Warped
by xDarkxMagicianxGirlx and Ookami no Kokoro
Disclaimers: Nothing has changed from before, so why ask?
Chapter Five
Yusuke blinked his eyes open. He looked up at the red head and smiled.
The pain in his head rudely brought the fox out of his slumber. He was aware that he was conscious, and that the throbbing in his head had grown considerable worse since he had awoken, but it took him a while to realize that he couldn't open his eyes. For that matter, he couldn't move at all.
The younger teen slipped out of Kurama's embrace and gently laid down on his back next to the older teen.
He could feel, he realized, as he felt Yusuke lift off of him. But, no matter how he tried, he still couldn't move, the pain in his head growing worse with each passing moment.
"This is a first.." he replied, making sure he wasn't too loud. "I'm up before he is.."
No, I'm up, he thought. I just can't GET up..... He wanted to tell Yusuke so, but he discovered then that he couldn't talk either.
"This is kinda boring.." he said again, sitting up. Looking over at Kurama's body, he had a feeling that something was wrong.
He couldn't even growl at his frustration for not being able to do anything but lie there, only doing so mentally. What is going on? he wondered.
The feeling in his stomach suddenly made Yusuke groan. What's this feeling?
He felt the rose at his fingertips, though he seemed not to be holding it. It was just there, his hand resting on top of the flower. He remembered he had been holding it before he had fallen asleep, but he knew Yusuke hadn't seen him do so. He sighed in his mind, trying to think of what to do.
The feeling suddenly grew, and he leaned over the older teen. Maybe something's wrong with him.. "Kurama?"
He heard Yusuke speak his name, but there was nothing he could do to reply to the younger teen.
"Kurama, c'mon, wake up." He shook the teen gently.
Unfortunately, he still couldn't do anything.
Yusuke got off the bed, walking around to the other side and bending over Kurama. Noticing the rose in the older teen's hand, he wondered how it had gotten there.
He knew something was wrong with him, terribly wrong, but there was nothing he could do about it. He could only hope that Yusuke would find..... someway to help him.......
He gently opened the other teen's hand, taking the rose out and setting on the bed with his. "Kurama?" Something must be wrong, he isn't such a heavy sleeper.
The pain in his head grew worse than before, continuing to grow. What is going on? It wasn't like this before I fell asleep.....
"Please, wake up Kurama.." Yusuke pleaded with the sleeping teen. He was really worried and didn't know what else to do.
Suddenly, the door opened as the hooded figure walked in. Quietly, he closed the door behind him.
Yusuke turned to look at the figure, his chocolate eyes filled with confusion and worry. "I... I can't wake him," he replied, fear in his voice.
Looking at the two teens, he walked over to where Yusuke was standing, gazing down at Kurama.
"Do you know what's wrong with him?"
"Perhaps......" His hands were suddenly drawn out of his cloak, placed upon the red-head's chest. As he did so, his hands, and the older teen, began to glow a bluish-white light. The younger teen watched curiously.
"As I thought....." the figure murmured.
"What's wrong?"
"This entire world was created from the combined energies of my brother and me. That is how it creates situations based on your feelings. My brother possess all the negative energy, while I retain all the positive energy. Somehow, when..... Kurama...... injured his head, some of my brother's energy entered him through the injury....."
Yusuke looked horrified. "What's going to happen? How do we get it out?"
"Since I obtain positive energy, I believe I can cancel it out. However, my brother is stronger than I am, so this could take a while....."
He nodded. "I don't care how long it takes.." He walked around the other side of the bed, getting on it and sitting next to the red-head.
He nodded, returning his attention to the older teen. After what seemed like an eternity, his hands pulled back into the black cloak, the glowing around them and Kurama stopping.
His head, though still throbbing with pain, was much more bearable than just minutes ago. Slowly, his emerald eyes fluttered open.
Leaning over the boy, Yusuke asked hesitantly, "K-Kurama?"
"Hm....." he replied, still a little tired. Slowly, he sat up, using his arms to support his upper body weight from behind.
He sighed, embracing the older teen. Pulling away, he asked, "Are you all right?"
He nodded, rubbing his injury. "I am now." He turned to the hooded figure. "Thank you."
The figure simply nodded.
Looking at the figure, Yusuke smiled slightly. "Yes, thank you."
Again, the figure nodded. Turning away, he walked over to one of the walls, placing his hand on it. "Anyway," he said, "I simply came by to see if you two would want to freshen up." The wall moved underneath his hand, as a bathroom suddenly came into view.
"This place is weird..." He blinked, looking at the bathroom.
Seeing the shower and bath tub, Kurama asked, "How exactly are we going to do that if we have no extra clothes?"
"Clothes will be provided for you, granted that you actually would like to wash up."
"You can go in first, Kurama," Yusuke replied, looking at the older teen.
Looking at the other, he nodded. He didn't really feel like arguing at the moment.
Nodding, the hooded figure proceeded to the exit, closing the door behind him.
Yusuke sighed, laying back on the bed. This place is so weird.. I hope we can leave soon..
The tub filled with warm water, as Kurama proceeded to remove his clothes. Stepping into the tub, he closed his eyes as he slowly sank into the water, enjoying the feeling. Reaching up, he started removing the bandage around his head.
The teen rolled over, and seeing the two roses on the bed, he picked them both up. He felt a slight pain across his palm, and when he opened his hand, he noticed the thorns on his rose had sliced his skin open.
Sinking lower into the tub, Kurama winced slightly as the water touched his head, running through his hair and over his wound.
Yusuke watched as the blood dripped from the wound on his palm and slowly fell on his chest. I wonder if anyone DOES notice I am gone..? he thought.
Finally, after a while of soaking in the tub, the fox reluctantly got out, drying himself off with a nearby towel. Looking around, he found a table with some clothes on it. By now there was a small pool of half dried, half fresh blood on his chest. Yusuke's eyes never left the ceiling as he waited for his turn in the bathroom.
