It's been a long time...Since September apparently. Sorry this is turning into an update a semester. Stupid higher level courses...I will have you know that I'm alive and well and still writing (just not doing my readings for my assignments apparently).

This chapter is just about as long as my last one though, which is about double my 'standard.' I kinda like these longer ones though, cause there's a lot more content and I don't have to end them at the worst spots!

Now, I did intent this story-initially-to be a bonding fic for Kurama and Kaori, I just got all these other epic ideas to go along with so it's not all mushy-gushy-i love you. However, there's probably going to be more mushy-gushy later, with a small hint in here. I don't plan on writing them 'doing it' in here, so don't expect too much from the love scenes. I'm sure they'll have to eventually, which is either going to be in the end of this story, or-GASP- in another sequel. I'm leaning towards that first one, cause I feel bad dragging things out for you guys.

Anywho, on with the reading! I've missed you guys! Please read and review! ^_^

Chapter 10

"Thanks," Hiei said, before closing his communicator.

"Well?" Ayame said. "That seemed like a long conversation."

"There's another demon who worked with Konajiru," Hiei explained. "Kaori remembers his name, but hasn't seen his face, until today."

"He showed up?" Ayame asked, turning in her seat by the window. Hiei, the current occupant of said window, nodded his head, before his eyes narrowed towards the doorway.

"There's no point in hiding," he snapped. "I know you've been there."

"So why are you hiding information from Koenma?" Shigure asked from the other side of the opening, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Who says I'm hiding anything?" Hiei asked, standing and walking to the door.

"Oh, I'm sure that demon chick's calling Koenma right now to tell him everything she told you," Shigure said sarcastically. "Did she need your permission first?"

"Yes, she's calling Koenma now," Hiei said, pausing for a moment. "She called here so we'd have a new name to search for."

"Good cover," Shigure muttered, rolling his eyes.

"What makes you think I'd need a cover to disobey Koenma?" Hiei said, smirking as he walked outside. "It's funny how you humans take so much pride in your 'rules.' You're just about as deluded as Spirit World." With that, Hiei flicked away, leaving Shigure with a scowl and Ayame to sigh.

"I don't trust him," Shigure said, looking towards the kitchen where Masuyo sat pouring through volumes.

"You don't really have a choice," Ayame said, standing and walking over to Shigure. "We're in this together, and no matter how much you dislike him, he doesn't want the human world to fall to a demon uprising either."

"Why not? I'm sure that was his plan once not too long ago." Shigure stood up straight and headed to the kitchen.

"And that's exactly why you need to trust him!"

Shigure turned back with a raised eyebrow. Ayame glared at him with her hands clinched into fists. "Hiei is honorable, and if he gave up taking over the human world, then he gave it up. He wouldn't sit and let someone else try to take down what he wanted to keep, especially if his friends get hurt in the cross fire. If anything, you're getting in the way by questioning every single move we make. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm a human too, and so are Yusuke and Kuwabara. We're all in this together, and we trust Hiei, Kurama and Kaori with our lives." With that, Ayame stormed past him into the kitchen, feeling Shigure's eyes on her back.

"Could you pass me the volume to your left?" Masuyo asked as soon as she stepped in the door.

"Sure," Ayame said, grabbing the large book and setting it on the floor in front of where the other woman sat. She was half hidden by the stacks of closed and open books, some with papers marking pages, others simply sat open to an image or highlighted text. "I'm guessing you found some information?"

"Not as much as I had hoped," Masuyo replied, opening the newest addition to her circle. "Something's obviously missing and it's being covered up."

"What do you mean?" Ayame sad down and pulled one of the books into her lap. She could still feel Shigure's eyes burning a hole in her back from his new place in the kitchen, but she wasn't planning on acknowledging him anymore that day.

"Pick a passage, any passage about lightning demons at all, and read it aloud."

"Ok," Ayame replied. She skimmed through a few lines before she began to read. "When Raizen began to expand his territory into lands once controlled by lightning demons-"

"They allowed him without resistance, disappearing shortly afterwards," Masuyo finished. "Ten books have that exact same paragraph, word for word. A few have a page and a half of identical text, as if someone's gone through and wrote this all at the same time. It doesn't match the style of any of the books so far, so it must have been inserted by another author."

