Arywnn: I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not… but I thank you for the review none the less ^_^

Pyro: Thanks! I'm glad someone got the reference. That part always makes me laugh.

This is going a little slower than I anticipated but here's a little more drama for all of you.

Disclaimer: This far into the fic I don't really think I need to explain that YYH isn't mine.

Hiei slowly began to ascend to consciousness. The first thing he became aware of was a rhythmic beat that resonated through his entire body. He took a quick inventory of his body, trying to ignore the delightful heat coming from his partner. None of his wounds were bleeding but his body ached and burned from the exhaustion and the injuries he had received. With a muted groan he slowly began to open his eyes only to be met with darkness. Confused he blinked rapidly and realized his face was buried tightly against his partners' neck.

"You're finally awake"

Hiei groaned lightly and pushed himself up. With a hiss he threw his hand up to block the blinding light that burned his eyes. He growled as he heard an amused chuckle from the fox underneath him. Leaves rustle and Hiei cautiously removed the hand that was protecting his eyes. He looked around to see braches huddle close together blocking the light.

"How long have I been out?"

Kurama shrugged and stretched his arms up working the kinks out of his shoulders. "It's about midday now." He answered casually as he skimmed his eyes over his sleepy partner. At his answer Hiei's ruby eyes widened.

"Why didn't you wake me sooner?" he growled in irritation

"I didn't see a need to. We both needed time to rest and I've had time to observe our unwanted companion."

Hiei snorted but made no move to leave his spot, only crossing his arms. "Unwanted? It was your idea to bring him along and mph!"

Firm but soft lips stopped him mid sentence. He narrowed his eyes but was only met with glittering gold. Kurama leaned back slightly and smirked "Really Hiei, we just woke up and you greet me with accusations. Wouldn't it be more pleasant to …" he trailed off as his hands wandered up Hiei's back suggestively.

Hiei smirked and leaned forward until their lips were inches away "It would be more pleasant if…" Hiei's lips brushed teasingly across the silver yoko's before leaning back and off Kurama "I can get all this dry blood off and fresh bandages."

Kurama blinked down at Hiei, who was now standing on the branch directly below his. With a huff that could pass as a laugh the silver fox shook his head and admitted to have been tricked. Standing he followed the quickly descending fire apparition. Once they landed on the ground Kurama snatched one of Hiei's wrists and pulled him back against his chest.

Hiei went willingly enough though he growled and mumbled half hearted protests. Kurama ignored it all and trailed one hand up Hie's bandaged chest to cup his chin and turned his head back to meet his lips. The small fire apparition closed his eyes and leaned back against his taller partner enjoying the feel of soft but firm lips. Kurama growled and nipped impatiently at Hiei's lips but the obstinate little fire demon refused to open his mouth.

Hiei was enjoying this way too much to allow Kurama easy access. The fox spirit growled deeper in his throat at the challenge and changed his attack strategy. One hand began a lazy trail from Hiei's hip down his thigh and back up again, his fingertips barely grazing Hiei's slowly hardening length with every upward motion. His other hand trailed up Hiei's face and into the thick hair at his nape where he grasped an handful and pulled back sharply, forcing the fire apparitions neck to arch.

Kurama's lips traced a path from Hiei's mouth down to his exposed neck; a trail of fire was left in his wake. Sharp bites were soothed by the yokos slightly rough tongue as he retraced his path back up to Hiei's waiting lips. He leaned backwards forcing Hiei to tilt his head back further and arch his body back.

He heard Hiei growl in frustration and purred a laugh when he felt impatient hands grasp his hair and pull down. He complied with Hiei's wish and slanted his mouth across the waiting one, his mind beginning to haze with the pleasure of Hiei pressed tightly against him, back beautifully arched to keep in contact. Hiei growled his pleasure and battled Yoko's skilled tongue for dominance.

Suddenly Kurama stiffened and pulled back. His nose twitched and he looked down as he felt and smelled blood. "Hiei?" he asked, alarm overshadowing his passion.

"It's nothing Fox"

Kurama released Hiei and spun the smaller demon around as he looked down. His tunic was wet with Hiei's blood. The bandages that covered the fire apparitions whole upper body was tinged with his crimson blood.

"Hiei! You're bleeding as bad as yesterdays! Why haven't your wounds healed yet?" he asked even as he began to rip the bandages off. "You always heal quickly, these should be mere scratches!"

