*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*

*Ch11*

And now were finally caught up to present time. In rare moments of semi-consciousness, Yusuke could easily say that this battle had been the worst in regard to physical beating and pain. His whole body was exhausted. It'd been awhile, if ever, that his body had felt this beaten up in a fight. It wasn't even the superficial wounds from his battle with Rando. No. This was an even bigger pain, like Genkai beating the crap out of him, using the spirit wave and then proceeding to throw his mangled body off a cliff with sharp objects at the bottom with snakes...that was oddly specific...had she done that to him before? Wouldn't put it past her if she had.

Anyway, the pain was immense. It didn't help that his body felt like it was on fire as well. Had he taken a dip in lava or what? No...no not lava...oh right...more like a freezing, below -1000 degree lake. Now it was starting to make sense. If he could still feel pain, then that meant he was still alive and Yuki had saved him. Or, Koenma had one messed up sense of humor...wouldn't put it passed him either.

In brief moments of consciousness, Yusuke used his senses to get a better picture of his surroundings. However, when his eyes proved to heavy to open he relied on scent, hearing and touch to get the job done. His body felt like it was safe, but years of experience told him to always be aware of your surroundings just in case. Yelling was his first observation. Someone was yelling at another person about…. a crystal? He didn't understand. There was another sound, much closer than the first, a more soothing noise which kinda sounded like someone was humming a song? He liked this noise. Second, was the scent. Salt, from what he assumed was from both perspiration and tears. Why was someone crying? Last was touch, even though his body was over heating he could still make out what felt like a soft cushion below him. Or was it a bed? Was he in human world? Their were also two demons and two or three spirit signatures in the room. One of which was currently stroking his hair. He was also picking up on the emotions of fear, anxiety and panic. Don't ask how, just one of the benefits of being a demon he guessed. All in all, not a threat, and he soon fell back asleep to the smooth sensation of fingers in his hair.

The next time he woke up, the fire was still rampaging under his skin but his eyes managed to cooperated by opening into tiny slits. Through blurred vision, he could make out one tall figure with bright red hair standing above him with a hand out stretched toward him. A brief flare of panic rushed through him when he assumed the figure was Rando. But upon closer examination, Yusuke then noticed the eyes; green eyes. Kurama, his brain helpfully supplied. Safe. His body was apparently satisfied with that answer as he once again slipped into unconsciousness.

From then on it was a long period of touch and go on slight wakefulness. Mostly, he just woke while someone was feeding him and he'd accidentally choke. Other times it was when someone moved or picked him up. It seemed like his fever was going down but his body still needed time. So instead of fighting for consciousness, he let his body heal and fall asleep to either soft fingers in his hair or a warm body next to his own. It was nice.

Finally, after what felt like hours, or days knowing him; Yusuke opened his eyes into full awareness. The first thing he noticed was the familiar raised ceiling and baby yellow walls of Kurama's house. Like him, the kitsune moved out of his mothers house a few months ago. Having stashed a surprising amount of money for this three acre house and enough for his mother to retire early and comfortably with her new husband and step son. He'd stayed over enough times to recognize it. The second thing he noticed was the body sleeping next to his own on the bed. The short stature and head of raven spiked hair made him guess Hiei, but the close proximity and arm around his blanket covered waist made him do a double take. Maybe he was still dreaming?

"I see you're finally awake." A door closed to his left and Yusuke slowly turned his head to see Kurama walk in with a tray of what looked like soup. "Hiei, why didn't you tell me he woke up?" He asked, setting the tray down to his right and coming over to sit on the bed.

"He's only been awake for two and a half minutes." Retorted the apparently wide awake red eyed demon.

"Whahh…" Before Yusuke can reply with something along the lines of 'Were you watching me sleep? You creeper'. The sore state of his throat made itself known by instantly trying to cough up what felt like a lung but was more like gross mucus and saliva.

The two demons surprised him by quickly moving into action. Hiei used his demon strength to bring his body from supine to sitting in seconds while the kitsune went over to the tray and picked up the soup mixture. The fire demon propped his back with pillows as Kurama carefully brought over the mixture without spilling.

