Another chappie completed! I kinda like how this turned out and I think it's my half-way marker...not sure though. Also I have ideas for a sequel to this but I'm gonna finish this one first XDDD Aye...anyways. As a beforehand warning there is very slight yaoi? If that's what you'd call it. Kaz and Kurama...nothing big...yet -cackles evilly- So if ya dun like it, skip over it...but I like it and it's my fic so I wrote it. So deal. Lol! Enjoy!


Chapter Seven

Nightmares and Pride

The grounds were bathed in a pale red light at the two youkai leapt around one another, snarls and growls emitting low from their vocals, snaps of teeth clashing and bones crunching could be heard, echoing in the wintry air. Kazuki wasn't himself, a feeling of growing hatred in his heart as he slashed blindly at his opponent. The arid scent of blood filled his nostrils but instead of scaring him, the fox felt a wicked sense of lust come over him. He felt the jolt as he knocked the other youkai to the ground, felt the slicing of sharp claws against his chest as he buried fangs into the other fox's throat. Ruby liquid splurted from the gap in the opponent's jugular, staining the snow and Kazuki's fur a deadly hue. Kaz merely snarled, ripping flesh from bone as he watched with interest as the ground around them became pools of blood. And he grinned...he grinned as Takashi died...

He felt another sudden jolt, throwing him backwards, a deep sense of dread coming over him, freezing him. Words were whispered around him, clouding his mind with desperate fear and he struggled to shut them out. "With a blade of ebony. Spill blood under the moon. Bring the Fox to power." They were repeated, those words, that line, over and over until Kazuki couldn't bear it. A figure formed above him, a black dagger in hand, though the only things Kaz could see were the two, heartless topaz orbs glinting at him as the metal was plunged into his chest. Waves of dizziness and nausea were thrown upon him as he watched, helpless, as his own blood stained the ground once again. Nibori had made his final sacrifice. And once more, the pain ripped through his heart and soul as he lifted his muzzle to the sky and screamed to the gods for help...

"Kazuki! Kazuki!" He jerked away from the form shaking him in the darkness, yelling his name out in a startled tone. Kazuki snarled in fear as he leapt backwards, barely aware of the pain that went through his body as it was slammed against the wall.

"Leave me alone!" Kaz growled, head throbbing, but as the youkai neared, making the fox feel trapped, he lashed out with his fists. "Aii!" He had been flipped over, the enemy was right above him! Leaning in for the kill. "Get–away!" he snarled, his voice laced with panic as he struggled to overturn the youkai.

"Kazuki! Stop! Calm down!"

Suddenly the lights were flipped on and Kazuki flattened his ears as someone grasped him in a tight embrace, a feeling Kazuki took as an attack and he snapped, growling, struggling. Dammit!

"Easy...easy, Kaz," the voice murmured again and Kazuki looked up into Kurama's worried emerald eyes.

"Wha...?" came a muffled voice from the doorway and Kazuki flicked his gaze over to see a very disheveled Kuwabara standing there in boxers, frowning in surprise of seeing both boys on the floor. Together. "What's going on?"

"I believe he had a nightmare..." Kurama said, worriedly looking down at Kaz's flattened ears. The boy's body was hot, covered in a thick sweat. "Go on back to bed." Kuwabara didn't need to be told twice before padding back to the other room, the door shutting with a click. Kurama just kneeled there on the floor, holding the fox tightly as the boy began to tremble. "What happened, Kaz?" he asked.

Kazuki, his heart still pounding, realized that Kurama was trying to solace him and he relaxed, leaning into the kitsune's embrace, not able to stop his shivering form. "I...I don't know..." he murmured, his voice cracking slightly. "I was there again...I died again, Kurama..."

"Shh," Kurama crooned. "You never died in the first place, Fox...we saved you..."

"The blood..." Kazuki suppressed a sob as he remembered the grin on his face as he had mercilessly murdered his father... "I...killed Takashi...we were fighting. And...I enjoyed it...It was so real. There was blood everywhere..."