Hiei tried to slap the hands away but stopped when he heard a distinct snarl that was anything but playful. Kurama could only stare at the wounds that should have been nearly healed by now. Because of Hiei's koorime heritage and his strong spiritual power Hiei's body healed itself faster than an average demon. The bruises he had sustained should have faded to a light purple and the smallest of the scratches either white scars that would disappear in time or completely healed. The deeper wounds where Makuro's sword had struck home should be healed over with healthy pink tissue if not close to being knitted together.

Instead the gashes looked as fresh as yesterday and every bruise was darker and beginning to spread. Kurama looked up slightly alarmed only to find Hiei with a mildly interested look on his face as he gave his body a critical exam. With a shrug the smaller demon began to use the old bandages as towels to mop up the blood from his re opened wounds.

"Nothing I haven't seen before, Fox. When my energy is low my healing slows down."

Yoko shook his head but didn't argue. He needed to get the wounds clean and rewrapped. He took hold of Hiei's bloody hand and pulled him gently closer even as he leaned forward. The silver fox claimed Hiei's lips with hunger and something more, emotions neither were willing to say out loud.

"I'll see you soon, Fire Baby"

Silver hair bled red and Youko ears retreated. Golden eyes changed to emerald but the glimmer of concern remained. "Hiei we need to get you to Yukina."

The smaller fire apparition shook his head and began to lead the concerned red head around the magnificent tree "No need, Kurama. I'll heal soon enough on my own. I just need to finish resting."

They reached the front and Hiei stared at the prison Fumio was in. He cast a questioning glance at Kurama who only shrugged. The roots and vines had expanded giving the elder demon room to stand and stretch. Hiei snorted and waited while Kurama called down their packs. Trust the fox to be polite even to an enemy. And yet for some reason Hiei still couldn't convince himself Fumio was an enemy. A nuisance and a liar but not an enemy.

Kurama began to riffle through the packs looking for the extra bandages he had asked for. He motioned for Hiei to sit as he knelt behind the aggravated fire demon. He cast a glance at Fumio who was sitting serenely, eyes closed in meditation.

"Just do it, Fox" Hiei growled not even bothering to turn around. With a small quirk of his lips Kurama withdrew his little cage and thanked the plants that had held the calm fire demon. Fumio opened his eyes and stared steadily at Kurama. He nodded his thanks and slowly rose to his feet.

Hiei tensed but made no move to get up or reach for his katana. Fumio respectfully stopped a couple feet away and once more resumed a seat, eyeing Kurama curiously but with no ill intent. The red head could see the grey haired demon from the corner of his eye but his main concern was Hiei. The wounds were not life threatening, as Makuro had purposefully avoided any vital points, though to keep appearance she had chosen areas that would bleed freely and if not taken care of properly could lead to death.

Quickly he began to mix a pollution that he could place on Hiei's wounds. As he worked the silence between them grew and became oppressing.

"How did you come to work under Makuro, Fumio-san?"

The older demon did not appear surprised and the red head doubted much of anything ever shocked, or even interested the jaded and weary demon.

"I had been gone for a very long time, deep in the Forest of Mist when I decided it was time to start my search again. I began to travel and started hearing rumors. I wanted to confirm so I came here, to Alaric."

If Kurama had been in his Yoko form, his silver ears would have been perked up. "The Forest of Mist? You mean you actually lived there? It's quite uninhabitable and a strange place to be looking for the son of your bond brother"

A glimmer of amusement crossed the faded eyes "Indeed I did, young one." Fumio glanced briefly at Hiei when the small fire apparition snorted. Kurama slapped Hiei's arm gently but there was a small smile on his lips.

Green eyes focused on the older demon with a glimmer of curiosity even as his hands deftly began to re-bandage Hiei's wounds, the sticky yellow pollute already applied. It was apparent they had gone through this ritual time and again as Hiei leaned to one side or raised his arms without any cues from his taller partner.

"I was actually looking for the Vanishing Island, you see when I happened to stumble across the Forest. An impossibility, I know, but one day I was wandering the Plains of Hettou and the next I found myself surrounded by mist." a small chuckle left his lips "Of course I will admit I wandered the Forest lost for a time."

Before Kurama could ask any more questions a soft cry reached his ears. He stood hurriedly and listened closely to the whispering trees, as they tried to warn him of danger. Abruptly they were silenced. The red head tensed in anticipation even as he reached for his weapon. He strained his senses to find any form of ki heading their way but felt none.