"Do we know if this information is factual or a cover up for what really happened?" Ayame asked, opening another book and finding the same passage of Raizen's expansion.

"I'm hoping this book will tell me," Masuyo said, slowly turning the pages. "It's one of the oldest we keep here. There are only a few books older in the human world, and they're kept in a secure location."

"So if these books have all been tampered with, what does it mean?" Ayame asked.

"Koenma may have a bigger problem than Hiei," Shigure said before leaving the two women behind.

00110001 00110000 00001101 00001010 (binary! ^_^) 00110001 00110000 00001101 00001010

"Takeshi was there?" Kurogane asked, eyes hardening. "Did he know about our father?"

"Not that he was there, no," Kaori said. "He does know about his failing health though." She sat at the foot of her bed, legs crossed in front of her and tails wrapping around her body. The dress she wore earlier was now replaced with a short red tunic and black pants. Kurogane leaned against a bed post while Hitashi leaned against the door, looking between the two. Yoko had gone to talk to the king, hoping something would clue them in on this new foe.

"But there's no way he already knew where the kingdom was," Kurogane continued. "None of them ever came here, not even Konajiru."

"Them?" Hitashi asked.

"The group Konajiru was forming," Kaori filled in. "I only remember bits of names, places I was sent to before the Human World. Takeshi's was the next place I was supposed to go. I thought he was another human."

"He wanted me to join to ensure the safety of our kinds, both lightning demons and kitsunes, and other 'dignified species,' as he said," Kurogane said. "I had been traveling around and studying many types and classes of demons across the plane, as well as searching out possible allies in case we'd ever need to leave our kingdom."

"Why would we need to?" Hitashi asked, gaze leveling at his brother. Kurogane met his gaze with even intensity.

"Rumors had begun to spread about it, as the perfect location to rule. I don't know which of our ambassadors bragged about its perfection, but word spread fast. Trouble was brewing now that the three lower kingdoms were dismantled, but any attempts at gaining power were put down quickly. Having a fortress that was impossible to locate or successfully attack would be the only way to systematically take over without being cornered on all sides."

"And that's why Konajiru recruited you?" Kaori asked. Kurogane nodded.

"He found me a year or so ago. He originally wanted an alliance, promising to leave the kingdom be, only using it as a base. Though he promised the autonomy of our people, I did not trust him or his motives," he explained, walking over and sitting on a trunk. "Then he told me about the growing coalition, demons who did not enjoy Rekai interfering with Makai matters. He figured that, with our history, we'd be quick to agree."

"What history?" Kaori asked.

"Before there was a barrier between the three worlds, lightening demons had the quickest access to and from the Spirit World," the king said. Yoko adjusted a pillow, allowing him to sit up straighter and clear his airways. Then he sat back in his chair beside the bed, Hitomi sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her father's hand as he spoke. "It was an 'honor' for our kind to then to be the liaisons to Makai."

"Runners for their messages?" Yoko asked.

"And the voice of King Enma," he added. "It was more of a chore than a position, and most times we went with complaints. Hunger, oppression from the Spirit Defense Force, revolts and uprisings that needed a mediator, all were given to us to take to Spirit World. Of course, frustration from their lack of sufficient response put us in hot water with them. Eventually, we took matters into our own hands and began solving disputes under the pretense of Rekai backing."

"Did this alleviate troubles?" Yoko asked, his interest piqued. It was not often that stories older than he were told, and even less often that a credible source would be the one sharing the information.

"Very much so," the king said with a small smile. "It was assumed that we were born leaders, though I'm sure there is a bit of bias. But surprisingly, things were settled fairly and quickly, which left some unhappy parties, but a general feeling of rightness."

"Until?" Yoko asked.

"Until Enma found out," Hitomi said, a small glare forming. "He didn't feel it was right that demons should have such a strong voice when it was his duty to rule all."

"They sent a few squads in and all but annihilated our people," the king said, closing his eyes. "Many men were slaughtered, women and children cut down. Of course many fled, but when word spread that we were governing the Makai, there was some resistance to us from demons who felt they were denied the chance to rule."

