*Summary* Ok so this story is about Hiei, Kurama, and Yusuke going out on a mission 'alone' to find out what's going on with unusual events happening in demon world. Along the way a promise of blood, sweat and... the three letter 'S' word will be present in order to solve this case.
*Setting* Takes place after the Demon World Tournament with our heros in the human world. About a year after the last episode.
*Pairings* Hiei/Yusuke/Kurama, in all different orders.
*Disclaimer* I only own Yu Yu Hakusho in my dreams (Sob) I don't own anything in real life.
*And now that, that's out of the way... please enjoy*
*Ch7*
"I-I know...I know, who the enemy is." Yusuke states with wide, unfocused chocolate eyes.
It was so obvious, it'd been practically smacking him in the face this whole time! Why hadn't he noticed until now?! The reason he knew the enemies energy signature; why he felt like it was a past foe; and why his two other demon companions didn't recognize said demon energy. Yusuke felt like he now deserved all those times he slipped, tripped and fell down the mountain. Nature...or perhaps the goddess Yuki, had been pounding subtle hints into him the whole way up.
The reason Hiei couldn't find the demon with his Jagan from the get-go, was because the enemy had, had centuries of cloaking his energy from even the best physics. Then there was also the burned clearing they came across the other day with the charred trees and dead spirt animals? Yusuke had privately wondered why the guardian animals; or what every they were, were all so small for supposed 'protectors' of the forest... It was because that wasn't their natural sizes in the first place. No, they were much, much, much bigger than that.
This demon had the power to shrink his enemies with a curtain spell. AND, it also explained why the terrain was giving them such problems. Normally if a person - or nature goddess in this case, needed help, they'd clear the area for the 'hero's' to climb up faster. Right? But if the enemy had the power to change its form, then it was also possible that Yuki didn't know what the real foe looked like. Oh, it all made perfect sense now!
With concern flashing through emerald eyes, Kurama asks, "Yusuke, what...?"
"I know who the enemy is." Yusuke states again without any hesitation, fishing for the communicator in his back pocket while ignoring their surprised and confused expressions.
Grabbing the device, he quickly flips it open and waits for the ruler of the spirit realm to answer.
When teen and pacifier appear, Yusuke quickly cuts him off before the other can speak, "It's Rando!" He yells, barley holding back his inner monolog of curses.
A stunned look appears on the death gods face as he briefly takes in this new information, pondering in silence for what felt like hours.
"But that would mean Yuki doesn't...?" He finally answers.
"No." Yusuke confirms.
"And those animals...?"
"I know."
Coming out of his shocked daze, Koenma instantly goes into panic mode and looks to Yusuke with a hint of fear in his eyes. "I'm sending back up to you now. Inform Hiei and Kurama of what's going on and please don't do anything rash! Rando's years in prison have not been unkind to him in the ways of strength, he's much stronger now than he was before."
"It figures! Why can't any of my enemies just be weak slugs or something for once. I'm supposed to be on freaking vacation for crying out loud. Is one normal, risk free day to much to ask?"
"Calm yourself Yusuke and think seriously for once. Back up is on its way now and I'd ask you all to be cautious; but I also know that's the equivalent of asking a dog not to pee on a fire hydrant. So get moving!"
With that last sentence, the screen goes dark and Yusuke quickly puts the communicator back in his pocket while resting his eyes on the two demons before him.
The first to speak, Kurama asks, "Yusuke what's going on, who's Rando?"
Sighing in exhaustion, Yusuke mentally prepares himself for a game of twenty questions. "Rando, is a past enemy of mine; a demon I fought not long after I met you two."
When said demons keep quite, Yusuke takes that silence as permission to continue speaking.
