Category: Anime, Yu Yu Hakusho, Yaoi, TWT
Warnings: minor angst, vampirism(-_-;), shonen ai, lemon
Pairings: KuramaxHiei, vague reference to BiulaxHiei
Author: Arigatomina

Blood Lust

Part 2

He never sensed Hiei. Although he was in tune with the demon's distinct youki, it was far too low for his human form to feel. But another youki screamed at him, strong enough to wake him from a dead sleep. The house was silent, usual for the time of night now that his mother had moved in with her new husband. There had been no contact with the Makai for so long that it took seconds before Kurama knew for certain he wasn't imagining the dark youki. He wasn't, and it emanated from beneath his bedroom window. A brief glimpse of something hulking and dark, glowing blue eyes, met him before the youki seemed to vanish suddenly. He didn't pause to blink, throwing the window open and leaping lightly to the ground. His intention was to follow the demon since it had obviously sought him out. He nearly fell over the dark form lying at his feet.

A burn started in his chest, radiating outward until his fingers tingled and he dropped to his knees, brushing past dark hair to touch a pale neck. A long minute passed where he couldn't find a pulse, but he heard a quiet bubbling sound and saw Hiei's shoulder shift, just a bit as he took a short breath. The sound made his eyes widen more and jolted him into motion. The slender youkai was wearing his usual cloak, but it was damp, dark red showing on his hand when he touched Hiei's arm. Ignoring the questions running through his mind, he turned his friend onto his back, lifting him carefully. He was almost grateful that Hiei made no sound of the pain movement might have caused, but he was sure the silence was a bad sign. Inside was the normal place to take an injured person, but Kurama had walled in the garden weeks ago and he knew, he'd need easy access to nature. His steps were graceful and quick as he tried not to shake Hiei, his eyes falling again to the dark patch over the demon's forehead. The jagan was closed, but the skin surrounding it was a shadow, a small trickle of blood having caught in Hiei's eyebrow. That scared him more than anything.

His chest burned, not a sharp pain, but heat as if it were filled with acid. But he didn't choke when he took a quick breath and his eyelashes fluttered at the sound of movement. Something squirmed against his hand, making his eyes snap open suddenly, bright light wetting them as he squinted abruptly.

"Hiei." Kurama sighed when vivid red eyes snapped to him, a hand falling to the demon's shoulder in case he tried to move. Those eyes followed his other hand, watching him wave the plant away from Hiei's jagan.

Anger rapidly replaced his confusion and Hiei turned his head, staring at the vines wrapped around his right arm. He didn't have to ask what they were doing, he could feel them pulsing against his skin, the rest of the limb numb. Of course, Kurama would heal him. Biula must have known that from the start, must have brought him directly to the redhead. A dome of plants arched over them and Hiei wondered where they were. But it didn't matter. His eyes turned back to Kurama and he waited to see how much the youko knew.

"I'm not a doctor," Kurama said softly, his expression neutral for the moment, "but your ribs ripped through one of your lungs. And you nearly lost your right arm." Hiei didn't give any reaction and Kurama's eyes narrowed, a hint of fury sliding through. "Who did it?"

"Where are we?" Hiei countered, frowning down at the tiny vines that seemed to be coming out from *inside* his chest. There was no pain, though, only that hot burn. He could handle heat.

"In my backyard," Kurama glared. Taking his hand back, he folded his legs beneath him and sat at Hiei's side, barely blinking when a bright plant curved over his shoulders so the small demon wasn't in his shadow. He may have had trouble calling plants from the Makai in the past, but he no longer even had to shift forms to do so, now. "Someone brought you here. Who?"

"You didn't see?" Green eyes were glaring at him, but Hiei closed his own eyes carelessly. Whether it was Biula's plan or not, he'd have accepted the healing if necessary. But it wasn't necessary. His eyelids were heavy again and he could feel that throb in his forehead, strumming down his back. He didn't know how long he'd been unconscious, but his body was telling him it wasn't for long enough. Something pressed on his closed jagan, a shard of pain bolting through his neck and he jerked, giving Kurama an incredulous stare.

