Who: Forewarning, um there's a lot more going on than what you might think. Questions, if there are any will be answered sooner or later in the story. But…. Probably later, just wait.

Chapter 2

Tossing his backpack onto the floor Kurama flopped down on his bed. He had not realized how tired he was until he was lying in the cushy comfort of his bed. Still, Kurama did have to study, but the comfort of the bed was quite enticing. Somehow Kurama was able to resist the allure of pleasing comfort, and sit up on his bed.

Kurama looked to his desk a daunting pile of books and paper stared menacingly at him. The boy had been falling behind ever since the dreams had started coming to him. After all, exhaustion was not the greatest aid to Kurama's work ethic.

Yawning, Kurama walked over to his desk, and dragged the chair out from under it so that he could sit down. Kurama flipped open his history book, but he was still quite distracted at the moment. The boy began to rattle off some of the words to himself, and scribble out his notes. But Kurama's, wandering mind got the better of him, and with his focus so too went the legibility of his notes. Now the boy was engaged in absently sketching a drawing on his paper.

Though Kurama did not consider himself the most artistically gifted person, though many would have disagreed, the picture turned out quite nice. Kurama looked at the picture for a moment scrunching his face finding the intricacies of the lines waving into one another strangely, familiar. Kurama let his fingers trace the lines on the page. Suddenly, the boy was struck with a realization. Then with a slight gasp Kurama pushed the page aside, trying not to think about his dream.

Those lines. That shape. Thought Kurama he let his eyes drink in the sight he knew that the soldiers in his dream wore that marking over their chests. Kurama suddenly felt unnerved as if someone were looking at him. Looking around the boy did not see anyone, with a sigh Kurama turned and gazed out the window.

The tree that grew outside the boy's window was showing the signs of the upcoming autumn. The leaves had already begun to change color, and waved freely in the, softly blowing wind. Kurama noted that there was due to be a bit a rain this night, even thought the sky still looked clear and pleasant.

Sinking contentedly into his chair the boy let his eyes reluctantly drift back to his book, once again giving a half hearted effort to study. Suddenly, the boy felt an alien presence in his room. Whipping around quickly Kurama's eyes caught sight of a dark figure in a cloak, face obscured, all except for those large red eyes. Glowing like an ember in a fire.

Kurama's breath caught in his throat, and his eyes grew to the size of saucers. The boy scrambled to his feet in abject horror. Looking onto a figure of his nightmares. The chair fell to the floor as Kurama rose. Opening his mouth wanting to pose a question, but Kurama just could not find the words, as fear welled up inside of him. He had never before felt so much anxiety, it was not like him and yet, what else could he do as he starred into the incarnation of his worst nightmares.

"Ruby, emerald. Silver and gold." Stated a grizzly voice that drifted into Kurama's ear making the hair on the back of the boy's neck stand on end.

"W…who, are you." Stammered Kurama finally able to form words.

The figure cocked its head to the side, floating nearer to Kurama. Never relinquishing its parlaying gaze. The creature said nothing. Just let Kurama's inquiry hover, unanswered, in the air. Somehow the cloaked figure's presence was really all that was needed, to send a chill down Kurama's spine.

The cloaked figure raised its arm toward Kurama's window. A sudden gust of air shot through the room. The papers on Kurama's desk began to blow about and the pages of his history book flipped in the air. Kurama instinctively turned around to face his book, the wind stopped, and the pages finally settled.

Kurama looked at the page that the book had stopped on it looked alien to him. Words that Kurama had never seen and couldn't understand were inscrolled on the page. The boy lost himself in looking at the book. He had forgotten about the figure behind him. Kurama gapped at the page for a moment, beside the arcane words written in the book there were pictures, a sketch of a person who looked just like him. Perhaps it even was him. A moment later the picture changed and there was a picture of him as he once was. A spirit fox.

"What?" Gasped Kurama looking at the page. His eyes grew wider, if that was possible. The boy began drawing shallow breath, as shock built up in his chest. "What does this mean?" Kurama asked out into the air. The grizzly voice of the cloaked figure echoed in Kurama's ears. It did not take long for Kurama to remembered the presence of the figure, and he turned.

"Two lives. One past. One soul." The dark voice or the figure droned.

"What do you want with me?" Inquired Kurama, the boy raised his eyebrow as he spoke. Kurama involuntary stepped back when the figure began to draw a little closer to him. Kurama felt the edge of his desk on the back of his leg, and his movements were stopped. The eyes of the figure penetrated Kurama's defenses, he and could not move, or even think.

"What do I want." Said the figure restating Kurama's question " What I want is…" The figure's stare grew more intense. "What I want is your life and need your soul." Kurama gave a quiet gasp. Why was he unable push away his fear? Why was he unable to attack? The cloaked figure once again moved its arm.

Kurama suddenly got the sensation that he was be strangled yet nothing held his throat. So why was he unable to breath? The boys feet rose from the ground as the air passages in his throat began to feel as though they would collapse. The boy could only dangle helplessly now. Kurama drew his hands to his neck, trying to claw at the invisible assailant that was strangling him. Closing his eyes Kurama slowly began to feel himself slip into unconsciousness as he felt the bones in his neck splintering.

