They had a short reprieve before their next case. It was an unusual one, one that Koenma had no choice but to give to Yusuke, though he wanted to keep the demons out of it due to the nature of the case. He knew that Kurama knew of Hiei's sister. It had been the impetus of their first meeting, after all. This time, the case would be the completion of that beginning, but knowing the likely direction of Hiei's temper, Kurama's loyalty only to himself, and that humans were involved, Koenma set the case to Yusuke, using Hiei as messenger to keep him involved, to try and allay his guilt at leaving Hiei out to spare the humans involved. If humans died at a demon's hand, then his father would look into his business and that was something he wanted to avoid at all costs. The information he had at the time also lead him to believe that Yusuke could handle it.
Needless to say, there were a lot of things Koenma forgot to count on, the Toguro brother's group being one of those. The other being the fact that Kurama ran into Hiei as he was leaving from giving Yusuke the tape, the other was that he ran into Yusuke as they were headed out to the train. Now, had Kurama not run into Yusuke, he wouldn't have known where they were going, though Yusuke didn't spill the beans as to why. Kurama knew enough of the story from both sides to reach the conclusion that one plus one was three on his own. This, despite what you're thinking, is the true answer to one plus one. Draw a line, draw another right next to it and you end up with three lines.
But, let's leave that little diversion and focus on what Kurama did with his little bit of knowledge.
Finding Hiei was easier than it should have been. It wasn't like the smaller demon to leave a trail behind him, but this time, Kurama could taste his frustration on the air.
"I am not a messenger," Hiei spat when Kurama found him.
Kurama slid his hands into his pockets. "Of course not," he agreed smoothly. He leaned back against a tree. "You're a fighter, strong."
Hiei frowned. "What the hell do you know, Kurama?"
"You have better control than that, Hiei," Kurama said flatly.
That earned him a scowl as Hiei crossed his arms over his chest. "What do you want?"
"I don't want anything right now, Hiei."
"Then why are you here?"
Kurama's smile was touched with arrogance and knowledge. "To remind you we're on parole," he said, his voice sweet.
"I know that," Hiei snarled. "What is your point?"
"That if we were to kill a human, that parole would be revoked and Yusuke would have to hunt us."
Hiei glared at Kurama, waiting for him to continue. When he didn't, he spat out, "And?"
Kurama shrugged casually. "And nothing in particular. Just reminding you."
Stalking closer, Hiei managed to loom over Kurama even though he was much shorter. "You do nothing for no reason. What is your point?"
Kurama didn't move, just raising an eyebrow as he looked at Hiei. "Don't you care what they're up to?"
"Why should I?" he demanded.
"When was the last time you heard from your sister?"
Hiei became very still, a snake waiting to strike. "What?" he asked, his voice colder than Kurama had ever heard it.
Kurama almost regretted his approach, but he needed to make sure Hiei was calm enough before he revealed anymore. And, that would require fighting him. "When?" Kurama asked again. "You've lost track of her, haven't you?" Hiei's expression was murderous, but Kurama managed to make sure that his posture remained casual. "Didn't you wonder why Koenma gave that to you?"
Hiei's hand came up, grabbing Kurama's shirt, pulling him down. "What do you know?" he asked, his eyes burning into Kurama's.
Kurama swatted Hiei's hands away casually. "It's not what I know, it's what you don't question," he said. He pushed himself away from the tree and more into Hiei's space. "It's about reminding you what limits you must operate within in order to remain in a position to watch over her. And, if needed, make sure you have enough control to operate within those limits."
Hiei jumped back, his blade in his hand, then pushed forward. He snarled when Kurama met his blade with a sword of grass. While the blade stopped his attack, he didn't back off, over and over, he came at Kurama, always finding himself blocked. Anger reddened his vision, his eyes burning with anger he just barely kept under control to prevent himself from changing.
They fought around the clearing, pushing off trees, leaving the ground, forcing each other down, over and over, for several hours, until Hiei stopped, panting heavily, his sword by his side. "Where are they?" he demanded.
Kurama looked at Hiei. "Are you sure you have enough control?"
Hiei snarled. "I am not some weak human that you need to worry about me," he growled.
Kurama frowned and attacked. "Wrong answer." He pushed Hiei hard until the petite demon was panting, bordering on exhaustion and the sun was beginning to set. The fire had dulled in Hiei's red eyes. "Are you in control?" Kurama asked again.
"Yes," Hiei said shortly, sheathing his sword.
Releasing the blade of grass so it returned to its normal state, Kurama slid his hands into his pockets. "A human has your sister. Yusuke has gone to rescue her with Botan and Kuwabara."
"Those three couldn't save her."
Kurama smiled at the interruption, but continued on as though it had not occurred. "They are likely through the surface challenges now. I know which prefecture they've gone to." Hiei frowned at him and since Kurama wasn't trying to provoke him anymore, he continued, "I do not know exactly where in that prefecture they're going, but I do know which stop they're getting off at, which should narrow it down quite well."