"Drink this, it will help." Kurama brought a spoonful of said liquid to his lips, and before he could protest about being able to feed himself, the red head went ahead and pressed the utensil past his slightly parted lips.

The liquid was a soothing balm against his aching throat and a welcome solution to his harsh coughing. The next few spoonfuls he received without complaint. When half the mixture had gone down his throat, and Kurama finally stopped shoveling it into his mouth, Yusuke finally braved a sentence.

"How long was I out?" His voice was a bit raspy form disuse but otherwise seemed safe enough to not suddenly start hacking anything else up.

"Two weeks." The red head stated without pause.

"Damn." Yusuke sighed. No longer surprised by his bodies long term habit of sleeping his injuries away for extended periods of time. "What happened?"

The other two demons gave each other a brief look of silent communication before answering. Hiei with a questioning look in his eyes and Kurama with a nod.

"How much do you remember?" The koorime asked.

"I…" He paused, gathering his thoughts. "The battle with Rando and…..I fell into the lake right?"

"Yes. Anything else?" Red eyes questioned.

"No…" The teen answered with worry in chocolate orbs. "What happened?" He asked again.

"After you fell into the water you released a massive amount of energy into the air. Which almost felt like…"

"Oh that's right!" He interrupted. Giving the koorime an apologetic look when he glared at him for interrupting. "I was trying to call the lake goddess for help. Seemed like a good idea at the time…. Did it work?" He asked, glancing too and from both demons.

"Mostly." The fox chuckled with mirth. Only Yusuke would try such an insane plan and it actually work.

The kitsune and koorime proceed to inform the detective of everything that happened in the past two weeks. Leaving the teen both shocked and guilty for how much he had unknowingly made the two suffer.

"Once we got you through the portal into spirit world, Hiei asked Koenma if we could use the snow crystal to cure your fever….."

"But the damned idiot refused saying 'we might need it later and we should only use it if the situation became more dire'. As if it wasn't already dire enough!" He cursed. "I was tempted to shove my mortal flame down his throat. See how he liked the heat."

"It was a very loud and colorful argument to say the least." Kurama laughed.

Yusuke laughed as well. Picturing the scene with a found smile. It was nice knowing two of the most powerful demons in the world cared so much for him. Even willing to risk harm by pissing off the Jr. god of death. The knowledge wasn't new, but it still surprised him none the less. What had he done to deserve such loyalty? Kurama he could kind of understand, but Hiei?

"I think I remember some of that. The yelling. Woke me up for a bit." He remarked. Choosing not to comment on the feeling of phantom fingers in his hair.

"Turned out Koenma was right. After they stabilized you, we moved you here." The fox finished.

"Huh…So other then the whole 'got possessed by a god thing'," Kinda reminded him of the time he possessed Kuwabara as a ghost, sending shivers up his spine. Did he ever apologize for that? "And the sickness. Did we ever find out about this person Rando was working for? Brendon, Bob, or Brian something?" He finished, struggling to hold in a yawn.

"Barry." Kurama helpfully supplied. "And no. We informed Koenma but apparently there are many people with that name in spirit world and he would need to complete an extensive background check before he could let us know for certain."

"Well that…. sucks." Yusuke replied, finally yawning halfway through. His energy was starting to drain and his eyes were growing heavy. "Anything else to report?"

"Everything else can wait. You need more rest." The red head noted. Sharing a look of agreement with the fire demon. "We'll discuss everything else when you next wake up."

To exhausted to argue, Yusuke simply nodded and closed his eyes. He was just about to fall into darkness when he felt two bodies settle closer to his own and the feeling of those lovely fingers running through his scalp once more.

'I could get use to that.' Was his last thought before succumbing to darkness.

*TBC*

*Authors Note: Oh my F-ing god. I'm so sorry this chapter has taken so long. To much going on with life. Thankfully it's starting to clear up some so hopefully I'll have the next and last chapter done soon. There is a sequel but it won't get written until I've written the majority of A Daring Night sequel and post my new supernatural Destiel story. Again I'm terribly sorry for the wait and the next chapter will be full of fun times and sexy times. I expect maybe two more chapters till the story is complete. Until then, TTFN!*