Fumio and Hiei had taken their cue from him and stood next to him. The half koorime stood next to Kurama his gaze darting through the forest even as he kept the older fire apparition in his sight and within easy reach of his katana should he make a threatening move.

"Hiei can you sense anything?"

"Nothing. What's wrong, Kurama?"

The red head shook his head, even as he tried to gather information from the plants around him, but he got no response. Someone else was out there hunting them, and they had enough power to control their surroundings.

"Hiei try scanning with your Jagan. We need to get out of here quickly. I don't like the feel of this."

"What the hell are you talking about, Fox?"

A sinking feeling went through Kurama as he turned to face his partner. The small jaganshi was looking at him in confusion as he held his katana ready, eyes skimming from the forest back to the red head.

"Hiei?"

The small fire apparition looked at him with impatience "What Jagan, you stupid fox?" as the words passed his lips a strange crossed his face, only to be transformed into anger. Before Kurama could speak Hiei reached a hand up and ran it across the ward containing the Jagan. A ragged groan was ripped from Hiei's mouth as he fell to his knees, his hand pressing against his head as the purple eye burned through the ward.

A hoard of low level demons came pouring out of the forest just as Kurama reached a hand to Hiei. His eyes turned flat and he raised his ki, six feet plus of pissed of Yoko Kurama stood before Hiei's kneeled form a deadly whip in each hand. He spared a brief glance at the tall demon that took a stand a few feet away from him but close enough to cover Hie.

The grey haired demon looked over and gave a feral grin. "Good to see you again, lad. Even better is knowing that you are the one for Takeo's boy."

"I still haven't decided where you stand."

Fumio nodded "A fool, you would be if you didn't think like that. Now what is your plan to get out of this little predicament?"

Kurama's predatory grin only widened "We kill them all" he answered simply

The older demon barked out a laugh "Sounds like an excellent idea"

Kurama was momentarily distracted when he heard Hiei's moan of pain. Red eyes glittered up at him, but they were unseeing. Before he could think of anything to do the swarms of demons were upon them. Kurama began to decimate them without mercy. Blood arched and body parts flew but Kurama did not give an inch, protecting Hiei with a fierceness that gave Fumio pause.

His gaze darted between the two before a knowing light came into his eyes. With newfound determination the grey haired demon began to cut down demons with the whip he had created out of fire.

Kurama could hear Hiei panting in pain but could not spare him a glance. Though low leveled and easily disposed of the numbers were overwhelming. Just as he was about to unleash one of his pets a high spiritual signature made itself known. Demons began to disappear from the back as angry cries and screams of pain began to join the cacophony.

A path was cleared from the back as Yusuke made his way to the middle with Kuwabara right behind him. The brown eyed man took one glance at Hiei and his eyes burned with fury. He quickly took up position to guard Hiei's back.

"Shot Gun! What the hell is going on Kurama? And what is this old fart doing here?"

Before he could answer Hiei's energy skyrocketed. With a silent curse Kurama turned to look over at Hiei trusting his friends to watch their backs. Hiei was still kneeling but his katana was embedded into the ground, acting as a crutch for his body. The fingers of his free hand were buried in the back of his neck, blood flowing steadily down his neck and into the fresh bandages around his upper body.

"Hiei don't!" he cried as he reached for the fire apparition. He jumped back when the katana swung in an arc towards him. Hiei's eyes were glazed over and staring back at him was the other entity within Hiei. Blinking rapidly the half koorime planted the sword back into the ground again as his hand slid an inch deeper into his neck.

"Just a little more. Have to get it out."

Kurama leapt forward and caught Hiei's hand before he could swing the katana again. Forcing the surprisingly weak arm down he took hold of Hiei's other arm and began to slowly retract it from the smaller demons neck. He was shocked when Hiei began to fight him, his arm straining to go back down as he continued his litany. "Out. Need it out. Just a little more"

"Hiei! Stop this!"

Yoko clenched his teeth and pulled upwards, jerking the hand free of Hiei's neck and felt his gut wrench when a spray of Hiei's hot blood landed across his already drenched chest. He looked down briefly when he felt the blood begin to heat. He was startled to feel his insides warm as well as if answering a call. He quickly dismissed it as the strange phenomenon was gone in an instant.

