I forgot to add this last time... General Disclaimer (don't expect me to post another): I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or the image. I do not make a profit from these writings.

Thank you kittyfiction2008for your review...

CHAPTER 2: DISCOVERY

Kurama, Yusuke and Hiei sat together, hands linked, on a cliff, looking over the beautiful landscape that no one would have believed was the dangerous Makai. Kuwabara and Yukina sat not far away, snuggling closely, while Botan, Shizuru and Keiko chattered loudly about something to do with shoes.

They had just finished attending Kuwabara and Yukina's wedding; the new couple wanted a quiet place with just their friends after the big reception and Kurama had suggested coming to this spot for its romantic, panoramic view.

"It is a shame." Kurama said. "How much a filthy place such as the Makai can be transformed into something so ethereal."

Yusuke nodded and glanced at the large moon up ahead. "Yeah, it's not so bad when you take the time to look." He then looked at Kurama and smiled. "However, this wouldn't be beautiful without you."

Kurama gave a dazzling smile and kissed Yusuke gently on the lips, showing his appreciation.

"Don't compliment him, Yusuke." Hiei scoffed. "It will only build up his ego... and it is immense already, being a kitsune."

Kurama pouted. "Hiei, you wound me."

The fire demon gave a sly grin. "Not yet." He said and then suddenly pulled Kurama into a hard, demanding kiss, causing the red head to groan; it grew louder as Yusuke rained kisses on his smooth, pale neck. "Nevertheless," Hiei continued as he pulled away. "You are most beautiful."

"I love you." Kurama whispered and placed a small kiss on Hiei's lips before turning to Yusuke. "I love you both."

Hiei hugged him from behind and nuzzled his neck. "I love you too." He said to Kurama and then looked at Yusuke and smiled, his eyes holding nothing but love for him.

Yusuke smiled brightly as he tucked a long, fiery lock behind a pale ear; he could not believe they he had the two most beautiful and skilled demons in the world. "As do I." He whispered.

YYH

Yusuke's eyes snapped open; the dream never allowed him to forget that day. That had been three years ago, the day his world fell apart. He felt a small, warm body snoring next to him and he smiled; he had not wanted to leave Kurama but Hiei had insisted that he needed sleep. Yusuke finally agreed only if the fire demon would stay with him until he fell asleep; and he did, however, Hiei seemed to have fallen asleep as well. Yusuke slowly slid out of Hiei's hold on his waist, trying not to rouse him; he placed a kiss on the covered Jagan before he left to check on Kurama.

The redhead was fast asleep under the heavy blanket; his hair looked a bit brighter but other than that, there was no change; he still looked too thin and too pale for his liking. The tall brunet lingered by the door a little longer before he left for the kitchen he had built for just himself and his lovers, nodding to Yukina as she passed by to check on Kurama.

It has been a week since they found Kurama and he has been asleep throughout; Yukina said it was normal and checked on him regularly but Yusuke had a sinking feeling in his stomach, like their troubles was far from over. He brushed it off, thinking it was the inevitable talk he was going to have with the Architect but he knew it was deeper.

Yusuke could not help but feel it was his fault; he did not pay enough that day, he was careless and stupid to not have seen it coming. I mean, who in their right mind would challenge an S class demon to a fight if they were'nt-

A pair of arms around his waist brought him out of his reverie and he sighed when Hiei's warm scent made him relax a little. "I thought you were asleep." He said.

"And I thought coffee and apple juice don't mix." Hiei replied.

"What? Shit!" Yusuke jumped and groaned at the ruined mess in his cup when he realised it was not milk he grabbed out of the fridge. "Sorry, I've just been distracted lately."

Hiei nuzzled his neck and asked, "Is it because of Kurama?"

Yusuke nodded. "I'm worried, Hiei." He turned to the fire demon. "What if we won't be the way we were before? Three years is a long time and... he's been through so much."

Hiei sighed and then gave a reassuring smile. "We got him back, Yusuke... it may take a while but soon he'll be back to normal... nothing will take him from us... and when we get our hands on that bitch, she'll regret even thinking of-"

A crash from outside the hall made both men to jump and another crash had them sprinting out of the kitchen, towards its source. The noise increased as they ran down the corridor and soon it was accompanied by some shouting.

Yusuke and Hiei found themselves in Kurama's room; the blanket seems to have been flung across the empty bed in haste, the lamps on either side of the bed were broken and Yukina was on her knees pleading with someone who, apparently, was in the small space between the wardrobe and the east wall.

"Yukina?" Yusuke said, confused.

