Enemies From The Start, Lovers Until the End

Me: Well, here you are! I hope you enjoy this chapter. I won't be doing disclaimer anymore, since you've had the last thirteen chapters to hear that this. You should all know very well I wouldn't ever own any rights to Yuu Yuu Hakusho. Now, I shall thank the reviewers. Special thanks to Nyte Kit for being the beta!

Lazy Fat Kitsune

Yeah, I am mean. But lol, I'm glad I'm not alone that I enjoy seeing Kura-chan tortured. Yes, I think I'm sadistic… I'm glad that you liked it, and thank you for reviewing.

LoversPastForgotten

I'm glad that you like his powers. I think that they're really cool too. I hope I was able to create two nice villains, seeing as I sucked at it last story. Seriously, looking back on that thing, I feel embarrassed for even thinking I should post it. The chapters are short, it lacked a shred of a plot, and I had a Mary-sue paired up with Hiei. I wonder why I even got one good review on that thing. Well, I do hope you like this one. Thank you for reviewing, and sorry for blabbing on and on.

Red Kitsune Flames

I'm happy that you liked this chapter. I do think it was in character for Kurama to go with them, right? I mean I bet he'd jump off a cliff if he were told to if someone he cared for was threatened. Thanks so much for reviewing!

Lol

That's what I love writing best… Lol. Their reactions re so fun to plan out, I can only hope that they're in character enough. Thank you so much for you kind words and reviews. I really appreciate them! Anyways, I am wishing you a nice day as well.

A-dragon's-beautiful-rose

I'm really happy that you liked it. Thank you for reviewing, I really am happy that you do!

Evene

Well, the only reason probably got better is because of you. I really owe it all to you, because you were always the one to write a well-rounded, constructive critique. It is something rare you see too, it's either a lot of praise or an outright flame. So I really appreciate it, thanks! Also, thank you so much for reviewing from the beginning, (or near the beginning, whichever is correct) up until now, it really helps, and I'm grateful.

Nyte Kit

I've been trying to put a lot of work into my chapters lately, so I'm glad it shows. You'll know why Hikaru was here in this chapter, because as many say, noting real goes without explanation. It is a huge breakthrough for Hiei to comfort Kurama like that, since it is Hiei we're talking about. I was actually pretty surprised he did myself. I'm glad you liked it so much and thank you for reviewing consistently. I'm really happy also that you're being my beta for this. It was a really nice offer of you and I really needed it. So thank you a ton!

Makurayami Ookami

Hmm, I'm trying to decide whether or not this is the negative thing, 'You're a cruel writer, doing this to Hiei and Kurama' or 'It's sad, and you're mean, but I like it' Well, I still appreciate the review, and don't mind the fact I can't decipher what you mean. I really probably should try and answer reviews at another time, while I'm awake and can understand words better.

Darksaphire

Yeah, I'm actually surprised it's sad in a way. But I love writing angst, so it's nice to hear the angst story I'm writing is actually sad. I'll try to bring it along faster, but I can't guarantee that he length will decrease. I swore to myself after I finished the sucky story I'd never have a chapter that was a thousand words again. Thank you for reviewing, and for your suggestions.

Ryuuie Mizishi

I'm glad you like it. It's understandable you printed it off to read and lost the title. I'm really glad that you're reviewing. I'm glad you like it so far, and I hope you enjoy how it turns out. Thank you so much for reviewing.

Chapter 14

Kurama walked along with Akushitsuko pulling him by the wrist and Shin following behind. An empty feeling traveled through his being unlike any other. There was only one time in his life when he had felt so empty inside. The day Hikaru had left him. The initial thought shocked him, but who on this earth could control what they felt after something? He felt so odd around Hiei. Surely, it couldn't be love. He didn't trust Hiei enough for it to be love.

