Dreams of the Damned

A/N: Centers around Yusuke, Kurama and Hiei. It will include angst, drama, adventure, fighting, romance, torture, graphic violence, blood, gore, character death, etc. For now, the rating is 'T'; it may go up to 'M' at a later date. Also, this will be a KuramaxYusuke.
Disclaimer: I do not own YuYuHakusho, its universe or its characters. I do not make any money off this story. I only own my plot and ideas.

Chapter Four: The Downpour

"Yusuke," he said quietly. "Please, wake up. Please." He took a deep breath. "I... I love you, kit."
Yusuke's eyes fluttered. "What..." he asked in a hoarse, faint voice. "What did you just say...?"
Kurama gazed intently at the younger man's face. Hope dimmed painfully as he realized Yusuke's consciousness had already faded. "Please wake up, kit," he whispered. But Yusuke was lost.
It was a long time coming, he supposed, this love for Yusuke. He knew well exactly where it began; the rooftop of his mother's hospital. Yusuke had shown him understanding; something, as a demon, he was shown quite rarely. The Spirit Detective had been a child back then, really. He had only been a detective for a week and still had so very much to learn. However, the fox should have known back then what the stirring in his core had meant. He should have been able to predict with his brilliant mind exactly what was going to come with that brash, young human.

It started as a wistful longing. That longing twirled itself into a physical ache. That ache had manifested into a... need. That fact tormented Kurama, but he wasn't wholly sure why. Perhaps it was the reputation he had had in his past life as Yoko, or perhaps it was because he had lived the vast majority of his life as a demon. Demons did not often fall in love. They fell into... common interest and gained power. They used each other to get what they wanted, and when their goals no longer aligned, each was cast aside as they, in one way or another, went different directions. He had taken countless hours scouring his feelings for the much younger detective. He had to be certain that they were sincere and not simply an attraction to the young man's vast power supply. Of course, a demon at heart, the idea of all that power beneath his fingertips made him... Well, some things were just better left unsaid, or unthought as the case may be.

Over the years they worked and lived side by side, Kurama pointedly ignored his growing feelings for Yusuke. However, there were many things he could not ignore. Yusuke was absolutely dedicated, no matter what he might have claimed, to protecting what he held dear. It was unclear what exactly pushed Yusuke to his need to stand so firmly behind his beliefs, but hide behind a mask so very often. Slowly, Kurama managed to work his way through the layers of the ex-detective's mask, and Yusuke responded in kind. It was a kind of silent language only they shared when they were in a room together. Their souls spoke to one another during the silence of the lack of speech between them. Companionable moments, sometimes quite long, of no words being exchanged was when Kurama felt closest to Yusuke. When their energies could align and they could find themselves within each other.

It was something that was difficult to pin down with words or simple thought. It was simply something he understood in a way he could not teach to another. He believed it was also something Yusuke knew innately. Something that bound them even closer to one another; a bond that was irreplaceable and untainted. However, Kurama had lived this life of danger a lot longer than his younger counterpart had; he knew the dangers of others learning of this bond. It was what killed Kuronue, what nearly killed him, as well. He knew all too well that what he had admitted aloud not so long ago was dangerous, detrimental, perhaps fatal. He still knew not what Yusuke's whole reaction would have been. The pit of Kurama's stomach dropped into an ocean of icy water as his eyes refocused on the ill man's chest. The slow, painful, shallow, insufficient rise and fall of Yusuke's chest was an extremely painful thing for the fox to bare witness to. The panic consuming his chest and hampering his breathing was something he had grown unaccustomed to before he met the half-demon. It was something he was still struggling to get used to; something he was still shocked and fearful of.

