Sorry about the delay. My computer has been acting funky. Thanks for the reviews, they are very encouraging! With out further a do, here is the second part. Enjoy!

BTW the story has a mind of its own. I start out writing one thing and end up with a totally different thing. ;

With a determined look Kurama faced the source of his bittersweet heartache. "You will not leave the temple in the shape you are in. I can smell blood all over you!"

"I need no pity! Beside it is old blood" Hiei hissed back, irritated at having been reminded of his weakness.

"It's fresh and you know it! Hiei please! Let us help you!" Kurama pleaded uncaring that the others saw him because he knew they felt the same. The only reason they had not spoken up was because Hiei listened to no one but himself and most especially not when he felt he was being pitied. The only one that could reach him was Kurama and Yukina at times.

Hiei stood motionless, bleeding in and out of the light cast by the fire. "It is not safe. I am hunted, more than usual." the admission was made in a flat tone, almost as if it had no importance. Kurama saw past the coldness and knew that Hiei was trying to protect them in any way he could and attempting to fool everyone with his usual shield of indifference.

Before he could speak up Yukina stepped forward "Have you so little faith in us, brother? If it is not safe for you then it is not safe for us. Divided we will fall easy prey. Please stay and help us." The team had to give her credit playing right into his weakness and making it so as if he were the one doing them a favor.

"Besides" piped up Yusuke "Who do you think we are? We are the Reikai Tentei!"

"Hn. I will stay tonight and make plans tomorrow." Before the group could let out a relieved sigh he continued "But don't think it is because you fooled me with that 'we need you' crap." The group cringed but wisely stayed silent.

Kurama cried in alarm when Hiei swayed forward and fell to his knees. Kurama rushed forward with the intention of holding him but when he tried to wrap his arms around him Hiei hissed "Don't touch me!"

Kuramas heart broke. Under the anger he heard something he would have never associated with Hiei. There was fear in Hieis' tone, fear of him. He could clearly see him shaking through the protective cloak, though he doubted anyone else saw. Kurama was used to the slightest movement Hiei made and this was a first.

Kurama held up his hand and shook his head when the group gathered around them and Yukina reached forward to hold her brother. Hiei put a hand on Kuramas chest and looked up so he could see his fox straight to his eyes. In a voice riddled with regret he tried to explain "Kurama… It's not you Fox. I can't…I don't" his eyes pleaded for Kurama to understand what he couldn't voice. 'Don't leave me Fox' was the last thing Hiei managed to send out to his fox before total blackness overcame him and he slumped into Kuramas chest.

Cradling his precious armful and mindful of his injuries he carried him to the futon and laid him down carefully. Hiei instantly moaned in pain and rolled to his side in an attempt to ease the pain. Kuramas hands clenched until his knuckles turned white. Yukina reached to take off his cloak when Koenma stopped her.

"You must remember Hiei has been in the enemies hands for a long time. We do not know in what condition he is in, but it is best advised to prepare for the worst." Looking towards Koenma the team remembered that this 'child' had lived at least ten times their whole lives and that included Kuramas. At the moment his eyes spoke of those years. Botan moved closer intertwining their fingers together.

Despite the warning none where prepared for what laid beneath the cloak. Hieis body was a mass of bruises and gashes. He had poorly wrapped bandages that where obviously done by him in a hurry, his blue shirt wrapped around what he could reach. The bruises ranged from black to a sick yellow.

Hieis hair had grown in the last months. It remained gravity-defying but the back was plastered to his back just below the shoulders. His back was bruised and bloodied. He had obviously been whipped, and from the amount of marks often.

The strangest part was his face remained unmarred. From what they could see the bruises and blood continued below his ripped and dirtied pants. Blood soaked them as well as the cape Yukina held.

Rage and helplessness formed and crashed over them like a tidal wave. The women silently cried and for the first time wished they could do real harm to another living being. The men were ready to kill, outraged was too pale a word to describe their emotions.

Never had they felt so much hate. Not when they had fought in the Dark Tournament or when facing humanities destruction at the hands of a rouge detective.

Kuramas ki spiked to an incredible height reminding everyone that their calm friend was one of the deadliest beings in the three worlds, an S class youkai. Youko Kuramas sudden appearance was not a shock to them. The howl of denial, rage, fear and anger he let out mirrored what they all felt in their hearts.

Rising slowly to his feet he had the face of an angel of death. Growls where being emitted from deep in his chest and his beautiful tail was bristled out in anger. The team, despite their helpless rage, felt fear. Not for themselves or the dead yokai walking, for they would surely die, but for Kurama. In a rage who knew what Kurama was capable of. It was clear he wanted revenge for what had been done to his long-time partner.

Through the red veil of hatred and lust for blood Kurama felt a light touch on his hand. Looking down he saw a tiny hand attempting to hold his much larger one. Hiei was attempting to open his eyes; seeing the struggle his beloved Dragon was in he quickly kneeled back down holding on to the fairy like hand in a gentle grip.

In a thread bear voice he heard Hiei whisper "Don't go" Looking down at his face, he knew how much those two words had cost his dragon. Asking for anything especially in front of witnesses was something Hiei never did. He had willingly requested something solely for his comfort, something he had considered a weakness and foolishness since he claimed to need nothing from anybody,

As a demon and as a loner Kurama understood more than anybody. What made the request even more special was the meaning behind those precious words. Hiei was reaching out to him, offering him trust in front of others.

Kurama simply nodded and whispered "Rest now, my Dragon. You are safe" Holding those words closely to him he would sort them out later along with everything else. Now was not the time for it, the up most important thing was Hieis health.

Before allowing the darkness and blissful nothingness take him again Hiei sent out a last desperate message through their mental link, draining what little energy he had left. 'Don't let them see Fox. Don't…' there was a slight hitch at the end "see"

Again, sorry for the delay. I would greatly appreciate if you guys would leave a review telling me what you think of my story so far. I will try to update another chapter today as an apology but I make no promises.