A Lover's Strife

Chapter 7

Ryota stared at the injured fox in amusement, "Now do you understand, youko? There is absolutely nothing you can do to save your former comrade." He observed Kurama try to get up and then he plopped back down. "You might as well stay down fox as I observe the damage my demons made with your friends."

As he went to observe the damage, he saw that the others were unharmed and were heading his way through his image portal. "Impossible, they were able to defeat my demons; how!" the spell caster said in shock.

Then he noticed Hirona leading them within the domain and yelled in rage, "That idiotic woman, how dare she defy me! She will pay dearly for this!"

All of a sudden, he heard a deep laughter come from the other side of the room. He turned and stared in shock as Kurama was standing up and laughing, "You, you think this funny, fox!"

"Actually yes; I find it funny that you actually thought those demons would defeat them." The crimson haired fox his injured stomach and smirked, "You know Ryota, it's foolish to under estimate your opponents. That's why Hiei beat you because you're too rational when it comes to fighting."

Ryota became filled with rage as he held up his hand and released a strong psychic wave of energy from his palm. The force was so powerful, that it thwarted Kurama back at the wall, "Watch what you say to me fool because you'll just wind up getting hurt."

The emerald eyed youko fell to the ground again wincing in pain. Then he saw two black, clad feet in front of him. He looked up and saw Hiei staring down at him with a murderous look in his lifeless scarlet eyes. "Hiei, please don't do this. You're stronger than his petty spell; resist him." the fox pleaded.

Then the koorime grabbed the youko by the neck with his bare yet firm hands. As Hiei choked the weakened fox, Kurama wailed in pain as he felt shockwaves go through his body. The intensity of them was enough to rip him from the inside and out.

As they were running through the corridors, the gang heard Kurama's cries of pain echo within them. "Oh man, Kurama's not gonna last much longer on his own!" Kuwabara informed his teammates.

"Damn it Lady, how much further is he already?" Yusuke asked impatiently.

"Relax human, were almost there." Hirona replied.

"How do we know you're not lying? Don't forget, my threat, rephrase promise still stands."

"Unfortunately, I can tell she's telling the truth," Genkai began, "Ryota's aura is getting stronger as we get closer."

"Oh man!" Yusuke complained, 'Hang on Kurama, were almost there!'

As the koorime was choking the kitsune, Kurama winced as he said, "…Hiei, it's me; please don't do this."

Then Hiei suddenly lightened his grip around the other's neck. The possessed demon began to recognize the fox's voice and tried to regain control, "K-K-Kurama."

"Hiei, is that you?"

"What are you waiting for?" Ryota boomed with anger, "Hurry up and finish him before those fools get here!"

"K-Kurama, what's happening to me?"

"Ugn…Hiei, you're under the control of an evil enchantment. You have to try and break free before it's too late."

"I-I'm trying…"

"Try harder; think about the things that matter to you. It's only thing that'll save you."

"I- I- I…"

"You think you can resist me, koorime; we'll see about that." the demon spellcaster said as his eye darkened black as the darkest night.

Kurama noticed the crest in Hiei's Jagan flare with a strong black flaming aura. The fire youkai winced in pain at the charm's intensity, "Hiei, Hiei come on; don't give in to him."

"I can't, I…" the koorime wailed in pain and stopped as he lowered in head.

"Hiei, are you still there?"

"No, the Hiei you knew is gone." Kurama gasped as the youkai rose his head to reveal those lifeless eyes as he continued in a hushed dark tone, "Say your last words youko, because you're dead."

Hiei flung the injured fox to the far side of the room. Kurama landed on the hard stoned floor; it felt like all the bones in his body broke into pieces.

Ryota laughed darkly at the pained youko as he walked closer to him, "Well, well, well, what do we have here? It's a shame that all your efforts to save him are in vain." Ryota kicked Kurama in his side causing him to roll over till he was on his chest.

This is just too amusing, who knew watching Hiei destroy you would be so enjoyable. This is even better than when he tried to kill that ice girl back at that old hag's temple."

Kurama tried to move his injured body but to no avail. "Mark my words Ryota; you'll regret this I assure you."

Ryota stomped on the fox's stomach with a lot of pressure as Kurama grunted in pain and blood spurred from his mouth. "You really can find ways to piss me off can't you, youko?" Then the spellcaster noticed something coming from the side of his eye, "Well, it appears your teammates are here."