Pale skin, shallow cheeks, sunken and dark eyes, damp and matted hair, too cold hands, too warm forehead were all painfully hopeless details Kurama couldn't stop noticing. He couldn't get past how very ill, sickly Yusuke appeared now. How, hours before, he had only been sleepy; now, he could scarcely catch his breath. How, for so many years, Yusuke had been always been this inhuman force, this untouchable strength, this... hero. Someone too great to fall, too pure to be forced through such agony. Unlike the fox, Yusuke's intentions had always been for the greater good of those he cared for most, never for himself. His actions were selfless and often times self-depreciating, whereas the youko had taken so very much for himself, killed for so little, betrayed for a price, had been so selfish and remorseless. He had spent the last few decades trying to make amends, and he was determined to spend many more at it, or die trying. He sincerely hoped that Yusuke would be at his side for them. He hoped, too, that loving Yusuke wasn't his penance for all the wrongs he had committed; that losing Yusuke wasn't payment for all his sins.

Yusuke sat at his kitchen table, frowning into his coffee cup. An aching in his soul caused everything to seem so... bland. That damn fox consumed his every thought. It had been nearly five years since their team disbanded for the last time. He, himself had changed considerably in that time. He decided to leave Human World and take control of, and full time residence in, his father's lands. He kept up contact with most of his friends, though Kurama had slipped through his fingers.
Once upon a time, they had given it a try. For a short while, that illustrious, yet mysterious creature was his alone to behold. For Yusuke, their love was now an illusive tormentor, their relationship just a bittersweet memory. He hadn't realized how much he loved the fox until it was too late. Kurama was gone, out of his reach.

Kurama watched Yusuke's chest rise and fall slowly for a long time. The younger man was lost somewhere in the land of dreams. Occasionally, the half-demon on the bed would flinch or moan. At each instance, Kurama winced, trying not to imagine what the other was dreaming of. The fox waited anxiously for Hiei. Unable to sit still any longer, Kurama rose to his feet.
The room's side window gave him a haunting view of the dark, sprawling lands around them. Lightning crackled, momentarily lighting up the ground. Rain dumped in torrents, creating large puddles and small floods. He watched, slightly detached, as the steady downpour caused the window frame to drip rainwater. It was a sad picture, and the gloom of the outside had taken root inside his weary mind.

Yusuke sighed. He didn't remember exactly what had gone wrong or when exactly he lost Kurama completely. All he knew is that he wanted him back. He missed the easiness of their companionship, the trust that bonded them, the need they shared for each other, the love that always just was. Closing his eyes, Yusuke imagined the way it used to be. He could recall the softness of Kurama's lips, the silkiness of his fiery hair, the smoothness of his perfectly pale skin, and the flame that would ignite in those emerald eyes. Yusuke's breathing halted in his throat as the beautiful image of his fox burned itself into his mind's eye. What he would give to have him back...

As a particularly fierce bolt of lightning and crack of thunder rattled the building, Hiei ducked out of the rain and into Yusuke's apartment. "Fox!" he called out. He stalked deeper into the small sitting room then down the hall. "Fox!" he tried again.
Kurama ears flicked as they caught his fiery friend's shout. "In his bedroom, Hiei," he called softly in response. The fox kept his eyes trained firmly on the dark glass of the window. Relief floored him for a moment, until Yusuke whimpered softly, weakly in his sleep. His eyes dimmed in exhaustion and disappointment, and he forced his eyelids to slide closed before Hiei could see his tears.
As the jaganshi swept into the small, sparsely decorated bedroom, he noted with a discouraged frown that Kurama was fighting an emotional breakdown and Yusuke was suffering another haunting nightmare, looking pale and ill. Sighing, he removed the thin ward over his jagan. "No change?" he whispered the question as a tinted purple took to the room as Hiei's unnatural eye glowed intently.
"None for the better, I'm afraid," Kurama sighed, turning to face his friend. "What have you learned?"
Hiei shrugged slightly as the jagan burned brighter. "He's struggling to survive, Kurama."
The fox choked, but managed to disguise it as a cough. "I know," was barely audible above the patter of the heavy rain. "He's giving up, Hiei."
It was in the quiet wake of the kitsune's words that Hiei felt that fear grip him, deep inside. For the first time, his dream had a basis in reality, and the jaganshi could force nothing more than a disdainful snort.
Finally, Kurama broke the silent tension one again, "What have you learned in Makai?"
Hiei sighed, "The female we're looking for is humanoid, fairly young, and quite attractive, from what I've learned. She isn't working alone. Whispers in the dark suggest she found a gullible human, male psychic to do her dirty work. However, I have yet to locate him or gather any information on him... Whoever he may be."
Kurama clenched his teeth, pondering his next sentence with the utmost care. Hiei, however, knew the wily fox well enough to recognize the gears of thought turning behind green eyes. "Out with it, Yoko."
The fox sighed heavily. "We have reason to believe Kuwabara is behind this." Crimson eyes narrowed in loathing, but no response was uttered. Suddenly, Yusuke cried out softly from the bed, the fox's name falling from his trembling lips.