"Both sides ignored the good you had done for them," Kaori said sadly, looking between the two brothers who nodded.

"Our kind survived, but there was little mixing with others," Kurogane said. "There had not been much before, but now all hopes were lost with much of Makai turning on us."

"It was not long before it turned into chaos, turmoil, and a power struggle," Hitashi said. "The Kekai barrier was than constructed to contain as many of us as possible. Later, powerful demons began taking over, splitting into kingdoms with loyalists to each side."

"Raizen, Mukuro, and Yomi," Yoko said. The King nodded.

"Raizen was the first, and surprisingly felt sympathy for our kind. We were never forced to submit to him, and were treated as guests, since we had felt the harshest direct treatment from Enma. Soon after his expansion, a few men of fighting age assisted him as scouts and recon soldiers, alerting him to intrusions and skirmishes around his territory."

"I am sure his kingdom would not have grown so quickly had it not been for your assistance," Yoko said with a small smile.

"We are sure of it," the king said. "It was a few years later that a few of our elders decided that we leave his service, before a blow was dealt to our people once more. They suggested the construction of our current kingdom, isolated from much of Makai and hidden from Enma and his watchful eye. Though Raizen was disappointed, he allowed us to leave if we chose, and himself came to aid in the construction. He was one of the few souls outside of our kind who knew the location of our kingdom, but rarely visited to ensure our detachment."

"Where is his heir anyway?" Hitomi asked. "He came back with you all, correct?"

Yoko chuckled. "He was supposed to call Keiko yesterday, so I'm sure he's getting an earful for making her worry," he said. "She is his mate, and gets quite upset with him, since he's already died twice."

The king laughed, while Hitomi's mouth opened wide. "That is a story he must share with us soon," the king said before he coughed and sighed. "Perhaps after dinner. I feel tired after all of this excitement."

"We must let you rest, father," Hitomi said, squeezing his hand before standing.

"But we have not figured out how this Takeshi found our kingdom," he said. "I want these detectives to know everything we do so we're all on the same pag-" the coughing fit returned and interrupted his sentence, making him sigh and lean back exhausted.

"I will fill him in, father," Hitomi said, rubbing his shoulder as he calmed down.

"And I will see what information Kurogane and Kaori have, Your Highness," Yoko said. "I appreciate you filling us in. I will return the favor after you have rested."

"Thank you, Yoko," he said, closing his eyes and taking as deep of a breath as he could manage. "We will discuss the matter after dinner."

"Very good, father," Hitomi smiled, leading Yoko out of the room. She shut the door and sighed, resting her head against it.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Yoko asked. Hitomi smiled, turning to look at him.

"I'm fine, thank you," she said. "I just long for the old days, when my father was in top health." She turned around and leaned back against the wall, eyes closed, the same half smile on her face. "He used to tell me story of the old days, about his battles and victories, about when Kuro was little and our mother. Then, when Hitashi was born, I got to tell him stories with father, about how amazing our kingdom was and what an awesome big brother we had."

Yoko watched her calmly, hanging onto her words with expectation, but remaining reserved, just as he knew she was. A small bead of sweat had formed on her brow and she wiped it away with little thought. "Did he feel any resentment to the two of you for having a different mother?" he asked, looking down the hall and out a window. The sky was always dark in the Makai, but the changing clouds meant that it was getting late by Human World standards.

"None at all," Hitomi said, looking up at him without moving from the wall. "I was young when my father married the queen, and she filled in for the mother I never had. There was no difference between me and Hitashi, save my ears and tail of course."

"Of course," Yoko added, noticing a second drop of sweat running down Hitomi's neck.

"Of course Kuro was the best big brother anyone could ask for," she continued, eyes on Yoko's as his travelled down to the collar of her shirt, snapping back up to her face. She fought back a smile as her eyes drifted shut again. "He never treated Hitashi any differently, especially since he could hide his ears and tail at a young age. They would go out looking the same, so Hitashi never felt left out, and inside they would pop out so I was included too. What was best for everyone was always what Kuro wanted all the time."

