Inuyasha YuYu Hakusho Crossover 1 Chapter 14

Healing Soul Chapter 14: Kurama Consults

"To what do I owe the honor, fox."

It had not been all that difficult for Kurama to track down the location of the mobile battle fortress on its progression along the Makai-Ningenkai 'border' of sorts. Despite what the general populous believed there was communication between plants over vast distances and even planes, and they were quick to tell him where their fellow brethren fell before the centipede fortress at Kurama's gentle query. It was both sadness and boon.

Kurama smiled faintly at the terse welcome of his teammate and friend. He could see how Hiei held himself with an air of being at ease that he had not carried before the Makai Tournament. It was refreshing to encounter. "Greetings to you too, Hiei. I'm glad to see you well. Of course I'm certain you knew already this is not purely a social call."

The shorter fire apparition made no attempt to hide the roll of his eyes. Sometimes the fox avatar talked too much. 'Probably came from being shoved into that human shell of his too long.' "Since I'm not feeling overly social why not quickly get to the point of this visit."

"Ah. Yes. Well I was wondering if you knew whether a particular wolf youkai tribe still made their home in Raizen-sama's former territory."

A black brow arched high, nearly disappearing beneath the white headband covering the Jaganshi's forehead. 'I should be beyond wondering how the fox knows things. But is it coincidence?' "That's a rather far-fetched request."

The redhead smirked softly. "Perhaps not so obscure, if you knew more of the mystery that guided me to this lead."

Large white eyes surrounding small red irises narrowed and blinked. 'I know this scent… the one that clings to him. And the energies that circle and weave with his. Kurama has met that miko. So the fox's curiosity has been snared, hn. That means… he suspects the wolf lord is involved. Interesting. Does he know he has been caught by her as well?' "Hn. Whatever. Kouga and his flea-bitten wolves are still there. Ran across them after a spike of high level energy was picked up by our sensors. Looked like he'd recently been in a massive one-on-one battle but whoever or whatever he was fighting was already long gone by the time we got there. Not even a scent, and the wolves are all shielded from my Jagan past anything but a headcount."

'Really? Now that is news. Best not press Hiei on the matter of his Jagan Eye's limitations. Though not as imperative as when he could not locate his sister I have no wish to instigate his temper. There is too much to learn. I will look into the matter of what shields the wolf-pack from another angle, presenting my findings to Hiei as a peace offering for the other things I am likely to irritate him with by asking about today.' "Intriguing. Do you think they ceased to battle prematurely sensing your arrival?"

Hiei scowled deeply. That was exactly what he thought, both then and now. It was why he offered the added information to Kurama voluntarily –inadvertently hoping to gain the kitsune's intellectual take on the matter. "What do you think?"

Red hair shifted making soft sounds of motion as the avatar nodded thoughtfully, one hand curved and cupping his chin while the other held that elbow aloft. Hiei was already irritated so a preemptive peace offering would not be amiss. Besides, Kurama had intended to share the information with him eventually and doing so now would likely lead to reciprocation. "I know that the wolf-pack has friends that are not wolves but of whom they protect the identities almost more than their own pack. A kit visits who is never named, whose scent was often touched with dog but nothing distinguishable. A misplaced 'sister' spoken of in hushed whispers filled with reverence and longing who though part of the pack is not wolf, or even canine. Unnamed allies, possibly the same as their friends, who migrated to the Makai from Ningenkai almost at the same time. It is perhaps one of these who was the mysterious sparring partner of Kouga-sama." 'Is it possible… the wolves' kit and Kagome's kit are one and the same? The pieces hint that it is so… but rationally I cannot see how this can be. I cannot quite recall the scent to compare… and it is likely the one I met last night's scent changed enough when he mated that I would be unable to place it even should he be the same kitsune. I want to think it is similar… but I cannot be certain. I suppose it depends when he mated. An illusionist with the skills of the one I met last night would be able to hold onto a previous scent should he wish regardless. Perhaps I am looking too close for ties… but I will not disregard the possibility.'

"And how do you know this, Fox?"

Kurama shrugged gently. "I would sometimes become bored in Reikai. Raizen's lands were safe from Yomi's eyes for the quick visit or two. A wolf pack who garnered frequent visits from a young, lone kitsune was rather an interesting distraction." 'Plus there was something familiar about being there that I never could quite place. As if like them I too was missing something or someone and with them I shared this. Which makes as little sense NOW as it ever did THEN.' It was disgruntling, being no closer to solving that particular mystery. Then something else tickled his memory, causing Kurama to crinkle his eyebrows slightly over the bridge of his nose. "Curious… do their lands still have a scent filter that dims the blood scent prevalent in the Makai?"