Hiei sat in one of his favorites trees. He felt livid, how could Kurama say that to him? He wasn't supposed to be cold like Youko was, his personality wasn't like that. He was kind, gentle, and quiet. Everything about his personality was supposed to oppose Youko's. Anger flowed through Hiei's very being at the thought of this. How dare he say those words! It really had hurt…

These feelings weren't like anything he had experienced before. When Kurama was happy, he felt happy as well. When Kurama was sad, he couldn't help feeling upset about it. When Kurama was scared, he wanted to be able to chase away all his fears. He wondered what those emotions to be as he watched images of Kurama's smiling face dance through his head. He knew it, there had to be someone behind this who was getting a good laugh out of this. They were taunting him; he knew it.

Wasn't it kind of stupid to say that there was someone behind this who was taunting him? Deep within himself he knew it was just him and stupid emotions. How could he be growing this weak and allowing himself to become friends with a human reincarnation of his mortal enemy? Well, Kurama was really beautiful. Maybe he was just lusting after him. The girly features may just be attracting him.

But how could that possibly be? It wasn't just the fox's appearance he found appealing. Kurama had such a beautiful voice, and he was kind, and he made good conversation when not talking about his past. He shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of his thoughts without success. He couldn't get his mind off the few moments before the two demons had appeared. Kurama's eyes were sparkling so beautifully and it made Hiei ecstatic to find him smiling happily for one. It had felt so good to hug him; the soft body in his arms comforted him.

Hiei pondered upon Kurama's lips. Those lips were the rosiest of color; they looked so soft that Hiei just wanted to pull Kurama to his body and kiss them.

He felt angry once again with Kurama.

"You know, Kurama didn't mean what he said," spoke a voice behind him. Hiei blinked and growled. At first, he thought the voice had come from in his head, but upon a simple inspection, he found a boy had been sitting next to him in this tree.

He nearly fell out of the tree. How did this bastard know what had happened to Kurama? He looked to be a regular human; short black hair and blue eyes. The recognition took a while to sink in.

"You were the guy who was with Kurama earlier." Hiei commented in a pessimistic tone. This was the guy Kurama had been talking about. The raven-haired boy nodded.

"Yes. My name's Hikaru, and I believe I owe you an explanation. Am I correct?" He said in a kind tone. For some reason, it reminded Hiei of Kurama's rare, yet still kind tone. It really annoyed Hiei in a way. The boy had appeared out of nowhere claiming he understood what had happened to Kurama, and that Hiei was wrong about him. No, that really pissed him off! People were obsessed with the idea that they were always correct about everything tried his patience easily.

"Listen, I know what you believe is quite understandable. If I were you, I'd believe it too. But please, Kurama was threatened. He was forced to say that." the male informed.

"Somehow, I can't find myself to believe that. You are the person who originally betrayed Kurama, so do I really have any reason to trust what you say?" Hiei retorted.

"This is what I've been trying to say to Kurama. I didn't betray him. I was foolish, and it led to my death. The night I told him how I felt Karasu had been watching us and I got in trouble. To put it simply, Karasu killed me and had one of his other servants pose as me." Hikaru said. Hiei found this quite unbelievable, but still found reason to speak to him rather than kill him on the spot for it.

"Then how are you still here?" he questioned. It was true. Usually after you died you went to the Spirit World, so why was this boy still walking around here?

"That… Well, if you know of ghosts, just think of me as one of those spirits who has unfinished business, as they call it. Koenma has given me a body on this Earth for a limited amount of time to help Kurama. Before I was killed, my only wish was to get Kurama out of harms path so he could be happy for the rest of his life. Until I can help him get over me, there is no reason I see to leave just yet."

Hiei glared. Was this story really true? There was a way to find out.

"Fine then. I'll believe you if you let me search your memories to see if they are true. I can tell modified memories from real ones, and if you try and keep one from me, I will find no trouble in killing you," Hikaru nodded.

Hiei took off the bandanna warding his Jagan and closed his eyes in deep concentration. He saw several memories of Hikaru staying with Kurama. How on the first night, Hikaru had brought food to the wounded kitsune. There, he saw a young, defiant, and almost healthier looking boy. He was flipping through almost three years worth of memories, and he found himself surprised at some of the last ones.

They really had been in love. As much as Hiei would've denied it before, it became clear to him. He felt an onrush of Hikaru's motions as he saw the memories from the last night they had spent together. He felt almost jealous how Kurama had allowed Hikaru to hug and kiss him as such, and how he responded to his hugs as well. He then saw how Karasu had thrown the knife, and felt Hikaru's emotions rise again at the thought of not being able to keep the promise that he had just made.