"So not much had changed," Yoko said, suddenly uncomfortable. Hitomi wiped away at the sweat around her collarbone, eying him as he glanced away to the window.

"I don't think Kuro is capable of not caring for us," Hitomi continued, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes once more. "He was always...Kuro."

"Are you alright?" Yoko asked, walking over to Hitomi and placing a hand on her head. His eyes narrowed instantly. "You're feverish."

"You're freezing," she said, slowly sliding down the wall until Yoko caught her and lifted her into his arms. A chuckled crossed her lips as her head rested against his chest. "Strong though, and such a gentleman."

"Save your energy," Yoko said, quickly heading down towards the hall where they were all residing. The king did not have an infection, so there was no way she caught anything from him. Besides which, her temperature should have dropped instead of risen. Delirium seemed to be setting in, as Hitomi patted him on his chest and giggled. He turned the corner and came to Kaori's room, where he could still hear voices. It was closer than finding Hitomi's own room, so Yoko shifted her in his arms and knocked on the door, already deciding what to do.

"Oh, Yoko," Kurogane said before noticing his sister. "What happened to her?"

"She has a fever," Yoko said, walking past him and laying Hitomi down on the bed. Kaori slid aside and pulled her centered onto the large mattress. "We had just finished speaking to the king, and her temperature began to rise. Go fetch some water and a couple towels."

"Right," Kurogane said, heading out the room at a trot.

"What do you want us to do?" Hitashi asked, feeling his sister's face and surprised at the heat radiating from her. Yoko went into the closet and pulled out a thin gown and a pair of shorts.

"Put these on her so she'll be able to cool down faster," he said, laying them on a chair. "Kaori, you and I are going to make something to break the fever. I'll run to the greenhouse and grab what I can, you just make sure you get the cool compresses ready when Kurogane gets back, and find out what she ate."

"Sure thing," Kaori said, pulling up her hair checking Hitomi's pulse. "Anything you need, I'll make when you get back."

"Thanks," Yoko said, heading out of the room. Hitashi and Kaori carefully undressed her, Kaori more so than Hitashi. They got her into the thinner clothes just as Kurogane returned. Kaori made a compress for Hitomi's head while Hitashi began trying to pat her body dry.

"Why is it so…warm in here?" Hitomi asked groggily.

"You have a bit of a fever," Kaori said. "Did you eat anything out of the ordinary today? Something that could have made you sick?"

Hitomi shook her head slowly, letting it fall on the pillow. "I did steal a taste of dinner," she mumbled, making Hitashi pause. "Soup…There's a side of soup, and I dipped in my finger…too salty."

"Salty?" Kaori said aloud. "Hitashi, go get the chefs, tell all of them to stop with dinner and to bring that soup. No one is to taste it, alright?" He nodded, sprinting out of the room to the kitchen. "Kuro, go in the next room. Kurama has a bag inside with a few syringes and vials. We'll need them for the antidote."

"Right," Kurogano said, heading next door.

"Are you a doctor?" Kaori looked back to Hitomi and smiled. "Not quite. I've just seen a lot of doctors, so I have an idea of what needs to be done. Yoko's a real doctor in the field."

"Experienced?" Hitomi's head lolled again, and Kaori replaced the compress.

"He said he had a lot of lives to save if he wanted to keep the best guys in the business. You learn a few skills when you're an old guy like him." Gotta keep her talking until we can get this out of her system, Kaori thought to herself.

"He is truly amazing," Hitomi sighed. "What I wouldn't give to have him follow me around the way he follows you." Kaori paused, one hand holding the compress to Hitomi's head, the other drying off her arm.

"What do you mean?" she asked, slowly continuing.

"He's a brilliant thief, gorgeous, and one of the greatest fighters I've ever seen. He'd be the perfect kitsune to mate…the perfect demon…and I'm sure he's experienced." A sigh passed Hitomi's lips. "And he's so infatuated with you, I'd believe he'd die before losing someone so precious."

"He's…quite honorable," Kaori said, wringing out the small towel.

