E.H.:

Ugh, work sucks sometimes. What sucks more is practically no sleep and then work. I am looking forward to sleeping on my nice snuggly, comfy futon mattress again and not on that stupid deflating air mattress of hell. (Long story made short: found mold on futon, had to use air mattress, found out air mattress has tiny holes courtesy of kitten and deflates overnight now, cleaned futon today after work…futon sleep=yay!)

Thanks for all those great reviews! You guys really made my day when I read them. SakiHanajima1, Kunoichi Chaos, Juliedoo, and Mizz Ri thank you so much for the reviews! I may have another update tomorrow. My hubby's getting his Colonial Marines video game tomorrow so…computer is mine! Mwahaha! But just as a head's up, Wednesday there will be no updates! It's my 24th b-day and I will not be in!

So, without any more rambling on my end, here you go!

Fate is Coldness Incarnate

Shiyu climbed off Yusuke's back, feeling a little sick. She could keep up with him to some extent, but after a while…she just couldn't do it. Yusuke helped her down with a grin.

"Too fast?"

She punched his shoulder, unamused. She took a few deep breaths. "Shut…up…"

"Hey! You could be ridin' with Hiei! He's worse!"

"I know!" She snapped.

Chu plopped down with a jug of booze and drank a large swig. Shiyu settled beside Yusuke with a deep sigh. She looked around and spotted Hiei in the trees. He dropped down beside her and shot Yusuke a slight glare before offering her his hand. She took it and nearly regretted it as she was instantly in the tree with Hiei. He settled against the trunk and pulled her snugly against his chest. She sighed and closed her eyes trying to swallow the wave of nausea impressing upon her. She'd lost count of the days by now. They were certainly pressing a lot faster and harder than she'd ever seen them work before. Even Yusuke was exhausted. That was a feat she'd rarely seen. She was about to ask Hiei when she spotted Kurama walking a little away from the group. His eyes looked haunted; distressed. Her heart hurt for him. Until this trip, she'd never seen his emotions so clearly. Sure, she'd seen the flirtations between the two; but this? Kurama was broken in such a way one could only get when they had fallen. She should know; she was currently snuggled in tightly against the one to blame for her heart's condition.

"He'll be fine." Hiei sighed in her ear.

"Are you sure?"

"Kurama is strong."

"So are you." She pointed out, looking over her shoulder at him. "What would you do in his position?"

"Kill them all." He answered without hesitation. "And I did."

She snorted. "You didn't know you were…emotionally attached to me at the time."

"Hn."

"Hiei, I've never seen Kurama so…torn apart."

"I have." Hiei grunted, leaning back further.

"What?"

"There was a girl in his youth he cared a great deal for. She got involved needlessly and Kurama erased her memories."

"But did he love her?"

Hiei gave her an odd look. He looked down to where Kurama stood, staring off into the dark wooded area. "No."

"That…is the difference." Shiyu sighed, leaning back.

"You are too sentimental."

Shiyu snorted and turned onto her side; amused by the way he protectively lifted his arms to keep her from falling. She fell asleep quickly.

…..

Kurama ignored the conversation his fox senses could hear from here. Hiei knew that he could hear them; Shiyu did not. He couldn't be upset with them however. He'd been guilty of the same about Hiei when they'd gone to save Shiyu. He leaned against the tree beside him. He'd thought over his feelings for Inabi a great deal before the incident. When he'd seen her face in the garden on Valentine's day…she'd been so unguarded. Her emotions had been so clear as she looked at him. She didn't have to say it for him to realize her sentiments toward him. He closed his eyes as a wave of pain washed over him. He should have told her then…clearly, how his heart felt toward her. Regret filled him.

"We will get our female back." Yoko spoke clearly. Kurama closed his eyes and fell into his half-meditative state to speak with his other side face to face.

'She has a name, Yoko.'

"I am aware." The fox demon leaned against nothingness as he would have a tree trunk. Kurama moved to sit upon the nothingness as if there were a boulder conveniently there. Crossing his arms and legs, he frowned into the darkness while his golden-eyed alter-ego stood silently.

'If we lose her…'

"It is not an option."

'And if I do?' Kurama's green gaze lifted to his others golden one.

"You belittle our power. If you begin to fail, I will merely take over."

'My energy may not be strong enough to summon you forth.'

Yoko growled and rolled his eyes. "Pessimism is not becoming of you. We are going to succeed. If we arrive to a dead female, there will be hell to pay. Why must you be so sentimental?"