"It was a dream, Kaz..." Kurama said softly, resting his cheek against the younger boy's chocolate-hued hair. "You handled Takashi yesterday...he never died. It was just a nightmare."

"I know..." His sentence trailed off as he sighed, feeling the bitter tears burning his eyes again but trying not to submit to them. Kurama released his grip on his waist and instead wrapped his arms around Kazuki's shoulders. Kaz immediately stiffened, but relaxed again as he caught the scent of roses filling the air around the two. He was aware that the older fox's breathing was becoming deeper and that seemed to calm him, surprisingly. He shifted his weight so it was resting on his good side and gave a shaky sigh as he closed his eyes. He was afraid to sleep...he didn't want to see those images again, all the blood...his father's lifeless form.

However, all those thoughts melted away as Kazuki felt a soft pressure on his lips. He opened his eyes, slightly startled to see Kurama's own staring back at him. The red-haired boy pulled away, cocking his head in a playful manner and Kazuki's heart flipped uneasily, yet...somehow in a good way. He was shocked at himself as he tentatively raised a hand, placing it at the back of the youkai's neck, and pulled him in for their lips to touch again...

Kazuki was surprised to find himself in bed when he awoke the next morning. The distant sound of running water and the steam coming from the bathroom told him that Kurama was showering and he felt a smile flicker across his lips, remembering the night before. The gentle, passionate kisses they had shared in one another's arms, neither of them in a hurry. Kazuki felt himself flush and shook his head. "No..." he murmured. Though the older kitsune was tempting, both physically and spiritually, he would have to resist...same-gender relationships were looked down upon...surely Kurama knew that...

"Alright there, Kaz?" Kurama's voice came from the doorway and Kazuki turned his head to look at him, feeling another blush creeping up on his cheeks. Kurama merely chuckled.

"Yeah," Kazuki replied, meeting Kurama's warm gaze and immediately feeling at peace again as he pulled himself out of bed and stretched with a yawn. "You?"

"Never been better. Now get dressed and meet me outside after you eat. I told you I'd teach you some ki moves after all, correct?"

"Yeah!" Kazuki's heart leaped in half excitement, half fear. "I'll be there in a few minutes!"

Kurama laughed, "Take your time, kid! The day's just begun!" As he went to leave the room, he caught Kaz's gaze and smiled. Kazuki saw the ornery sparkle in the youkai's eyes, telling him that what had happened the other night was between them and them alone. Kazuki returned his gesture with a grin all his own then proceeded to dress after the door clicked behind his friend. Friend...he had never really been able to use that word before...it was almost foreign to him, but still...

After running his hands through his dark hair he turned to the door, his hand just reaching the doorknob when it swung open. He gave a small squeak of surprise and blushed as he stared deep into the eyes of a girl looking a year or two younger than himself, her blond hair piled atop her head unevenly, wavy strands framing her face, her dark, jade-green eyes sparkling with curiosity and about the same defiance as Hiei's. She wore loose-fitting garments, no shoes, and at her side was a sword. Kazuki recognized her as the crazy old man's granddaughter and he took a wary step backwards, wondering what she wanted with him.

"So, you're the hanyou-apprentice of Minamino," she stated bluntly, her tone somewhat sultry.

"Err..." Minamino? Oh! Kurama's ningen name... "Yeah. That would be me. But...I'm not exactly hanyou–" Hanyou was another name for hybrid, but usually a title for a youkai/ningen cross.

"Whatever," the girl cut him off. "I'm Naomi. Shuichi told me you were called Kazuki, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yeah. What do you want exactly?" he asked, lowering his ears.

She sent him a frigid glare and he squirmed under her gaze. "Nothing really. Shuichi told me that you were rather...talented...with a sword. I was wondering if perhaps you'd be interested in a duel sometime."