'I promise you Kurama; I'm going to save you, make you free from this prison. Then we can settle down where nobody will ever bother us ever again'

The promise Hikaru had made to Kurama rung throughout Hiei's head now. He slowly retied his bandanna and opened his eyes to the sad looking boy. It must've been painful for him to see all his memories being pulled unwillingly before his very eyes. He had learned how such memories could affect certain people from the fox.

"Fine," he said to Hikaru. "I believe you. Now tell me where the hell Kurama went and we'll go get him together. To his surprise, Hikaru smile and shook his head slowly. Hiei looked dumbfounded.

"Why the hell not?" he asked. Hikaru smiled a bit more at him before speaking up.

"I told you my time is limited here. Koenma only gave me a few hours, and I only have a few minutes before that time expires. I need to tell you something, Hiei. Kurama cares about you, and I want him to be happy. Take care of him for me and help him be happy, it's all I really wanted. I want you to tell him about me when he's ready, and I also want you to carry out the promise I made to him." Hiei's gaze hardened. He didn't like being ordered around like that.

"Knowing Koenma, he'll buy you more time because he needs Kurama retrieved. And stop ordering me around like that." This only made Hikaru smile bigger.

"I won't. First of all, I can't fight let alone defend myself. I'll just be in the way, seeing as there is no other way I can possibly help you. I bet you know that I once told Kurama I was a spy of the cat demon tribe. Well, I was, but technically speaking, I am only a hanyou as well. My tribe abandoned me when they found that out while I was working for Karasu and he captured me. I never told this to Kurama because I was afraid it would make him believe I was some sort of criminal. Many do not see getting abandoned by your own kind as quite honorable."

This was truly unbelievable. He was a hanyou AND he couldn't fight?

"Well that still doesn't give you the right to order me around. I do what I want and my plans don't include carrying out promises for other people." He replied in his apathetic tone. Hikaru smiled again.

"It isn't something I'm ordering you to do. I can tell that subconsciously, it's something you want to do. I can tell that you're in love with him. I can also see that you're very much in denial about it. Tell him your feelings, don't wait until it's too late and make the mistake that I have made."

"You can's say tha—" Hiei began to say, but was cut off when he turned his head to find Hikaru had disappeared. Darn it! He could heave at least told him where he would be able to find Kurama. Grumpily, he leapt from the tree to search for the fox.

Kurama walked along with them. He was beginning to grow numb with cold. The path had taken them far up into the mountains and snow swirled across their gaze a well. It didn't seem like the demons were really feeling the effects of this biting arctic weather. Kurama was beginning to feel the affects of it, though. He's always been pretty good at dealing with cooler temperatures, but this was almost unbearable. He stopped walking for a moment and wrapped his arms around his body, trying desperately to find more warmth. His breath came out in steamy clouds as he shivered. What he wouldn't give for Hiei's warmth right now. His body temperature was really comforting whenever he was cold.

"Come fox, it isn't that much farther." Said Shin, grabbing his wrist as roughly as Akushitsuko had earlier and dragging him along. A cave came into view and Kurama found he was being pulled in the direction of it.

It was darker in the cave, but considerably warmer. There were some signs that they had been living here for the past few days, but it was nowhere near homely. There were remains of a fire that had been there previously, and Shin's Kusari-gama were in a corner. Besides that the cave was absolutely bare. Kurama sat down and sneezed a few times. Maybe he'd reacted to this cold a bit worse than he had estimated that he would.

"Poor Kurama has a cold?" Asked Akushitsuko in a snide tone. Kurama looked down at the cave's floor and didn't reply. He didn't want to be here and he refused to talk to either of them. For some reason, they were similar to Karasu, but reminded him nothing of him at the same time. Major difference? Karasu had always tried to force himself upon him when he was around. These guys were obsessed about killing him.