'It is what has kept us alive in this world.'

"She changed you."

'Yes. She did. She changed us.'

Yoko looked away to hide the indignation in his eyes. Kurama already knew his other self would never admit to such. "Suuichi…"

'Hm?'

"You chose well for us."

Kurama arched an eyebrow at that. 'Now who is sentimental?'

A wry smirk played over his alter-ego's lips. "Don't make me regret letting you handle this."

'Indeed.' Yoko faded from his mind as he stood.

Kurama's eyes opened up as he stared off into space. He turned and moved back to the camp. Touya, Hiei, and himself were the only ones left awake.

"Who will take the first watch?" He asked as he sat.

"I will. I did not overexert myself like some." Touya stated with a pointed look at Chu and Jin.

Kurama nodded. "Then I will turn in. Wake me when you tire and I will take the next shift."

Touya nodded curtly before Kurama stood and walked to a set of roots. He settled between them and closed his eyes. Within moments he was asleep and drifting in dream land.

…..

He stood in a large room; a small platform held him above a large pit of angry demons. His eyebrow lifted at the sight before he caught sight of the familiar white tresses. He crossed the platform to her and knelt beside her. His eyes searched her for any injuries and found her just as he knew her to be. An odd white, open backed gown wrapped around her frame. Her hair partly concealed a very detailed white tattoo marking of a dragon bending about as if in flight. He reached out and touched her arm.

"Inabi…"

She turned, shock on her face. It then melted to anger and frustration. "What? Have you come to torture me with his face again?"

Kurama felt confusion as he shook his head. "What do you mean by that?"

She shrugged his touch off. "Unless you are him, do not touch me, filth. At least here I should have the peace to know it is him and not some pretend façade."

Kurama sat back not understanding. He sighed and sat on the edge, beside her. He dangled his feet over the damned creatures below. "What are they?"

Inabi snorted and amused him with an answer. "They are starved demons. The ones that my cage hangs over."

Kurama's head snapped up in surprise. "What cage?"

She pointed and he followed her finger. A cage hung over the beasts, empty and swaying precariously by a dilapidated rope. "That one. I will amuse you for this time. It is the one I am kept in while I am not trying to get out of here. This is my only escape; you cannot take it from me."

"Why would I take such a release from you?"

She turned to look at him sadly. "Please stop. Even this is too cruel."

He grew frustrated with her and moved to grab her face in both hands. "Inabi, what are you talking about? Do you really not think this is me? Do you really need me to prove it you?"

"If you can." She answered doubtfully. The pain in her voice tore at him.

"I am Kurama. You know me by that name as well as Suuichi and Yoko. You made chocolates for me with flowers upon them; I planted plum trees in remembrance of your parents." He trailed off trying to think of anything else that couldn't be mistaken.

"What did you think of my chocolates?"

He smiled softly. "They were wonderful."

"You hated them."

"No, I did not. I ate them because you made them."

Tears gathered in her eyes as she watched him. "What was the last thing I said to you before we were attacked in the garden?"

He pressed his forehead against hers gently. "You said…that I may have to spell it out for you because you thought you were too afraid to ask to be certain."

The tears fell as she threw her arms around him. "It is you."

"How could you ever doubt I'd come for you?"

"I do not…know what to believe anymore…" Her voice trembled as she spoke past the tears.

"Believe in me." He pulled back and softly kissed her nose. "Believe in the truth that I will always come for you."

She nodded weakly, wiping her tears away. "I will."

He ran his fingers through her hair, tucking a few strands behind her ear. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers in what was meant to be a chaste kiss. She turned and buried her hands into his hair; the action sent Kurama over the edge of control. He deepened the kiss as their tongues warred in a dance of dominance. He took a small amount of pride in the fact that he won. Her blood raced through her veins under his hands as her held her close. They pulled apart to breathe.

"This…is the sweetest dream I have had this entire time." She sighed. Kurama's face fell at that. He stared into her eyes.

"Dream? You…but I am…" She began to fade from him. "Inabi!'

"Kurama!" His hand slid right through her figure. He tried to grab her again only to fall forward onto his side. She was gone. He yelled out a curse and pounded his fist against the platform. The surroundings changed so suddenly that he nearly didn't notice.

He lifted his hand and held a few strands of her hair, the only thing that remained with him. "I'm coming for you." He clutched the hair tightly in his fist.

…..