Troubled crimson eyes snapped to the men at the door. "Thank goodness." She breathed. "He woke and just panicked... I'm trying to calm him down but he won't listen."

Yusuke quickly walked to where she kneeled and swatted down. "Kurama?" He heard a whimper and a shuffle of clothing like movement. "Kurama, it's Yusuke." He leaned in to get a better look and was saddened by the sight; Kurama had his slander hands wrapped around his long legs, pulling them close to his body to accommodate the tiny space, he was shivering feverishly as tears ran from the tiny sliver of green.

Yusuke turned to Hiei. "Close the windows, it's too bright for him." Hiei obeyed and Yusuke continued to talk to the red head. "Kurama, come out please... you're safe."

Kurama shook his head furiously. "Trick... don't listen... tricks and lies... names... wait..." He murmured so lowly, that it was only a few words they could make out.

"Kurama, I swear it's not a trick." Yusuke said, he stretched out his hand towards Kurama. "Come out of there... I won't harm you." Another shake of Kurama's head. "Please, baby you're safe." He put his hand closer to the frightened man but then a loud cry made him pull it away, shocked.

"Please, let me go... I won't tell anyone... don't hurt me... I just... please, I want to go home..." Kurama murmured the words again and again quickly, any faster and no one would have been able to understand the gushed words.

"You're home." Yusuke said, tearing up a bit at the red head's distress. "We won't hurt you... you're home."

The redhead gave a look that may be identical to that of a child who just realised the tooth fairy did not exist. He started a pained litany of "No." and sobbed into his knees.

"Kurama please..." he reached for the redhead again but Hiei stopped him and pulled him away, out of the room and into the hall. "Let me go... he needs me." The Mazoku struggled in Hiei's firm grip on his arm.

"Yusuke, calm down." Hiei said, obviously distressed as well. "We need to contact Koenma... we need to think-"

"What's there to think about!" Yusuke pulled his arm roughly out of Hiei's hold. "Our mate is scared of us! He thinks we're going to hurt him!" Yusuke yelled. "What the fuck is there to think about... he was tortured and now he's afraid we're going to do the same!" After a few moments of heavy breathing and staring, Yusuke slid down the wall and pulled on his hair. "Christ, he didn't even recognise me... hell, I don't even know if he recognised his own name... Oh gods, Kurama..." His voice broke at the last word and he wept as Hiei wrapped a comforting arm around Yusuke, his heart breaking as well.

YYH

Three hours later...

Yusuke and Hiei waited for news from Yukina in their private lounge; they had tried to talk to Kurama again but the redhead was too distraught to even listen to them. They had also called Koenma and told him about Kurama's case; he was surprised and a bit confused but had promised to get back to them.

"Urameshi?" Kuwabara called from the door. "Yukina called and told me what happened... has Kurama really-"

"Yes." Hiei snapped. "He can't recognise us... he's afraid of us... Yukina is trying to find out what's wrong... so is Koenma."

The tall orange haired man sighed and stepped into the lounge. "Man." He breathed and sat on the armchair opposite the two lovers; he could not believe that one of their strongest could be so broken.

After a few minutes, Yukina walked in suddenly and they all stood up, looking at her expectantly. "He still won't talk to me... he didn't react when I called your names or his mother's..." The men bristled with disappointment. "However, he accepted a blanket from me... so there's a chance he can learn to trust us... he's asleep now but not on the bed... he won't move."

Yusuke, although frustrated, was a bit relieved at the news and breathe, "Thank Inari... it's a start." while Kuwabara just smiled proudly at his wife.

Hiei nodded, his shoulder slopped a bit in relieve as well. "We need to get him out of there."

"I'm working on it." Yukina said with a nod. "It may take a while though... gods, he's so scared that-"

All of a sudden, a loud buzz filled the castle. "Intruder." Yusuke said. "Kuwabara, Yukina stay with Kurama."

The couple nodded and they all ran out of the lounge. Hiei and Yusuke stayed at the mouth of the hallway; Hiei with his katana out and Yusuke with his fists clenched, both their reiki rising. They knew they would face the Architect but they did not think she would come so soon.

They both stood patiently and waited; they got into position as they heard footsteps coming closer and closer. Yusuke formed his hand into his trademarked makeshift gun while Hiei lit his katana with his dark flame; they were prepared to attack once the figure made itself known but then they stopped. Yusuke's jaw dropped as well as his hand and Hiei just stared, his flame dying.

