You know, this whole War of the Worlds movie deal isn't helping my case. I seriously need a new title- chapter 15

Quick talk. I had footnotes in the last chapter and didn't actually put footnotes in. they're there now.

Jadewolf: thank you very much. I will keep writing and posting. Of course I don't mind.

BlackRoseVixen: thanks. Here you go.

Pan Jaganshi: thanks. I thought ch 14 was kind of funny in it's own right. And thanks for the spelling tip. I've never seen that word before so nothing I wrote looked right. And I'm waiting too. I have a new story. It's about Touya, if you want to check it out.

Purplehairedwonder: sorry. That can happen. They're speaking in this order: Kurama, Hiei, Kurama, Kuronue, Kurama, Hiei and Koenma (the two that would be surprised by Kuronue), then, last, Kurama. You can match them up I think. Sorry 'bout the rushing and confusion. There were some things I wanted to get in, but I had to just fill in the rest so I didn't care. Yes, it was Koenma. I figure that since he taught it to Yuusuke, he can do it too. I kind of did this thing where all Reikai can. I don't know if they really can but they do now. B/c I said so. Sorry 'bout that and thanks for bringing it to my attention. If you're still confused, tell me. I'll e-mail you a better explanation. Did you really like it? It's from a Styx song my friend showed me. I had that part down before I had half of this planned out. Hiei was laughing b/c of the "ningen" song reference, and kuro was laughing b/c of the… e-hem… incident. I don't know how many people would pick that up. If my friend would read it, she would laugh, but it's not important. I'm glad you liked it.

Spitfire-Hanyou14: yes, I always figured he'd be a smartass (It seems you're half-assed attack has created an adverse reaction. Bang!). I like him. Did you catch the styx reference at the end? Wait no longer. Ciao to you too. But really I'm a Spanish/German person, so I should say, hasta.

Thanks to all readers and reviewers, especially reviewers. Don't be shy people. I'm only mean to the people in my HP fic.

Kurama: and me. –pouts-

Shut up. Now without further ado…

15. Dodging More Questions

"Lord Raizen, there are three men at the gate for you." Saskia informed her lord.

"Who are they?"

"I don't know. They wouldn't identify themselves. One said you would like to see them."

"What did they look like?"

"Two tall and one even shorter than a human. They were cloaked. We know no more."

"I'll see myself." Yuusuke resolved and headed for the front gate.

"Oh, that won't be necessary, m'lord." a mocking voice echoed around the hall. A tall, cloaked person appeared in front of him. "You know, considering your friends, you'd think you'd tighten your security. Goodness knows we've told you how enough."

Yuusuke smirked as he recognized the voice. "I have. I just leave a few doors open for you."

"No need. I'd never tell anyone how to make someplace impenetrable for me." The visitor removed the hood of the cloak from his head. Golden eyes gleamed beneath silver bangs, and fluffy, silver ears twitched in playful excitement as Youko Kurama showed his gleaming, white fangs in a mischievous grin. It was probably the first time he'd truly smiled in months. He was not a monstrous demon, a cunning thief, a harbinger of justice, or even a strait-A student. He was just a man; for once, happy, content, and free.

The two embraced like at long last reunited brothers.

"Gods Kurama, it's been years." Yuusuke broke away, "What happened to you? It's like you dropped of the face of the planet."

Kurama's face fell. He hadn't wanted to address this yet.

"A few years ago?"

"No, recently. You dropped off the radar. I felt something really horrible had happened."

"Yeah, Fox, you've dodgy on that." Hiei flickered into view. His white-streaked bangs and bobby, black pony-tail settled back into place after his sprint. –Hiei in a pony-tail, how sexy is that?- He was in his usual black cloak and white scarf. "And you can't say 'long story, later.' We're all here and it is later."

Yuusuke quirked an eyebrow at Hiei then looked to Kurama. "Your handiwork?" he asked, referring to the fact that Hiei was no longer in prison.

Kurama nodded.

"So what's this you're being dodgy on?" Yuusuke persisted.

"I just had to disappear for a while. The Reikai sent someone after me."

