Disclaimer: Don't own it. I own Book # 7, but not the characters, or story that comes with it.

A/N: Took me a while to update, especially since I've had this written since the day after I posted the first chapter. By the way, the title translates (according to to mean Foxes, Bats, and Vampires. Thanks to my reviewers, I hope you guys like this chapter as much as you liked the last.

Chapter 2:

Kuronue?

Kurama left Yusuke's house feeling angry at Yusuke for asking so many questions and himself for lying. He, most unusually, didn't even notice the figure following him. Not really paying attention to his surroundings, he was home before he knew it. He opened the door and called out to his mother. It was only 9:50 so he figured she'd still be up.

"Mother, I'm home. Sorry I'm so late."

When there was no response, the kitsune began looking around the house for her, or for a note saying she had gone somewhere. He found nothing and began to get worried, something didn't feel right. He went upstairs hoping she had just gone to be early.

He opened her bedroom door and felt instantly sick. The smell that greeted him was of his mother's blood and someone else's. Who's, he could not place it; was both familiar, and unknown. Kurama felt his head spinning and thought that his heart would explode any minuet when he saw Shiori.

She was unconscious on the bed, strapped to the headboard and footboard, and had a lifeless look in her open eyes.

"She-she can't be dead." Murmured a shaken kitsune. Rage filled him, and then was replaced by fear and pain as he went over to his mother and undid the bids on her wrist and ankles. Lifting her limp body, he fought back tears as he wrapped a blanket around her.

"Mother?" He called as he gently shook her. Three times he called her, and three times was disappointed when he got no answer. His head was still spinning and his senses refused to tell him if she was alive. He reached a shaky hand out to check her pulse and was relieved and saddened when he found a weak one. Relieved because she was still alive, saddened because that must mean she was in terrible pain. Rage again consumed him, and this time, did not go away.

Suddenly she shifted and moaned.

"M-mother?" he said in surprise.

"Shu-shuiichi? Is that you?" She asked in a weak voice.

"Yes, It's me mother. Wha-what happened? Who did this to you?" As he asked the questions he pulled her close to him, and again found himself fighting back tears.

"Shuiichi, you're alright, aren't you? He didn't hurt you did he?"

"N-no. Mother … please, tell me who did this to you. Did you see what he looked like?" He felt himself loose the battle with the tears as they made their way down his cheek.

"Shuiichi?" called Shiori in a slightly panicked voice.

"Shhh. It's okay, I'm here. I've got to call the hospital, but I'll be right back." Kurama got up and went down stairs to use the phone. He didn't want to leave her side but knew he had to if he was to get her help.

Calling the hospital was more difficult than he thought it would be. He had trouble remembering things like his home number, or his address, and trying to keep his voice steady was nearly impossible. He managed it though, somehow he gave them all the information they asked for and then he went upstairs to wait with his mother.

Seeing her again was just as painful as when he saw her the first time. He felt something inside him break as he held her and listed to her strained breathing. Suddenly, the only thing that matted was keeping her near him; he wouldn't let her be hurt again, and assured her of this many times.

The ambulance took a torturous ten minuets, which felt like an eternity, to arrive. The paramedics called out and Kurama answered them, and then heard them on the stairs.

'That's it,' he thought, 'Come to me. We'll see what happens if you try and take her from me.'

The first paramedic walked pulling a stretcher behind him. He went over to Kurama and reached out to grab Shiori so he could put her on the stretcher. He was quiet surprised when the red head only tightened his grip and growled.

"Get back!" said the kitsune viciously. "I won't let you hurt her. It's your only warning. Leave, or die."

The paramedic took a step back; he had dealt with similar things before. He held his hands in the air so Kurama could see that he was unarmed.

"Hey kid," He started in a gentle voice " My name is Matt. You have to let go of her so we can help."

Kurama only growled in response and pulled her even closer to him.

Shaking his head slightly, Matt went to the door and called downstairs, "hey Yamagi! Come here! I think this kid's in shock"

Another paramedic came into the room shortly after. He was slightly taller than Kurama and had long black hair and blue eyes that seemed somewhat familiar. He went over to Kurama, bent down in front of him, and spoke so softly, that Kurama was the only one who could hear him.

"Hey there Kurama. I don't know if you can hear me or not, but you need to snap out of it. I know you want to help her, so why don't you let Matt take her downstairs and then we can get her to the hospital and get her fixed up." He spoke slowly and as he spoke, he took Shiori from Kurama's loosened grip. Something in the guys voice soothed the kitsune, who now felt numb.

Yamagi handed Shiori to Matt and told him to go ahead. Once Matt left the room, Yamagi turned his attention to the kitsune and addressed him again in that soft voice meant only for the red head's ears.

"Call up your friends; the spirit detectives. Stay at one of their places for a while. I'll handle things here. That woman, whatever she is that makes her so important to you, will be okay." His voice was commanding and soothing all at the same time.

