A Fox Tale

by: Keph

Author's Note #1: Warning! Shounen-ai! No likey, no looky!

Author's Note #2: This story is the fourth in the series; previous stories ('the waiting time', 'do tell' and 'delicate nameless') concerned how Kurama and Hiei joined up with Yuusuke due to a contract Koenma presented them in exchange for their criminal sentances. However, the way Kurama goes about convincing Hiei to join the team has unexpected consequences which end with Hiei addicted to Kurama's blood and dying. In order to save him, Kurama sacrifices Hiei's memory of him...however even that plan goes awry since Hiei still remembers Kurama's name. If only that were enough for the kitsune...

Author's Note #3: This story takes place at the same time Yusuke is rescueing Yukina and Hiei is out for the blood of the ones who kidnapped his sister.

Author's Note #4: I've checked again just to make sure-I really don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. Shame that.

Author's Note #5: Sorry this took so long to come up: School has been hell.

Author's Note #6: Continued appology: I really haven't finished this, so I'll slowly post what I have and write the rest while I do that. If I finish it before I finish posting what I have I WILL post it all. Sorry, but it's either post a little at a time or none for an unsure amount of time.

Author's Note #7: I'm so happy you guys really like what I wrote so far. I have fans! Yeah! You guys rock! A big thanks to:

icedragonkitana- :)

Soul of Rain- :)

What2callmyself - thanks :)

Zelia Theb- thank you very much! :)

Dragon's Emerald-I'm glad you liked the other ones! I usually don't (honestly! I swear!) like to post separately because that gives me a reason to not finish the story. I usually have a night or two of mad writing and post, but lately that isn't possible-it's still a good idea to post things separately and I think it really is a good idea, but hopefully after this one I can go back to singular globular posts. :)

shadow priestess-sorry! I'm crazy multi-chapter lady! I can't help it...something about flow...Unfortunately this one will be a monster with many chapters, too! I'm sorry.... o .... :)

ExtremelyEvilKitty- :)

Su da 'mazin bannana eater-this one just might have some fluff-I'll try to get some in there! :)

ko-krama-hope you like this one too-as for what Yusuke and Kuwabara were watching... ;) :)

Kurama lay in bed.

He heard his mother coming up the hall and quickly closed his eyes. When she entered and touched his forehead, his cheek, he didn't move.

"I'm glad you're OK, Shuiichi." she said to him. "I had such a bad feeling..." she said.

She kissed his cheek, lingered in the doorway of his bedroom, then was gone.

As soon as the door shut, Kurama opened his eyes and sighed. He did feel bad that he was letting his mother believe he was so sick. He felt bad he had turned up in the middle of the night with no explanation, only a vague muttering of illness, tiredness and the need for bed. She had led him to his room without question, but he had felt her gaze. She had been worried about him.

He lay his hands over his eyes.

Kurama had never felt so tired.

He felt weighted to the bed, his legs were lead, his eyes were magnatized, laced with sleep. His mouth felt dry, his cheeks cool.

Perhaps he wasn't feining illness as much as he believed.

But, it didn't matter.

Kurama looked out the window. He had missed school today. He had slept most of the day and dreamed.

"Hiei..." Kurama whispered now.

The fire-demon was gone. Kurama reached out to him and tried to feel for his youki, but it was no use.

Had Kurama expected any less?

He smiled to himself.

He had.

Perhaps it was the fact that Hiei had somehow managed to fight off some of the effects of the flower. Perhaps that had given him a hope; one at first quiet, then consuming, then waning. He had more than half expected to return home and see a familiar silouette in the tree outside his window. He glanced outside now. Nothing.

Kurama should just be glad the demon recalled him at all.

He should be glad that he had been able to save him. It had been close. If Kurama was so tired it meant that a great majority of his spirit energy had been necessary.

A final kiss.

There was no question of whether or not he was glad. He was.

He frowned.

"I am glad." he said outloud.

Such hollow words.

....to be continued