Kurama smiled gently at the sight of Yusuke. "How long has it been since we last saw each other, Yusuke?" he greeted.
The shorter man half-shrugged and smirked crookedly, "Too long, fox-boy." The red head
smiled warmer upon the use of the nickname, but Yusuke didn't miss the slight shiver that followed.
"I miss you, Kurama," Yusuke whispered seriously, taking a small, stumbled step closer.
The fox watched him with cunning eyes. His smile all but fell from his face, but no warmth whatsoever touched his jade irises. "Why are you here, Yusuke?" Kurama murmured.
Yusuke's face fell. "Listen, Kurama, I-"
The fox cut across him, "Yusuke," he snipped, "Now is an importune time to speak about this," he ended in a hushed whisper.
Yusuke frowned now. "I need to-"
"Leave," came Yomi's stiff baritone. The ex-detective stiffened slightly. "Don't harass my silver fox, detective," the old, blind goat demon spat, moving to embrace Kurama from behind.
"Leave, Yusuke, please," Kurama breathed.
Yusuke's eyes watered, but he blinked back the hot, angry tears. "I'm not leaving until you let me speak, fox-boy."
"Ah yes, Yoko, there's that fire you so adore in him," Yomi chuckled darkly.
Yusuke inhaled deeply, then sighed, "I love you, Kurama."
The fox squeezed his eyes closed in anguish; he could feel Yomi's anger behind him. He desperately wanted to reply, Yes, I love you, too, kit. However, he knew that speaking such a thing would merely seal Yusuke's fate all the more. "Nothing to say, pet?" the goat whispered in Kurama's ear. Though the action was a rather gentle one, the fox was not fooled. He could hear the fury in Yomi's quiet voice.
"Leave quickly, Yusuke," was all he could force from his lips.
The young man finally understood what was transpiring before him. He took a few steps away. As he nodded, he realized his error had already been made. Yomi advanced on him with rarely used speed. "You lose, half-breed. You're a disgrace to Raizen's legacy and do not deserve the love of a demon such as that fox. You should merely be thankful I've allowed your life to have continued this
long. Yoko, say goodbye to your little brat," he leered dangerously at Kurama.
Yusuke stiffened further and his eyes narrowed as he felt Yomi release a large sum of his power. "Kit," Kurama cried, "Run! Get away from here before he kills you!"
The dark-haired man grinned. "I'll never leave you alone with this nut job again, fox-boy." Yusuke let out a rush of his own demon energy. "You want a fight, asshole? You got it," he growled at Yomi.
The old goat made his move. Faster than Yusuke expected, he winced as he felt the tear of his flesh.

Kurama tired hard to tear his eyes off of the red stain on Yusuke's shirt. He could not, however, block out the stench of the younger man's blood. Hiei winced. The smell, Kurama's expression, and his own knowledge were much less than positive pressures weighing heavily on his mind. He feared it was already too late. How could they possibly save Yusuke if he didn't even have a solid lead, and Yusuke was already falling apart at the seams? He could tell Kurama wasn't all too far from a melt-down. A large piece of the Jaganshi was wearing thin. He was so tired of seeing his friends weak and wounded. He wasn't sure how everything had gotten to be the way they were now, but he didn't like it. He had once believed that friends were for the weak, but somehow that damn kitsune and detective had slipped in. He couldn't bear to lose one of his dearest friends... Not again.

"I believe perhaps we should pay that damn human a visit," Hiei hissed.
This shook Kurama slightly out of his inaction. "Indeed," he conceded quietly. "But what of Yusuke?"
The Jaganshi frowned, "We'll need to bring him along." Hiei sighed, "Help me wake him..."