Hiei scowled fiercely, not particularly wanting to answer the question and wanting to ask his own. Still… the fox's question was a good one and his frown deepened, remembering. "Strangely enough, yes." The Forbidden Child's frown deepened further. His sense of smell was not quite to the level of the fox's yet he could remember the cleaner air around the wolves' den. What angered him… was that he had not caught the difference on his own. Nor had he noticed the shield that must have been there to have kept the scent of death from overwhelming their territory. It was like that damn miko's shields –undetectable. Not hers though. If they had been hers coming across them so soon after meeting the girl Hiei was certain he would have recognized her power on it. Besides… whatever the wolves had was centuries old and even if it was miko-made just a hint of that kind of holy innocence in the Makai would have attracted some sort of attention. Growling softly he snapped his head to the side. Kurama's mild nodding to himself as he was filing the new information given him was irritating the fire apparition to no end. "Now you answer me something, Fox: how with the Kekkai barrier up did you accomplish this feat that gained you this kind of information?" There was actually great tone of question in Hiei's terse voice this time. In fact… his left eye was twitching in more than a little irritation. 'Has he been withholding from me? No… Kurama knew how I wanted to return to Makai.' "You were certainly ranked A-Class before your fall, if that fool in the SDS who claims credit for it can be believed."

The millennia old kitsune had the sense to look slightly embarrassed. Coughing gently into his hand he answered after a growing silence. "As I was in my spirit fox form at the time I took advantage of some augmented Seisan which rendered me relatively harmless as well as intangible while my senses remained primarily intact."

"Seisan?" Hiei repeated, black brow arching.

"Seisan Kennoukappu." The plant master confirmed, nodding his head. "It has… useful effects when one knows how to activate it properly. Infusing it with a little youki is also advantageous. Surprising, considering it is a Reikai native."

"Huff. The things you do with plants in your boredom." Kurama ignoring the innuendo shrugged at Hiei's observation and waited. "This kit… how old?"

"Now?" Kurama chuckled to himself at the 'what do you think?' glare his friend shot his way. "500-600 years old. It really depends on how old he was when the Kekkai Barrier was created. That was when the wolf-pack and others relocated to Makai."

'Guess to someone of Kurama's years that'd still make this unknown kitsune a kit even after reaching adulthood. By then the others that knew him probably got used to thinking of him that way, especially if he's the only fox around. Stupid pack oriented wolves.' "Others like the former Lord of the West." It was more statement for confirmation than question.

"I do believe Sesshomaru-sama retains his title, though humans have long forgotten this role. He is far too loyal to his lands to have relinquished them completely."

Hiei scoffed, frowning. Times like now the fox's complacent way with information irritated him. "Then Kouga is the Lord of the North?" The short demon huffed disgustedly. "I find that hard to believe."

"Kouga-sama may not carry a regal bearing to the degree of Sesshomaru-sama, but that does not lessen the significance of his position."

"Hn." 'Speaking of Sesshomaru-sama…' Kurama thought with amusement, lip curling even as he let the mental tendril drift off.

"Whatever." Hiei was continuing, oblivious to his companion's thoughts of comparison. "Lord or not his existence is believed by many to be as much of a myth as his title. I don't know what deal the dog had with the former lord Raizen but not even my Jagan can get through the barrier around his new lands here." Kurama watched his short friend's face fall to a glower mostly stemmed from frustration. "There's been no issues when it comes to King Enke's commands so there's been no 'just cause' to make him remove it but what I want to know is what is he hiding in there." The Jaganshi's low growl of irritation spoke volumes. Enough for Kurama to call to mind the expanse of land that had been granted to the inu-daiyoukai. Yes… it made sense that his friend would be upset at having such a large hole in his vision. That there was an unknown possibility of the number of residents within said barrier only intensified the rankling.

'That barrier… those inside… could they be connected to the kitsune with whom I spoke last night? If Sesshomaru-sama is involved in whatever deal with Reikai the kit mentioned… would that be enough to explain why someone as powerful and born to rule as Sesshomaru-sama did not partake in the tournament for leadership of Makai?' "Hiei… do you know why Sesshomaru-sama, or even Kouga-sama for that matter, did not enter the tournament? Though I've never seen Kouga fight, even centuries ago the Western Lord's power was on-par if not surpassing my own. At least when it came to pure battle." The inwardly proud kitsune amended with a modicum of humility. Kurama knew his strengths lay in the speed and depth of his mind as well as his affinity with plants rather than unadulterated battle prowess. Sesshomaru was no slouch intellectually but he has spent the majority of his long life seeking to hone himself in physical confrontations and battle-oriented tactics.