"We met at Genki's tournament, where I faced him in the final round just after he wiped the floor with Kuwabara." A short huff, that could easily be taken as a laugh of amusement from a certain spiky haired demon, goes ignored as the Mazoku continues, "It was a case, I was only there because Rando wanted to learn the physic abilities of the spirit wave from the old hag. Which wouldn't have been a problem... if he didn't want to add her powers to the 99 other physic's he had already killed and stole from. Plus this is Genki's famous 'spirt wave' technic were talking about; Spirit Realm didn't want just anyone to learn that...hence why I was there. Everyone with me so far?"
Hiei nods while Kurama questions, "I'm not blaming you Yusuke, but how come you didn't recognize the demon energy till now?"
The teen wasn't offended, he knew it was only in the red heads nature to want and need all the facts and answers before putting a plan into action.
"I met Rando when I was still a human and quite honestly...thou I'm sure you already knew, pretty crappy at sensing energy. Thou I guess I'm still terrible at it...not the point and you get it. Point is, even with my later fights as a human, I still had problems putting a face to someones energy readings. I guess becoming a demon helped but I still wouldn't be able to recognize a persons demon energy from that long ago. The only demon energy I could never forget is the both of yours." Yusuke blushes slightly at that last statement while quickly covering it up, "...Because I practically see the both of you every day!"
Noticing the blush, but tucking it away for later speculation, the fire demon asks his own question, "So what exactly are we dealing with. What are Rando's technics, strengths and weakness's?"
Putting a hand behind his head in a classic show of nervousness, "I'm not exactly the best person to ask...um, I kinda won through a mer fluke." Yusuke states with a sheepish expression.
"Did you try sacrificing yourself 'again', when lady luck decided to make an appearance?" Hiei smirks.
"Shut up Hiei! And it wasn't luck, I totally planned it."
"Hm."
"Yusuke" Kurama interrupts before the hot headed Detective can yell something else, "How do we best protect ourselves while fighting him?"
Dropping the argument, Yusuke ponders his reply before answering, "I don't think their really is a sure way of defeating him. He had 99 physic technique last time, and I only saw maybe five or six of them." bringing up thoughts to the past fight, a sudden memory strikes him, "Although...I do remember Genki saying something about a hand full of his technique needing to be preformed correctly through sound. If you couldn't hear the chant or whatever it was, it would backfire onto the user. That's how I beat him last time." He finishes, editing out most of the more embarrassing scenes of his victory...Like tripping in swamp algae.
"It sounds like we'll need to somehow block the six senses of the mind..." Kurama ponders before looking to the shortest member of the team, "Hiei, could you...?"
"I can... Yusuke, come here." Hiei demands while removing the cloth around his Jagan eye.
Stepping in front of the fire demon Yusuke wearily asks, "What're you gonna do?"
Ignoring this, Hiei slowly reaches both hands up to either side of the young teens face. Cupping his neck and jaw almost lovingly, as he gently pulls the other down so they're face to face. The Mazoku is stunned, but none the less, follows the shorter demons lead. Unwilling to admit how comfortable he is with thous warm hands surrounding him.
"Do you trust me Yusuke?" Hiei asks.
"With my life." He instantly answers, making both demons smile.
They could deal with the sentiment parts later, but now wasn't the time, "Aright then, I'm going to use the Jagan to enter your mind and what ever you do, don't fight it. It won't hurt as much then."
Nodding in understanding, Yusuke mentally relax's his mind before giving Hiei the 'go to' symbol with his eyes.
Returning the nod, Hiei closes his two normal eyes and opens his third, "Look at the Jagan Yusuke."
And the Demon Lord obeys, meeting the single purple glow with his own chocolate orbs. Getting the strange sensation of being mentally jerked into his own mind, where he also finds Hiei's consciousness brushing softly against his own.
Now Yusuke was no stranger to the inner mechanics of the mind. He'd practiced building his mental strength as much as his physical when training with Genki. Thou in all honesty he never really got the hang of it. So viewing the own innards of his mind, Yusuke knew he had to let down his 'mental guard' per say, before the Jagan user could enter with minor pain. (God that didn't sound perverted at all)... And with complete trust in the other, the teen does just that; lowering his shields so the fire demon can have easy access to his memory, thoughts and feelings.