"Don't you dare!" Kurama warned, wincing a bit since he knew he'd hurt him more. "You can't heal yourself like that, and I need you conscious." The young demon still looked shocked, but he shook his head, brushing the bruised skin around Hiei's jagan with a soft, moist cloth. At least he could undo his own harm by numbing the area. "I know you think you can regain your youki like that, but you don't have enough blood to sustain you during such a deep sleep, Hiei." He was just grateful the demon hadn't been comatose when he'd found him or he'd never have woken him, ever. His eyes narrowed again, his hand curling around the cloth. "Tell me who did it, Hiei. Now."

There was no way in hell. Kurama wasn't even supposed to know. As familiar as he was with the human side of the youko, Hiei was sure he'd rush out and attack Biula. That would make the pain for nothing, pointless. But Kurama's words made him hesitate in going to sleep. He knew he'd lost blood, obviously, but his jagan was seldom wrong and it was the thing pushing him to close his eyes. He'd always recovered on his own, aside from the time Mukuro had brought him back from death. He was no where near that now and he gave the red-haired ningen a droll glare before closing his eyes firmly.

"Stop that!" Kurama growled, jerking Hiei's shoulders off the soft grass bedding. "You've lost too much blood. Do you understand? Even a youkai can't replenish that on his own."

Hiei didn't open his eyes, but his lips curved downward. "Let go."

"Kisama..."

Red eyes snapped open wide and Hiei stared at the silver-haired youko leaning over him. Kurama knew better! While he'd been attracted to the youko since the first time he'd seen him, the forceful nature had turned him away. The thought of that one instance came too close with what he'd just gone through and he hissed through his bared teeth, eyes narrowing to slits. Kurama had never shifted around him after that. "What are you doing?"

"You won't listen," Kurama murmured, golden eyes sliding over Hiei's bruised torso. They paused on the wounded arm and hand, a thought shifting the vines until the small demon was sitting up. Hiei's gaze was more than wary, bordering on panic and he frowned at him. "I didn't want to force you. But you leave me no option."

"You think I'll obey that form more?" Hiei growled, glaring suddenly. "Baka!"

"I never wanted you to *obey* me," Kurama frowned, shrugging the white cloth off his shoulders. "If you weren't so damned set against listening, you'd know there isn't another choice. And I didn't choose this form because you dislike it, I chose it because I'm stronger this way. You need more blood than my human form can spare."

Anger doubling suddenly, Hiei jerked against the vines, barely wincing at the abrupt pain in his arm. He could imagine now, what Biula was thinking, bringing him to Kurama. If the youko gave him blood, the demon could have both the next time. It was too much. "I don't want it," he growled, his left hand curling and pulling at the vines imbedded in the skin. "Let me go!" The thin, living cords gave a bit, but tightened when he tried to grab at the vines protruding from his chest. "Now!" He was glaring downward, but his head jerked back when Kurama grabbed him, strong arms pulling him close against the youko's chest. Frozen, he held his breath for a moment before he blinked, his voice soft. "What are you doing...?"

"I never should have let you stay in the Makai," Kurama growled, a light hand brushing thick black hair. "I knew I shouldn't have."

"Kurama?"

"I *knew* you'd be noticed." The back beneath his arm was tense and he rubbed it slowly. Hiei didn't take himself seriously, unaware of how much of a temptation he was to other youkai. Kurama knew he'd been one of the select few to ever get close to the demon and he'd only let him go because to hold him, would be to break that trust they had. Hiei wasn't one to be tied down, controlled, not by anyone. He'd found that out the one other time he'd allowed his youko nature to dominate him in the youkai's presence. It was a mistake he'd been careful not to make again. If there were another option, he wouldn't take the form now. But there wasn't. "Who touched you?" Hiei's head was pressed to his shoulder and he held it when the youkai tried to move.

"Stop asking that," Hiei muttered. If he weren't so tired he'd have bitten the damned youko. He didn't know what Kurama was thinking, but he didn't like to be held, certainly not like this. But he knew from his time in the Ningenkai that it was a way of showing affection. If only he'd stop asking. "I want to sleep."