"I'd love to see him when he's dishonorable," Hitomi said with a smile, head lolling to the other side. Kaori looked to her with a raised eyebrow as the door opened once more, Yoko walking in with trimmings from a few plants.

"Did you find out what is causing this?" Yoko asked, sitting down the plants and pulling out a plate to crush the leaves.

"Um, she said she stole a taste of soup that's for dinner tonight," Kaori said, eyes still on Hitomi. "Hitashi is bringing a sample. And Kuro went to get your bag."

"Here it is!" he said, coming in and handing it to Yoko.

"Thank you," Yoko said. "Go check on the Queen and others in the castle, see who else tasted the soup in case we need to make more antidote."

"It was the soup?" Kurogane asked. Yoko nodded. With that Kuro left, running towards the Queen's chambers.

"Mom loves soup," Hitomi sighed.

"How are you feeling?" Yoko asked, pausing to place a hand on Kaori's head.

"What? I'm fine," she said, looking confused.

"You're a bit pink, I'm simply making sure you didn't come into contact with anything seeping out her pores," Yoko said.

"Oh! No, nothing like that." Kaori looked back to Hitomi's face, then back to Yoko.

"Did I miss something?"

"Only some interesting conversation brought on by the fever," Kaori said, swapping cold compresses.

"She raised me like a mom, so that counts," Hitomi continued, completely oblivious.

"I see," Yoko said. Hitashi entered with a cup of the soup, and Yoko quickly set to work separating out the toxin. In a little over an hour, he had synthesized an antidote and given it to Hitomi, who had lost consciousness early on.

"Will she be alright?" Hitashi asked, sitting on the side of the bed.

"She will have to sleep it off, but she'll recover," Yoko said, putting his things back in his bag.

"I feel more indebted to you every day," Hitashi said with a small smile.

"Wait til he saves the kingdom and gets you out of trouble with Koenma," Kaori smiled. "His real magic is in a dispute."

Hitashi chuckled as the two headed over to Yoko's room, he himself remaining by his sister's side. Kaori placed her things on the floor while Yoko sat on the foot of the bed. "That was meant for us, you know."

"Of course," Kaori said, sitting next to him.

"But it was a simple poison," Yoko continued to muse.

"So we were supposed to find the cure," Kaori said. "Or it was easiest enough to find so the ones who planted it could cure themselves easily."

"Exactly," Yoko said. "Someone who would be at dinner and expected to eat the soup along with the rest of us."

"Except Hitomi tipped us off."

"Poor girl."

Kaori looked over to Yoko, who was staring at the closed door in front of them. His mind was hardly on the conversation. "She's very nice," Kaori put in.

"Very nice."

"And she cares a great deal about her family."

"Of course."

"And she's hot."

"Uh huh."

"Love to make out with her."

"Yep." Yoko blinked before looking over at Kaori who had a grin on her face. "Wh-"

"You should pay more attention to what you agree too," Kaori chuckled. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you just gave me permission to go behind your back with a vixen."

"What? No, I didn't-"

"Either that or you want to go behind mine," Kaori added, a small pout on her face.

"NO!" Yoko said, instantly on his knees in front of her. "I wouldn't! I swear! I just wasn't listening, and of course she's attractive but she's not you and I would NEVER try-" Kaori clapped a hand across his mouth, making Yoko pause and blink once more.

"Calm down," she said. "I know. I just wanted to gauge your interest in her, since she's really interested in you." Yoko's eyes grew slightly, making Kaori put a second hand on top of the first. "I trust you, just relax. I just don't want you to feel trapped if she ever does make a pass at you."

"You're not mad?" Yoko asked, pulling Kaori's hands down. She shook her head with a smile, making Yoko let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Thank Kami for that." His head dropped in her lap as if he was exhausted.

"Why?" Kaori asked, stroking gently behind his ears and pulling a small purr out of Yoko before he could control himself. "You didn't like my stab at humor while asking a generally valid question?"

"…the last time you thought I had betrayed your trust, it almost killed me," he sighed. Literally, he added to himself. "I don't want you to ever think I'd do something like that to you, as Yoko or Kurama." Kaori paused her massage so he could lift his head to look at her. "I love you, more than this life itself, and though Hitomi is sexually attractive, I would never go behind your back to please a carnal desire because I love you more than that."

