Title: Heaven or Hell

Author: Koritsune Dragonrider

Rating: PG (rating may change)

Disclaimers: Does it look like I own them?

Warnings: AU (I love AU's) Yaoi (I love yaois!) KH (Kurama and Hiei 4- ever!)

Chapter 9

Kurama hums as he paints a picture of his friend again in his room. He added a little more red to Hiei's cape and smiled at his work. It was a picture of Hiei red cape and purple blue clothes. A thorn vine was wrapped around his body and flames leapt around the winged yokai's feet but didn't burn the vines. Kurama thought it was his best work yet.

He gasped when he heard someone turn the knob on his door and open it. He quickly coverd the painting as Youko walked in.

"Kurama," asked Youko, "what are you doing?"

"Nothing," said Kurama looking at Youko with an innocent face. "You want something to drink?"

Youko nodded and Kurama went to the pitcher to fill a cup of water. The silver haired angel was looking at the covered canvas as his charge went to get him a drink. He was wondering why Kurama would hide one of his paintings; the red haired angel was a great artist and people loved to see his work so why would he keep that one covered? Youko walked up to the canvas and lifted an edge to see red and black colors. Before he could see more Kurama grabbed the canvas and put it back in place.

"Don't touch that!" yelled Kurama. Youko was surprised that Kurama would get mad at something like that. Kurama took a couple of deep breathes before he spoke again.

"Please don't touch it," he said softer this time.

"What is it," asked Youko.

"It's private." Kurama sat on his bed and looked at his brother, his wings resting on his back and bed. He cocked his head as Youko continued to stare at him.

"You here for something or are you just going to stare at me all day?"

"Kurama, what's wrong with you?" asked Youko walking to the bed. He set his drink down and looked at the Reikai prince. "You hardly eat, you sleep until mid-light, and people see less of your drawings. At night it's like you're walking on water but by day you're fine. What's going on?"

"Nothing's going on," said Kurama in an innocent voice. "What makes you thing something's wrong?"

"Like I said it's like you're walking on water. Something is wrong with you, and it's been going on for the past fifty years."

"I told you, nothing's wrong with me!" Kurama was getting mad. Had he been that obvious? He tried to not get anyone to notice but obviously people had noticed. Koenma and Botan were looking worried about their son and Kuwabara put off playing games so that Kurama could sleep and Shizuru was bringing food each time they met, and she wasn't a bad cook despite what Kuwabara says.

"Then what's going on?" asked Youko. "Why are you so private all of a sudden?"

Kurama looked around; through they were alone in the room. Maybe he left like he had to escape but he knew that Youko would keep pestering him until he told the truth, or gave an answer that satisfied him.

"Promise me you won't tell," he asked his wings fluttering a bit with nervousness.

"I can't promise that until you tell me," said Youko sternly.

"Then I won't tell." Kurama laid spread eagle on his bed, his wings a ticklish comforter under him and closed his eyes. Youko sighed.

"All right," he said. "I promise not to tell."

"Good," said Kurama and he sat up. "So you won't tell?"

"I have promised," answered Youko.

"Okay." Kurama was nervous about telling his brother about Hiei. Hiei as a Makai demon and an enemy of their's. What if he gets mad? An idea came to his mind as he started. "I, uh, met someone. A guy. He's nice but a little mysterious."

"Why are you keeping it a secret?" Youko sat down facing his brother.

"Father," said Kurama answering the question with one word. "I'm supposed to marry Karasu and if Father found out I love someone else he won't be a happy sky glider."

"Agreed," said Youko. "I will keep your secret, if I meet him."

"Um." Kurama suddenly got nervous. He didn't expect this! "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why?"

"Um, He's shy. It took a while for him to like me."

"Kurama, you're a horrible liar."

Kurama chuckled nervously and looked at his bed sheets. Obviously he can't fool his brother. They've know each other for over three hundred years and they told each other everything. Now Kurama was going to tell Youko the biggest secret of his life. Well, might as well get it over with.

"If you meet him," said Kurama slowly, "will you promise not to kill him?"

"Why would I kill him?"

"Just promise."

Youko nodded. "I promise."

Kurama nodded and they waited. Kurama tried to pass the time with music or tarot cards but could see that his protector was serious so he quit and sat back to wait. Kurama looked out the window again some hours later and saw the moon was high in the sky.

"It's almost mid-dark," he said. "Time to meet him."

Kurama walked to the window, opened it, and launched himself in the air, Youko followed. Kurama lead him to the clearing near the Reikai/Makai border. Youko looked around as Kurama settled on the ground.

"Where is he?" asked Youko and Kurama looked at his brother.

"He'll be here," said Kurama and started making a flower chain. Ten minutes, twenty, half an hour had past when Kurama finished his flower and Youko was walking around the clearing, growing impatient.

"When's he coming?" he asked and Kurama stood up.

"Now."

Youko looked up to find two figures flying toward them from the Makai border. He stood in front of Kurama, who laughed and pushed him aside.

"It's okay, Youko," he said. "They won't hurt us."

"They're demons, Kurama," said Youko as Hiei and Yukina landed.

"Whoever said otherwise?" asked Kurama and ran to his friends. "Hiei! You're late."

"I was trying to convince her not to come," said Hiei his red wings stretching a bit. "And had to avoid a couple of guards."

"Hiei told me about what you do and I wanted to join," said Yukina.

"I've brought a friend too," said Kurama. "Meet my brother, Youko. Brother, this is Hiei and Yukina."

Hiei nodded and Yukina bowed as Youko looked at them.

"Kurama," started Youko but Kurama stepped in.

"They saved me, Youko," he said, "when I was captured."

"It could be a trick! They're evil! They were born into it!"

"I don't believe that, Youko. They helped me!"

"I'm telling Koenma." And he flew in the air. Kurama was faster and stopped him. He glared at his brother with such hatred and betrayal Youko didn't know was in an angel.

"You promised!" yelled the red-haired angel. The two demons that the two was fighting over them and let them resolve it.

'That was before them!" Youko pointed to the two demons. Kurama growled and punched his brother, making Youko spiral to the ground and land hard. The silver haired angel growled as Kurama landed next to him.

"Please, Youko, I'm asking you, not as your Prince, but as your brother to not tell."

Youko looked at his pleading brother and nodded. He turned to Hiei and Yukina and growled at them.

"If he is harmed in any way . . ." He let the threat slid and the demon twins nodded.

"Kurama was the first real friend I had," said Hiei, "I will not harm him."

"Kurama-san showed us things we never learned," said Yukina. "I can not harm him."

Youko nodded and Kurama smiled. A new friendship was formed.

TBC

Some people don't see Yukina as a devil angel but for the sake of the story I made her one. I can't believe how many responses I've got for this story! It must me really good. Well, continue with them and I'll keep updating!