He ran his fingers through her hair, tucking a few strands behind her ear. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers in what was meant to be a chaste kiss. She turned and buried her hands into his hair; she felt him lose his restraint. He deepened the kiss as their tongues warred in a dance of dominance. She gave in to him and allowed him to take control of the kiss. Her blood raced through her veins under his hands as her held her close. They pulled apart to breathe.

"This…is the sweetest dream I have had this entire time." She sighed. She wanted to stay here forever. It wasn't like the other dreams where Kasaru interrupted them or even donned Kurama's face.

"Dream? You…but I am…" He started. She looked up in curiosity only to watch him begin to fade away from her. She clenched her hands in his hair as he seemed to be having the same issue. "Inabi!'

"Kurama!" Her clenched fists fell right through him as he faded further. She cried out and tried to reach for him again only to watch him disappear. She stood and spun in a full circle trying to find him. She cried his name again and again but to no avail. She raised her hands up toward her face shakily. As they neared her face, she halted. In her hands were strands of blood-red hair. She stared at them and closed her eyes, holding them over her heart.

…..

She woke with a start, looking around. She blinked and looked down at her hands, clenched over her heart. In her hands…were red strands of hair. Her eyes widened as she stared at the familiar red. She…the dream…it…

"…was real…" She whispered barely loud enough for herself to hear. Somehow, they'd connected through their dreams. But, how was that possible? She wasn't a psychic type demon; she wasn't… She turned and looked into the cage next to her. Purple and ash colored irises met her gaze. "Kouta…did you?"

He nodded once.

"But how?"

"A little talent I found I had." He stated. "I have no one to reach out to, but you do."

"You…thank you." She stated softly with a sad smile. "He said he is coming."

"Good. I hate this stupid cage."

The gears began to groan loudly as her cage raised again. She moved to her knees and clenched the bars. "No!" She watched as Kouta's cage grew farther away from hers. The cage came to a stop at the cursed platform. The large demon opened her cage and motioned her out. She moved out and glanced back down toward Kouta's.

"Come on, wench." The giant grunted, shoving her toward the hallway. A plan began to formulate in her head.

"I am coming, no need to shove." She replied. He led her all the way to Kasaru's door. Once the door opened she stepped inside and turned back. Sarcasm dripped from her tongue. "Why thank you for being so gentlemanly."

The giant laughed and slammed the door behind him. She turned and looked to where Kasaru generally was. He was nowhere in sight. She frowned and looked completely around. She moved over to his desk and glanced around once more to be sure he truly was gone. She moved quickly to open a drawer. She shuffled through some papers and muttered an oath under her breath. Nothing. She went through a few other drawers and slammed them shut in irritation. Of course he'd not keep anything in here. She paused and looked at the leg of the desk. There was a small crack that didn't match up with the grain of the wood. She dug her nails into it a popped it open. A key clambered to the floor. She snagged it up and shoved it into her boot before replacing the chamber.

"If you're going to steal that key, you may as well put it somewhere far more amusing to search through."

She spun and nearly made a noise of surprise. Kasaru leaned against a doorway that she'd never noticed before, watching her. He chuckled and pushed away from the doorframe, hitting the wall twice. The door slid shut; but not before she caught of glimpse of a female leg on the floor. She stepped backwards and rounded the desk to put distance between them.

"What was that?" She nodded toward the door. She couldn't keep the fear from creeping into her tone.

"Nothing you must concern yourself over."

"What was that?!"

He paused and his smile actually dropped for a moment. It returned with ten times more maliciousness. "A man has needs, Inabi. Unless you wish to offer me that solace yourself…" He stepped closer; she moved farther away.

He chuckled at her as they continued their impromptu dance around the room.

"Never would I offer that to you."

"Ah, but you would offer it to another demon?"

"You are not the kind of demon I would consider worth my time."

"Ouch, that nearly hurt." He feigned a hurt expression.

"Why do you keep calling upon me? You know I will not change my mind."

He paused to muse. "Call it a…curiosity. How did you block me from your dreams last night, Inabi?"

She froze. She regretted it as he moved quickly. She dodged him just in time but tripped over his outstretched foot. She caught herself and rolled to her feet; and directly into Kasaru's arms. She threw her knee into his groin and was rather satisfied as he groaned and crumbled. She used him to vault over and away from him. She ran to the opposite side of the room and prepared herself for anything.

He recovered and stood, glaring at her. "That was a very stupid mistake. Now you are going to suffer."

The door moved open as the giant allowed three hooded figures in. Kasaru turned and glared at them.