Kurama weakly turned his eyes to the opening to see Yusuke, Kuwabara, Genkai, and that woman arriving on the scene before going to a state of unconsciousness. 'They made it; thank goodness they're alright.'

The sight before the gang both shocked and angered them. Ryota sneered evilly, "Welcome fools, I was wondering if you were ever going to make it to see the youko's final hour."

"Oh my God, look at Kurama; he's hurt really bad." Kuwabara said in worry.

"Ryota made Hiei do this to him?" Genkai asked.

"Damn it, that's it; I've had it with this bastard! He's goin' down once and for all!" Yusuke yelled in rage.

"Well human, you better have a plan to stop him because look." Hirona said pointing to the possessed demon on the other side of the room.

The others turned to see Hiei pick up his sword and walk towards the injured fox, "Uh guys, I gotta a bad feeling about what he's about to do with that sword." the orange haired teen said.

"I can't watch this anymore, Kurama needs help." the detective said as he charged for the demons.

Then the old psychic sensed a surge of energy, "Yusuke, stop!" she warned but it was too late. The detective was in range till a great force of energy pushed him back towards the others. "Urameshi, you alright?"

Yusuke rubbed his head, "Yeah, what the hell was that anyway?"

"She was trying to tell you that Ryota created a barrier to keep you three out." Hirona informed.

"Well, why didn't you tell us that sooner?"

"I didn't know he was going to do that; he doesn't tell me everything."

"Oh yeah right," Kuwabara began, "does it look like we were born yesterday, lady?"

"Actually mortal, she's telling the truth." The gang turned to the spellcaster who was smirking up a storm, "Hirona you fool, why did you bring those humans here?"

"Look master, it's not what you think!"

"You have soiled my plans for long enough; no time for you to pay the price." Ryota's silver eye turned blood red as a swirl of thick smoke encircled Hirona. The gang watched in shock and horror as ear piercing screams were heard through the smoke. When the smoke cleared, there was nothing left but golden dust particles.

The gang stared at the woman's remains, "What did he do to her?" Kuwabara asked.

"Don't fret over that useless fool. You should be worrying more about your friend." the demon spellcaster sneered.

Yusuke and the others turned to see the possessed fire demon hovering over the injured fox, raising his sword for one deadly swipe. "Don't do it, man!" the detective yelled.

"Excellent my servant, kill that youko now!"

"Shorty, snap out of it!" Kuwabara yelled but Hiei ignored him. "It's no use; we can't get through to him."

"Kurama you have to get up or that bastard will make Hiei kill you!" Yusuke cried.

Then they all watched as Kurama struggled to get up but plopped back on the stoned floor. Yusuke became filled with rage at the sight before them, "I can't watch this any longer; let's do something damn it!"

"Stand back; I'll get us through that barrier." Kuwabara said as he summoned his Jigen Tou sword. Yusuke and Genkai watched as the spirit sword master swung the yellow sword and slashed the barrier. "Good work, man!" the detective said in jubilee.

"Heh…it was nothin'!"

Ryota grinned evilly, 'That's what you think, fools.' Then he watched the group's expressions change as the slash closed back up.

"Okay, what just happened? Last I checked there was a slash there." the black haired teen cried.

"I figured your friend would use that barrier cutting sword of his so I conjured up a penetrable shield that not even the Jigen Tou can break through."

"Oh this is just perfect." Yusuke groaned.

"It appears Ryota has thought of everything." the old psychic added.

"Isn't there something we can do to help Kurama; he's helpless out there." Kuwabara said.

"No," The two teens turned their attention to Genkai as she spoke, "as long as this force field is up, there's nothing we can do except hope that Kurama will be able to handle it."

"But what can he do in his present state?" the orange haired teen asked.

"He'll be fine; Kurama has gotten himself out of bad situations before, he can get out of this." Yusuke said. 'I hope…'

As the possessed koorime was about to slay the youko, he noticed a gem around his neck. He winced as he began to recognize it. Kurama slowly peered upward and saw Hiei acting strangely. When he realized why, he gave a small, weak smile of relief, 'He's beginning to recognize the tear gem; so there's still hope.'

"Stop wasting time and kill that fool already!" Ryota ordered angrily.

As Hiei was about to do as he was commanded, he heard a weak voice say, "Hiei, don't."