They were looking at a beautiful kitsune who stood over seven feet tall; he had supple fair skin with long hair like spun threads of silver; amber eyes that usually contained a malicious, arrogant gleam now were filled with concern. A loose white robe was draped over his slender, lithe physique and a long, glossy silver tail grew nearly to his heels, while a silvery pair of furry ears twitched atop his head, alert to the smallest of sounds around him.

"Where is he?" He asked urgently in a smooth baritone.

Yusuke continued to stare and Hiei pointed behind him while Youko gave them a nod and sprinted around the pair.

"Did we just see-" Yusuke started.

"Yes." Hiei replied.

"Are we-"

"No."

"So he's really-"

"Yes."

"Will you stop doing-"

"Sorry."

Soon a cacophony of footsteps echoed through the hall. "Don't let him get away!" A guard yelled.

"I'll handle them." Hiei said. "Go be with Kurama."

Yusuke nodded. "Hurry." He said and ran to catch up with the kitsune.

The Mazoku entered Kurama's room just moments after Youko; Kuwabara and Yukina's eyes widened understandably and got into a fighting position but a shake from Yusuke and they settled down, their eyes widening even more.

Youko quickly walked towards the whimpering coming from the tiny space and kneeled in front of the opening. "Shuichi." He said gently and the whimpering stopped; the kitsune ignored the widened eyes and gasps from their audience.

The redhead, Shuichi, looked up. "Youko?" He said uncertainly and then shook his head. "No... trick... not again... don't listen..." Shuichi began to mumble again.

"No, it's really me." He said calmly as Hiei joined them. "Give me your hand, I'll show you." Shuichi shook his head stubbornly and moved deeper into the space. "Please, we won't harm you." Another shake of his head. "I'm sorry then." Youko sighed and reached for the redhead.

"NO! STAY AWAY!" Shuichi screamed but the hand closer; the redhead kicked and hit the approaching hand but that just resulted in his arm being grabbed and soon he was being pulled out of the space. "LET ME GO! PLEASE!"

Yusuke could not take the screaming; he moved to stop the kitsune, so did Kuwabara but they were halted by Hiei and Yukina respectively. Shuichi was finally out of the space; he was clad in only his light green pyjamas and the blanket Yukina had given him. Shuichi pounded on the hand on his arm but his attempts were feeble and he was easily overpowered by the kitsune.

"Shuichi, please calm down." Youko said as he held both wrists in one hand; Shuichi continued to struggle but suddenly stopped when Youko's finger traced some invisible writing on the redhead's inner arm.

Shuichi's breathing got deeper with shock. "Youko." He breathed, looking up with widened eyes.

The kitsune smiled and released the wrists. "Yes, kit." He said, cupping the redhead's cheek. "It's me."

Shuichi tentatively touched the hand on his cheek. "You came." He started to weep.

"I told you I would." Youko said. Shuichi broke into full-fledged sobbing and he buried his face in the chest in front of him; Youko rubbed the shaking back and whispered comforting words. "You're safe... you won't be harmed again."

YYH

Yusuke closed the communicator and turned to the others in the lounge. "Koenma says Kura-uh- Shuichi can't remember us because he and Youko have been separated."

Kuwabara frowned. "I thought that was impossible." He said. "Their souls are supposed to be merged." The orange-haired man continued. "Right?"

Yusuke frowned and shrugged. "Well somehow the Architect found a way to un-merge them... for a moment, I thought he was an imposter."

"Hn. At least something good came out of this." Hiei said.

Yusuke turned to the fire demon. "How can you say that!" The Mazoku yelled. "We don't know how Youko is going to react! He could just kill us all... he has the power to-"

"Listen Yusuke!" Hiei snapped and the tall brunet obeyed with a glare. "If the kitsune wanted to kill us, he would have done so in the hall and we would have been too shocked to act... Youko now has what he always wanted... what he has always dreamed of but could never have."

"Freedom." Kuwabara breathed.

"Yes... and with freedom, comes power." Hiei said with a nod. "Now he can do what he wants without putting Shuichi in danger... but before we jump to conclusions..." He gave Yusuke a meaningful stare. "...we should talk to Youko."

Meanwhile...

Said kitsune was on the bed, holding Shuichi as Yukina looked him over properly. "Well," she said. "He has a slight cold... is there any else Shuichi?"

The redhead shook his head.

"Don't lie, Shuichi." Youko reprimanded softly. "You can tell her... she'll help."

Yukina looked between the two, confused; what could she have missed?

"My eyes." Shuichi said shyly, his voice low from his cold and shouting. "I can't see properly."

