done for him all those months ago had left what was inside him – a shriveled, useless heart – blossom into full bloom when it never had before.

Thank you, Kazuma...

… ~ ...

Fin.