"Well, Shin, I need to go out to town and get some food. Stay here and make sure Kurama doesn't try to run. In the meantime, please think about what we're going to do with him. He's too much of a burden to keep for a long span of time, so I want your say in the matter as soon as tonight so we can reach our final decision about him" said Akushitsuko, walking out of the cave without a word of farewell to his partner. Shin also remained silent.

Kurama looked over at Shin. He wasn't sure if he preferred staying alone in the cave with him or Akushitsuko. His instincts had told him that at one time he'd be alone with one of them at some point, and it had only increased his sense of restlessness. Shin was glaring cruelly at him now, and he didn't know what to do or if he should back away from this demoralizing glare. Without warning, he stood, walked over to Kurama, and took something that looked like bandages out of one of his pockets.

Gasping and drawing back was the normal reaction for Kurama, but Shin simply grabbed his arms and wrapped one around the each. It felt odd on him for some reason, and he went to tear them off of his arms. Drawing up a hand to do so, he felt an immediate pain in his hand and drew it back to survey it. His hand had begun to bleed severely out of nowhere. He looked to Shin for an explanation he knew he'd only get from this person in particular.

"They're wards, Aku told me he wanted me to equip you with some strong ones so you wouldn't try anything. Don't try and touch them, although they may be hurting your arms currently, but it'll do more harm to you if you try and remove them." Kurama sighed and placed his hands in his lap, ignoring the bleeding one that was beginning to throb painfully. Kurama shivered again and coughed.

Shin looked slightly annoyed and tossed him a blanket. Kurama wrapped it around his shoulders and instantly felt warmer. He looked up at Shin and spoke. He wondered if it was possible that if he just tried talking to him it would ease the horrible feeling he had in his stomach about this.

"You don't talk as much as the other guy. Why is that?" it was a random question, but Kurama wanted to get the thoughts of Hiei off his mind. Shin shrugged.

"I don't know, he seems to enjoy doing the talking more than I do. I suppose one could view it as him being the more sinister person who enjoys intimidating his opponents with words. Not that that isn't a good thing. I just don't prefer to talk as much." He replied. That left the conversation pretty much open-ended. Kurama wanted to continue talking. The pain in his arms was almost overpowering.

"Are you and Akushitsuko friends or lovers or something?" he asked. Shin's gaze, if possible, hardened considerably. But still, he chose his words carefully and answered.

"Well, I wouldn't call it lovers. I am someone who Aku lusts for, not love. You couldn't call us lovers because we don't love in the relationship. It's merely for pleasure. Mates, maybe, but not lovers." Kurama looked over at him and observed his tone and random other things before replying to this.

"From what it sounds like," mused Kurama

"You truly are in love with him" he heard a dark chuckle. A reply back wasn't something Kurama expected, but he received one nonetheless.

"Indeed, I find his personality quite attractive in an odd sort of way, but it isn't how he could ever feel. Aku is like Youko in a way; he lusts, and that is the only thing close to love he goes near. The last mate he had thought they were really in love. When she found out he was only lusting for her, she told him her true feelings and was killed. You see? He'll kill anyone who has such feelings for him"

It felt shocking to know that there was a person who would do something. It made Hiei's personality seem like that of a baby kitten's. It almost made him feel sorry for Shin, having to act how you only acted upon lust when you really loved. Kurama didn't say anything else, thus ending the conversation. Shin was correct in saying that he preferred to stay silent rather than talk. After that, he said nothing else.

Kurama now felt really warm in the blanket, it was lulling him to an almost peaceful. He wasn't currently focusing on the pain in his arms from the wards, and he was in and was almost a state of blissful unconsciousness. Slowly, he fell asleep, wanting to forget about the day's happenings.

He couldn't get Hiei out of his head still, even in sleep. The dreams constantly haunted him throughout the time he slept, images of his face, and dreams of being with him.

Hiei and him sat under tree, cuddled up against each other. Kurama's head rested against Hiei's shoulder as he had his hair stroked lightly. The fire demon looked rather warm, and a light pink tinge was streaked across his cheeks as he petted the crimson locks. Kurama's eyes were fixed on the boy's above him.