"Soon," Kurama promised, his fingers threading through thick, velvety hair as he lifted Hiei onto his lap. "This won't take long."

He'd realized he was naked immediately, but he hadn't thought anything about it. After all, it wasn't as if he and Kurama hadn't been lovers. But he thought of it now as slender fingers touched his thigh, his left hand clenching around the vines suddenly. "What-"

Kurama's voice was low, whisper soft, but radiating the fury bubbling beneath his cool exterior. "Why do you think he raped you while he drank your blood? It's common practice to steal youki at the same time. I'll give you mine."

"I don't want it!" Hiei spat, nearly shouting when the vines held him still, more circling his waist and lifting him until his face was above Kurama's pale, muscled shoulder. "I don't *need* it, blood or youki!"

"Calm down," Kurama murmured, pressing a soft kiss on the adamant demon's bruised chest. "I'll be careful, I won't hurt you. I've already healed most of the damage, so it shouldn't hurt."

"Will you listen?!" A hand caught his chin and Hiei glared into mellow golden eyes, baring his small fangs. "I said no." This was why he despised the youko, the cool expression in the face of his anger. Kurama would have listened, he was sure of it, if he didn't have the youko's mindset. Lips brushed his before the youko leaned forward, pressing against his cheek.

"Hiei, I am listening. But it won't be like last time, I promise. And it'll be nothing like what he did to you. You *need* this, whether you believe it or not. I know." He could feel it now, the low hum of Hiei's youki, so low his human form couldn't even catch a breath of it. How much of that small reserve would the jagan suck up in order to replenish the blood loss? He shuddered to imagine it. Hiei might have confidence in the implant's ability, but Kurama was well aware that it fed off the little youkai's own power. He *couldn't* heal on his own. But Hiei wouldn't thank him for this.

Hiei didn't know what the vines were doing besides holding him, although he assumed from the burn in his injured areas that they were healing at the same time, but he realized they served another purpose when his head shifted down without his willing it. His eyes widened when he found his mouth pressing against Kurama's shoulder, face hidden near the youko's neck. He made a muffled sound, but his teeth sank down without hesitation, a slight cut in the pale skin. Realization truly came when he began drawing the blood out in a slow and steady stream; the vines in his chest must have spread past the area. Kurama gave a soft groan and he glared against the skin, wondering if it hurt the youko as much as it had him. He almost hoped it did.

The burn made Kurama tilt his head back, but it wasn't painful so much as uncomfortable. He knew it felt much better for Hiei. Youko blood was as close to a natural aphrodesiac as it came. He could feel the proof pressing close to his stomach.

He distracted himself by shifting Hiei down onto him, his eyes closing at the tight heat. An involuntary moan passed his lips, and he relaxed his control enough so Hiei could pull his face away for a quick gasp. Kurama knew the sudden entry hadn't hurt him, but it was rather abrupt.

Red eyes glared at him, and Kurama pressed a quick kiss to Hiei's lips, not minding the hateful expression. He had a hand buried in Hiei's thick hair and he pressed him down again, wincing when those small but sharp teeth latched onto him.

The vines held Hiei's arms back, out of the way so the healing wouldn't be interfered with, but those strong legs were mobile enough. Despite the protests and glares, Kurama knew Hiei didn't mind the sex itself. His lover was supporting himself and moving with him, rather than against him.

Hiei's stomach rebelled against the taste of the coppery liquid. It wasn't his own, and his body knew it. But his veins were throbbing pleasantly, warmth rolling over him.

Suddeny, drinking was necessary for his survival. His instincts surged to the surface and silenced any protest he might have thought up. He found himself growling against Kurama's pale skin, pausing only for an occasional breath. And he thought again of what he'd known before. Youko blood was intoxicating, but not poisonous, not now.

Kurama moved his hips, and Hiei's eyes closed tight at the pleasure on top of his thrumming blood haze. He growled around the youko's neck, pressing his chest closer to that warm skin. The movement inside him spread the burn, and his hands twitched, longing to grab Kurama's shoulders.

Gasping a quick breath, Kurama tightened his hold in Hiei's hair. His eyes closed to slits and he hissed at the fiery burn throbbing in his veins. "Easy, Hiei, easy..."