What? Kazuki was thoroughly confused by this ningen's behavior. By challenging him to a sword fight, did that mean she didn't hate him as much as she let on...or was she trying to make a fool out of him? "I...well...sure, I guess," he said, nodding.

Her eyes lit up. "Great! I'll be around. Just come and find me when you feel up to the challenge," she said, letting her guard down a bit but the haughty aura still surrounded her. It was in her nature, Kazuki supposed.

"Okay," he smiled.

She turned to leave, but spun around once more, tossing something at him. "Hey, Kazuki. Catch!" He reached forwards and caught a loaf of honey-bread, then caught her gaze. "Breakfast," she laughed and sauntered out, not giving him a chance to give her thanks.

Kazuki ate slowly, trying to savor the sweet taste of the still-warm bread, but he could barely swallow through his nervousness. What if he found out he couldn't use ki after all...would Kurama and the group abandon him to go chase after Nibori? Would they leave him alone again? He shivered at the thought of it, then shook his head, finishing the loaf. "No. You're fine," he told himself, perking his ears and practically prancing out of the dojo in search of Kurama.

He found the red-head out in the field again but he wasn't alone. Yusuke, the cocky, black-haired ningen stood alongside him, the two immersed in a conversation. Kazuki lowered his ears as he saw them, beginning to feel worried again, but the feelings were zapped rather quickly by another sense. Takashi...the man was watching them, he could feel it. Filled with a new determination, Kazuki pricked his ears and lifted his tail haughtily, moving towards the pair.

Kurama greeted him with a soft hello and Yusuke merely nodded, a smirk on his face, chocolate eyes glittering. Kaz eyed the other boy warily, but turned his attention to Kurama.

"You know Yusuke," Kurama stated, nodding towards the cocky youth. Kaz nodded and Yusuke let out a snort of laughter. "And Yusuke, you know Kaz–"

"Yeah," the boy said, looking Kazuki up and down and Kaz had to suppress a growl from rising in his throat. He wasn't sure if it was out of fear or anger...or both. "Kid, Kurama wanted me to show you some of my moves. He seems to think rather highly of you and that you'll pick up this easily. Let's see if he's right, eh?"

"Yeh..." Kazuki muttered, throwing a glance over at Kurama, who smiled and launched into a brief description of ki energy and how it was used. He explained how Kuwabara used his ki to wield his spirit sword and how he himself used ki to manipulate plants into deadly weapons.

Kurama's lesson was cut short by Yusuke, who grinned arrogantly at them. "Mind letting me show him?"

Kurama laughed. "Go ahead, Yusuke," he said softly. "Do what you do best."

Would that be showing off? Kazuki wondered, biting his lip as Yusuke motioned for him to draw nearer. "Okay, kid. I'm human, you're demon. You have to be able to use ki; anyone can master it, so get all the worried, negative thoughts from your head or they'll just cause you trouble." Kazuki blinked. Was he a mind reader as well! "Alright then. See my hand? I'm gonna close my eyes and imagine all of the energy in my body, from head to toe, moving to that palm, willing it there...now watch."

A strange tingling feeling hit Kaz as the older boy closed his eyes, his whole body going into a state of relaxation. He sighed softly, almost breathlessly, and Kazuki was amazed to see a small ball of pure light beginning to form in his outstretched palm. The ball grew and continued to grow until it was the size of a large softball and Yusuke's gaze penetrated Kazuki's own. "See that? That's ki..."

"Wow..." was all Kazuki could manage, his mind on the glowing orb in front of him.

"It can be used for many things," Kurama murmured, coming up beside them and pulling out a seed from seemingly out of no where. Suddenly the seed was immersed in light and it cracked open, growing into a blood-red rose, thorns intact. "Both deadly and beautiful."

"See?" Yusuke said as he wound up and threw the ball of energy across the field. It flew, burning all the grass in its path, destroying several rocks before finally puttering out. "That could be used on an enemy of any sort. And it's just the basics." He flashed Kaz a cunning grin.