As he exited the bathroom, he frowned slightly, looking at the clothes that he had received. He wasn't one to complain, but he wasn't sure about the outfit of choice. It was a lot of what he usually wore when he was Youko, except it was pure black, besides the sash used to tie around his waist. The deep V-cut in the sleeveless shirt revealed his chest, and he was slightly uncomfortable with that.
Yusuke looked up at Kurama as he entered. Blushing slightly, he got up, wiping the blood off his chest in the process. "Guess it's my turn.." Leaving the roses on the bed he walked over.
As the younger teen passed him, Kurama had noticed the small bit of blood on the his chest. Sitting down on the bed, he decided to wait and ask him about it.
Walking into the bathroom, Yusuke filled the tub. When it was full, he pulled off his clothes and climbed in, sinking underneath the water.
He lay back on the bed, picking up the two roses.
Coming back up for air, the young teen looked at his palm. It was stinging slightly but that was it. He sighed again and started scrubbing the dirt off his body.
Looking at the roses, he faintly smelled the scent of blood.
Sighing, Yusuke got out, drying himself and going over to the clothes. Letting out the breath that he didn't know he was holding, Yusuke pulled on the jeans and sweatshirt sitting on the table.
Once again looking at his clothes, he let out a little sigh. He really didn't like the low cut on his shirt, though the long pants suit him well. Sure, as Youko, he didn't mind it. However, in his human body, he preferred clothes that covered him up. Long sleeves, long pants, hardly T-shirts. Most of the time, the only parts of his skin that were visible were his face and hands.
Yusuke walked out, seeing Kurama on the bed he walked over.
Looking up, he noticed a strange look on the younger teen's face. "Are you alright?"
He looked at Kurama. "Yes. I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You seem a little..... I don't know....."
Smiling slightly, he sat down on the bed. "Really. I'm fine."
The scent of blood was strong now, though still rather faint. Taking Yusuke's hand, he turned the palm upwards, revealing the cut.
Yusuke let the fox teen take his hand and look at it. "I just cut it, no big deal.."
"From where? The roses?"
He nodded. He didn't think it was such a big deal anymore. It had, of course, stopped bleeding.
"Are you sure you're alright? That's not really like you."
"Of course I am," he replied giving a small smile. "You worry too much."
There was still something he felt that Yusuke wasn't telling him. "What were you thinking about?"
Yusuke gently leaned back on the bed, folding his arms behind his head. "Things... why do you ask?"
He shrugged. "Just wondering."
"How does your head feel?" Yusuke suddenly asked.
"If feels better now," he replied. "Hot water did much for it."
"That's good.." he replied, relieved.
"Yusuke?"
"Hmn?"
"You know you can tell me anything, right?"
He nodded. "Yes, I... I know."
"So....... you want to tell me what's wrong?"
Yusuke sighed. "I was just wondering.... well... if anyone..." His voice faded away, without him finishing his sentence.
"If anyone what?"
"If anyone.. you know... missed me.." he finished. "And.. what their reactions will be... when we go home.."
"Their reactions about what? Us?"
He nodded again.
He nodded. "First of all, how can you wonder if anyone misses you? Didn't they when you died?"
"I know," he started, "but I'm not dead. And there have been other times when I haven't come home, and no one noticed I had left. I love my mom and everything, but she is nothing compared to yours."
"People are different, Yusuke. Just because your mother isn't like mine, it doesn't mean she doesn't care."
Yusuke blushed a little. He wasn't usually one to tell people personal things he thought about. But I feel different around Kurama..
"Second, I never imagined that you were one who cared about others' opinions."
The small trace of a blush deepened, and Yusuke suddenly felt the need to change the subject. "Are you hungry? Cause I am." He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed, getting up.
"Yusuke, please, don't try and change the subject. We need to talk about this."
"Why?"
"Because, it's obviously upsetting you."
"I'm fine, I really am." He gave the older teen a smile.
Getting up, he pulled the young delinquent into an embrace. "I just don't want to see you hurting in any way."
"I'm not, I promise," he replied, returning the embrace.
Nodding, he pulled back slightly, smiling as he brushed raven strands from the younger teen's eyes.
He smiled back, gently placing his head on the older teen's shoulder. "Maybe.. we should leave today.." he replied, adding, "If we stay any longer, I might not want to leave." He nodded. "But how? How are we supposed to get out of this place?"
He shrugged. "Maybe we should ask.."
"Yes. That would be the best way. But didn't he say he was trying to find out what his brother was up to?"
Yusuke sighed, flopping back on the bed. "I wonder what he is up to.."
"I'm not sure. He seems trustworthy enough."
He looked at the door, then back at Kurama who was standing in front of him.
"Interesting choice of clothing, you look nice," he suddenly said, as if just finally seeing him.
He blushed slightly. "It was the only thing there......"
Taking hold of Kurama's hand and pulling him over, Yusuke smiled. "You sure blush a lot.." He gave the other a playful grin.
The statement only caused him to deepen the red hue on his face.
Yusuke laughed at seeing the blush deepen. "I wonder how red you can get.." he replied, grinning. He stood and brushed his lips over the older teen's.
He could feel as more blood rushed to his face. Only Yusuke could possibly do that to me, he thought.
He grinned as he saw Kurama's reaction.
The fox looked at the ground, pretending to be interested in Yusuke's feet.
Yusuke sat down on the bed, falling backwards onto his back. He closed his eyes and a tray of food appeared on the end of the bed.
"I guess you really are hungry...."
He smiled, scooting over and pulling Kurama over. "Of course, and you're gonna eat too."
"No, Yusuke...."
"I want you to have enough strength in case we have to leave."
Sitting on the bed, he reached over and grabbed an apple, taking a bit out of it.
"Thank you." He smiled.
Chewing some, he swallowed, placing the bitten apple back on the tray. "I'm done," he said, a sly smile crossing his lips.