He couldn't feel much happier than he did now; it had been so long since he had felt this way in someone's arms. It chased every single one of his bad thoughts from his head. Actually, he had pretty much forgotten anything having to do with what was going on for the time being. He didn't have any pain, sadness, or regret. The saddestt feeling in the world seemed alien to the fox, and he was now trying to get used to this new spread feeling of pleasure and delight.

Hiei lifted the redhead's chin and stared into the emerald orbs. He brushed a few scarlet tresses and smiled the sweetest smile. It was something so rare to see that Kurama couldn't help but grin widely back. It felt so nice to be held, to be comforted, to be loved. As if just to comfort him even more, those words escaped Hiei's lips.

"I love you, Kurama"

The phrase alone was enough to send Kurama off into his own little world of happiness and compassion. He slowly leaned in to kiss the pale lips...

Kurama's eyes snapped open. He was being kicked harshly in the side by someone, and with the realization that it had only been a dream, he felt slightly disheartened, and also angry with himself. He couldn't love Hiei; Kurama wouldn't allow himself to do this. Hiei couldn't be trusted; he kept repeating this in his head. It would turn out just as Hikaru had, and he'd be betrayed again, left to wallow in his sorrow. Maybe he could keep the fire demon as his friend without getting hurt, but certainly not as a boyfriend or anything else.

Akushitsuko bent down and shook him roughly to snap him out of his thoughts. Kurama jumped and cringed away from the touch. He was offered a small plate of food, so he slowly sat up and took it into his lap, not sure whether or not it was safe enough to eat. A glare ceased his questioning and he took a small forkful of it. Akushitsuko looked much too angry to disobey, so he slowly cleaned off the plate forkful by forkful.

Kurama opened his mouth for a minute to ask the dragon a question. "Why are you feeding me? I thought that you wanted me dead anyways, so what would be the point in doing it? I'm only creating more trouble for you if I eat, correct?" Akushitsuko sighed and brushed some hair out of his face before choosing to answer the redhead's question. He chose his words with leisure, unrushed to finish answering quickly.

"Well, as you say, that could easily be true. There still is one thing wrong with it I believe you wouldn't be able to understand. If our purpose is to kill you, we will do so ourselves. If you simply die of starvation, we may get rewards for turning in your body, but we won't gain the reputation we are aiming for if we choose to kill you. If our other option ends up being our chosen, we want you to look at least the tiniest bit healthier so it may turn a few heads. It isn't a good investment to get someone as sickly as you, seeing as many demons would see you as both unworthy and at risk of dieing within a few days anyways."

Kurama looked down at the ground as he ate, taking in what he heard. If this were going to happen, he'd actually prefer to be killed. He couldn't stand such violation again, as his situation had been with Karasu, he'd choose death over that. He remembered how cold and clammy Karasu's hands had been, as he would run them over his bare body.

He'd fight back tears and cries of disapproval, Karasu would only laugh and continue his violation, purely entertained by Kurama's negative reactions and humiliation.

Kurama shivered as he remembered that touch exactly, it had been almost as if an evil ghost were touching him. Pale hands would travel around on his body, choosing a new spot to torment each passing day. Thos cold violet eyes had always scared Kurama, almost as much as the deadly touch. Every time he was touched by those pale hands and stroked by the slender fingers, it felt as if he had been touched by death itself.

He still felt the effects of that touch linger on his body, an odd sort of hot trail left where they had previously touched. Kurama whimpered, feeling the sudden desperation for a really cold, long shower.

"I'd prefer that you kill me," responded Kurama a few moments later, after he had decided to answer to rid himself of those perplexed stares. Akushitsuko laughed bitterly once again.

"I don't believe we ever told you that it was your choice," he said with great amusement before adding, "We are only choosing the option which proves to be the most lucrative for us. Your opinion stands meaningless." Kurama stared down at the ground again. As much as he hated to admit it, he truly needed Hiei right now. He needed badly to be saved from this, for he'd rather be killed than have to suffer another situation analogous to the one he had with Karasu previously.

The idea of suicide sounded inviting if he ever made it out of here. Not only would he be permanently safe from all these enemies and sadness, but also he would rid the burden he put on Hiei. It made him feel sorry he always troubled Hiei so much with things, getting into situations where Hiei was forced to come and rescue him. On an even worse note, Hiei didn't even want to help him. He only did because he had been commissioned by Koenma to do so.