The coppery taste of blood filled Kurama's mouth, while his eye began tearing and seemed as if they would burst from his head. The boy's lips, now blue, began to quiver, yet still he continued to fight to wrench himself free. A jolt of pain shot through Kurama's body, his hazy eyes drifted downward. He saw blood slipping down onto the floor. Kurama's face twisted in labored anguished. After a moment Kurama's feet touched the floor and his lifeless body wilted to the ground.

Kurama's eyes shot open quickly. The boy's face ashen and fearful, Kurama had to resist the urge to scream. Taking in deep breaths Kurama looked down at his history book. The pages displayed the familiar information that it normally displayed. Kurama looked warily around the room still trying desperately to calm his breathing, and slow his racing heart. Kurama swallowed hard his tongue, felt like cotton.

Kurama's shaky hands traveled the length of his torso as he inspected himself for any holes that may have appeared. There were none but there was a distinct pain in Kurama's chest, where his heart sat. A coincidence maybe thought the boy trying to calm himself.

Why was he letting a dream unnerve him so? It was just a dream after all. Kurama lost himself in thought until he heard the faint sound of rustling fabric being violently whipped about as if caught in a wind storm. Kurama looked to his window, as he surmised that that was where the sound originated.

Outside his window, standing on the tree branch garbed in black stood a solitary figure looking slightly miffed. His red eyes glaring impatiently into the window. Though the winds outside blew harsh, the figure stood against the tugging wind in an almost defiant act.

Kurama, gave a slight smile at his own absentmindedness. Judging from the coloring of the sky, Kurama could tell it had already grown later than he had wanted. Quickly the boy rose and opened his window.

"Hiei." Said Kurama apologetically. He had meant to have the window open so that the fire demon would not have to stand outside and wait.

"You're slipping fox." Stated Hiei after he had climbed into the window and stood securely on the ground.

"Sorry." Stated the boy a little embarrassed he had let himself fall asleep. Though he had been expecting Hiei, who usually found it comfortable to rest within the walls of Kurama's house on particularly rainy nights. Reasons were numerous, but Hiei would never said why.

Hiei went through his normal routine of looking about Kurama's room, something seemed different to him today. He looked up towards the red head's unusually pale face. Traces of fear were still flashing in Kurama's eyes. He had not quite gotten over his dream.

"Fox." Stated Hiei he let his eyes drift around the room again, trying to seem as nonchalant as he could. "Did something happen to you?" Hiei furrowed his brow a bit with the advent of his question.

Kurama was able to catch the subtle hint of concern in Hiei's voice. But, he could not bear going into the explanation of his dream again so he just shook his head. "No, not really. I just had a bad dream. That's what I get for falling asleep during my studies." Kurama tried to give a soft laugh but just could not bring himself to do so. Hiei looked at Kurama skeptically, he was not one to push people when they did not feel like talking, but Kurama looked awful, it could not of been just some harmless nightmare.

Not being able to reach into Kurama's mind to find out what was wrong Hiei lightly "Hn'ed" disappointment hovering in his gruff voice. Now he was concerned and frustrated because of it. "What dreams are so horrific they'd terrify you?" Said Hiei wearing his arms folded over his chest. "And don't try and deny it, Fox I can see the fear etched on your face."

Kurama slightly smiled realizing that Hiei had grown to know him well. He was about to deny being afraid. So much for making up excuses thought Kurama with a inward sigh. "I'd really rather not talk about it. It's actually quite foolish anyway." Said Kurama.

"Whatever." Stated Hiei as he feigned indifference. "It's not as if I'd wholeheartedly listen in any case." Hiei complacently pressed his back against the wall in Kurama's room and looked toward his companion. Kurama smiled and slightly shook his head.

Translation: I'd be hanging off of every word thought the redhead to himself.

Things quickly returned to there normal routine Kurama was in his closet pulling out extra sheets blankets and pillows for Hiei. Hiei was looking about at all of the strange ningen appliances about Kurama's room. It seemed every time he came around there was always some strange new gadget there for him to experiment with.

"You know." Said Kurama rather unexpectedly as he laid out the blankets for Hiei. The fire demon abandoned his musings and turned to look at Kurama. Once Kurama was sure he had gotten Hiei's attention he continued. "We should probably stop meeting like this." A soft smile was curling Kurama's lips. "People could start to talk."

Hiei rolled his eyes, for someone so intelligent Kurama could certainly be childish. "They'll only think what you allow them to, Fox." Hiei's voice sounded rather lighthearted, despite its callousness.

"I'll let my mother know I'm having company." Stated Kurama curtly while still giving a soft smile he could not help but feel a little better, knowing he would not be alone with his dreams.

The night progressed calmly, despite the storm that churned outside. In the middle of the night, however, Kurama was tossing and turning madly. Trapped in a dream that he obviously did not want to be having. In fact the boy appeared as restless, as the tempest the brewed beyond the walls.