Yusuke looked at the apple. "I could take Hiei's method and shove it down your throat," he replied, mirroring Kurama's smile.
"Yes, and then I would choke and die. Thank you, I feel appreciated."
"You don't think I would actually let you die, do you?" he asked, his voice hinting towards a joke, but his eyes holding a seriousness.
He shook his head. "No," he replied, his eyes holding the same seriousness. "That's one thing I'll never have to worry about."
"Good.." he said, a small smile on his lips.
He smiled back, his hands playing with the white sash around his waist.
"What's wrong?" he asked, watching the other teen's hands fiddle with the sash.
"Nothing."
"I'm not going to force anything out of you, but you can always talk to me.. if you need to."
He nodded. "I know. But really, there's nothing to say." He continued to fiddle with his sash, still not liking the style of the entire outfit.
Watching Kurama, he wondered why the teen wouldn't tell him what was wrong. Something is wrong, he seemed a little embarrassed about his outfit.. maybe that's it..
He frowned slightly. I don't know why I'm so bothered by this. I should be used to it, as Youko. But I suppose that's why I'm not used to it, at least not in this body.....
Yusuke saw Kurama's frown. He sighed. I wish I could make him feel better..
Looking up at Yusuke, he smiled. "I thought you were hungry. Aren't you going to eat?"
"Nah." He shook his head. "I just wanted you to eat something."
"And..... you're not going to eat anything?"
"No."
"You really should eat something."
"Hmm..." Picking up the same apple Kurama had taken a bite off from, he took one out of the other side, chewing and swallowing. Setting it down, he said, "Done."
He laughed slightly. "You're such a copy cat."
Yusuke smiled back, seeing the green rose on the bed he picked it up and started studying it.
Looking down, Kurama started playing with the white sash...... yet again.........
"If your uncomfortable in that, why not change?" Yusuke asked, not taking his eyes of the rose's petals.
"My other clothes are gone....... and I can't seem to get a different set."
The younger teen closed his eyes, concentrating on trying to get something different for the boy to wear.
A pair of white slacks and T-shirt appeared on his lap suddenly. Blinking, the fox picked them up. "Thanks, Yusuke," he said, looking at the T-shirt.
Sitting up, Yusuke pulled off the sweatshirt he was wearing. "Here."
Confusion swept over his jade eyes. "What's this for?" he asked, taking the sweatshirt.
"I know you'd rather wear a sweatshirt then a t-shirt," he replied gently.
He smiled. "Thank you." Placing the T-shirt on the bed, he walked into the bathroom to change.
Yusuke sighed and looked around. I wonder where that guy went anyway..
He returned moments later, straightening the long sleeves of the sweatshirt. He never did like wearing anything that revealed parts of his human body.
He smiled when he saw the teen walk out.
"Thanks Yusuke," he said, smiling as he sat next to the younger teen on the bed. He felt much better now that his body was hidden behind a layer of clothing.
"No problem, Kurama."
Suddenly, the door opened, as the hooded figure once again entered the room, closing the door behind him.
Yusuke looked over, glad to see the figure was back.
Looking at Kurama, he asked, "The choice of clothing did not meet your desires, Kurama?" His clear blue eyes held a sly look to them.
Kurama flushed slightly.
Seeing the slight pink on the boy's cheeks, Yusuke smiled. He turned to the hooded figure. "Did you find anything out..?"
He nodded, his eyes once again serious. "The reason my brother brought you both here was solely for the purpose of his own entertainment. He somehow found out how you both felt about each other, and wanted to cause trouble for both of you. Right now, he's looking for you two, trying to find you. He doesn't know where you are, and I intend to keep it that way."
"Why do you continue to help us? I'm sure your brother won't be to happy if he finds out.." Yusuke suddenly asked.
"This isn't the first time my brother has done something like this. He enjoys causing pain for people, and for too long I've done nothing to stop him. I'm not going to let him have his way again."
"There..... there have been others?" he asked, solely forgetting about his question of them leaving.
The hooded figure nodded. "Many others. For centuries, my brother has been doing this. He seems to feed off of people's pain and fears. Being the weaker one, I was always afraid of trying to stop him. But not this time."
"What did he do with the others?" Kurama asked.
Yusuke looked at Kurama, the teen had been silent for a while. I'm not sure if I want to know..
"Well, he enjoyed torturing them, physically and emotionally. But then he would let them go."
"I'm not going to let him do that..." Yusuke said, his voice just above a whisper.
"What do you mean, let them go?" the fox asked.
"He would let them return home."
"He would?"
".......Sort of....."
"Sort of?"
"Well, I'll say this: He always brought two people into this world at a time, but only one of them ever went home."
Yusuke's eyes widened as he looked at Kurama.
"What happens to the other one?"
The hooded figure shrugged. "It's hard to say. Sometimes, my brother simply keeps them around as a slave, or someone to beat when he's bored. Other times, he keeps a person for who-knows-what. I just know it's never good. However, those that my brother keeps in this world aren't around for too long."
"You said your brother feeds off the person's fears and pain.. If those emotions make him stronger, wouldn't their opposites make YOU stronger?"
He nodded. "But people are usually so caught up in their fear and pain, they can't concentrate on anything else, let alone something to help me become stronger. That's why my brother is always stronger than I am."
Yusuke nodded at the hooded figure. "Well, we're going to change that.." He looked at Kurama, hoping he would agree.
Kurama nodded as well.
Suddenly remembering the question he had wanted to ask before, Yusuke looked back at the figure. "How do we get out of here, anyway?"
"There's only one way out, but my brother has it heavily guarded. I'm doing my best to find a way to get you both there without my brother's notice, but that will take time." The younger teen sighed. Kurama's mother is going to be so worried.. He looked over at the older teen. And.. mine will too..
"How much longer, would you say?" the fox asked.
He shook his head. "I'm not sure."
"Why can't we come with you?" Yusuke suddenly asked. "We aren't helping you get stronger in here.."
"Yes you are."
He blinked, slightly confused.
