They stood in the clearing. Two of the three demons were gleefully maniacal with their ill-gotten gains. A third stood in the background, broodily leaning against a tree, lost in his own melancholy musings.
Kurama watched with detached revulsion as the demons made their wicked plans with their treasures. He was even slightly shocked by how different Hiei had become since acquiring the Shadow Sword. Even his aura had been tainted by the sword's dark power. Kurama had heard rumors of the sword clouding the mind of its user and drawing on its wielder's more primal instincts.
Well, best to get this over with in a clean break before things get too out of control. When Hiei posed his question as to the powers of the mirror, it seemed like the perfect time had arrived.
"Sorry, I must withdraw from this alliance. You guys have fun."
The looks of shock that accompanied this statement were almost comical. Hiei's subsequent accusations of cowardice stung slightly, but he didn't retort. If he was honest with himself, it was true enough. If someone had told the youko he once was that he was about to give his life for a pathetic human, he would have laughed himself to death.
Goki, as usual, translated his anger into violence and attacked. It would have been Kurama's pleasure to permanently end that despicable dunce, but much to his surprise they were interrupted by the most unlikely of people: a human teen.
He looked plain and powerless enough, but there was something about him, some hidden quality… He informed them that he was the new Spirit Detective. That wouldn't do. He needed to be able to make his wish unhindered. To go to jail would be unacceptable, yet he was loath to kill this boy. Let his associates decide his fate. It wouldn't matter one way or the other to him in a few short days time.
He left the clearing to the sounds of Hiei telling him that he couldn't walk away from their plan…like he was needed anymore. He was the thief, the strategist. Now that they had their prize, what more could they want from him?
He was unsurprised to find that Hiei had followed him. "Enough, Kurama. What the hell are you planning?"
Without warning Kurama drew his whip and cracked it near Hiei's head. He did feel some loyalty towards this demon, he might even be his first friend, but he far from approved of his intentions with that sword.
"You have what you wanted and so do I. Leave it be." His tone was hard and cold, sounding much more like the fell youko he once was.
Hiei narrowed his eyes at the threatening gesture, but kept his distance all the same. He was aware of the undeniable advantage Kurama held deep in the forest as they were, surrounded by innumerable plants that he could easily turn into weapons. "Just answer me one thing…what does the mirror take from the user to grant their wish?"
Kurama suppressed a sigh. "All of their life energy."
For a moment Kurama could almost see the dark cloud the Shadow Sword made swirl with his energy disappear, leaving a stunned demon in its wake.
"You'll give your life for that human." It wasn't a question, just an emotionless statement.
"It's the least I can do to save her…Besides, you can take your prize after I'm dead. It is what you wanted in the end, after all." With that he left, not sure what to make of Hiei's reaction to the revelation.
A/N I changed Kurama's last line here based off a review. I had this in mind the whole time, but the review made me realize Kurama's motivations for divulging this information was unclear. I hope it helps, Dragon's Ashes...