Kurama tucked the rose behind his ear and turned to Kazuki. "Now you try it...close your eyes and imagine your body as one, big energy field. You're filled with ki; everyone is. Take it and mentally move it to your hand, as Yusuke did... Don't get impatient if it doesn't happen right away. It will come."

Kazuki nodded, though he was unsure of himself, and followed his friend's request. He felt a strange tingling around him once again but it wasn't bad...in fact, it felt as if he were being immersed in a cool light. For a moment he saw his body as just a blazing blue energy ball, willing the ki to move to his palms. They became cool as well, getting colder by the minute and one ear twitched as he heard Yusuke gasp, Kurama murmuring something. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes to see what they were mooning over and almost gasped himself. Where he was expecting a ball of light like Yusuke's, his hand was filled instead by a strange, pale blue orb. He raised his other hand hesitantly to touch the energy and two fingers slid through his ki...his ki! It was cool to his skin, like he had put his hand in a stream, but there was no wetness.

"I-Is that alright?" he was able to stammer through his stupor. Yusuke laughed and Kurama smiled, both of them amused it seemed.

"Kazuki...you are a strange one..." the Spirit Detective murmured, waving one hand in the air. "Well guys, I'm heading back to see what Kuwabara's up to! You don't need my help anymore." With another laugh he turned and walked off.

Kurama looked into Kazuki's eyes only to find that his ki was the exact same pale shade of sapphire. "You might be a mutt but you catch on quickly," he said softly, nodding at the energy the boy held. "In case you were wondering, you're an elemental...I believe you'll be able to use water and ice in the long run, after a bit of training... Now, a few more simple techniques and we'll be done for the day. Don't want to wear you out before lunch!"

When they arrived back at the village, Kurama said something of going back to the dojo to wait for Botan and that Kazuki should explore the town and maybe catch up with Kuwabara and Yusuke if possible. And as much as Kazuki wanted to flank the older boy, feeling rather exposed in the city on his own, the part of him which had attacked Takashi actually wished to be alone.

The town was busy, full of people, humans, bustling around shops. Surprisingly, there were absolutely no vehicles around anywhere...everyone was just...meandering around on foot. This calmed Kaz down considerably, seeing that he wouldn't be attacked by any strange machines. Wow...if this is what Kurama calls rural, I'd hate to see the city! he thought with a small laugh.

"Hey guys! Check out those ears!" yelled a crude voice from behind him. Even without looking, Kazuki knew the boy's taunt was a hook for him to turn around and fight. He felt a tremor of fear slink down his spine and he considered making a run for it. By the sight of bystanders' worried glances, he knew that he wasn't the only one afraid.

Okay, he thought, I have two choices. One, I can make a break for it. I should be faster than them... Two, I can turn and take the beating... Come on, he chided himself harshly, feeling an angry flush rise to his cheeks. I took down Takashi, Nibori's best guard! I'm afraid of a few little human whelps? Yes... However, he gritted his teeth and turned to face them anyhow. There were four of them; two blonds, one tall and lanky, the other a round ball of pudge, a black-haired youth who looked to be about 2 years older than them, and a boy with long, green hair and glaring gold eyes. Kazuki guessed that this boy was the leader of them all by the way he stood, cocky and defiant.

"What're you starin' at, mutt?" the tall blond asked with a sneer as Kazuki caught his gaze. The other two laughed, the dark-haired one merely smiling. His violet eyes glittered softly in the afternoon sunlight and, though they were not filled with hatred and the excitement of 'the hunt', they weren't friendly either.

"N-Nothing," Kazuki replied, taking an uneasy step back. Dammit, he thought with a grimace, his gaze flitting over to the leader.

"You sure as hell look like you're starin'," he growled low in his throat, eyes shining with malice. "And you know what the punishment is for starin'." He made a fist and grinned at Kaz mockingly. "Get 'im, boys!"