"You two are the most...... unique people that I've ever encountered. Even when both of your lives are on the line, you don't hesitate to help the other. You care for each other deeply, and it is because of that that I have grown much stronger than ever before."
Yusuke flushed a little and stole a glance at the other, but didn't say anything more.
A tint of red also spread across the older teen's cheeks, looking at the younger from the corner of his eyes.
"That's why I want to help you two. I don't care what my brother decides to do to me, because he can't kill me. But I want to help you two get out of here and back to your homes."
"Thank you for all your help.." Yusuke replied, looking up at the hooded figure.
He bowed slightly. "I should be thanking you," he replied. "I'll be back when I have more word on your situation." Turning, he exited through the door, and it closed behind him.
Kurama sighed, leaning back on the bed.
Yusuke looked back at the teen, curiously.
He stared at the blue ceiling, his mind wandering everywhere.
The younger teen leaned back also, his head hitting the pillow. "Guess this kinda makes everything a little harder, hm?"
He nodded. "Kind of makes me wonder if we'll ever GET home......."
He rolled over, looking at the teen. "I've already made a promise to myself, that no matter what happens you'll get home safely... and I don't intend to break that promise.."
"Thank you." He looked at the other. "But I'm not going home without you. I've made that promise to myself, and that's a promise I plan on keeping."
Yusuke smiled at the other.
"I just hope the others aren't TOO worried...... Do you realize that we left Hiei alone with Kuwabara to look for us in the Human AND Demon world?"
He chuckled. "At least it is only two out of the three."
"Right. Still, I feel sorry for Kuwabara. Hiei must be ready to kill him by now......."
"I'm sure Botan will keep things calm between them.."
He chuckled slightly. "I hope so...... Yusuke?"
"Hmn?"
"........What...... do you think he meant when he said that his brother 'keeps a person for who-knows-what'?"
"I'm... not sure.. What do you think?"
His eyes darkened slightly. "I... I don't know really..... but, I think....."
Seeing the older teen's eyes darken, he wondered what was up. "You think...?"
"I think.... maybe.... he might use people.... to fulfill a sensual pleasure....."
"Oh.." he replied, looking away slightly.
"He had THAT kind of look back in the alley, when we first met him..... and, believe me, I've seen that look before." There was a sense of bitterness at the edge of his voice.
"That must have been why he made my hair stand on end."
"I WON'T let that happen to you, Kurama," he said, looking directly into the teen's jade eyes. "If only one of us ends up going home, it WILL be you."
"I told you, I'm not going home without you. Not ever."
Yusuke gave the other teen a weak smile. "Don't worry, we'll both go home.."
He nodded. "We will...."
Yusuke smiled lightly, still on the bed, and rolled over on to his back.
Not wanting to dwell on such a serious thing, Kurama decided to........ perk things up a bit. Rolling onto his stomach, he pushed himself up on his hands, playfully tackling Yusuke.
The younger teen blinked in surprise when Kurama tackled him. He looked up at him and grinned playfully. "Oh no, the fox has got me."
A small smirk appeared on his lips, taking hold of the younger teen's wrists and pinning them over his head. Bending down, he gently placed a kiss on his lips.
The younger teen smiled playfully after Kurama's kiss. "I've never seen this side of you, Kurama," he replied, tilting his head slightly.
"Oh, you have. But only in a battle." A smirk appeared again on his lips, as his emerald eyes revealed a swirl of gold.
Yusuke smirked back. "Well I like it.." He leaned his head up, planting a light kiss on Kurama's lips.
The fox returned the kiss, a hungry, but still gentle kiss.
Dropping his head back on the pillow, Yusuke looked up into the older teen's jade eyes, just noticing the small tint of gold.
His hold on the younger's wrists was released as his hands moved down to Yusuke's neck.
Yusuke watched Kurama move his hands curiously. What has gotten into him?
Capturing the delinquent's lips again, his hands continued down to his chest.
The younger teen closed his eyes, returning the kiss. He got a small chill as Kurama's hands made their way to his bare chest.
He gasped, pulling back suddenly, his faced flushed. He slid off of Yusuke's body carefully, so as not to hurt him, sitting next to him on the bed.
Yusuke blinked his eyes open as he felt Kurama move away. He moved his arms from above his head where they had been left and pushed himself up. "Something wrong?"
He kept his eyes on the bed, looking up once at Yusuke before looking back down, his face a deep red. "Sorry..... about that....."
He smiled, leaning over and placing a kiss on the older teen's cheek. "Don't worry about it, Kurama."
"I shouldn't have let my instincts take over so much......"
The teen then realized that was why Kurama's eyes had looked the way they had.
"I-I didn't mean to...... but, I...... my instincts just took over. I- I couldn't control them......."
"Kurama, it's all right," Yusuke replied, moving so that he was sitting in front of the older teen. "Is there something else bothering you?"
"I-I.... I-I'm just afraid that...... I might hurt you........"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm afraid..... that if my instincts, my demon instincts, take over, I..... might hurt you....."
Yusuke placed a hand on Kurama's shoulder. "Don't worry, Kurama. Plus," he added playfully, "you couldn't hurt me if you tried."
Looking at the younger teen, he rested his head on his shoulder. "I...I'm just afraid that I might DO something....."
The younger lifted his hand and started running his finger's through Kurama's crimson hair. "I know you're afraid of what you might do.... but everything will be fine.."
A small shiver ran through his spine, though it wasn't unpleasant. He smiled softly.
Yusuke smiled back and stopped running his fingers through the older teen's hair. Pulling him into an embrace he asked, "Feel better?"
"Yes. Thank you."
He nodded gently, smiling. "Anything for you, Kurama."
Looking up, he placed a small kiss on the younger teen's cheek.
The door opened as the hooded figure entered once again.
Hearing the door open, Yusuke turned to look, seeing the hooded figure for the second time that day.
Kurama looked over at his as well.
He looked at them. "We must hurry."