Yusuke set a hard gaze on Yomi, gripping the aching wound in his side. "Just let him choose," Yusuke spoke, gesturing at Kurama.
Yomi laughed at this. "You're a fool, Yusuke Urameshi."
"And you're an insane, old bastard," he shot back at Yomi with venom. "Time to show me what you're made of before I end your miserable life, goat."
A dark chuckle was his only answer before Yomi made his next move.

When Yusuke's eyes finally slid open, they were alight with the pain that was smoldering within the swirling brown. His face was pale and a thin sheen of sweat caused his skin to shimmer slightly in the dim light. He did not speak for a long time. When he finally did open his mouth, it became clear why he hadn't for so long. A mouthful of blood spilled onto his shirt. He moaned softly and closed his eyes. "Fox-boy... I..."
"Hush, kit. We'll take care of you," Kurama reassured the younger man. "Hiei," he whispered. "Open your Jagan, please."
The purple tint took to the room again as the third eye slid open. The hazy purple suddenly whirled into a vivid jade. A sharp intake of breath alerted Kurama to the danger as his eyes shot to their fiery friend. "He's fighting me," Hiei hissed.
"Who is fighting you?"
"The physic. He's trying... to get back through to Yusuke." Hiei closed his two crimson eyes, his brow creasing with mental strain. The Jagan flickered back to purple and then somewhere in between. Yusuke had gone rigid. There was something in his posture that caught Kurama's attention. The younger man's face had become almost completely devoid of any emotion. His eyes, however, were most haunting. Something about their clarity and vividness caused a chill to race down the fox's spine. His stare was one of longing, wistfulness and... acceptance.

"Stop," Hiei snapped. Though he caught the attention of the two other inhabitants of the room, his demand was obviously meant for Yusuke.

"Stop what?" he asked after a long silence. His eyes still held the dead emptiness Kurama feared very much.

"Don't be dense, Detective! Stop believing it!" Hiei's anger was not an uncommon thing. What was, however, was the tone and volume he was currently using. "You cannot expect me to believe you think so little of yourself. This- asshole, whoever he is- is a fool! Nothing more. You are no monster, Yusuke Urameshi, and I'll be damned if I'm going to sit here and let you believe that." Crimson eyes were ablaze with passion, anger, but also fear. "You will not give up this fight so easily. I have stood by you as we faced the end of the world together. I will not allow you to give in so easily now."

Yusuke nodded, though emptily. "I can't win," was all he said.

Hiei's frame was trembling now from his livid rage. "Goddamn you," he hissed. "Do you understand nothing?" One hand snapped to Yusuke's face, gripping his chin harshly enough to bruise and forced hazelnut eyes to clash against garnet. "Listen to me, and me alone, Detective," his voice was cold, collected, dangerous. "You have done more in your lifetime than nearly any other will. You have saved this damn Human World from destruction many times over. You have placed your life and soul on the line for it. You died protecting people who won't even ever know your name." Yusuke's eyes fell. "Look at me when I am speaking to you!" Hiei was truly shaking now. The Jagan flared a vivid red. Kurama knew there was something important he was missing. "No!" Hiei screamed suddenly. As he dropped limply, Kurama rushed to his side.

Careful not to jar or cause further injury, the fox found Hiei's pulse point and was counting the intervals between beats. His mind was quiet, hushed in the face of this new danger. His soul was weary, exhausted from a fight it didn't seem they could live through. Lifting his lackluster eyes to the bed holding Yusuke, he realized the dark-haired man was still lying on the bed, his eyes squeezed tightly in an unsuccessful attempt to hold back his tears, his frame trembling with unreleased sobs. "Yusuke?" he asked quietly.

Yusuke's lips parted as he screamed out in a voice not his own, "Yusuke Urameshi will be dead before the dawn taints the horizon with light."

A/N: I am so very sorry that it has been so long since my last update. I promise I will try to be better about that. Please, as always, let me know what you thought. I love reading your reviews; they encourage me to write better. :)