"Talk to me Fox Boy"

He spared a glance at Yusuke who was blasting any demon that came close to them, Kuwabara valiantly defending him on the other side even as Fumio did the same.

"We need to get out of here. We need to go back to the Ningenkai. Now!"

"Well no shit, Sherlock but Watson wants to know how."

"Where did you cross?"

Yusuke glanced at Kurama and swallowed any sarcastic remark. The demon was kneeling with Hiei pressed against his chest with a large yellow leaf pressed against the open wound Hiei had inflicted on himself. Blood drenched both demons and Kurama's eyes promised swift if painful death to any fool that stood in his way.

"Back in my territory. According to Botan there should be a gate near here we can access. I'm not sure if we can all pass with such high energy."

Kurama shook his head and lifted a limp Hiei in his arms. "That won't be a problem. I can mask my energy and Hiei's isn't as high as it normally is." Yusuke nodded and glanced at the bags at Kurama's feet.

"We gonna be needing those?"

Kurama nodded and Yusuke did a quick spin catching four of them in one swipe. "Yo Kuwa!" he called. The tall human looked over in time to catch the packs heading his way. With an exasperated groan he shrugged them on quickly and resumed the never ending battle of cutting down the lesser demons.

"Where the hell did all these ugly bastards come from?"

Kurama paid no attention as his mind tried to find an alternative to what he was thinking. With a sigh he realized there was no other way. "Kuwabara I need you to go on ahead to Genkai's and secure the place for our arrival."

The loud punk turned to argue when he saw the taller demon. He glanced from Yoko and Hiei to the deadly demon fighting next to him and nodded his head. "I'll just need to clear a path. Don't worry I know a safe place."

Trusting he understood his message Yoko nodded. "Yusuke you and I need to make sure no one follows us."

The young Mazoku grinned as his hair grew and his demon marking appeared "I thought you'd never ask me for this dance. And their playing our song."

"If it's a path you want you might want to stand behind me boys." With that small warning Fumio closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His skin began turn a shade darker and maroon markings appeared across his face. He opened his eyes and cupped a hand over his mouth, with a small wink a long stream of fire erupted from between his fingers.

The fire undulated like a whip and began to burn the demons down, he began to turn slightly, the fire never ceasing as it trailed behind him like a giant tail of fire. Kuwabara took his cue and made a dash for the forest, his eyes still wide and mouth not quite closed at the raw display of power.

Yusuke whooped as he ran behind Kuwabra firing a random shot at any suicidal demon that tried to go after the orange haired human. Fumio released the fire and fell to his knees. His breathing was labored and his skin ashen.

"Fumio?"

The older man wheezed and waved a shaking hand. Taking in gulps of breath he tried to stand only to fall. He felt a strong hand grasp his arm and turned to see brown eyes framed by a wild matt of hair. Fumio allowed the young Lord to help him up.

"Too fucking old for this crap." He managed to squeeze out between pants "Learned in Forest of Mist. Go on now."

Yoko nodded and cradled Hiei over one arm, thankful his partner was much smaller than him. He lifted one of the heavy packs onto his free shoulder and held his whip in his free hand. Yusuke placed one of Fumio's arms over his shoulder and handed the trembling demon the lightest pack.

The grey haired demon looked at Kurama in surprise as they began to walk into the forest Kuwabara had disappeared into. As they passed the forest line Kurama tossed a seed behind his shoulder and the ground erupted with thick man size stalks. As a demon attempted to rush past it, a thorn erupted from the center and impaled the demon before drawing it. Once the demon had been consumed the plant gained an inch in height.

"You have one nasty temper Kurama. Remind me not to get you pissed. You have a tendency to turn your enemy's into plant food in the most excruciating way."

As they made their way deeper into the forest a rustling sound made them pause. Kurama tensed and crouched down low, motioning to Yusuke and Fumio to do the same. Low growling resonated through the forest and the leaves began to shiver around them.

Kurama hissed his challenge and was instantly met with an answer. A small missile sailed through the branches to land innocently at Kurama's feet. With a snarl Kurama kicked the bundle to the side and stared.

Nestled in a blue silk sash he recognized as his own from a long time ago were two items.

A scarf with a small silver fox Kurama had bought Hiei and a Foxbane flower inside a glass box.

"Kane" Kurama hissed out in anger.

A soft tinkling laugh resonated across the forest before everything went silent once more.

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