Yukina drew closer and reached out to examine his eyes but the redhead drew away. "I just want to see, Shuichi."

"You can trust her." Youko said, his eyes liquid gold as he rubbed the redhead's back. "I've got you."

Shuichi nodded slowly and Yukina gently touched his temple but not without him stiffening. "Hm... it's nothing serious; the cones haven't been exposed to much light... it may heal but to be safe, I would like to try and correct it."

Shuichi seemed hesitant.

"Don't you want to see my face?" Youko asked, smiling warmly. "I know I want to see those beautiful eyes sparkle."

The redhead blushed and buried his head in the chest, embarrassed, which in turn caused both demons to laugh a little. "Okay." Shuichi said; he braced himself as Yukina placed her hands over his lids and then he could feel a cooling sensation deep in his retina.

After a few moments, Yukina pulled back and smiled. "Alright, try and open your eyes... slowly." She added when the red head open his eyes too fast and flinched.

Shuichi took a deep breath and slowly pried open his eyes; he took his time, getting used to the brightness, soon both eyes were wide open and he could not stop looking around.

"Well?" Yukina asked. "Are they alright?"

Shuichi's gaze landed on the tiny ice apparition; he was taken aback by the kindness he could see in her eyes and smile, after years of torture and seclusion, the blue-haired girl made him feel like he had made a discovery that could change life as he knew it.

Shuichi smiled at her. "Thank you." He said.

"You're very welcome, Kurama." She said and then slapped her hand to her mouth. "Sorry, Shuichi... it's just that... the smile-"

"It's alright, Yukina." Youko said, catching both Shuichi's and Yukina's attention. "Don't blame yourself, you're not used to it yet."

Yukina smiled in appreciation and nodded. "I'll just leave you to rest." She got up and reached to squeeze Shuichi's hand but he withdrew it, making the light in her eyes die a little.

"I'm sorry." Shuichi said, guilty; she has been so kind to him and yet he could not return the favour. "I just need time."

Yukina nodded again. "I understand." She then looked up to the kitsune and smiled. "It's good to have you back, Youko."

Youko smiled sweetly. "Good to be back." He replied.

With another smile towards Shuichi and a small wave, the ice apparition was gone.

"She's nice." Shuichi suddenly said, looking longingly at the door.

"She is." Youko said. "Don't tell me you miss her already."

Shuichi shook his head and looked up. "It's just that..." He trailed off and stared at the kitsune. "You're more beautiful in the light."

Youko scoffed. "If you think that, wait till you see me in the moonlight... I'm stunning." Shuichi laughed at that and started at the sound; that was his first laugh since... since he could remember. "You should laugh more often." The kitsune said. "It's soothing... like bells."

"Bells?" Shuichi echoed, confused.

"Oh right... haven't heard one in a while." Youko realised. "I'll take you to Genkai's temple one-"

A knock at the door interrupted him and both individuals looked on as Yusuke, Hiei and Kuwabara walked into the room.

"Comrades." Youko said with a charming smile. "It's been a while."

"Indeed." Hiei said with a nod while Yusuke kept his eyes on Shuichi, making the red head bury himself deeper into Youko's chest, as if wanting to disappear.

"Yusuke, please stop scaring Shuichi." Youko said in a clipped tone.

Kuwabara nudged the Mazoku. "It's good to- uh- see you again, Youko." He said with a tight smile.

"Oh Kazuya, I thought you were terrified of me." The kitsune said slyly and gave a wily smile, causing the orange haired man to gulp.

"We need to talk." Hiei said. Shuichi's hold on Youko's tunic tightened, silently telling him not to leave him.

Youko just stared. "And we will... but Shuichi needs to rest... as do I."

Yusuke was about to protest but Hiei suddenly gripped his arm and squeezed hard, silencing him. "Of course." The fire demon said; he pulled Yusuke with him out the door and Kuwabara gave a hesitant wave as he closed the door.

The kitsune let go of the breath he did not realise he was holding. "Are you alright?" Shuichi asked, sensing the demon's uneasiness.

"Yes kit." Youko said, looking down and giving the man a charming smile. "I was just thinking... now go to sleep; I won't leave, I promise."

As if on cue, Shuichi yawned and nodded. "Kay." He burrowed into the firm chest. "Who is Kurama?" He asked sleepily.

"Not now... sleep." The kitsune said.

Soon the red head was fast asleep on his chest, leaving the kitsune alone to think about how he would rebuild his relationship with his lovers.

A/N: expect more fluffiness and OOCness in future chapters... review!