"I did not call for you."

The shortest of the three bowed. "My sincerest apologies, my lord. But there is a large group of demons heading into the cavern."

Nabi looked at Miro as she rose. Miro turned and looked at her with a blank expression before she turned away from Nabi. Kasaru frowned and leaned on his desk. His eyes narrowed on Nabi.

"I assume they are your friends?"

"Why would I tell you even if I knew for certain?"

"My lord, do you wish to have this scum removed?" Miro asked without looking in her direction.

"No. Leave her. I've decided my use for her after all." He stood straight. "Allow these intruders close. Then ambush them with the lowest class demons we have. We will see what their powers are and then adjust our approach accordingly."

"As you wish, my lord." Miro bowed before turning to leave. She cast a disgusted look at Nabi before exiting.

"Higo," Kasaru addressed the giant. "Have her prepped for the blood-bank."

Higo paused and glanced at Nabi. She couldn't believe what she saw in the giant's eyes. He looked…upset. "My lord, are you sure there aren't any better uses for her?"

"Did I give you an order?" Kasaru snarled.

Higo looked at him and nodded. "Yes, my lord."

"I didn't hire you to question my judgments; I hired you to carry them out. Now do as I command."

Higo bowed, though begrudgingly. "Yes…my lord."

Nabi glared at Kasaru. "You are a bastard of the lowest kind." She walked willingly to Higo's side. "I much rather take my chances with Higo-san."

Kasaru's face contorted into anger. Higo grimaced and pulled her from the room, quickly slamming the door. He turned to her and stared at her like she was insane.

"Are you daft, wench?"

"No. Are you?"

"Kasaru-sama can kill you in mere moments."

"And you could kill him in mere moments if you would just stop whimpering like a kicked pup every time he looked at you."

Higo rolled his eyes instead of getting angry. "I've been there before, wench. There is a reason I serve him. He brought me and my entire clan to our knees in a few minutes time. Now come on…we have a place to go."

"What is the blood bank?"

"Have you heard of a harem?" Her eyes widened. Higo nodded. "Now, imagine having your blood sucked every other day."

She shivered, closing her eyes. "How long…do I have?"

Higo sighed. "You can tell your buddy goodbye in the cages. But that's all the time I can spare."

…..

Kurama saw it, in the distance. It was…rather obvious if one knew what they were looking for. As they neared the destination; hordes of demons came rushing out at them. He predicted as much and already planned ahead. During their morning, he'd made sure everyone knew not to use too many large attacks. Their biggest ally at this point was to keep the element of surprise. The low class demons were easy to take on and soon they were standing in mounds of dead demons. Even Shiyu looked around annoyed by how easy it had seemed. So he'd predicted accurately. They sent the weak ones to test them.

"Yusuke." He turned and found the spirit detective standing on a pile of bodies. He faltered for a moment at the sight of the half-breed, jumping up and down on the front of his feet with a twisted grin on his face. The mazoku half-demon looked up at the sound of his name and blinked innocently.

"Yeah?"

Kurama shook his head to clear his thoughts again. "It is imperative that you keep the extent of your power hidden until absolutely necessary. I have a feeling Hiei, you, and myself will be needed at our highest strength to face this Kasaru."

Shiyu glanced over with a raised brow. "So what? I'm chopped liver now?"

"No, Shiyu. I merely wish for you to stay the farthest back for your safety and…" Kurama looked pointedly at her stomach. She glared and covered her abdomen with both hands.

"We will be fine." She huffed.

"Then're we blokes ta be the first cavalry then, mate?" Chu asked, looking at Yusuke with a highly amused grin.

"No ways I be missin' out on all the fun, s'what I say!" Jin hovered excitedly over the ground.

"As long as I don't have to lower myself anymore by fighting such low life imbeciles anymore, I'm for it." Sazuka stated, sneering at the dead bodies as if they would infect him.

Shiyu smirked evilly. "What? Afraid of a little blood stain or breaking a nail?"

Sazuka shot her the vilest glare he could. "Little vermin girls like you should never be seen or heard."

"Little prissy boys like you should never be allowed in society." She shot back.

Kurama pinched the bridge of his nose. "Enough. We have plenty to worry about without you two bickering needlessly. Let's move on."

…..

Higo had done as promised. He led her to the cages and brought up Kouta's. She knelt on the platform and reached her hands into the bars. Her true reason was the fact that for some reason, Kasaru hadn't taken the key from her. She half-wondered if he'd forgotten in his raging tantrum; however she knew better than to have such false hope. She slid the key into Kouta's hand discretely while locking eyes with him. She lowered her voice to the point where she knew only Kouta would hear her.