Hiei had awoken to the sound of crashing thunder, and the barley audible moans of pain escaping from Kurama's throat. At first Hiei was just a bit irritated by the sounds of moans and mumbling. Kurama had never talked in his sleep so why was he now, of all nights, sleeping through the storm was hard enough.

Hiei had roused for the singular purpose of shutting Kurama up, but when he looked at Kurama he noticed that his face was contorted into a look of discomfort, maybe even pain. Kurama was in fact, giving small grunts of pain. The fire demon had to admit he was a little curious what Kurama was dreaming about, as he lay twisted up in his blankets and sheet. Obviously scared. What dream would be so terrifying to frighten the former Youko?

Kurama's defenses were down now it would be easy enough to see now. What Hiei saw was defiantly far from expected. Pain, blood, fear, it all flooded into Hiei's mind he was quick to stop probing what he had seen was enough. The glowing red eyes stuck to his mind. Hiei imagined that he had been desensitized when it came to the harsh realities of life but the vision made even him shudder and give a slight cringe.

Hiei took in a deep breath for a second he felt as if he was being strangled, not a comfortable feeling! The fire demon rubbed his neck, then noted another physical pain shot through him in his chest. Pressing his hand to the point on his chest Hiei investigated the source of his discomfort. His hand touched something wet there was not much, but a significant amount of it to make his shirt cling a bit. Hiei examined his fingers they were darker on the tips in the shadow of the room. Hiei examined the liquid and it did not take long for him to figure out what was staining his fingers.

"What the hell, Fox?" Hissed Hiei. Before a thought popped into his head, he had only experience a tiny fraction of what Kurama must still be going through, and that unnerved Hiei greatly. It took but a moment of Hiei fumbling about grouping on the wall until his hand hit something he identified as a light switch. Hiei turned on the lights they flooded the room, the fire demons eyes quickly adjusted to the light and he looked fearfully at Kurama.

The boy was bathed in sweat, it glistened on his forehead, and made the wetter strands of hair cling to Kurama's face. Hiei blinked noticing how pale Kurama was, he also noted the boy was barely breathing. Tension was building up in Kurama's neck and Hiei could see it. He could see the boys life slipping away, with each passing second.

Pillows were haphazardly tossed on the floor and Kurama was cocooned in his blanket, a deep crimson stain conflicting with the cerulean of the blanket. Hiei could tell that it was blood, and that it was fresh. How the hell did he start bleeding? Hiei thought to himself, not without a slight sense of urgency. The fire demon could not think of anything to do but try and wake Kurama up, that way at least he would not end up bleeding to death in his sleep.

Hiei placed his hands on Kurama's shoulders and shook him violently. Kurama did not so much as stir, had it not been for the way that Kurama's eye still twitched from the pain, of his dream, and the faint moans that issued from Kurama's mouth. Hiei would have lost hope already. Once again Hiei tried to rouse Kurama with another violent shake. Nothing, no reaction not even when he struck Kurama's cheeks, reddening them both.

Now Hiei was at the moment quite unnerved. Perhaps he had grown too attached to the boy but he just could not stand the fact that he would have to watch Kurama deteriorate before him.

"Come on, Fox." His voice nearly pleaded for Kurama to awake. Kurama coughed, and a crimson froth bubbled up from the boys mouth. Hiei shook Kuram again. Of course now the sense of urgency had grown tenfold.

"Damn it Fox. Wake up now!" Hiei commanded, then he gave Kurama's body one final shake. Kurama's eye flew open but they were glazed over and dull, Hiei knew the boy was resigned to his fate at that moment.

Just as Hiei gave up hoping, Kurama gave a sharp gasp for air, his emerald eyes flickered to life, and Kurama coughed a few times, then drew in some more deep lung filling breaths of air.

Hiei was quite relieved to know that Kurama was alive. But he could not believe how weak kneed he felt, he still managed to glare at Kurama, for frightening him. Hiei, against his own will sank to the floor. Kurama sprung up in his bed a little mystified by his friends actions. "Hiei?" Said Kurama just before he became aware of the pain in his chest, not to mention the clinging feeling of dampness on his shirt. Kurama went to clutch his chest where the pain was gnawing at him. Quickly pulling his hand away Kurama noticed blood he looked down an his bed and saw blood. It was everywhere.

The only thing Kurama could remember was his dream. Was it the cause of this? He did not know, but for now sleeping did not seem like an option to him.

Kurama let his hand fly to the buttons of his nightshirt and, he quickly unbuttoned it right down the front. The redhead touched the sore spot on his chest. Hiei watched and made note that was exactly where he bled from. For a moment Kurama felt what might have been a wound, but within seconds it seemed to disappear. Stripping his nightshirt completely from his person. Kurama looked down and indeed there no sign of any abrasions of any kind, yet Kurama still felt light-headed from blood loss.

"What… What was that, Fox."

Kurama shook his head. "I don't know." Said Kurama his voice fearful as he tried to push back some chills that ran down his spine. "I honestly don't… know." Kurama restated looking at Hiei and vainly wondering what would have happened had he not been there.

Who: I haven't apologized for out of characterness, and everything that I know I ought to be apologizing for.