~*~
by xDarkxMagicianxGirlx and Ookami no Kokoro
Disclaimers: Nothing has changed from before, so why ask?
Chapter Five
Yusuke blinked his eyes open. He looked up at the red head and smiled.
The pain in his head rudely brought the fox out of his slumber. He was aware that he was conscious, and that the throbbing in his head had grown considerable worse since he had awoken, but it took him a while to realize that he couldn't open his eyes. For that matter, he couldn't move at all.
The younger teen slipped out of Kurama's embrace and gently laid down on his back next to the older teen.
He could feel, he realized, as he felt Yusuke lift off of him. But, no matter how he tried, he still couldn't move, the pain in his head growing worse with each passing moment.
"This is a first.." he replied, making sure he wasn't too loud. "I'm up before he is.."
No, I'm up, he thought. I just can't GET up..... He wanted to tell Yusuke so, but he discovered then that he couldn't talk either.
"This is kinda boring.." he said again, sitting up. Looking over at Kurama's body, he had a feeling that something was wrong.
He couldn't even growl at his frustration for not being able to do anything but lie there, only doing so mentally. What is going on? he wondered.
The feeling in his stomach suddenly made Yusuke groan. What's this feeling?
He felt the rose at his fingertips, though he seemed not to be holding it. It was just there, his hand resting on top of the flower. He remembered he had been holding it before he had fallen asleep, but he knew Yusuke hadn't seen him do so. He sighed in his mind, trying to think of what to do.
The feeling suddenly grew, and he leaned over the older teen. Maybe something's wrong with him.. "Kurama?"
He heard Yusuke speak his name, but there was nothing he could do to reply to the younger teen.
"Kurama, c'mon, wake up." He shook the teen gently.
Unfortunately, he still couldn't do anything.
Yusuke got off the bed, walking around to the other side and bending over Kurama. Noticing the rose in the older teen's hand, he wondered how it had gotten there.
He knew something was wrong with him, terribly wrong, but there was nothing he could do about it. He could only hope that Yusuke would find..... someway to help him.......
He gently opened the other teen's hand, taking the rose out and setting on the bed with his. "Kurama?" Something must be wrong, he isn't such a heavy sleeper.
The pain in his head grew worse than before, continuing to grow. What is going on? It wasn't like this before I fell asleep.....
"Please, wake up Kurama.." Yusuke pleaded with the sleeping teen. He was really worried and didn't know what else to do.
Suddenly, the door opened as the hooded figure walked in. Quietly, he closed the door behind him.
Yusuke turned to look at the figure, his chocolate eyes filled with confusion and worry. "I... I can't wake him," he replied, fear in his voice.
Looking at the two teens, he walked over to where Yusuke was standing, gazing down at Kurama.
"Do you know what's wrong with him?"
"Perhaps......" His hands were suddenly drawn out of his cloak, placed upon the red-head's chest. As he did so, his hands, and the older teen, began to glow a bluish-white light. The younger teen watched curiously.
"As I thought....." the figure murmured.
"What's wrong?"
"This entire world was created from the combined energies of my brother and me. That is how it creates situations based on your feelings. My brother possess all the negative energy, while I retain all the positive energy. Somehow, when..... Kurama...... injured his head, some of my brother's energy entered him through the injury....."
Yusuke looked horrified. "What's going to happen? How do we get it out?"
"Since I obtain positive energy, I believe I can cancel it out. However, my brother is stronger than I am, so this could take a while....."
He nodded. "I don't care how long it takes.." He walked around the other side of the bed, getting on it and sitting next to the red-head.
He nodded, returning his attention to the older teen. After what seemed like an eternity, his hands pulled back into the black cloak, the glowing around them and Kurama stopping.
His head, though still throbbing with pain, was much more bearable than just minutes ago. Slowly, his emerald eyes fluttered open.
Leaning over the boy, Yusuke asked hesitantly, "K-Kurama?"
"Hm....." he replied, still a little tired. Slowly, he sat up, using his arms to support his upper body weight from behind.
He sighed, embracing the older teen. Pulling away, he asked, "Are you all right?"
He nodded, rubbing his injury. "I am now." He turned to the hooded figure. "Thank you."
The figure simply nodded.
Looking at the figure, Yusuke smiled slightly. "Yes, thank you."
Again, the figure nodded. Turning away, he walked over to one of the walls, placing his hand on it. "Anyway," he said, "I simply came by to see if you two would want to freshen up." The wall moved underneath his hand, as a bathroom suddenly came into view.
"This place is weird..." He blinked, looking at the bathroom.
Seeing the shower and bath tub, Kurama asked, "How exactly are we going to do that if we have no extra clothes?"
"Clothes will be provided for you, granted that you actually would like to wash up."
"You can go in first, Kurama," Yusuke replied, looking at the older teen.
Looking at the other, he nodded. He didn't really feel like arguing at the moment.
Nodding, the hooded figure proceeded to the exit, closing the door behind him.
Yusuke sighed, laying back on the bed. This place is so weird.. I hope we can leave soon..
The tub filled with warm water, as Kurama proceeded to remove his clothes. Stepping into the tub, he closed his eyes as he slowly sank into the water, enjoying the feeling. Reaching up, he started removing the bandage around his head.
The teen rolled over, and seeing the two roses on the bed, he picked them both up. He felt a slight pain across his palm, and when he opened his hand, he noticed the thorns on his rose had sliced his skin open.
Sinking lower into the tub, Kurama winced slightly as the water touched his head, running through his hair and over his wound.
Yusuke watched as the blood dripped from the wound on his palm and slowly fell on his chest. I wonder if anyone DOES notice I am gone..? he thought.
Finally, after a while of soaking in the tub, the fox reluctantly got out, drying himself off with a nearby towel. Looking around, he found a table with some clothes on it. By now there was a small pool of half dried, half fresh blood on his chest. Yusuke's eyes never left the ceiling as he waited for his turn in the bathroom.
