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Chapter 13

By midday Team Yurameshi found themselves traveling through the Makai forest. Koenma had opened a portal about a days walk from their destination, Spike's Fortress. Opening a portal any closer would have risked detection by security surrounding the fortress. Their assignment was a rescue mission. A prominent Tokyo businessman, Hinto Soto, who did trade with the Makai, had made an enemy. In retaliation for a deal gone sour, Spike had kidnapped Soto's son Jadus, an eighteen-year-old high school student. In an effort to prevent a war between the two worlds, the Reikai agreed to send in a rescue team.

As they walked, Yusuke and Kuwabara were discussing the party they would have to celebrate the end of both the mission and school break. Kurama and Hiei were walking some ways behind them, though not talking much. They were also not holding hands as had become their habit. Both demons knew to show such affection in front of an enemy could be dangerous. If one became vulnerable he could be used as a weapon against the other. So they walked close, without touching, content just to be together.

Yusuke turned to look at his teammate. "Hey, Kurama, what do we know about this Spike fellow?" Giving the spirit detective his attention the fox replied, "Not much actually. He's a bit of a recluse, wealthy enough to buy himself top-notch security, and has a reputation as a vicious fighter. He also has a spiky tail that shoots poisonous darts, thus his name."

Without much thought Yusuke had an answer for everything. "Then it's a good thing we have Makai's best thief to get past his security and steal the boy. Hiei and I should be able to handle the vicious fighter and his minions, spikes and all." Kuwabara punched Yusuke in the arm. "Hey, Yurameshi, why don't I get to fight?" Laughing and punching back the team's leader answered, "Okay, Kuwabara, you can help fight the minions."

"If you two are finished playing around, we should find a place to camp before it gets much darker." Looking around they all realized Hiei had a point. Without them noticing, night had started to fall. Kurama pointed ahead of them on their left. "I smell water in that direction, let's go see what we find." Sure enough they found a small stream right where he indicated. There was also a good camp spot nearby. Hiei and Kurama went hunting as Kuwabara set up a campfire, ready for Hiei to light when he returned. Kurama had pointed out some plants that were edible for Yusuke to gather.

It wasn't long before they had all eaten and were settling down for the night. As Yusuke and Kuwabara stretched out by the fire, Hiei looked meaningfully at Kurama and headed into the forest. With a blush and a smile, he paused only a moment to say goodnight, then quickly followed Hiei into the forest. Yusuke and Kuwabara just chuckled and bid him goodnight.

Just out of sight of the camp Kurama looked up into the trees. "Which one do you like Hiei?" Hiei pointed up at a tall pine with thick branches. "We can keep an eye on the camp from there. Do your magic Fox so we can get some sleep." Making his way up the tree Kurama finally found what he was looking for. Pulling a seed from his hair he grew a long leafy vine, then coaxed it into a woven pattern between the V of two branches. When he was done it looked like a large leafy hammock. A moment later Hiei was beside him inspecting his work. "Hn." Nodding his approval, he climbed into the hammock and held out a hand to his fox. "Come to bed Fox." Smiling, Kurama climbed in and cuddled up to next to the koorime. Tired from the long walk they immediately fell asleep.

vvv

'Mmmm… What a delicious way to wake up.' Kurama was being expertly kissed awake. "I missed this, you kissing me awake, like you used to. Will you wake me up this way every morning, Hiei-koi?" Nodding, "Yes Fox, till the end of time, if you'll let me" then Hiei kissed Kurama again.

After a few minuets the fire demon pulled back and rested his forehead against the fox's. "Kurama, will you do something for me if I ask?" With a smile and a kiss on the nose Kurama answered firmly, "Anything my love." Hiei looked serious. "Will you change to your Youko form for the rest of the mission? I know you can take care of yourself, but in your demon form you're stronger and your spirit energy is more powerful. Kurama, I've just gotten you back and I don't want to worry that something will take you away from me again."

Touched by his concern, Kurama hugged Hiei tightly. "You've always wanted me to fight in my Youko form, I just never realized it was because you were worried about me. Yes Hiei, I'll change if it will make you happy." Kurama pulled back, closed his eyes and, raising his ki, transformed from red haired human to silver maned fox demon.

With a sultry smile the Youko faced Hiei almost shyly. "Hello, my fire baby."

Hiei closed his eyes and drew a calming breath before gazing back at the vision that was his mate. Tentatively he reached up to stroke the silver mane. "Hello Kitsune. I've been waiting fifty years to kiss you again, will you let me?"

Kurama answered by touching his lips to Hiei's. For a moment the kiss was a sweet welcoming back of an old love. It quickly became an urgent need to taste and touch a long missed lover.

The lover's reunion was short lived however when Yusuke called up "Hey you love birds, it's time to get a move on!" Reluctantly they drew apart and took a moment to catch their breaths. Hiei growled, "Idiot!", as Kurama chuckled and called down, "Be right there Yusuke".

Kuwabara was clearing away their camp as Yusuke returned. "Did you find them?"

Grinning, "Yea, and judging from the tone of Kurama's voice, I interrupted something."

From behind them Kurama informed him, "As usual, Yusuke, your timing stinks."

Both boys turned to stare in surprise at the fox demon that entered their camp with Hiei. "Kurama? What's with the ears and tail?"

With a swish of silver tail the fox replied, "Hiei thought we could use some extra muscle".

The spirit detective nodded his approval. "Not a bad idea. Okay, let's get this over with. We have a party to get to."

It took the team only a few hours to reach the perimeter of the fortress. With Kurama's help they managed to evade the traps and wards that threatened to keep them out. Then the master thief scouted the exterior of the fortress for an accessible entrance. Once their way in was determined, Yusuke outlined the plan. "Kurama will go in alone to retrieve the boy. Hiei, you keep track of him with the jagon. If he gets into trouble we move in and kick some ass."

Kurama started toward the fortress only to be stopped by a hand on his arm. Turning back, he touched a reassuring hand to Hiei's cheek, then reached up to remove the ward from the fire demon's jagon eye. "I'll be careful. Besides, you'll be right there with me." With a quick kiss over the jagon the fox disappeared into the fortress.

Hiei stood close to the entrance, ruby eyes closed, purple jagon open tracking his fox. For half an hour no one spoke, just watched Hiei for any sign of trouble. The sign came when his ruby eyes snapped opened and his blurred form was seen entering the fortress. Yusuke called to his teammate on his way into the fortress. "Come on Kuwabara, looks like we get to kick some ass."