Hiei nodded. "Then, let's go. Once we're closer, I should be able to find her."
Compassion touched Kurama's eyes. "She's warded?" The narrow glance Hiei gave him was more than enough to answer his question. "Then, let's go." He started off, leaping to the top of the trees and using them the way humans used a sidewalk. He could feel Hiei following him.
There was a surge of youki ahead of them and Hiei surged forward, outpacing Kurama as though he was standing still. The redhead did stop, watching long enough to know that Hiei was heading the right direction before going to the Reikai. He was sure Koenma was watching, but he needed to be sure. He was able to enter the godling's office without alerting anyone to his presence and watched as Yusuke and Kuwabara fighting what appeared to be a human who'd managed to infuse himself with youki. His weapon/brother was even more disturbing.
After a short conversation, Kurama made his way to Tarukane's mansion, slipping in and hiding himself near the foul human. He would not stop Hiei from doing what he needed to, but he would step in, but he knew Hiei had to act.
He had to admit to himself that Hiei's sister was rather pretty, if a bit naïve. How had she remained naïve while being tortured the way Tarukane had? But, then, compared to a demon's lifetime, she hadn't been captured very long. Kurama settled himself in to wait, watching what he could see of the fight below. He was even more impressed with Yusuke as he watched the boy's thinking and how he worked with Kuwabara to defeat the Toguros.
When Hiei arrived, his anger utterly overwhelmed any other sense from him. Though he had managed not to kill anyone yet, Kurama wasn't sure of his control. He watched as Hiei punched his way through Tarukane's guard and began laying into the man himself.
It was Yukina who stopped Hiei from going too far, though, pulling him back from the brink. Hiei didn't understand why she would care about that human, but he cared enough about her to stop when she asked him to. When the maid went down to Kuwabara, Kurama released his control enough for Hiei to feel him. Though his words were brusque, Kurama knew that Hiei was glad he was there. Kurama was also glad that Hiei didn't quite understand what was going on between Kuwabara and Yukina. It was obvious that they were becoming very fond of each other, Kuwabara fully devoted to her in just a short time.
Yusuke joined them, making sure that Hiei hadn't gone too far as well. He was more than reassured by Kurama's presence, though he said nothing, Kurama moved closer to the boy as Hiei left. Yusuke looked over his shoulder at Kuwabara. "I guess he's got her now," he whispered.
Kurama put a hand on Yusuke's shoulder cautiously, still giving the boy the option to push him away if he wasn't ready yet. "You're not alone," he said gently when Yusuke didn't push him away. "I'm here for you," he said, moving a little closer.
Yusuke looked at Kurama. "You want to have sex, don't you?" he asked.
Although it was a bit more blunt than he expected, Kurama laughed, letting his arm slide around Yusuke's waist. "If you're ready, I'd like that, yes. But, let's get back home, first."
Yusuke nodded, leaning into Kurama unconsciously. "Yeah, I want that."
The trip home was quiet. Kuwabara was mooning over Yukina, who'd told him she liked him. Yusuke was thinking both about the fight and what he was going to be doing with Kurama when they arrived home. Just loud enough to be heard, Yusuke asked Kurama, "How does it work?"
"Don't worry, I'll show you everything. It's easier to show you than tell you, Yusuke. And, I do intend to show you everything," he added, smiling a little.
Yusuke looked around the train, his eyes resting on Kuwabara across the aisle from him and Kurama. Botan had returned to the Reikai and Hiei had offered to escort Yukina to her home. The others, he didn't know and couldn't care about. "Does it hurt?"
Kurama leaned over and brushed his shoulder against Yusuke's. "Only when both are inexperienced or in a hurry. As I know very well what needs to be done and we'll have plenty of time, it won't. I'll make sure you feel very good."
Yusuke swallowed visibly. "I've been thinking about it since you told me you wanted me, but I wasn't sure what it would be like." Color started touching Yusuke's cheeks. "Keiko's manga look kinda scary."
"Manga isn't real life, Yusuke. Keep that in mind. And, keep in mind that I am a kitsune. I have a reputation to uphold, after all," he teased.
Yusuke made a face. "There are some bad stories about kitsune, too."
"You know me better than that, Yusuke."
Yusuke snorted. "You're a thief and a strong fighter. What else do I know?"
Kurama laughed. "True, I'll admit. But, you trusted me and I haven't let you down. I won't. I respect you too much." He looked to make sure that Kuwabara was still not paying attention. "Hiei also respects you, Yusuke."
Yusuke glanced over at Kurama. "Do you mean 'respect' like wants to have sex with me, too?" he asked, managing to keep his voice soft.
"Yes, he does, but he would prefer that I teach you first, so that you're prepared. He doesn't have the patience for preparation and a lot of foreplay. That is something I enjoy more."
Frowning, Yusuke asked, "What kind of relationship are we going to have?"
"The kind that we want to," Kurama said. "I will make you no promise regarding fidelity, but I will promise to treat you well. Whether you and Hiei do anything is entirely up to you."