"I do not know when I will have the chance; but I will make sure to free you. I swear it upon my mother and father."

Kouta stared back at her and held her hands. "Don't make a promise you don't know you can keep. If all goes to hell, leave me and get the hell out of here."

"I cannot do that."

Kouta smirked. "Of course you can, Inabi. You'd want me to do the same if our roles were reversed."

Higo stepped up and grabbed her shoulder.

"Come on, wench. Time to go." Higo took her down a new corridor. He paused at a large stone door. Nabi looked up at him and felt her stomach drop. His face was clearly upset and displeased. He put his hand against the door and glanced down at her. "Do me a favor, wench. Don't die."

She stiffened at the words, looking back at the door. "Why would you care?"

"…you remind me of my sister. Spitfire and too damned stubborn for her own good." Higo shoved the door open. He nodded to the interior.

Nabi didn't want to go; she wanted to be defiant and rebel. However, two guards grabbed her quickly and hauled her inside. The door slammed between Higo and herself. She didn't even get the chance to at least say goodbye or anything as she was thrown into a side room. Women were instantly around her, tearing at her clothes. She fought back not liking the way things had gone; one of the guards moved forward. He stabbed a pronged item into her side. A searing jolt of electricity dropped her with a scream. As she spasmed on the floor, the women finished stripping her down her nothing. They threw a white fabric sheath gown on her. The fabric wrapped up and around her neck like halter while it left her entire back bare to the very lowest part of her back. Cuffs and a collar that were energy restraints were clamped over her throat and wrists as well as her ankles. The cage suddenly didn't seem so oppressive and confined now. The cuffs felt far more contained than the bars ever had. She could feel her weakened energy straining against the cuffs and her skin. The guards, now satisfied that she was contained, left her in the sea of blank eyed women. Each woman had marks on their wrists and elbow joints from blood-letting. A few of the females were lying face down at the edges of the oversized room; they were either dying or dead. When Nabi could move without feeling tremors of electricity zinging through her, she crawled to a wall for support. She pulled herself to a stand, leaning heavily on the wall. She nearly tripped over someone next to her. Her eyes flickered down; a gasp lodged in her throat. She gazed into a set of glassy, dead eyes. That however is not what made her blood freeze in horror. On the woman's neck was a deep bite wound. She'd been marked…undoubtedly by Kasaru. The woman was demon; Kasaru was human. He'd marked her as his slave and thus poisoned her.

Her hand unconsciously flew to her throat and she stared at the demon woman. She began to tremble; her eyes moved around the room. As she found each dead woman, they all had something in common. Their necks were all marked. He knew his bite was like a venomous snake bite to humans. His energy was not only unique but because of its difference in nature was extremely potent and deadly. She closed her eyes and did something she hadn't done since she was a small child; she prayed.

…..

Kurama killed the last of the demons that had attacked in the second swarm. His green eyes returned to glare up at the fortress that was now before them. He registered Hiei's presence next to him. He glanced at the fire demon; crimson eyes were turned to the side to look at him. Hiei didn't have to use words to get his point across. Kurama nodded and moved forward toward the entrance. As they neared, shaded figures solidified in the archway before stepping out. An animalistic growl grew within his throat as he recognized the hoods as the same people who'd attacked the temple and took Nabi in the first place. The short one; he recognized that one the most among the others as the same problematic demon that had carried Nabi away. He cracked his whip as he settled into a fighting stance.

"Fight whoever you please, but I am taking on the short one." Kurama stated as his eyes flashed golden for a brief moment. The cold, emotionless killer within was sliding to the surface while he prepared to take on this demon.

The demon spoke in an obviously feminine voice as she ordered the others to attack. She dropped her hood and stared at Kurama pointedly. He fought the urge to cringe at the sight of the horrendous scarring and disfiguration to what would have at one point been considered a fairly pretty face. She raised her hands and encased them with energy.

"You will die before you face Kasaru-sama."

"Perhaps you are confused." Kurama replied smoothly. "For it is you whose grave will be dug here this night."

Writing the dream sequence in this chapter between the two of them was probably my most favorite romance scene yet. I know they didn't do much but it just seemed…symbolic as I wrote it. I promise our lovebirds will be reunited! Just can't promise when!

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and can't wait to hear what you have to say about it!

Erika Hearken