AN: You would have lost the bet this time x silver kitsune x, but you were close. Wild wind is the song for this chapter. Eye to Eye is coming up though. Thank you to all who read and reviewed. I'm glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter. I know it was a long time in coming.

As usual the lyrics are the english translation of Wild Wind as found on anime lyrics . com.

(Round Three: Semifinals)

Chapter Eight: Wild Wind

Kurama was excited the night of the second round. We all were. He licked his lips unconsciously as we got into place and I immediately decided that I was going to taste them as soon as we got home. The announcer was introducing us on stage, but it was hard to hear him over the roar of the crowd. It didn't matter, the familiar tapping of Kuwabara's drumstick against the top cymbal of his drum set signaled it was time to begin.

Yusuke began the song again on his keyboard, this time I had no idea what the sound was called. Kuwabara provided the beat as Kurama and I joined in on our guitars. Soon the intro was over and I began the first verse

The wind races, a silent hurricane calling me.
It's probably a sign, a signal of the decisive battle.

Kurama continued the verse

Yes, the day has come for
the dream that's more important than my life to be fulfilled

Together we sang the chorus

With my heart like this, I'm just Fighting to dream.
I won't let anyone get in my way.
We can decide things like fate for ourselves.

Like the wind, we're just Shooting to dream.
Cutting off the pain of the past,
we now decide the future with our own hands.
Getta chance!

After a short instrumental and even shorter drum solo by Kuwabara ,I began the second verse

The painful dream spurs me on,
as if to fan the fire left in my cold heart.

Kurama nodded his head and looked at me as he continued the verse.

Yes, burning emotions resound in my heart,
like an unending storm.

I grinned at him as we came together for the chorus. Side by side, as one, we stepped forward as we sang the second chorus

Like the wilderness, we're now Fighting to dream.
Burying despair and such,
we run fiercely, swiftly down the path of the beast.
Becoming the wind, we're now Shooting to dream.
Our desire is freedom.
We can't deceive our own hearts.
It's truth!

Another instrumental began and I had my guitar solo as it ended Kurama turned to face each other and sang the choruses again

With my heart like this, I'm just Fighting to dream.
I won't let anyone get in my way.
We can decide things like fate for ourselves.
Like the wind, we're just Shooting to dream.
Cutting off the pain of the past,
we now decide the future with our own hands.

As we came to the second chorus we had unconsciously come closer together. Everyone else faded away as we looked into one another's eyes and sang the final words of the song.

Like the wilderness, we're now Fighting to dream.
Burying despair and such,
we run fiercely, swiftly down the path of the beast.
Becoming the wind, we're now Shooting to dream.
Our desire is freedom.
We can't deceive our own hearts.
It's truth!

The audience roared with applause when the song ended, startling Kurama and I out of the world only we two shared. We took a bow and exited the stage with Yusuke and Kuwabara soon following behind. "Man you two are hot on stage together," Yusuke exclaimed. "You two weren't like that in rehearsal," "Yeah, what happened?" Kuwabara asked. I looked to Kurama, not sure what to say to that. The fox smiled. "I'm not sure what you mean," he said. Yusuke shrugged "Well, whatever happened, you guys really got the crowd worked up tonight," he said. "We'll make it to the next round for sure," Kuwabara exclaimed. I smirked and looked up at Kurama. The fox just smiled back at me.

The detective and the oaf had been right, there had been something different with me and the fox onstage tonight. Perhaps it was due to the new relationship we'd just begun, or maybe all the fear and anxiety we'd secretly held within our hearts had been released.

"Come get us when they're ready to announce the winner," Kurama said as he headed toward the dressing rooms. "You're not going to stay and watch the competition?" Kuwabara asked. Kurama shook his head. He was tired and I could sense it. That wasn't a big surprise; we'd been up half the night rehearsing. Without a word I followed my fox to the dressing rooms.

Kurama flopped down on the soft couch and closed his eyes. I closed the door behind me and sat on one of the sofa's massive arms. "You ok?" I asked. Kurama lazily opened one eye then closed it again. "Just tired," he assured me. I left my perch and knelt in front of the couch. Gently I began to massage his back. Kurama let out a soft moan as I felt his muscles relax under my touch. "Oooooh that feels soooo good," he murmured, his voice seemingly taking on a sensual tone. I earned a few more moans from him as I continued my massage, each one causing heat to rise to my cheeks, and desire to burn within me. "Your knees must be getting tired from kneeling," he said once I'd finished massaging his back. "Why don't you sit up here. I'll sit on the floor and you can do my shoulders," I made a sound of agreement to his suggestion and stood to my feet. Kurama sat up then leaned forward and kissed my lips lovingly. He chuckled as a soft moan rose unbidden from my throat. "Sounds like someone's a little excited," he murmured. I knew I was blushing redder than ever. Kurama just gave me sensual smile and rose to his feet.

He waited until I'd sat down on the couch before sitting down on the floor in front of me. I brushed his long silky red locks aside, then gently began massaging his neck and shoulders. Kurama's eyes closed in ecstasy. Once his muscles had relaxed a bit I gently kissed the nape of his neck, trailing my way to his face. I had only gotten to the side of his neck when we were rudely interrupted. I heard Kuwabara gasp and looked up slightly to see him in the doorway.

My head was still bowed toward Kurama's neck. I could see our reflection in the mirror out of the corner of my eye. I looked like a vampire about to take it's next victim. Kurama opened his eyes and looked toward Kuwabara. I raised my head and Kurama leaned back, resting his head in my lap. "Is it time already?" my fox asked. Kuwabara blinked, not at all expecting his question. "Uh…yeah…" he answered. "…Did….I just interrupt something?" "Not really," Kurama answered nonchalantly. "Hiei was just giving me a shoulder rub," Kuwabara looked skeptical but said nothing about his doubts.

In a single, graceful, fluid motion Kurama rose to his feet and headed for the door. I silently followed. "We're going to have to tell them Fox," I said telepathically. "They're bound to realize it sooner or later." "I know," he responded. "Do you think they'll take it well?" "Yusuke might, I'm not so sure about the baka," I replied. Kurama gave me a wicked smile. "Good thing you didn't ask me to remove my shirt," he teased. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks at the mental image that conjured and I knew I was blushing again. Yusuke raised an eyebrow as we approached, no doubt wondering what had caused the baka's odd expression. I just shrugged and turned my attention to the announcer as he came onto the stage.

"Alright everyone, there you have it our five finalists, but which two will make it to the finals?" the announcer cried. He paused for a moment to prolong the drama a moment more as he unfolded the card that had been handed to him and looked down at it. "The two bands that will battle it out in the finals are…Sub Rosa… and…" He cried. I didn't hear the name of the other band. Yusuke and Kuwabara's yells of elation drowned out the announcer. The crowd went wild, applauding and cheering loudly as the four of us stepped forward. The fool's prediction had come true, we'd made it to the next round.
A/N: Oops, I almost forgot. xxhugs Nite Nite backxx Hiei is quite the nibbler isn't he? lol. Although Kurama can be just as bad. (Don't tell him I said that.) ;)