A small sound rose in his throat and he winced from it, his voice a bare whisper. "You're...going too fast..."

He didn't think Hiei would hear him, but the teeth clamped on his neck loosened a bit. The burn in his veins immediately calmed back to a steadier ache.

His body was trying to rebel against the act, his instincts telling him to pull Hiei's head back and simply thrust into him until he found release. Only that would be enough to repay the youko for what he was giving here.

Kurama crushed that indignant protest. It didn't matter if he enjoyed himself, it wasn't for him. Hiei needed this, whether it hurt his own pride or not.

Heavy breaths threw his hair and Kurama closed his eyes, listening to the tiny growls Hiei emitted. He'd never heard Hiei make that sound before, but it sent warm satisfaction through him. That almost made up for the loss of youki.

The blood he gave without expecting a return, but it was against his nature to release youki willingly. No demon could simply pour his life energy into another the way a human could. As a youko, it was like cutting off his own tail and using it as a throw rug. Kurama was certain, he'd only have done it for the young demon pressing against him, for Hiei, only for his mate.

The light weight lifted from his shoulder and Kurama smiled, not stilling his arms as he continued the slow thrusts that were lulling his defenses just enough for the youki transfer.

"It's all right," Kurama whispered, sighing when a warm tongue brushed the small wounds. "I have more blood than you, Hiei. You know how much you need..."

Hiei should have reminded the youko that he didn't want it, and he would have, if he'd been capable of rational thought. His legs matched Kurama's hips, and he growled at the hot current, his tongue rubbing the soft skin of the youko's neck, carressing it, worshipping it.

He turned his head slowly, his eyes half-lidded with passion as he stared up at the youko's face, willing those pale eyes to open. And they did, golden eyes dropping to pass a heated gaze over his lips. He opened his mouth and pushed upward, meeting the kiss halfway.

The tempo shifted immediately. Kurama moved harder into him, faster, deeper, and Hiei groaned as his tongue roved the youko's hot mouth, memorizing the flavor and relishing in the freedom. A part of him wondered that he was allowed to initiate the kiss, that he wasn't being overwhelmed or mauled. But he couldn't find the will to care.

Hiei pulled away, his mouth seeking a warm path down Kurama's neck before settling on that slight wound again. Something had changed inside of him. He found his body craving the youko's blood, wanting to feel that heady intoxication that let him forget any and all discomfort.

Intoxicating, he thought, wincing at the tight grip on his hips, it was almost too intoxicating.

He pulled back again, licking his lips as he stared at the bite mark. "Kurama?"

"Finished?" Kurama asked, his hips stilling as he paused, still embedded in the little demon. "Do you want me to stop, now?"

Every part of Kurama cried outrage at the very idea, threatening to boycot him from ever again profaining a youko with such mindless submission. Kurama clamped down on that furious protest, ignoring it as he turned his calm eyes on Hiei. His lover blinked at him for a second before frowning sharply.

The youko was asking him? The same youko who'd spent hours doing his damnedest to reduce him to tears, him, for whom to cry was to die...

Hiei shifted sharply, his muscles clenching tight around the hard length inside him. He closed his eyes and ducked his head.

"A stupid question," he muttered, his forehead resting on Kurama's shoulder. "Why would you ask me that...?"

"I told you," Kurama said solemnly, fingers curling in Hiei's hair. "I'm only doing this to give you what your body needs to live. I'd never take advantage of you when your youki is so low, Hiei, never. You should know better than that...I thought I'd regained your trust in that..."

"Ch'."

Hiei tightened his muscles again, drawing a soft growl from the youko. "Finish it."

"Gladly," Kurama breathed.

Being very careful, Kurama lowered Hiei onto his back, vines churning to get out of the way and holding the demon's injured arms held out to either side. His hand slid down, feather light over the red scratches on Hiei's stomach. He'd stopped the bleeding earlier, and they were already starting to heal now that blood was available to close the wounds.

Once Kurama was satisfied with the impromptu inspection, he moved his hand lower, long fingers curling around Hiei's arrousal. His lover's eyes were closed when he leaned down, but they flicked open as his face neared, red eyes boring into him. There was no hint of the wary distrust he'd seen before, and Kurama blamed it on the blood.