"hmph. Hell if I know." The forbidden child's frown was now a permanent fixture. That he had not wondered just that himself irked him to no end. Why wouldn't someone so powerful try to have a hand at a leadership position that would eventually have an effect on him? Especially one as known for not tolerating anyone's authority but his own as the inu-daiyoukai was. His eyes narrowed as his frown deepened. 'Damn. What little word I have has placed the inu-daiyoukai often enough in the ear of our new king. Would he be so complacent if it were anyone else that won? He's a cold ass; that stuck up icicle. What I'd give to know what Kurama likely does of the bastard but hell if I'm gonna ask. He was in Raizen's territory though… so he must have sided with Urameshi's ancestor on not eating humans. I've certainly never scented decaying humans around that damn barrier of his. Same as that blasted wolf-pack's with the scent thing, now I think about it, but a true protective shield not much unlike the Kekkai Barrier. Gah, this is just pissing me off.' "Why the hell are you asking anyway, Kurama?"

The redhead shrugged in his annoying, noncommittal way. "Nothing substantial. Just a thought I had."

Hiei scoffed. "If you're not going to be more forthcoming than that keep your speculations to yourself, fox."

"Mm-hm." Kurama conceded, though he seemed more lost in his thoughts than focused on what he was agreeing. Green eyes gazed out into nothing beyond his friend looking enthralled in some deep contemplation. 'Sorry, Hiei, but until I have spoken with Kagome I can't in good conscience share what I'm seriously believing is connected information. Nor honestly do I want to. However… While I have him here…' "Hiei… would you indulge me in clarifying something?"

Small red irises sparked in large whites narrowed on the calm, questioning red-head. "If it suits me."

Taking this as the permission to continue that it was Kurama settled his eyes carefully on his multifaceted friend. "If I may have some word that you will refrain from attacking once I ask…" Hiei stared blankly, silently informing the kitsune to get to the point –and that he would make no such guarantee. "Ah. Right then. The fact is I have been wondering why you allow Kurabara to effectively 'court' Yukina."

The Jaganshi frowned. 'Damn fox would ask that.' He scowled and huffed, letting the kitsune get the tiniest bit antsy from waiting –which was likely the most Hiei was going to get out of him. He might as well pull some pleasure from all this. It was damn uncomfortable. "I'm surprised you don't already know."

Kurama had the gall to look sheepish. "I do have some theories… but I would prefer not to attribute them to you falsely on such a matter."

Knowing that the twice-damned fox was indiscreetly referring to his feelings for his sister Hiei nodded. "Fine then. There's two reasons, really. The first is relatively simple: I can't claim the right to have a say in her life."

"Ah. The matter of not telling her the truth of your kinship." Graceful limbs shifted back into the avatar's 'thinking' pose. "Though you as her brother could raise objection and perhaps even have a say in how she lives her life the fact that she has no knowledge that you hold such relation deprives you of that privilege; leaving you only able to voice grouches, grumbles, and more oblique complaints rather than being able to outright protest and refuse the relationship." Kurama casually ignored the rolling of his friend's eyes at his outward musings but did show he took note of the fire demon's nod that for all the avatar's long-winded depiction he had it correct. Standing otherwise still in his pose Kurama tilted his head ever so slightly, leaf-green eyes softening with care as they pierced the shorter youkai nearly as deep as his next words. "And what of the more difficult to affirm rationale?"

Hiei sighed. He had been doing more of that lately than he ever had in his life. He could not blame anyone –it was all his own blame to take if any for everything was a veritable direct result of his decision to steal those items from the Reikai vault those years ago. In the end… he could not complain that it had been a bad thing either, for he did succeed in finding what he sought. Even if he changed his mind on a few things he had originally intended to do. Sometimes… one just had to face the painful truths. "Do you remember why I told you I would not tell her the truth about us?"