Kurama did as he was told. He grabbed the phone out of Yamagi's hand, and let his fingers dial Yusuke's cell number. After a couple rings, the black haired detective picked up.

"Yusuke Urameshi. Who's this?"

"Yu-suke." Said Kurama in a breaking voice.

"Kurama? That you? Man, you sound like shit! What's up?"

"Yu-suke. Please. Can I … stay at your pl-place for a fe-few days? Please."

"Uh … Wh-Yeah. Kuwabara and me will be over in 10. Um, hang tight Kurama." Yusuke hung up and told Kuwabara where they were going. He was real worried about Kurama. First the kitsune had nearly been run over, then that Kane dude had shown up, now this. 'What the hell is going on' thought Yusuke as he ran with Kuwabara over to Kurama's house.

Kurama allowed Yamagi to help him to his room and get things packed, and then go outside to wait for the two detectives. The ambulance left when Yamagi said he would stay until some of Shuiichi's friends came to pick him up.

Yusuke and Kuwabara got there in 15 minuets and, once they had heard form Yamagi what had happened, wasted no time getting Kurama away from the house. Before they left they had received a stern warning from Yamagi that if they didn't take care of Shuiichi, he would track them down and make them pay. They promised to take care of the kitsune and left the for Yusuke's house. At the end of the street, Kurama took one final glance back, and found that Yamagi had disappeared.

The walk to Yusuke's house was a long and slow one. Neither of the detectives knew what to say to comfort their friend. He seemed so broken, so … lost. Several times Kurama stopped walking to look around. Each time he did, the detectives would let him look for a while, then one of them would gently grab him arm and pull him along until he was walking again.

Finally, after what felt like hours of walking, they reached Yusuke's house and was greeted by Botan, Yukina, Keiko, Hiei, and even Koenma. All of them seemed worried about Kurama; even Hiei did, if you knew what to look for. They all offered their apology to Kurama and tried to assure him everything would be okay. After they had all finished, the kitsune spoke in his normal, calm and steady voice.

"I thank you all for your concern, but why is every one acting like someone died. Mother was taken to the hospital and I was assured several times that she would be fine. So unless there's something you guys aren't telling me, I would appreciate it if you'd stop feeling sorry for me."

"Kurama," Hiei started, unsure of how to tell the kitsune the news. "Shiori … she …"

"What?" Snapped Kurama, feeling his chest tighten as panic gripped him.

"She died on the way to the hospital."

Kurama felt dizzy and sick again. He couldn't have heard right, she wasn't dead. She couldn't be dead. He felt his legs give out and saw the floor swiftly approaching him. As he was about to hit it, a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist; they were familiar, strong arms.

"She's not dead." Said the voice of Yamagi. " Her heart did stop, but they were able to revive her. It's okay Kurama, she'll be fine, I just went to check on her and she's doing great." He turned his attention to the two detectives, his eyes glowing red "I thought I told you to take care of Kurama, not say things that would make him panic like this.

"But we didn't say it," argued the orange haired detective.

"Yeah" agreed Yusuke, "It was new to us too."

"Who are you!" Demanded Botan

"Me? I am Yamagi Nasaki, a paramedic. I'm rather worried about Kurama right now. He suffered quiet a shock earlier and I don't need you idiots making it worse."

"Yamagi, huh?" Said a skeptical Hiei. "Why do you keep calling him 'Kurama'; his name's Shuiichi.

"Hmm. I believe I heard you call him by that name."

"But you called him Shuiichi earlier," pointed out Kuwabara.

"You're not human." Said Koenma "You've masked yourself well and I can't tell what you are, but it's not human."

"Very good, Lord Koenma. Suffice it to say I'm an old friend of Kurama's. If you don't believe me, ask him. He'll tell you it's true."

"I-it is." Said Kurama in a broken voice " He's a f-friend, not an e-ene-my."

Everyone looked at the broken kitsune. He seemed so vulnerable right now and they all pitied him for it. Yamagi took the kitsune and set him down on the couch, looked him over one last time and as he stood said

"He'll be fine. He's still in a mild state of shock and needs some rest. What ever you do, don't bring up what happen. That will only make things worse on him. Yusuke, I leave him in your hands. What I said at his house still holds: don't you dare let anything hurt him, or I'll do twice as much damage to you." With a final glance and Hiei, he left the house.

Kurama watched him as he left. Something had caught the kitsune's eye; Yamagi was wearing a very familiar red pendant.

"Kuronue?" Breathed Kurama in a faint whisper, but no one heard him and soon, everyone went to bed.

So, what did you think. Did you notice something I didn't when I edited it? Was there something you didn't like? Do you have any questions?

Kurama: I do. Why do you feel it necessary to hurt me, me, and me?

Me: It's my way of saying I love you. More Kurama torture to come. Anyway, please let me know what you think should happen next. I was thinking a dream scene. Well just hit the 'review' button and give me your feedback. Flames welcomed. Till next time. Bye bye.