A youko was a sensual demon by nature, and his blood had many redeeming qualities. He never planned to have it taken again, but he knew this might be the only time Hiei would accept his youko form so eagerly. He had no choice but to take advantage of that.

Hiei's small mouth opened beneath him and their tongues twined, red eyes hidden by dark lashes. Kurama didn't pull away until his lover gasped against him. He ducked his face down, his forehead pressing Hiei's shoulder as he kept his weight off the slight demon.

Hiei wasn't growling any more, but the quick breaths ended on a slightly higher note than Kurama remembered. He smiled against Hiei's skin, moving faster into that delicious heat. He'd missed this, missed him and everything about him.

The sun was up by the time Kurama woke, but it barely filtered through the nest he'd made, and he knew no one would be visiting so early.

For a moment, he was surprised he'd fallen asleep, but it made sense. He had lost a lot of blood and youki the night before. He felt normal enough after his long sleep. He didn't have Hiei's injuries to compound the loss, so his body was quick to recover.

Soft breaths fell on Kurama's chest, and he smiled. He turned his head a bit without opening his eyes, just to feel the light tug on his long red hair, the living warmth spread out on his chest.

In the past, Hiei would never have fallen asleep on him. It had taken forever just to get Hiei used to sleeping in the same bed with him. Hiei had kept waking up to fight against the thing touching him. Kurama had carried various bruises for months before the involuntary attacks faded away, and not once had he regretted the effort. It was worth it to feel Hiei sleep, warm and peaceful against him.

Kurama's smile turned into a smirk as he remembered how a particularly violent wakening had changed into as sweet an apology as Hiei could give. He'd woken to find himself wrapped around his lover, and Hiei had woken to find himself held down by an unknown enemy. That wakening had been quite painful, but the apology had more than made up for it.

Hiei had his quirks, definitely the pickiest of Kurama's lovers. But he was also the only lover Kurama had ever been so eager to please, the only one he'd given free access to his body and his heart.

He'd given up the youko for him, after finally regaining the form. That spoke of how strongly he felt, if only Hiei took the time to realize it.

Kurama lifted his head, his smile fading as he looked over the slender demon sleeping on him.

He must have disengaged the vines last night, though he didn't remember doing so. Hiei's arm was dark with bruises, but the bone was back in place, scabs having formed sometime during his sleep. Even the black tattoo had somehow grown back, no longer torn.

That caught Kurama's eye, and he glared at his thoughts. He couldn't imagine what sort of demon would be so strong as to tear Hiei up that much. Hiei had visited him, not too long ago, and he'd been as strong as ever, at least a lower S class. The demon responsible had to be horribly strong to best Hiei.

Kurama wanted the murder for himself, but he was not beyond seeking assistance if necessary. If he couldn't take the demon himself, he'd do it with a team. Either way, as soon as he got a name, that demon was dead.

His fingers brushed Hiei's left hand, touching the indentions where teeth had cut through. That would take longer to heal, and he hoped it wouldn't scar. It had been a semicircle of holes when he'd first seen it. He was just glad Hiei's hand hadn't been bitten in half. That spoke of large teeth, meaning the demon probably wasn't humanoid in appearance, at least not much.

Kurama wasn't sure yet if the demon who'd dropped Hiei off was the culprit, but if so, it certainly explained the strength. His little lover was able to absorb incredibly strong impacts, but his ribs had been broken completely, shards stabbed through his lung. And all that from the same spot, the large fist-shaped bruise told him as much. Large hands were also needed to explain the spread of the claw marks on Hiei's stomach.

The injuries gave Kurama features, but he'd need a name to find the demon responsible.

His eyes dropped to Hiei's relaxed expression, and he gave a silent sigh of resignation. The name of Hiei's attacker wouldn't be given without a fight, and he knew it.

Kurama rubbed the back of his hand over Hiei's soft cheek. Then he lowered his head again. Hiei's sleep was not jagan-induced, but natural. He'd wait until his lover woke on his own. The moment he was up, Kurama would get his answers.