Thankfully, Hiei went right past all this, heading for something deeper in the mind. For what, he didn't know? But he was sorely glad the other didn't familiarize himself with any of Yusuke's current feelings...cause that would be embarrassing...nor raid his past memories. His life to say the least, before becoming a spirit detective wasn't one he was necessarily proud of. Not to mention he also had a crappy childhood.
The further in Hiei went, the more Yusuke began to realize a faint ache in his mind and body. At first the discomfort was small, like a single needle prick to his arm; an annoyance really that he pushed away. But after what felt like hours to him, that small annoyance quickly escalated into pain and then agony. It wasn't until he could hear Hiei's voice calling his name from outside their mental bodies, that the Detective realized he was clenching his fist along side the Koorime's own and hyperventilating.
Mentally halting his movements in the young demon lords mind, Hiei audibly states with a high level of rare concern, "You need to relax Detective. Breathe, just breath. I'm almost done I promise."
Instead of answering, Yusuke just nods; loosening his grip and struggling to breath regularly. Not exactly easy for a man who felt like his whole body was being electrocuted repeatedly.
He was just about ready to tell the crimson eyed demon to continue anyway, when suddenly an unknown pressure against his back pulls him away from his concentration. Yusuke tenses at first but then slowly calms when he realizes it's Kurama offering him support. Which was good at the moment since he didn't know how long he'd remain standing; pride or not. The red head didn't say anything, only continued to calm his distressed teammate by rubbing soothing circles into shoulders. The small action went a long way in distract him from the pain, not fully but enough, enough to bring his hyperventilating breaths under control. Confident his body functions were normal once more, Yusuke gives the shorter demon the go-to symbol with a simple head nod.
Giving the Detective one last concerned look, Hiei continues his journey inside the demon lords mind. Hiei wasn't lying when he'd said he was almost done, a minute after the incident the Koorime pauses in his search, finally arriving at his desired destination. Concentrating, the fire demon begins focusing his energy till it's slowly seeping out of his mental body; wanting to surround and mold their two energies together.
Compared to the unpleasant feelings from before, this strange sensation was oddly pleasant and dare he say, arousing. If it was possible to have mind sex with another being, then Yusuke was pretty positive this was how you did it. Hiei's energy was in him, dominating him, and surrounding him; It felt wonderful and warm. Yusuke briefly wondered if this was what a masochist felt like when committing the deed; this painful pleasure.
But as soon as it started the feeling was over. Having finished the job, Hiei retreated from the Spirit Detectives mind and watched as Yuuske's body slumped to the floor, with Kurama quickly supporting him from behind.
"Yusuke are you alright?" Kurama questions, while gently guiding his body into a sitting position.
Taking a few moments to catch his breath, Yusuke responds, "I-I'm all right..." Panting heavily, the Detective is glad for the Kitsune's slight height advantage; making it easier for his smaller body to lean comfortably into the red heads chest.
Tilting his head back into the warm crevice of Kurama's neck, Yusuke doesn't care if this position is embarrassing or leaves him wide open to attacks. He's simple to exhausted to care, and he trusts his comrades to protect him if need be. Though Kurama doesn't seem to mind the position either as he slowly wraps his arms around the young teens torso in a protective manner. Smiling, Yusuke unconsciously relax's his body into the embrace, glad for the offered warmth.
"So doc," Yusuke manages a smirk at the crimson eyed demon, "What exactly did you do to me?"
"In short terms, I created a link between our bodies that will allow me control over your mind." Hiei answers, not bothering to rebind his Jagan.
"And why would you do that exactly?" Yusuke questions, not suspicious of the other demons actions, just curious.
"Along with control over your mind, I also have the ability to switch on and off any five senses I choose, including your hearing."