As he exited the bathroom, he frowned slightly, looking at the clothes that he had received. He wasn't one to complain, but he wasn't sure about the outfit of choice. It was a lot of what he usually wore when he was Youko, except it was pure black, besides the sash used to tie around his waist. The deep V-cut in the sleeveless shirt revealed his chest, and he was slightly uncomfortable with that.
Yusuke looked up at Kurama as he entered. Blushing slightly, he got up, wiping the blood off his chest in the process. "Guess it's my turn.." Leaving the roses on the bed he walked over.
As the younger teen passed him, Kurama had noticed the small bit of blood on the his chest. Sitting down on the bed, he decided to wait and ask him about it.
Walking into the bathroom, Yusuke filled the tub. When it was full, he pulled off his clothes and climbed in, sinking underneath the water.
He lay back on the bed, picking up the two roses.
Coming back up for air, the young teen looked at his palm. It was stinging slightly but that was it. He sighed again and started scrubbing the dirt off his body.
Looking at the roses, he faintly smelled the scent of blood.
Sighing, Yusuke got out, drying himself and going over to the clothes. Letting out the breath that he didn't know he was holding, Yusuke pulled on the jeans and sweatshirt sitting on the table.
Once again looking at his clothes, he let out a little sigh. He really didn't like the low cut on his shirt, though the long pants suit him well. Sure, as Youko, he didn't mind it. However, in his human body, he preferred clothes that covered him up. Long sleeves, long pants, hardly T-shirts. Most of the time, the only parts of his skin that were visible were his face and hands.
Yusuke walked out, seeing Kurama on the bed he walked over.
Looking up, he noticed a strange look on the younger teen's face. "Are you alright?"
He looked at Kurama. "Yes. I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You seem a little..... I don't know....."
Smiling slightly, he sat down on the bed. "Really. I'm fine."
The scent of blood was strong now, though still rather faint. Taking Yusuke's hand, he turned the palm upwards, revealing the cut.
Yusuke let the fox teen take his hand and look at it. "I just cut it, no big deal.."
"From where? The roses?"
He nodded. He didn't think it was such a big deal anymore. It had, of course, stopped bleeding.
"Are you sure you're alright? That's not really like you."
"Of course I am," he replied giving a small smile. "You worry too much."
There was still something he felt that Yusuke wasn't telling him. "What were you thinking about?"
Yusuke gently leaned back on the bed, folding his arms behind his head. "Things... why do you ask?"
He shrugged. "Just wondering."
"How does your head feel?" Yusuke suddenly asked.
"If feels better now," he replied. "Hot water did much for it."
"That's good.." he replied, relieved.
"Yusuke?"
"Hmn?"
"You know you can tell me anything, right?"
He nodded. "Yes, I... I know."
"So....... you want to tell me what's wrong?"
Yusuke sighed. "I was just wondering.... well... if anyone..." His voice faded away, without him finishing his sentence.
"If anyone what?"
"If anyone.. you know... missed me.." he finished. "And.. what their reactions will be... when we go home.."
"Their reactions about what? Us?"
He nodded again.
He nodded. "First of all, how can you wonder if anyone misses you? Didn't they when you died?"
"I know," he started, "but I'm not dead. And there have been other times when I haven't come home, and no one noticed I had left. I love my mom and everything, but she is nothing compared to yours."
"People are different, Yusuke. Just because your mother isn't like mine, it doesn't mean she doesn't care."
Yusuke blushed a little. He wasn't usually one to tell people personal things he thought about. But I feel different around Kurama..
"Second, I never imagined that you were one who cared about others' opinions."
The small trace of a blush deepened, and Yusuke suddenly felt the need to change the subject. "Are you hungry? Cause I am." He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed, getting up.
"Yusuke, please, don't try and change the subject. We need to talk about this."
"Why?"
"Because, it's obviously upsetting you."
"I'm fine, I really am." He gave the older teen a smile.
Getting up, he pulled the young delinquent into an embrace. "I just don't want to see you hurting in any way."
"I'm not, I promise," he replied, returning the embrace.
Nodding, he pulled back slightly, smiling as he brushed raven strands from the younger teen's eyes.
He smiled back, gently placing his head on the older teen's shoulder. "Maybe.. we should leave today.." he replied, adding, "If we stay any longer, I might not want to leave." He nodded. "But how? How are we supposed to get out of this place?"
He shrugged. "Maybe we should ask.."
"Yes. That would be the best way. But didn't he say he was trying to find out what his brother was up to?"
Yusuke sighed, flopping back on the bed. "I wonder what he is up to.."
"I'm not sure. He seems trustworthy enough."
He looked at the door, then back at Kurama who was standing in front of him.
"Interesting choice of clothing, you look nice," he suddenly said, as if just finally seeing him.
He blushed slightly. "It was the only thing there......"
Taking hold of Kurama's hand and pulling him over, Yusuke smiled. "You sure blush a lot.." He gave the other a playful grin.
The statement only caused him to deepen the red hue on his face.
Yusuke laughed at seeing the blush deepen. "I wonder how red you can get.." he replied, grinning. He stood and brushed his lips over the older teen's.
He could feel as more blood rushed to his face. Only Yusuke could possibly do that to me, he thought.
He grinned as he saw Kurama's reaction.
The fox looked at the ground, pretending to be interested in Yusuke's feet.
Yusuke sat down on the bed, falling backwards onto his back. He closed his eyes and a tray of food appeared on the end of the bed.
"I guess you really are hungry...."
He smiled, scooting over and pulling Kurama over. "Of course, and you're gonna eat too."
"No, Yusuke...."
"I want you to have enough strength in case we have to leave."
Sitting on the bed, he reached over and grabbed an apple, taking a bit out of it.
"Thank you." He smiled.
Chewing some, he swallowed, placing the bitten apple back on the tray. "I'm done," he said, a sly smile crossing his lips.
Yusuke looked at the apple. "I could take Hiei's method and shove it down your throat," he replied, mirroring Kurama's smile.
