I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. This is an AU of the Chapter Black saga. Due to content in later chapters, this story is rated M.

Chapter One- Revival

Kurama looked around. He was in the stadium of the Dark Tournament finals, more specifically the ring. The building was empty, no sound save for the wind, yet his heart pounded with fear and tension. His instincts told him he wasn't alone; it only looked that way.

He then grunted as he felt pain. He looked down to see his body covered in blood, just as it had been when he fought Karasu. He felt breathing on his neck and ear as he heard Karasu's voice whisper, "I like you and when I like something I like to take it away. You took my life, so I will take yours. I'm coming for you, Kurama." The bombing began again and Kurama cried out in pain.

Green eyes snapped open as the owner sat up in bed, gasping. His gasps slowed to hurried breathing and then to a slow exhale as he fell back on his pillow. "It was just a nightmare," he said. "Karasu is dead. He cannot hurt me anymore." He closed his eyes and fell back asleep, though it took a bit to drift back to deep sleep.

Kurama went to school a little groggy, but alert. Karasu had woven in and out of his sleep since the nightmare and that concerned him a little. Why was he having visions and nightmares about a dead demon since the tournament ended three weeks ago? It couldn't be a premonition; Karasu was dead. It was possible his ghost had eluded the ferry girls and was floating around and dropping into his dreams.

He smirked slightly. Yes, that has to be it. He has not been taken to Spirit World yet, so he is terrorizing me in my sleep. Well, next time he appears, I will tell him off. He cannot hurt me in my dreams.

Kurama was doing his homework when Hiei dropped by. He loved having the fire demon visit him. Hiei didn't say much but he drew comfort of having Hiei for company; he could call it a crush or love to describe the feelings that Hiei stirred in him.

The hairs on the back of his neck made the fox turn in his seat, look behind him, and then up. He chided himself; despite his strong energy, he couldn't see ghosts. He smoothed down the neck hairs and decided that if Karasu was around, he wasn't going to let it bother him. His actions hardly went unnoticed. "Problem, Kurama?" Hiei asked.

"Perhaps. I feel as if we are not alone in this room."

Hiei's eyes swept the room before allowing his Jagan to flare briefly. "We're alone, Fox. Even ghosts cannot hide from my Jagan."

"It is possible the intruder left shortly after disturbing me."

"You believe it's a ghost?"

"Yes. I have reason to believe it is Karasu's ghost for he has been showing up in my dreams and terrorizing me."

"Hn. He can't harm you in your dreams."

"True and I intend to confront him about it."

He was in a black void with no ground, no sky, just darkness. Yet, he sensed he was not alone. He heard rapid footsteps and looked around for the source but saw nothing. He continued to hear the steps and try to locate the owner several times but to no avail. He then felt hands go around his neck and he jerked away before turning to see Karasu. His mask was off but his hair was black and his purple eyes glittered maliciously at Kurama.

"Karasu, leave me alone," Kurama stated firmly, his voice echoing in the void. "You are dead and should have been judged."

"I will not argue with that," Karasu said smoothly, his voice also echoing. "However, I have been prevented from moving on. The man who did this said he could revive me and very soon. I choose to haunt your dreams until then. After I am revived, I will come for you. I truly desire you and we will be together forever." Karasu vanished and Kurama lapsed into a dreamless sleep.

Kurama was far more alert and awake the next day, yet he fretted over Karasu. Was what he said true? Did someone ward him to keep him from going to Spirit World? Did he really intend to bring Karasu back to life? What purpose would that serve? Karasu swore he would come for Kurama upon his return. He said he desired Kurama for his own. He wondered how Karasu would grab him and expected to keep him from escaping because Kurama would escape and do what it took to kill Karasu again and insure he went to Spirit World. He still retained his power of Yoko and could kill Karasu. He would not waste time talking to the black-haired demon; he would kill him immediately and without mercy. His lips curled up as he imagined Karasu's death. He knew how he defeated Karasu, but hadn't seen it until the replay. He intended to see the attack for real and actually witness the moment of death.

Hiei nodded when Kurama told him of the confrontation and the intention to kill him the moment he appeared. "That's what I would do. Don't give him a second to carry out his plan."

"I have already warded my room to prevent him from haunting me in my sleep or to just hover near me."

"He claims interest in you. I can only imagine what that creep would do with you. Something sick and humiliating, no doubt."

"He would likely seek to break my spirit," Kurama said.

"Hn, he won't get the chance. I will personally kill him if he attempts it."

Kurama blinked at the subtle passion in Hiei's voice. "Hiei, is there something you have not told me?"

"No."

Kurama tilted his head as he went up to the fire demon and looked in his eyes. They seemed emotionless and yet he saw a fierce protectiveness that was exclusively for the redhead. He smile gently. "You cannot fool me, Hiei. Tell me."

"Hn, fine. I love you, Kurama. I have since the end of the tournament."

"I thought I heard a subtle tone of passion in your voice just now. I feel passion for you too. I would be interested in pursuing a relationship with you."

Hiei smirked. "I'm interested in doing that, too." Hiei leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on Kurama's lips before leaving. The fox demon smiled as he savored the kiss. It was quick but he sensed the compassion in it. I look forward to seeing him again. A new aspect of our relationship has just begun. Karasu would be a fool to come after me with Hiei around, watching over me.

"You are certain this will work?" Karasu demanded of the tall slender man.

"Oh, it will. It took time to work the plant free from your corpse and properly preserve it. The ritual and your possession of it will bring it to full health and a semblance of life."

Karasu flew face-to-face with the man. "A semblance?" he hissed. "What does that mean?"

"You will have your body back and you'll exist but you won't exactly be alive. You will be expected to sustain yourself to keep your body functioning. You'll soon see." The man lit floor-length torches, each one resting on the points of a six-pointed star drawn on the ground and in the center of the star laid the body of a tall black-haired demon, its arms crossed over the chest. The man put his palms together and murmured some words. Smoke curled from the fires and wrapped around the body as the star shape glowed. Karasu felt himself being pulled toward his body and didn't fight it as he entered the corpse that was wrapped in smoke.

Karasu's purple eyes flew open and he coughed as smoke and air flooded his lungs. The smoke, fire, and glowing star extinguished at once as Karasu slowly got to his feet. His skin was death pale and he had small claws. His tongue ran off a pair of sharp fangs that felt longer than demon ones. He tried to summon his energy but got nothing. He turned to the human. "All right, Sensui. You have been vague about this ritual. I am not alive, but rather exist. What am I?"

"You, Karasu, are now a vampire," replied Sensui.