Chapter Seven- The Tunnel

Kurama flapped his wings as he flew above the city. Despite a bat's poor eyesight, he saw everything clearly and could only chalk it up to being a vampire. His sense of smell was no different as a bat; he could still smell the blood of the living below him. This is amazing, he thought. It almost makes being a vampire worth it.

"Kurama?"

Kurama blinked at the voice in his head. "Karasu?"

"Well, what a surprise. It seems we can communicate telepathically, at least in bat form. I would be willing to test that when we take our true forms. What say you?"

"Agreed. So, did you hear my thoughts earlier?"

"I did and you are correct. It is amazing. You still do not like being a vampire."

"No and I doubt I ever will."

"Perhaps, but as the centuries go by, you will like being one."

Kurama was silent. He was sure Karasu was right, but at this point in time, he detested what he was and didn't see anything that would make it better…except if his mother accepted him.

Karasu glanced sideways at Kurama. He looked good as a bat despite looking like any other bat and he felt his love for him grow. He longed to make love to the vampire, but knew Kurama would fight him if he attempted that. Kurama had only returned as he needed a safe place to rest and information from him. He still clings to his humanity and his friends. If his friends were to turn on him, he would turn to me for comfort.

Kurama ditched the empty bag in the trash can and sat under Hiei's tree. He had drained his bag yesterday and started on the second one before leaving the house. Perhaps, I should consider it my home. I will need to sneak into my room to grab some essentials. He caught Hiei's scent before the fire demon dropped down and gave him a kiss.

"Hello to you too," he quipped.

Hiei smirked. "Even as a vampire, you're still attractive. So, is there a way to die?"

Kurama shook his head. "We cannot die or be killed. I am a prisoner in this body."

Hiei put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I wish there was a way and even if there was, I wouldn't help you. I do not want you to go yet."

"I understand. I have learned a great deal from Karasu in any event. I unlocked some unique abilities after consuming some blood. The super speed, for one. I can also jump higher than before, and I can turn into a bat."

"A bat? So you can fly?"

"Yes and I found that Karasu and I have a telepathy as bats. We tried as vampires, but nothing happened."

"Sounds like you enjoy flying which isn't a surprise. I would love to fly."

"I wouldn't mind having these abilities if I did not have to drink blood."

"Wouldn't you die if you don't drink?"

"I wish that was the case. If I don't feed every day, I would go on an uncontrollable blood frenzy for several hours, attacking every human or demon I come across." Kurama shuddered.

"Demon? You can drink demon blood, too?" Hiei asked, apprehensive.

"It appears so; Karasu tested it. Do not worry, Hiei. I plan to get my blood from the blood bank."

"Good. I would hate it if you attacked me or humans for that matter."

"I do not see myself doing that."

Kurama clung beside his bedroom window, using his claws to do so. He eased it open, slipped in, and quietly went to his closet where he pulled out his suitcase and a couple of overnight bags. He began putting clothes and shoes in the case while he put his toiletries and anything else he wanted in the bags. Once they were all full, he slipped out onto the tree, gently closed the window, and headed for his new home. He put his clothes and shoes in the closet and set his possessions in their proper place before lying back on the bed, satisfied. If I forgot something, I can just go back and get them as I did retrieve my key should Mother lock my window.

Karasu licked his lips as he dropped the corpse of his latest victim. He loved being a vampire and drinking blood. He couldn't be killed and couldn't die. He would live for eternity and best of all, so would Kurama. He saw a future where they would feed on humans and demons alike and make passionate love to each other.

Of course, for that to happen, he needs to be rejected by his friends. When they do that, he will discard his humanity, attack people, and will accept my sentiments for him. Hmm, I believe I can manipulate those circumstances. I know Kurama's mother has rejected him. If I can make it look as if Kurama attacked her out of revenge or if he shows no remorse over her death, his friends would sever ties with him. But first, Kurama must attack and drain someone. Heh, I hope a demon tries to attack him. Kurama will not stand for an attack, even though it will go through him.

Kurama leaned against Hiei's tree with said demon between his legs, his head on the vampire's chest. He watched as demon insects flitted by and frowned. "I have never seen such a swarm of insects. This is not natural."

Hiei grunted. "It's not. I didn't tell you; supposedly someone is building a tunnel between Human World and Demon World."

Kurama gasped in horror. "No! They cannot! It would be Armageddon if the tunnel is complete!"

"It doesn't concern me," Hiei said. "This isn't my world and it shouldn't concern you either. You can't die and demon blood will sustain you as well as human blood and you won't have to drain them." Hiei smirked. "The demons that come here would fear you and respect you."

Kurama shook his head. "I am sorry, Hiei but this is my world and I still have my humanity. I guess Yusuke and Kuwabara are on the case to stop the one behind the tunnel."

"Yes and speaking of them, I told them about you being a vampire and are drinking from the blood bank."

"They are okay with that?"

"Not exactly, but they know you won't attack anyone and they don't love you like I do."

Kurama smiled as he nuzzled Hiei's hair. "I love you too and I could never attack anyone." Kurama saw a weak demon flit by and said softly, "I saw a weak demon, just now."

"The tunnel must by growing if weak ones are showing up. They sense I'm a strong demon and won't bother me. They may try to attack you as they can't sense any energy from you and you look human since you're not baring fangs right now."

Hiei's right, Kurama thought as he walked home. Demons do not see me as a vampire; they see an unusually pale human. They would learn differently if they tried to attack me. But they are few and far in-between and so not a concern for me. However, they threaten the existence of the human race and I should do my part to protect them. After all, they are the reason why I have a blood bank to raid. Hmm. I should probably stop there and take some bags. I will do that another time as my current supply is sufficient for now.

"Yes." Karasu nodded. "A tunnel is indeed being made. The one behind it is the one who revived me."

"I find the idea horrifying. Humans are the reason I have a blood bank to visit. I intend to protect them the best I can."

"Of course you do." Personally, Karasu thought Kurama was just preventing the inevitable: Demons would flood the world and the humans would die. And we will drain the demons, he thought.