"Yes, and then I would choke and die. Thank you, I feel appreciated."
"You don't think I would actually let you die, do you?" he asked, his voice hinting towards a joke, but his eyes holding a seriousness.
He shook his head. "No," he replied, his eyes holding the same seriousness. "That's one thing I'll never have to worry about."
"Good.." he said, a small smile on his lips.
He smiled back, his hands playing with the white sash around his waist.
"What's wrong?" he asked, watching the other teen's hands fiddle with the sash.
"Nothing."
"I'm not going to force anything out of you, but you can always talk to me.. if you need to."
He nodded. "I know. But really, there's nothing to say." He continued to fiddle with his sash, still not liking the style of the entire outfit.
Watching Kurama, he wondered why the teen wouldn't tell him what was wrong. Something is wrong, he seemed a little embarrassed about his outfit.. maybe that's it..
He frowned slightly. I don't know why I'm so bothered by this. I should be used to it, as Youko. But I suppose that's why I'm not used to it, at least not in this body.....
Yusuke saw Kurama's frown. He sighed. I wish I could make him feel better..
Looking up at Yusuke, he smiled. "I thought you were hungry. Aren't you going to eat?"
"Nah." He shook his head. "I just wanted you to eat something."
"And..... you're not going to eat anything?"
"No."
"You really should eat something."
"Hmm..." Picking up the same apple Kurama had taken a bite off from, he took one out of the other side, chewing and swallowing. Setting it down, he said, "Done."
He laughed slightly. "You're such a copy cat."
Yusuke smiled back, seeing the green rose on the bed he picked it up and started studying it.
Looking down, Kurama started playing with the white sash...... yet again.........
"If your uncomfortable in that, why not change?" Yusuke asked, not taking his eyes of the rose's petals.
"My other clothes are gone....... and I can't seem to get a different set."
The younger teen closed his eyes, concentrating on trying to get something different for the boy to wear.
A pair of white slacks and T-shirt appeared on his lap suddenly. Blinking, the fox picked them up. "Thanks, Yusuke," he said, looking at the T-shirt.
Sitting up, Yusuke pulled off the sweatshirt he was wearing. "Here."
Confusion swept over his jade eyes. "What's this for?" he asked, taking the sweatshirt.
"I know you'd rather wear a sweatshirt then a t-shirt," he replied gently.
He smiled. "Thank you." Placing the T-shirt on the bed, he walked into the bathroom to change.
Yusuke sighed and looked around. I wonder where that guy went anyway..
He returned moments later, straightening the long sleeves of the sweatshirt. He never did like wearing anything that revealed parts of his human body.
He smiled when he saw the teen walk out.
"Thanks Yusuke," he said, smiling as he sat next to the younger teen on the bed. He felt much better now that his body was hidden behind a layer of clothing.
"No problem, Kurama."
Suddenly, the door opened, as the hooded figure once again entered the room, closing the door behind him.
Yusuke looked over, glad to see the figure was back.
Looking at Kurama, he asked, "The choice of clothing did not meet your desires, Kurama?" His clear blue eyes held a sly look to them.
Kurama flushed slightly.
Seeing the slight pink on the boy's cheeks, Yusuke smiled. He turned to the hooded figure. "Did you find anything out..?"
He nodded, his eyes once again serious. "The reason my brother brought you both here was solely for the purpose of his own entertainment. He somehow found out how you both felt about each other, and wanted to cause trouble for both of you. Right now, he's looking for you two, trying to find you. He doesn't know where you are, and I intend to keep it that way."
"Why do you continue to help us? I'm sure your brother won't be to happy if he finds out.." Yusuke suddenly asked.
"This isn't the first time my brother has done something like this. He enjoys causing pain for people, and for too long I've done nothing to stop him. I'm not going to let him have his way again."
"There..... there have been others?" he asked, solely forgetting about his question of them leaving.
The hooded figure nodded. "Many others. For centuries, my brother has been doing this. He seems to feed off of people's pain and fears. Being the weaker one, I was always afraid of trying to stop him. But not this time."
"What did he do with the others?" Kurama asked.
Yusuke looked at Kurama, the teen had been silent for a while. I'm not sure if I want to know..
"Well, he enjoyed torturing them, physically and emotionally. But then he would let them go."
"I'm not going to let him do that..." Yusuke said, his voice just above a whisper.
"What do you mean, let them go?" the fox asked.
"He would let them return home."
"He would?"
".......Sort of....."
"Sort of?"
"Well, I'll say this: He always brought two people into this world at a time, but only one of them ever went home."
Yusuke's eyes widened as he looked at Kurama.
"What happens to the other one?"
The hooded figure shrugged. "It's hard to say. Sometimes, my brother simply keeps them around as a slave, or someone to beat when he's bored. Other times, he keeps a person for who-knows-what. I just know it's never good. However, those that my brother keeps in this world aren't around for too long."
"You said your brother feeds off the person's fears and pain.. If those emotions make him stronger, wouldn't their opposites make YOU stronger?"
He nodded. "But people are usually so caught up in their fear and pain, they can't concentrate on anything else, let alone something to help me become stronger. That's why my brother is always stronger than I am."
Yusuke nodded at the hooded figure. "Well, we're going to change that.." He looked at Kurama, hoping he would agree.
Kurama nodded as well.
Suddenly remembering the question he had wanted to ask before, Yusuke looked back at the figure. "How do we get out of here, anyway?"
"There's only one way out, but my brother has it heavily guarded. I'm doing my best to find a way to get you both there without my brother's notice, but that will take time." The younger teen sighed. Kurama's mother is going to be so worried.. He looked over at the older teen. And.. mine will too..
"How much longer, would you say?" the fox asked.
He shook his head. "I'm not sure."
"Why can't we come with you?" Yusuke suddenly asked. "We aren't helping you get stronger in here.."
"Yes you are."
He blinked, slightly confused.