Hiei walked along the snow-covered path, searching for Kurama's scent with his sensitive nose. He was lucky he had thought of this, the idea had come to him when Akushitsuko and Shin first tried to kill Kurama. They had come up here in the mountains specially to kill him in good reason. Nobody could ever hear him scream, and it was unlikely his body could ever be found.

No sooner had he headed in this direction than he caught the slightest whiff of Kurama near a trail leading up a mountain.

Seeing as they could be anywhere around here, Hiei made a hasty, yet careful search of the surrounding areas, slowly tracking the faint scent upwards. He felt scared for Kurama. What if they decided to kill him before he could reach where he was? Although he had often spoken of the fact that he wished Kurama to be dead before, he couldn't imagine if that happened now. The pale, thin fox seemed like a highlight of his once dull life that made things interesting. They were supposed to be people who could relate to each other. Things like this were not supposed to happen to him.

Hikaru had brought up a major point, maybe he did love this fox, or at least he had strong feelings for him. He had hated this fox's guts for the longest time, yet here he was, worrying and thinking about him to a point of unhealthy obsession.

Kurama sat in the cave, enveloped by cloud of grief and hopelessness. Where was Hiei now? That was all he could wonder. At this, many other questions popped into his head. What was going through Hiei's head? Was he doing all right? Was he still mad at what he had said to him?

He prayed to all the gods in the world that Hiei wasn't. He wanted at least the one person in the entire world he had as a friend to be able to forgive him. It was truly all his fault, wasn't it? He asked him self cynically. Hiei had once told him that a true fool reaps his own demise. This must be what was happening here. There were two choices in dying. Either he was going to be killed in a most likely very gruesome way by these two demons, or he'd be sold off to some sadistic demon lord like Karasu where he'd slowly die the painful death he believed he deserved; unloved and unhappy.

It almost brought tears to his eyes. In a way, all he really wanted was to find one place he was happy in and live there for a time. He could care less where it was, how beautiful the nature was, or if it was exactly like his first home.

His dream image, though, was somewhere where his family still lived. He could run and have fun with Yuusuke and Kuwabara like years before. He could then go back to a warm home where his family greeted him and he could cuddle up next to a kinder version of Hiei that he longed for.

Somewhere he didn't have to worry about demons, or what would happen when he regained Youko's memories, how he could no longer be with Hikaru, or what would happen if a person like Karasu ever came around again. He wanted to be free of all of those worries.

Tears rolled down his face as he softly lost his attention staring out into space. He'd give anything to find this had been just a horrible dream. He wished that he'd wake up in his soft bed from years ago. Naturally, his mother would come rushing in inquiring about his mood and asking about the dream. Then she would reassure him it had all been a horrible nightmare and stroke the back of his head like she used to.

What he wouldn't give for a simple happiness, anything at all, the kind touch of a friend, or a hug from his mother, or even a comforting word from Hiei. He felt so horrible inside when he thought back to his mother, he had failed her. If he had been a bit more apt at self-defense he could have saved her. For that he deserved to die even more. It was one of the worst feelings in the world— the feeling that you have failed the one you love most.

He didn't care about the glares from both demons and the jeers about how pathetic he was that he received from Akushitsuko. He let the tears splash onto the ground unchecked without care. He'd give his life for last hug from someone, anyone. He felt so hopelessly lost now that he believed not even the most intelligent person in the entire world could help him out of this endless vortex.

Hiei picked his way carefully higher up the cliff. He was near now, he could tell. Amidst the glacial cold and sting of icy wind and snow, he had pinpointed Kurama's presence, along with Akushitsuko and Shin's. He hoped the fox wasn't too cold. If it hadn't been for his ability to raise his body temperature when he needed it, he would've been in deep trouble, so he worried about Kurama with good reason. He had so much less of a tolerance to extreme temperatures than he did, Hiei worried about the effects it might have on the near human body.

Kurama was trying desperately to fall asleep, Shin and Akushitsuko had fallen asleep against the wall a few minutes ago, but they hadn't been worried about Kurama trying to escape. The sub-zero temperatures were much too harsh for him to bear and Shin had even worked it so he'd feel a displacement in his energy field if he tried to leave and he would wake up immediately.