The possessed demon gazed downward and saw Kurama slowly sat on his knees with his crimson red bangs covering his face, "Don't let that madman change what you are. You're a loyal, courageous, and honorable warrior who I've known to be my most trusted friend and ally. You've always been by my side and now it's my turn." Then the fox raised his head to reveal a sad smile and trusting emerald eyes, "No matter what, I'm going to save you from his control."

Scarlet eyes widened at those words but then the owner grunted in pain from the hexed charm in his Jagan. The gang watched in shock, "Hey you guys see what I see?" Kuwabara asked.

"Yes, Kurama's getting through to him." Genkai answered.

"Keep it up man, its working!" Yusuke cried.

Hiei was trying to withstand Ryota mind control. A raging war of control was going on within the koorime's mind. "F-f-fox, I-I-I can't…"

"Yes you can," the kitsune began as he held the fire youkai's face in his hands, "Just know you're not alone; I'm here for you and I always will be."

The spellcaster watched in horror as his servant lowered his weapon, 'No, this can't be happening; how could that incompetent do this?'

The koorime's mind was beginning to clear up from the darkness clouding it. He blinked his blood eyes several times and they became normal again, "Fox, I'm back."

Kurama became so full of relief that his friend was back to his normal self, "Hiei, thank goodness." Then he wrapped his arms around the petit demon.

A slight blush crossed Hiei's face, "I am now, thanks to you."

"You have no idea how worried I was about you. I thought you'd never return to your old self." Kurama said as he held his friend closer to his chest.

'All this time, he was worried about me? Even though this is a bad time, it does feel good to be in his arms.' The koorime smiled as he rested his chin on the other's shoulder. Then the crest in the Jagan's pupil shattered into small pieces and the spell was broken.

"Alright, Hiei's back on our side! Way to go, Kurama!" Yusuke cheered from the sidelines.

"Hey guys check it out; the barrier's disappearing." Kuwabara said as the other noticed it as well. When it was completely gone, they ran up to their comrades.

"Are you two in one piece?" Genkai asked the two demons.

The emerald eyed youko pulled the other away from him a little bit, "Yes I am; how about you Hiei?"

"I'm okay…" Then the fire youkai noticed the cuts and bloody wounds on Kurama's body and guilt filled his voice, "Fox, did I do this to you?"

"Don't worry Hiei, they're not too serious."

"H-h-how could I have lost?" The gang turned to the spellcaster who was quivering like crazy. "My power, my spells; it all failed me."

"Yeah, life isn't fair isn't it?" Yusuke began, "And now I'm gonna show you a real reason to shake in you're boots!"

Ryota regained composure and smirked, "Ha, you won't stop me fool. I'll kill you all starting with that damn koorime." The spellcaster said as he fired a blast of black energy.

"Hiei, move out of the way!" Kurama yelled as he pushed the koorime out the way. Then the blast hit the fox in his lower stomach.

"Kurama!" The gang yelled the blast came in contact with its target.

Hiei watched in horror at what just happened. His fox was struck trying to save him. He quickly ran to his friend's side, "Kurama, are you okay?"

"Ugn…it's nothing; I'm just glad you're all right." Kurama said clutching his stomach as blood slowly poured out between his fingers.

"Don't be ridiculous fox; you're wound is far too serious."

"Don't worry I can…" Then the crimson haired fox collapsed in the koorime's arms.

"Kurama, Kurama, oh no." Hiei lowered his head as the other joined them.

"Oh my God, Kurama!" the orange haired teen said.

"Hmph, that foolish youko shouldn't have got in my way." Ryota complained.

"Alright, that bastard's goin' down!" Yusuke threatened.

"No detective, this fight is mine. He and I have a score to settle once and for all." Hiei said as he placed Kurama gently on the ground.

"Hiei, are you sure you don't need help with defeating this jerk?" Kuwabara asked.

"No, he'll die by my hands and mine alone. Take care of Kurama for me." Hiei said as he walked towards his opponent.

"Kick his ass, man!" Yusuke cried.

"Don't worry, I intend to."

Ryota smirked as his long time rival stepped forth, "It's about time; I have been waiting years for this rematch. So let's settle this, shall we?"

"I couldn't agree more." The koorime's Jagan eye glowed as he was engulfed in his flaming aura. 'This time you're not leaving alive. No matter what, you'll pay for what you did to my fox!'

To Be Continued

A/n: Sorry it took so long to update and the next chapter should be the last. But until then enjoy and remember to R&R!