Kaori couldn't help but smile at him, resting her hand on his face and stroking his cheek with her thumb. "I already know that, 'Yoko and Kurama'," she said. "And yeah, Hitomi is attractive-"

"And you're not allowed to make out with her unless I get to watch," Yoko said, quite seriously. Kaori couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"We're not making out," she said, calming down. "What I'm saying is, I'm not blind or dumb. I know there are other females out there, and you're going to have carnal desires-it'd be insane for a fox as lovely as yourself to not want to procreate with other lovely foxes-but I'm not going to flip out because of those desires. It would only be you acting on those desires that would hurt me." She pulled Yoko into a hug, his head against her chest and his arms around her waist.

"For the record, I'm not lovely," Yoko said, closing his eyes and holding Kaori tight.

"Oh, please forgive me." Kaori began to rub his ears again, the purr going through her chest as Yoko melted against her. "You're charming and handsome, my dearest Yoko Kurama." All he could muster was a soft moan for a response, his arms falling down Kaori's sides and head tilting so she could get a better reach. Kaori smiled, knowing that the fox on her lap was enjoying sweet bliss. As long as Hitomi didn't try anything, then things would stay just the way they were. She scratched lightly where his ear met his scalp and grinned at the shiver that travelled down Yoko's spine.

He looked up at her with lidded eyes and Kaori paused, waiting for some response. "How do you do these things to me?" Yoko asked softly as he stood and scooped her up into his arms. "You should be careful before another desire gets the best of me." He walked around the bed and laid her in the center. He himself lied next to her, wrapping his arms back around her waist and pulling her close.

"And what desire is that?" Kaori asked, moving a strand of hair away from his face. Yoko kissed her hand before rolling over on top of her, straddling her waist and kissed her lips. Kaori got as far as putting her arms around his neck before suddenly she felt him tickling her sides. She screamed and tried to roll away, but was trapped underneath him. "AAAH! Okay, okay! STOP!"

Yoko smiled down at Kaori, panting and trying to glare at him. Beautiful. He kissed her once more before returned to her side and put his head back on her chest, holding her tightly. He kept his eyes closed, knowing she was still trying to glare at him.

"Jerk."

"I love you."

"Yay." Kaori began to pet his ears again. "After dinner, we're going to have to find the person who poisoned the food."

"It was the queen."

"What?" Kaori looked at Yoko with surprise. He didn't even move, his expression remaining calm and relaxed, though Kaori's fingers stopped.

"She doesn't trust us, and would like to get rid of us any way she can. I doubt Hitomi was supposed to sneak a taste."

"But Kurogane went to tell her about the poison! She'll know that we already know!"

"And she won't do anything to him," Yoko said, finally looking up to her. "She will simply know that the plan was spoiled and we now have an antidote for the poison. Dinner should be safe, and I'll carry the vial with me just in case it wasn't only the soup."

"Should we tell Koenma?"

"That the Queen of the Lightning Kingdom is not fond of our presence and would like to kill his detectives?"

Kaori paused and thought for a while. "No, that would make him distrust Hitashi who had nothing to do with it."

A knock on the door was heard, making Yoko roll out of bed and answer. Yusuke met him with a nod and Hitashi bowed slightly in greeting. "I felt you should know, one of our hired demons has returned," he said.

"Those who form portals?" Yoko asked, straightening up. Hitashi nodded.

"Apparently Hiei killed the second one," Yusuke said.

"Ito is with him in the courtyard," Hitashi added. "I figured you'd want to talk to him before dinner."

"Thank you, your Highness," Kaori said, appearing behind Yoko. Yusuke jumped, before pointing an accusing finger.

"What were you two doing?" he asked.

"Hitomi's in my bed, and we just finished saving her life," Kaori smiled, walking out of the room with Yoko. "We'll fill you in on the way."

"Great," Yusuke said. "And why is dinner late? I feel like I'm going to die from hunger!"

Kaori giggled, putting her arm around Yoko's. "You almost did."