"You two are the most...... unique people that I've ever encountered. Even when both of your lives are on the line, you don't hesitate to help the other. You care for each other deeply, and it is because of that that I have grown much stronger than ever before."
Yusuke flushed a little and stole a glance at the other, but didn't say anything more.
A tint of red also spread across the older teen's cheeks, looking at the younger from the corner of his eyes.
"That's why I want to help you two. I don't care what my brother decides to do to me, because he can't kill me. But I want to help you two get out of here and back to your homes."
"Thank you for all your help.." Yusuke replied, looking up at the hooded figure.
He bowed slightly. "I should be thanking you," he replied. "I'll be back when I have more word on your situation." Turning, he exited through the door, and it closed behind him.
Kurama sighed, leaning back on the bed.
Yusuke looked back at the teen, curiously.
He stared at the blue ceiling, his mind wandering everywhere.
The younger teen leaned back also, his head hitting the pillow. "Guess this kinda makes everything a little harder, hm?"
He nodded. "Kind of makes me wonder if we'll ever GET home......."
He rolled over, looking at the teen. "I've already made a promise to myself, that no matter what happens you'll get home safely... and I don't intend to break that promise.."
"Thank you." He looked at the other. "But I'm not going home without you. I've made that promise to myself, and that's a promise I plan on keeping."
Yusuke smiled at the other.
"I just hope the others aren't TOO worried...... Do you realize that we left Hiei alone with Kuwabara to look for us in the Human AND Demon world?"
He chuckled. "At least it is only two out of the three."
"Right. Still, I feel sorry for Kuwabara. Hiei must be ready to kill him by now......."
"I'm sure Botan will keep things calm between them.."
He chuckled slightly. "I hope so...... Yusuke?"
"Hmn?"
"........What...... do you think he meant when he said that his brother 'keeps a person for who-knows-what'?"
"I'm... not sure.. What do you think?"
His eyes darkened slightly. "I... I don't know really..... but, I think....."
Seeing the older teen's eyes darken, he wondered what was up. "You think...?"
"I think.... maybe.... he might use people.... to fulfill a sensual pleasure....."
"Oh.." he replied, looking away slightly.
"He had THAT kind of look back in the alley, when we first met him..... and, believe me, I've seen that look before." There was a sense of bitterness at the edge of his voice.
"That must have been why he made my hair stand on end."
"I WON'T let that happen to you, Kurama," he said, looking directly into the teen's jade eyes. "If only one of us ends up going home, it WILL be you."
"I told you, I'm not going home without you. Not ever."
Yusuke gave the other teen a weak smile. "Don't worry, we'll both go home.."
He nodded. "We will...."
Yusuke smiled lightly, still on the bed, and rolled over on to his back.
Not wanting to dwell on such a serious thing, Kurama decided to........ perk things up a bit. Rolling onto his stomach, he pushed himself up on his hands, playfully tackling Yusuke.
The younger teen blinked in surprise when Kurama tackled him. He looked up at him and grinned playfully. "Oh no, the fox has got me."
A small smirk appeared on his lips, taking hold of the younger teen's wrists and pinning them over his head. Bending down, he gently placed a kiss on his lips.
The younger teen smiled playfully after Kurama's kiss. "I've never seen this side of you, Kurama," he replied, tilting his head slightly.
"Oh, you have. But only in a battle." A smirk appeared again on his lips, as his emerald eyes revealed a swirl of gold.
Yusuke smirked back. "Well I like it.." He leaned his head up, planting a light kiss on Kurama's lips.
The fox returned the kiss, a hungry, but still gentle kiss.
Dropping his head back on the pillow, Yusuke looked up into the older teen's jade eyes, just noticing the small tint of gold.
His hold on the younger's wrists was released as his hands moved down to Yusuke's neck.
Yusuke watched Kurama move his hands curiously. What has gotten into him?
Capturing the delinquent's lips again, his hands continued down to his chest.
The younger teen closed his eyes, returning the kiss. He got a small chill as Kurama's hands made their way to his bare chest.
He gasped, pulling back suddenly, his faced flushed. He slid off of Yusuke's body carefully, so as not to hurt him, sitting next to him on the bed.
Yusuke blinked his eyes open as he felt Kurama move away. He moved his arms from above his head where they had been left and pushed himself up. "Something wrong?"
He kept his eyes on the bed, looking up once at Yusuke before looking back down, his face a deep red. "Sorry..... about that....."
He smiled, leaning over and placing a kiss on the older teen's cheek. "Don't worry about it, Kurama."
"I shouldn't have let my instincts take over so much......"
The teen then realized that was why Kurama's eyes had looked the way they had.
"I-I didn't mean to...... but, I...... my instincts just took over. I- I couldn't control them......."
"Kurama, it's all right," Yusuke replied, moving so that he was sitting in front of the older teen. "Is there something else bothering you?"
"I-I.... I-I'm just afraid that...... I might hurt you........"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm afraid..... that if my instincts, my demon instincts, take over, I..... might hurt you....."
Yusuke placed a hand on Kurama's shoulder. "Don't worry, Kurama. Plus," he added playfully, "you couldn't hurt me if you tried."
Looking at the younger teen, he rested his head on his shoulder. "I...I'm just afraid that I might DO something....."
The younger lifted his hand and started running his finger's through Kurama's crimson hair. "I know you're afraid of what you might do.... but everything will be fine.."
A small shiver ran through his spine, though it wasn't unpleasant. He smiled softly.
Yusuke smiled back and stopped running his fingers through the older teen's hair. Pulling him into an embrace he asked, "Feel better?"
"Yes. Thank you."
He nodded gently, smiling. "Anything for you, Kurama."
Looking up, he placed a small kiss on the younger teen's cheek.
The door opened as the hooded figure entered once again.
Hearing the door open, Yusuke turned to look, seeing the hooded figure for the second time that day.
Kurama looked over at his as well.
He looked at them. "We must hurry."
~*~