With comprehension in his eyes, Yusuke states, "I see. So now Rando won't be able to use his hearing spell trick. Nice." He Smiles.
With a half smile in return, Hiei responds, "We can also speak telepathically to one another as long as the link remains open. However...their are some draw backs."
"Like?" The teen pushes.
"We'll be able to feel one another's physical and mental pain is the mayor one." Kurama answers in Hiei's place. "Not as much pain as the original is feeling I assure you, but still pain; minor cuts and bruises don't count."
"Alright, makes sense. What else?" He was feeling much better already, but didn't want to depart from the warm embrace just yet. Sue him, he was comfortable.
"Control over another's mind takes a lot of concentration." Hiei answers, "Focus that will limit my abilities during a fight. I can still battle and protect myself, but with less speed and strength."
"Alright, so try hard not to get hurt, and guard your back. Sounds simple enough." Reluctantly prying the Kitsune's arms apart, Yusuke manages to stand once more on two sturdy legs; with said fox following right after.
Deciding to test the link, Yusuke mentally asks, 'So can you hear me?' ...A simple mental 'hm' is returned as his answer. 'This is gonna be so much fun. Now I can annoy you both mentally and aloud!' Yusuke laughs.
'Joy.' Hiei mentally groans.
'Don't give him a head ache just yet Yusuke, wait till after the fight is over.' Kurama all of a sudden chimes in.
Shocked, the raven haired teen looks to the fox with confusion in his eyes, "Wait a sec, you have the mental link thing too?" He audibly questions.
Nodding Kurama answers, "Yes, as I'm sure you noticed me and Hiei are bonded mates. When two demons form a strong bond, they form new abilities along with it."
"So does that mean..."
"No." Hiei answers, cutting the Detective off, "It's more of an...incomplete bond." He reasons.
"Oh." Looking down, the shadows from Yusuke's hair prevent Hiei from reading his facial expressions.
True, he could now just tap into their resent mental bond, in order to figure it out...but the fire demon also knew the importance of giving someone their space. Neither he nor Kurama wanted to mess this up. In fact, he was secretly glad he'd managed to successfully create a bond, even a partial one between the two. Bonding should never be taken lightly, and just because two demons were attracted to one another didn't mean a bond would always form.
But even though he and Kurama were happy with the link, Hiei also knew he had to offer the probably very confused teen an outing. Even if the very idea of letting him go made him want to snarl in out rage.
"If your uncomfortable with me having that much power over you... I-I can terminate the bond after the mission."
If he had thought thinking it was bad, saying it aloud made it so much worse. Hiei had to mentally fight his own body from tackling the Detective here and now, forcefully claiming him on the spot. If it weren't for Kurama sending soothing signals through their bond, he probably would have done it too.
"We should go." Yusuke suddenly states from out of the blue, turning his body, "I'm starting to hear sounds of fighting up ahead."
Coming out of his 'possessive' state of mind, Hiei also hears some sort of battle nosies coming from up ahead as well. But he's mainly distracted by the fact that Yusuke never answered his question. With his body in autopilot, the three run towards the war zone ahead with Yusuke in the lead.
Unable to focus his mind, Hiei looks to the side at Kurama; selectively opening the link to him. 'Maybe...' He didn't dare hope, but he couldn't help but confirm his heavy thoughts with his already bonded mate; hating it, but needing reassurance.
'Maybe.' Kurama answers with a smile on his face.
And the two continue on with silent hope in each of their demon hearts.
*TBC*
*Sorry it took so long for me to update :(, someone requested me for a fan fic and I had to get it done. Any-who, this chapter was more on the romance side but I promise next chapter will definitely have some action. Most of you got the answer right, the enemy IS Rando and we'll just have to see how Yusuke fairs against him in the next chapter. Can you guess what's going to happen? I'll give you a hint, it involves the first paragraph of this entire story. Plz review and let me know what you think will happen. I look forward to your thoughts and idea's :) TTFN*
