Author's Note: As always, please review. Your time is much appreciated.

Not good, Kurama thought as his Rose Whip sprang to life in his hand, and he whirled to face the shadows sweeping in around him. The whip slashed out at the nearest shadow, but instead of slicing through the creature, it was engulfed by the darkness. The darkness quickly spread, covering the whip until Kurama was forced to release it.

Kurama stumbled back, eyes wide with disbelief. Impossible. Nothing was capable of swallowing his whip, but that was exactly what had happened. Laughter echoed through the darkness, circling him as the shadows closed in around him.

"In seconds you will be consumed as your whip was. You will be a fine addition to my collection. I will forever keep your soul in my darkness," Eaizben taunted.

"I have been underestimated before. I am not so easily defeated."

Kurama leapt upward, the rose in his hand transforming into a whip and curling around one of the beams running across the ceiling. He swung himself over the shadows, continuing to dodge as the darkness reversed to reach for him. He landed on the opposite side of the building , crouching on the dusty floor as he filled the seeds he had scattered along the floor with his energy. The florescent plants bloomed. illuminating the area around him.

The shadows seemed to freeze, stopping where the light began. Kurama's eyes locked on Eaizben as he slowly crept forward. "How long can your little plants live?" Eaizben asked, lifting one finger. One of the plants withered as his energy slammed into it.

"Long enough for me to finish you," Kurama replied, slowly rising from his crouched position.

"Are you sure? You sound…doubtful."

Kurama drew a seed from within his hair and curled his fingers around it. "Don't assume to know what I feel," he warned, feeling the seed with his energy and willing it to grow

"I wasn't assuming. The infamous Yoko Kurama. I have heard many stories about you. So dangerous, so cunning. How disappointing. I was expecting more than a young, foolish boy with powers lesser than a demon newborn."

Roots curled around Kurama's arm as the plant began to grow. He slowly allowed his fingers to unfold as another florescent plant was destroyed.

"Another plant, Kurama? It will be eaten just as your Rose Whip was. You can't win. My powers are too great. You will be devoured by my darkness."

"We shall see, won't we?"

"Indeed," Eaizben agreed, slamming his energy into the remaining plants.

The darkness lunged forward as the plant in Kurama's hand opened, the dark leaves spreading as the bloom within sprang forward. Kurama had a second to see the other demon disappear within the bloom before the shadows enclosed him.

He couldn't breathe as the darkness tightened around him, smothering him. Kurama fought the urge to panic, instead focusing on remaining conscious. The bloom should only take a minute or two to devour the demon. As soon as it was dead, the darkness should fade. At least Kurama hoped that was the case, if not, he wasn't sure what he would do.

But the darkness began to dissolve, loosing enough for him to breathe as it faded. He drew in a deep breathe as the room came ion to view once more. Kurama's gaze landed on the demon laying on the ground, widening as they found his plant withered on the ground a few feet from the body. If his plant hadn't killed the demon, what had?

He slowly walked forward until he stood over the demon's body. A blade had sliced through the demon's chest, before sweeping upward to nearly decapitate the demon. Kurama frowned, searching the room with his senses for his savior.

"Getting careless, Kurama?" a softly dark voice murmured from his right.

"Hiei."

Kurama turned to find the fire demon leaning against the far wall, hands shoved into the pockets of his black cloak. Kurama chuckled as he started toward him. "I suppose I am. I didn't sense your presence."

"Hn."

"What are you doing here? I thought you were in the Makai?"

"Disappointed that I saved your life?" Hiei asked in reply.

"Not at all, just curious. I thought you hated Human World. You shouldn't be here."

Hiei's eyes narrowed. "What do you expect me to say, Kurama?"

Kurama's lips curved. "Why did you come back? That's all I'm asking."

"I'm not here to save the world again," Hiei protested.

"Of course not. It's just a coincidence that you're here when the world's end is at hand."

"I despise humans and their world," Hiei said darkly.

"Of course."

"Damn it, Kurama. I came back. That's all that matters."

"I must say that I am relieved. Fighting a demon army alone was not something I looked forward to," Kurama murmured softly, meeting Hiei's gaze.

"You would have been killed, fool. What made you think that you could face them alone?" Hiei asked, turning away slightly.

"I didn't have a choice. You feel how desperate the situation has grown. There is no time to waste, and Spirit World will not aid us. There was no way that I could find your or Yusuke in time, and I wasn't sure if either of you would return."

"I understand your doubt in me, but Yusuke?"

"His demon side may overrule the human he once was. I don't know how much he has changed since crossing over into the Makai."

"Hn. I doubt he has changed all that much."

"Can you locate the demons causing the plague?" Kurama asked.

Hiei lifted his head and glanced back at Kurama. "I already have. That's how I found you."

"Good. We must hurry…" Kurama broke off as uncontrollable coughing shook him. He doubled over, pain shooting through his chest as he covered his mouth with one hand. The coughing slowly subsided, and Kurama lowered his hand. His eyes widened at the blood staining his palm. He glanced up at Hiei, his body trembling.

"You're infected," Hiei murmured, meeting his gaze.

"Impossible, I'm a demon…."

"You're half human. It seems that half is enough for you to be vulnerable to this plague."

Kurama straightened, "There's no way of knowing how it will affect me. With humans, it takes only a few hours to send them into a coma. It may act slower or just as quickly with me, so I recommend we hurry. I don't know how long I will be able to aid you."

"Hn," was Hiei's only response before stepping out of the building.