It was a redundant question. Of course the fox remembered. His mind lost nothing from having been Youko Kurama, the crafty legendary thief. That was apparent in the slapped way Kurama blinked, momentarily thrown for having been asked such an obvious thing. "Yes of course." Sure, Hiei had been responding to Yusuke when he went into more detail but the fox had been near enough to overhear that as well. Besides… it was not the only time the Forbidden Child had given similar justification for why he did not tell Yukina of their kinship. Realizing the reason Hiei brought it up was because it somehow related Kurama rephrased it. "You believed she was content with the image she held of her unknown brother and that discovering her brother was a killer and thief would in essence dim that happiness even if at first she was pleased to find the truth." Serious green eyes contemplated his friend. "Though I still feel you are making a mistake about that, Hiei. She will discover the truth eventually. What then will you do, when she asks why you knew and would not tell her?"

"That's not the subject here, Fox!" Hiei snapped, flames sparking in his red eyes. Kurama nodded, smiled apologetically, and bowed with a slight shift of the hand beneath his chin for the fire apparition to carry on. Scowling Hiei huffed and did so. "The point, Kurama, is that she deserves to be happy."

"And…?"

Dammit… sometimes he hated the blasted kitsune. Hiei had a feeling he already knew but the conniving thief was going to force him to say it. Make it real. He frowned, lowering his eyes slightly and tilting his head away so that their gazes were not locked but still saw each other. "And he makes her happy."

It was said so softly and so reluctantly Kurama almost did not hear it but when he did he gasped, eyes widening. True… he had suspected such a thing but thought it on a subconscious level for his fluffy-emotion-denying ally and not something actually thought and accepted. In truth Kurama had been expecting an excuse, or one of those lies people tell themselves to hide what they do not want to admit. He had not anticipated at all hearing the honest truth from Hiei's mouth. Not on this. "What. Don't tell me you hadn't figured it out."

Red eyes pierced his human appearing visitor steadily. If it was not a matter of such personal nature Hiei might have been able to feel pride at having caught the ancient spirit off guard. He did not want to admit it… but it kind of hurt a little that Kurama might not know him as well as he thought. Tying back down those emotions he tried to convince everyone including himself he did not have Hiei waited pointedly the moments the fox collected his thoughts.

"In all honesty, Hiei, I had speculated as much but I never imagined you would say so." At the shorter male's 'hmph' as he put his hands in hidden pockets and looked away Kurama once more fell to studying his friend's reactions. 'Perhaps one more question…' "Why?"

'Damn curious kitsune and their goddamn loaded questions. Fine. I'll let him squirm.' "Why'd you think that? How should I know." Chortling to himself at the beginning of a frown on his friend's face Hiei smirked.

"No. Not that. Why do you acknowledge that Kurabara makes Yukina happy?"

Did he say how much he detested curious kitsune today? 'And that damn wolf pack has another. I hope they never meet. I hope we never meet. Still… If I sate his curiosity now maybe he'll leave me alone later. At least I can trust Kurama to keep his knowledge on my personal life to himself. …He'd better.' "Hmph. Like it isn't obvious. She lights up almost as much as the buffoon does when they see each other. And she's always fretting over every little hit he's taken, just noticeably more than the rest of ours." His face scrunched, so much was Hiei frowning at the very difficult acceptance to grasp though it was the very one he could not deny. "It's not like I didn't see their connection from the start. I was there when she met him you know. Why do you think I didn't distract her in going to him, Kurama? You were there. Surely you didn't believe I wanted her away from me that much after just finding her. To want her to go to a human? Particularly that human? That was before he'd done anything useful. I wasn't that unbalanced."

For once the kitsune was flabbergasted. Though he did not move there was an almost vacant expression in his stunned green eyes. "You can see the connection of their love Kurabara is always going on about?" Kurama must be in shock, to incorrectly phrase his question with such poor grammar. Realizing this, Hiei could almost smirk over his continued scowl.

"With the Jagan sleeping it's impossible to deny when they're both in sight." 'And with it awake… once she was away from those damn talismans… how they formed that mental link letting him experience what she had… what that ningen blob had done…' Hiei frowned at his words and the path of his thoughts. All in all… he supposed his twin could have done worse. Not that he was likely to admit that any time soon. Still, he worried about the differences in their lifespans. With a human all too soon her happiness would end.

'He has been able to see it… all this time… and has not said a word about it?' Deftly Kurama sorted through memories of words the two would say to each other, particularly Hiei's responses to anything their human friend said about Yukina. 'I see now… I should have seen it in what Hiei did not say. Though he continually degraded Kurabara never once did he say anything against the bond that was claimed.'

