The Prelude

Kurama hummed to himself as he placed the formal outfits he'd had commissioned for the king in Yusuke's wardrobe. He went along smoothing wrinkles here and enforcing creases there. It was pleasurable work. Kurama had never dreamed of being this domestic for Yusuke, but he couldn't deny that he enjoyed it. It made him feel needed.

He had just started making the bed when a familiar aura approached the fortress.

Yusuke looked up from the desk in the room where he was reading a letter from one of Enki's people requesting the right to hunt in the human world. "Hiei?" he asked.

Kurama nodded. "And without Mukuro. Interesting."

"Should we go greet him?"

"He is probably here on official business. I doubt he would come for anything else."

"Then we'll go." Yusuke stood up and worked the kinks out of his back. "Why do these idiots think I'm going to let them go into Ningenkai to grab up humans for sport?"

Kurama smiled at him. "I believe they think you idealistic and not fully devoted to your laws." He took the king's hand as they walked out of the room.

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "Well I'm just going to keep rejecting them."

They walked towards the throne room where Hokushin waited. "I was just about to send for you, my lords. You have a visitor from Mukuro."

"Yeah we figured that out on our own, thanks, Hokushin. Did he say what he wanted?"

"Just to speak to you two," the general replied.

Yusuke looked at Kurama who nodded, and together they walked into the room.

Hiei was leaning against the wall, his aura snapping with his nervousness. He started when his friends entered and took their seats on the thrones.

"Hiei," Yusuke greeted.

"Your Majesty," was the sardonic response.

Yusuke grinned. That was the Hiei he knew.

A few notes:

1. So seriously, guys? I love you. You make writing this so worthwhile with your comments and reactions. When I committed to updating every week day I thought it was going to suck, but I am loving it just as much as you guys seem to be. Thank you so much for the support.

2. It seems like many of you would read a vampire story if I wrote one, and it won't leave me alone, so I'm going to write it. I'm going to get a few chapters out before I start posting it, so expect it in the next few weeks.

3. Knowing me, I'll give said vampire story a cheesy ass name. Suggestions for a better one? If I choose yours then you get...I don't know, a one shot of your choosing written by me? Would you guys be into that?

4. Speaking of reviews and such, I recently broke 100! Also, if you have questions, or say something I find funny/agree with, expect a response from me. I want to be friends with all of you guys! I've made a few friends through fanfiction and I would love to make more.

Ahem. Crazy author moment over now.