He was shivering severely now, blanket wrapped tightly wrapped around him, as he tried to avoid the pain in his shoulders where the wards were. The skin around the wards was very sensitive at the time and pained him horribly if he even brushed it with the fabric of the blanket. He winced and tried once again to close his eyes and fall asleep. Still, it didn't seem to work. He had an odd feeling that if he stayed awake, someone would come to save him.

But that was impossible, wasn't it? Nobody except Hiei could survive such rigid temperatures at night without taking shelter, and he highly doubted he'd ever see him again. Kurama was in a daze like situation as he listened to the eerie howl of the wind at the caves mouth. He shivered again as he spotted a darker figure at the entrance, from what he sensed, this 'figure' was staring straight at him. He couldn't see very well, so as a result, he blamed it on hallucinating, and closed his eyes tight, repeating to himself that it wasn't real. It was extremely dark in the cave anyways, seeing as night had fallen long ago.

He heard the soft click of footsteps.

Not real…Not real… Not real…

A soft breath disturbed some of his strands of hair near the back of his neck.

Not real! No, there wasn't anybody there. It was simply impossible! Kurama clenched his fists tighter into the blanket and shut his eyes tighter, trembling uncontrollably.

Kurama felt an arm gently loop around the back or his shoulder blade while another one scooped under his knees to pick him up. He was face to face with familiar blood colored eyes. If it hadn't been for the two other demons in the cave that were sleeping, he would've given a loud cry of joy and flung his arms around Hiei on the spot. Seeing as he wanted them to be able to escape unimpeded, he kept his mouth shut and tried to smile up as happily as he could at Hiei.

He heard a familiar telepathic voice in his head as he leaned into the comfort those warm arms he was cradled within.

"I've come to help you Kurama. I've noticed that demon has an energy field up to try and make sure you don't escape. I can manipulate this energy with my Jagan so that he won't notice, but I need for you to be absolutely quiet. Understood?" Kurama nodded a little and leaned his head against the warm chest, comforted so easily by such a simple thing as warmth.

Hiei smiled happily as he aw the fox do this. He felt like he had that one night a while ago when Kurama had allowed Hiei to keep him warm while he slept. It felt really nice for some unexplainable reason. He didn't know why watching Kurama settle under his warmth made him so happy. He just had to remain silent and hope for both of their sakes that they would go unnoticed.

The smile remained on his face, nonetheless, and he began walking toward the mouth of the cave. This had to be done slowly so Shin wouldn't notice, he kept his energy focused at all time, and his eyes remained on Shin the whole time.

He stumbled; Shin shifted in his sleep but didn't awaken. He thanked Koenma for this and slowly moved on. One little mistake would cost both him and Kurama quite dearly. He prayed for that not to happen as he slowly inched his way forward. Kurama had himself buried in his chest. Not even the sound of his breathing was audible, and Hiei was thankful for that. He actually seemed quite comfortable not making a sound in the position he was in, so Hiei hoped that he would be able to remain that way for the time being.

The next move was his mistake, one that cost him dearly and he knew that he'd regret for a long time after this. A rock he hadn't noticed before came in contact with his foot. With the slight echo caused by this, his concentration with the Jagan wavered, and as if by coincidence, he tripped right over his own two feet. The results were immediate Hiei spilled over and held Kurama tightly to his chest in an attempt to keep him safe from any dangers they may encounter. He couldn't bear to see Kurama hurt more again, and he swore silently to himself that if they wanted to do this, they'd have to pass his dead body first.

He shuddered for one of the first times in his life as he heard the two demons stand and walk over to him. He could feel them kick him hard in the side, and pain erupted through his body. The one thing that scared him most though, was a cold voice questioning him.

"And where do you think you're going with him"

Me: Muhaha I'm done, so there. I'm sorry it took a while, but I promise you, as long as I can get Chapter Fifteen checked over quickly it would be up before Friday. Plus, it's a really long chapter and I have some romance at the end I suppose you'll like. So until next time, bye!