"What will you do about the discrepancies in their lifespans, Hiei?"

The fire apparition snapped his eyes with the swiftness and sharpness of his blade upon his friend incredulously. "And I thought I was the one with the Jagan, Fox."

Wryly Kurama quirked his lips, lightly lifting and dropping his shoulders. "It was the next logical thought." 'That… and I have been considering the options in elongating Kagome's life if she would but say the word. I… can no longer imagine a world without her purity or one that could not benefit from her light. That is even without Goshinboku's request of me.'

Narrowed eyes considered the fox avatar intensely. 'What are you thinking, Fox?' "Don't know. Not something I've put any thought to." He studied his companion, pondering. "Don't suppose there's a plant out there somewhere that'd do the trick."

Green eyes smirked and Hiei scowled watching his friend's lip twitch to hide an impending smile. "As a matter of fact, I do know of such a plant. A Makai plant, to be precise."

Hiei scoffed. "Wouldn't have much call for it there."

"Oh?" A red brow lifted and disappeared into the 'human's' thick bangs. "You think so?"

The keeper of the Dragon of the Darkness Flame frowned, one step away from growling. "Quit preening and tell me what you know. Who has asked for this plant, Fox-boy?"

Very lightly Kurama shook his head, red hair shifting about his shoulders. "Ah… that I do not feel is my place to tell. I will say this though: it is one of whom I never would have expected such a request, especially centuries ago when he had a reputation for intolerance of humans nearly unrivaled." Contemplating his shorter friend Kurama gave a small, knowing smile. Emerald green eyes twinkled with the secret, certain that when Hiei discovered the truth he was concealing the forbidden child's reaction to the situation would be something to say the least. "It is interesting… the lengths individuals will traverse for their happiness and that of those close to their hearts. Even when said hearts are believed nonexistent."

"Hmph." The fire apparition snorted, rolling his eyes. "Yukina's not the only one who'd need this, Fox, so you'd better make sure there's plenty on hand."

"Oh?" Trying to keep his mirth and intrigue to himself Kurama lifted his hand to cover the smile that slipped through momentarily before dropping it to continue. "And who else, do you think?"

Another eye-roll was his first response. "You, for one, if I've not read you wrong." Hiei pointed out sharply, catching the quick glance away of those leaf-green eyes –not to mention the faint pink rising in the avatar's cheeks. It was proof enough for him. 'huh. So I was right. Fox has a thing for that forsaken miko. Could be worse. Least she's not some weakling ningen. Any youkai has a problem with her paired with the 'great Youko Kurama' and she can just purify them.' For some reason… Hiei found this particularly amusing. Especially the idea of Kurama keeping the girl in check. Not to mention the visual of foolish demons dissolving at her fingertips. 'If she doesn't play with them. Stupid, strange miko.' Hiei frowned. "The damned detective too, unless you'd rather deal with how unpredictable he'd be without that feisty little onna of his?"

Green eyes blinked in surprise at the Forbidden Child's thoughtfulness even as said demon looked away. 'Hiei… you are full of surprises today. I never would have guessed you would show you cared.' "It's not that I care." The Jaganshi interrupted Kurama's musings, voice sharp and defensive as if having picked up the fox's thoughts through the use of his third eye. It looked to be sleeping beneath Hiei's typical white bandana but that was no guarantee. "I just don't want that mazoku set off like a loose cannon when the ningen dies."

"Ah. Of course. Forgive me for presuming otherwise." Neither was fooled by the kitsune's diplomatic and overly smooth words.

"On another matter entirely… I find it amusing that Mukuro and Kurabara both have such a similar shade to their hair, don't you, Hiei?"

A growl was his response. "I try not to notice."

"Perhaps there is something to the color that appeals to your family."

The little fire apparition snarled, eyes once again flaring. "You'd do well never to mention that again, fox. Either comment."

"Of course. Of course. 'Discretion is the better part of valor.'* I won't breathe of it." Kurama covered his mouth with his hand to hide the uncontainable hint of smile.

"You'd better not."

Author's Note: "Seisan Kennoukappu" (せいさんor 凄惨 and けんのうかっぷ or 権能割賦) meaning loosely 'ghostliness enablement.' Yes… most of this chapter except for the name of the plant and some little added tie-ins has been here since way back when I said I had Hiei inspiration.

*'Discretion is the better part of valor.' -Kurama was quoting Shakespeare there. ^_^

Originally posted 5 June 2011

Edited 27 May 2012