Kazuki's flight instinct kicked in immediately and he took off, darting through alleys and racing across streets, but the gang knew the city better than they knew themselves, no doubt, as they were still giving chase. Kaz looked over his shoulder to see them close on his trail and gave a yelp as his foot caught on something, bringing him to the ground. Hard.

He was hauled to his feet by the back of his shirt and he found himself face-to-face with the leader once again. He flattened his ears with a hiss, struggling to get out of the boy's grip, but the ningen held tight, merely laughing. "You heard me right, mutt," he said, throwing Kaz to the side as he and his gang encompassed him.

Kazuki lowered his ears and tail, the hairs on the back of his neck rising as the boys moved in. There were yells from all four of them as they charged him, fists outstretched. Kazuki dodged and blocked best he could, trying to remember all Kurama and Takashi's training methods, but he was clipped several times. He felt his body get slammed up against the wall, tasted the salty blood in his mouth and raised both his arms to shield his face as they attacked. He was reminded, rather painfully, of times back in the Makai...gangs always had him picked out because he was a mutt so he was used to this...

Get up baka! He snarled at himself as he took their blows. You aren't just gonna sit their like a whelp! You're a Spirit Detective, you're going to help Yusuke and the gang take down that bastard Nibori, remember? You can't do that if you're laid up again! Now move it!

Kazuki pulled back best he could, growling as the bold leader's fist slammed into the side of his jaw, resulting in blood flowing down his face. The smell, the taste...they scared him, but they scared him into anger. As he watched the gang laugh as their leader raised his fist for another attack, Kaz felt himself snap.

"Aii!" he snarled, grabbing the boy's fist in both his hands and jumping upwards. There was a sharp crack and the leader dropped to his knees in pain, clutching his now-broken arm. Pale bone protruded from his elbow, blood beginning to gush from the wound and he looked up at Kazuki wild-eyed.

Kaz leaped over his form and lunged at the squat blond first, fist connecting with flesh with a thud. The boy gave a whimper and backed up against the wall and Kazuki turned to his next victim, which he took down easily as well, leaving him with only the violet-eyed youth.

"I'm surprised..." The boy's voice was husky and dull, like it hadn't been used in a long while as he looked Kazuki up and down.

"What? Shocked that a mutt could do this much damage to your precious gang?" Kazuki spat angrily, tail completely fluffed out, ears flat in anger as he wiped blood from his chin.

"No...merely surprised that someone did...congratulations." He smiled again and turned to leave.

"You attack me mercilessly and then expect me to let you walk away unscathed!" Kazuki rushed up to his side with a snarl. He balled his hand into a fist.

"If hitting me will satisfy you then please, go right ahead," the strange boy murmured. "Get your revenge, kid. I'm not gonna hit back though."

"What?" Kazuki cocked his head, his furor subsiding momentarily. "I don't...understand..."

The youth sighed. "Three years ago Iyashi," he nodded to the leader, "and I made a deal. I was his 'whipping boy', as you would call it, back then and he said that he would quit attacking me if I aided him and joined his gang. I was to stay in the group, to fight alongside them willingly, until someone came along strong enough to take us down. Obviously you've done that and now I'm free." He raised his hands in a peaceful gesture. "But by all means, go ahead and attack me. I deserve it for all the people I've harassed due to him."

"You seem strong enough! Why didn't you just rebel and attack them?"

"It was a matter of pride. Nothing more, nothing less. Now, will you hurry up and get on with it? I'm going to spend lunchtime with my family for once in three years."

Kazuki stood there for many minutes, staring into the boy's purple orbs, before shaking his head. "No...go on," he said, smiling slightly. Something about him reminded Kaz of Kurama for some reason...

The youth nodded and began to turn once more before stopping, staring back at Kazuki. "Hey kid? Thanks..." he said, walking off. Pricking his ears, Kazuki strode past what remained of Iyashi's gang, snarling at the leader before going farther into the city in search of a restaurant or something. He was starved...and his stomach agreed.