Dimensional Rip:

A Drop in a Can of Worms

By: Abby Ebon

Chapter Ten: Conflict of Interest

-Last Time-

"They're safe." Scotty reported, Picard nodded to Worf and Riker- the two followed him to greet Kurama and Hiei.

--

As it turned out it was to greet an understandably 'irate' Kurama, and a very ….vengeful, Hiei. When Picard walked in he hadn't expected to see Kurama, as Youko, snarling and hissing at the Enterprise man.

A very intimidating sight indeed, Hiei however looked okay- if amused- but that thought flew out the window when he caught sight of Picard.

Hiei smirked and 'flashed' over to Picard, holding him against the wall with his sword.

"Hello Captain…" Hiei hissed, bringing Youko Kurama's attention to him. The Fox-like mans gold eyes flashed and he stalked over to the Hiei and the Captain. Events seemed to catch up to Riker and he made a move as if to intercept- or stun, Kurama and Hiei shoved him into the wall- knocking the man out with little effort.

Worf stayed still- he recognized what these two were doing- they were nearly in a killing rage. Any movement would lead to disaster- and the Kingon knew those two knew he was there- and were watching him, but they concentrated on the Captain.

He was the one they wanted answers from.

"Was that really necessary?" Picard asked, staring into Hiei's cold and merciless gaze.

"I don't know Picard; the one being that could stop us from killing all on this ship was taken by your enemies- then we are almost to the Enterprise, defenseless- weaponless and almost out of air. Then you start to fire on us…" Youko Kurama growled, clenching his fists as he staring into Picard's eyes- a clear threat in the demon world.

Picard had enough sense to lower his eyes- Hiei's sword lay against Picards throat. He only hoped Hiei would let him come to some sort of agreement.

"I can not tell you how sorry I am for Yuusuke's loss." Picard whispered- careful not to let the blade slide deeper into his skin.

"Oh he isn't dead, Picard- if he was dead because of your technology…Well nothing would stop us from grinding this universe back into the dark ages…" Hiei muttered darkly, still feeling the faint call of Yuusuke's demon blood.

It drove them both mad- the one spark of demon blood, the only call they had felt since arriving was their friend. He was so vary far away that they knew it would have taken years, hundreds of demon year, to find him without Picard's technology.

Added to the knowledge that he was their friend- well it made them all the more uncontrollable.

At least they hoped they'd find him fast- for the Enterprise's sake. They knew what little 'humanness' to them wouldn't stand up against the instinct to find and gather the demons in this universe.

Right now the only thing the felt was Yuusuke- and that was faint enough to have them worried.

Just how far did this universe stretch?

"T-then we will try to help you find him." Picard stammered, trying to remain calm, Hiei smirked.

"Yes, yes- you will. We know where he is- our very blood sings to his." Youko Kurama purred- he had broken his skin on his palm with his nails on one hand and brought it up to lick it off.

Picard swallowed- a very clear threat was in their eyes.

"Alright- we'll help you. You must understand we can only go so far- too close and we risk the Enterprise." Picard tried to reason with them. Youko Kurama's blood smeared lips smirked mockingly at him.

"WE don't care about that. Only Yuusuke would care- he is the only one whose humanness is in his blood." The Kitsune told him with a sneer.

Hiei felt the Kitsune's hand rest on his shoulder- the tips of his claws digging into his skin. Hiei knew the fox had planned only a 'scare-tactic' and he let the blade press into Picards skin- a few drops of blood escaped before he bowed to the fox's insistence and pulled the sword away and sheathed it.

Youko Kurama's form melted into the red haired- green eyed, teenager and he walked out of the room. Hiei knew he was going to their quarters and decided to follow. He hesitated and looked back at the room.

"Be warned Picard- if Yuusuke does not survive what your enemies are doing to him your blood is on my blade." It was the first real threat Hiei had made to anyone onboard the Enterprise- thanks to the promise he had made to Yuusuke. But Yuusuke wasn't here- and Hiei laid the blame at Picard's feet.

Riker shook his head- coming to enough to hear Hiei. He glanced at Picard, who was pale and whose neck was nicked- the cut barely deep enough to let three drops drip onto his collar.

Riker swallowed and glanced at Worf who was tense- he wondered why Worf hadn't acted, but he remembered that Worf had befriended the three. Still that shouldn't have stopped the Klingon from interfering.

Worf was telling the medical team to get come to them, so Riker went to the Captain. Picard wasn't hurt- just shaken. Riker frowned he knew having those three onboard was just asking for trouble.

"Why didn't you stop them?" Riker questioned Worf- who looked at him like he was insane.

"If I had provoked them they wouldn't have just put on that little display- they would have went for blood. Your people may not believe it when myths come to life- Klingon's have enough sense to treat them with respect." Worf growled, and Riker couldn't say anything as the medical team had arrived and took the man Youko Kurama had 'attacked' (who was in shock) and Picard to the med-bay.

With luck Picard wouldn't have a scar.

--

The same couldn't be said about Kurama who was pacing back and forth- plants drawing away from him. 'They have more sense then most humans.' Hiei thought with a little amount of amusement, warily watching Kurama pace.

The fox wasn't the only one worried about Yuusuke- but the Fox was more emotional then Hiei was, at least when it came to these sorts of things.

Hiei was loyal to Yuusuke and Kurama- Yuusuke was missing, the answer was to find Yuusuke using any means necessary. Simple problem- simple answer, at least for most demons- they (actually Kurama) had to other things to consider.

Because Yuusuke would most likely be hurt – and as far as they knew the Enterprise had the only medical equipment available to them. They didn't know how to work most of that stuff- so they needed a few people from that area left alive.

They didn't know how to pilot anything but a scout ship- and Yuusuke was the 'expert' on that. So the crew of the Enterprise needed to stay alive till they got him. Also the small matter of Yuusuke disliking them killing…

Other then threats of slaughter they couldn't make them do anything- but hopefully guilt and Hiei's threat would 'encourage' Picard to follow through in getting them near the Borg ship.

They would do the rest.

AN: Well readers if you are interested in other fan-fics of the StarTrek/YYH I'd recommend Le'letha and her 'Sleight of Hand', (15 chapters!) and bluekitsune251 and the 'Across the Stars'- (3 chapters, but showing promise!). If anyone has found any others- please feel free to tell me, I'm thinking someone out there must make a C2 for such stories…. If you do- or have seen one again let me know! Thanks!