"An assassin? You all right?" Yuusuke suddenly became concerned.

"Obviously, they failed."

"An assassin you had to hide from?" Hiei sounded suspicious.

"Found it!"

All four people turned to eye a fifth on the far wall. He had a pointed ear on the wall, one clawed hand around a battered, black hat, and the other in a fist, knuckles to the wall as though he'd been knocking. He stepped away from the wall and replaced his hat grinning sheepishly. "Heh, sorry. It's just that I've been looking for that safe for eons." He flexed his wings nervously and patted the back of his head.

"Saskia, you said there were three of them?"

"Yes, m'lord."

"Victor, quit screwing around!" Kurama scolded the man.

'Victor' crossed his arms and huffed, "Is that your new favorite line?"

Kurama growled.

Yuusuke cocked an eyebrow at the Fox. "Yours?"

"Yes." Kurama sighed.

"He looks an awful lot like Kuronue." Yuusuke commented cautiously.

"That's because he is."

"But, I thought he was dead."

"Did it hurt?"

"Very funny."

"It's just surprising 'cause you're right. His name's Victor Kuronue, but everyone just knows him as Kuronue." Kurama explained.

"But… wasn't he dead?"

"Yes."

"Key word, Runt, bein' 'was.'" Kuronue appeaered next to the 'Runt.'

"How does that work?"

Kuronue glanced at Kurama. He remembered Kurama expressing concern about his friends' reactions. Kurama nodded sullenly.

"I'm the one they sent to off Kurama." Kuronue explained.

Hiei's hand twitched toward his sword. Kurama jumped in before any damage could be done.

"Is it any wonder they failed?"

Hiei eased slightly, but was still not convinced. "You had to disappear?"

"Wait," Yuusuke interrupted, "before we get too far into this: Do I need to know?"

"No." Kurama gratefully answered.

"So this guy's alright?"

"Yes."

" 'Kay, if it's good enough for you, then it's good enough for me. If Hiei wants to know, he can ask when I'm not here."

Kurama and Kuronue looked at each other.

"That was easy." Kuronue voiced Kuramka's relief.

"I find life's a lot simpler if you cut down on what you need to think about."

"Well, since there's no more to be said here, I'll be leaving." Hiei huffed.

"Be careful." Kurama advised.

Hiei nodded and flitted off.

"I'm sorry, Saskia," Yuusuke addressed his daughter-in-law, "This is Youko Kurama," He gestured to the Fox, "his partner, Kuronue," her eyes followed to the Bat, "and the rude pipsqueak that just left is Mukuro Hiei."

"Pleased to meet you." The woman bowed lightly at the waist, "I am Saskia."

"Lady Saskia." Yuusuke corrected, "She is the lady of the house in the absence of my wife." Yuusuke introduced her formally, but Kurama could tell that it stung." She is also my daughter-in-law and mother of my heir and grandson." This too seemed painful, despite it's formality.

"Pleased to meet you, m'lady." Kurama stressed the last word and bent to kiss her hand lightly, so as to get a rise (1) from her. He could tell that she did not enjoy being introduced as the 'Lady of the House.' She was simply serving her lord and that was good enough for her.

"Miss." Kuronue tipped his hat nodded in his own version of manners. Being over sixty and raised in human society, Saskia blushed at being called 'miss.'

Then, the doors to the hall flung open with a great crash. A figure stood there, arms spread as though they had just shoved the doors apart, huffing in frustration and fury.

"You!"

-border-

get a rise from- to piss off; to aggravate intentionally for kicks

this is the scene that started this story. This and the beginning of the next chapter. Unfortunately the next chapter is the last one I have written. I really need to do something about that. Stupid fight scenes.

Also, I don't know if I said this or not, but I made up the part about Kuronue's name. Most of you probably know that, but it's just not a fact. I don't even think Kuronue has any other name.

I have another story out now. It kind of just popped up. It's about Touya and it's kind of depressing, but I'm kind of proud of it. So, check it out if you want. It's called 'Ais iz Kold'

Alright. Wish me the best for this next part. Until then. R&R please.

Liebe sie von,

Doomschneider

6-29-05