Disclaimer: Is this torture really necessary? IT IS! Well in that case; I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of the characters from it. I do own Kane and the plot seen here though.

A/N: Wow! It really took me a long time to update this. I got in trouble because of my grades in World History. Let's just say that isn't my strong point. I'm really sorry for the late update.

Chapter 3:

Dream Theft

Youko Kurama walked through the forest, clutching a golden necklace in his hand. He had just finished a heist and was heading to the rendezvous point so he could deliver the treasure. Usually, Youko was not one to steal something for someone else, but this time, he decided to make an exception. He stopped in a clearing and watched as his partner followed him out of the forest.

"Remind me why we're doing this. What's in it for us?" questioned the demon.

"Heh. Heh. A lot of money and a new home. Relax Kuronue, we kinda need this job." Replied Youko.

"Yeah, but only because you burned down our old hideout; our home."

"Heh heh heh."

"Damn it! It's not funny Kurama. We've been living on the streets because of you."

"Settle down dear. I had to burn the hideout. Too many people knew where it was."

"That's because you bring too many sluts home with you. Grrrrrr. You really piss me off sometimes, you know that. Everyone thinks you're sooo smart. Hell, you burned all of our treasure along with the hideout."

"Yeah, maybe that wasn't the brightest idea."

"NOT THE BRIGHTEST IDEA! I THINK - "

"Shut up! I heard something."

Both demons made slight preparations for battle; one could never know what one might run into in the middle of the forest.

"Why was the rendezvous here?" Asked Kuronue.

"Because I couldn't get them to accept anything else." Replied the kitsune.

The two relaxed when a snake demon came out of the trees holding a large bag.

"You have the necklasssss?" It asked in a hiss.

"You got the money?" asked Youko, suddenly serious.

"It'ssss right here." The snake tossed the bag at Youko's feet and when Kuronue retrieved it, Youko tossed the necklace to the snake, which took it and left the clearing.

When it was gone, Youko turned to his companion.

"I know what we're stealing next." He said in a teasing voice.

"Kurama. … What is it?" asked a slightly annoyed koumori.

"It's a pretty mirror in a bamboo fore-"

"Arghhhh! Haven't I already told you that place gives me the creeps?"

The kitsune walked close to his friend, a slight glint in his eyes. Slowly, he put his arms around the koumori, locking his golden orbs with blue ones.

"Easy there Kuronue," he said in a purr-like voice, "It'll be okay, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you; my dear little koumori." Youko finished the discussion by pushing his lips against his lovers.

Kurama slowly blinked his emerald eyes open. Taking in his surroundings and realizing that he was in Yusuke's bed. He heard his three friends in the living room arguing over something and was pleased to note that he couldn't really make out what they were saying.

'They must be trying to keep quiet.' He thought. Then he thought about the dream he just had. 'I haven't drempt about that in a time.'

"I said I wouldn't let anything happen," he whispered as he whipped tears from his eyes, "Forgive me for lying."

After checking in the mirror to make sure he had no visible traces of tears, he left the room. When the three, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei saw him, their eyes filled with pity and concern for the kitsune and they all got quiet.

"Don't let me interrupt anything," Kurama said laughing slightly. "What were you three arguing about this time?"

"Simply put, we don't trust Yamagi," said Hiei, "He's a -"

"Koumori and a friend." Finished Kurama. He didn't like where this was heading.

"Is he the 'other koumori' Kane was talking about?" asked Yusuke.

"Actually … I think it was …"

"Who?" pushed Kuwabara

The kitsune gave his response in a barely audible whisper. "Kuronue"

The others heard the whispered response and froze, concern for their friend consuming them.

'Kurama, do you still have feelings for him?' thought Hiei. 'Wait! Why should I care?' " Kurama, you've said it yourself: Kuronue died." He said to stop his current train of thought.

"I-" Kurama felt his head spinning. "I don't know. Before Yamagi left, I'd swear I saw Kuronue's pendent." He noticed his vision blur and picked up the scent of blood; familiar blood; Kuronue's blood. His knees weakened and the floor began rushing at him.

'Damn it' he thought 'why am I so weak right now.'

He heard his friends gasp and felt strong arms wrap around him. He then heard Yamagi's voice whispering in his ear. "It's okay Kurama. Everything is okay." The voice said.

'His scent, his voice; everything looks, feels, and smells like Kuronue; but he died. I took him to the one place he didn't want to go, failed to protect him, and let him die.'

"Shhhh. It's alright. It's not your fault. You did everything you could. I should have been more careful, but none of that matters now. I'm back Kurama; I'm back and I'll protect you."

The reaction varied as people realized what was being said. Yusuke's eyes widened as he looked at the two. Kuwabara gasped in excited surprise. Hiei felt a tinge of anger, 'who does this guy think he is; holding Kurama like that'. Kurama froze, immobilized by his surprise. When he recovered from the shock, tears filled his eyes and he turned to embrace the lover he thought he lost.

"I thought you died Kuronue. I thought I lost you forever."

"I was injured, but a really unexpected thing happened. After I convinced you to leave, I resigned myself to death. Then he showed up and saved me."

"'He'?"

"You'd hate me for it."

"I could never hate you Kuronue. Just tell me who it was."

"You really want to know?"

"Yes!"

"Man, now I'm getting curious," said Kuwabara, effectively voicing the way everyone felt.

"Can you think of no one Kurama; one who would be doing a most unusual thing by saving me?" Questioned Kuronue.

Kurama pushed himself away from the koumori, staring into the blue orbs he had missed so much.

"You're not acting like yourself," stated the kitsune. "Since when are you so evasive when answering my questions?"

"Since when are you so cautious?" countered the koumori.

"I was foolish once. This isn't the first time you've come back from the dead."

"'Not the first time'? What do you mean?"

"Oh yeah!" exclaimed Yusuke. "There was that time when the Neather World was trying to make a comeback and that one demon disguised himself as Kuronue and tried to screw with your memories."

"Yes. And it almost worked too. I almost believed that I had betrayed you and you were merely seeking vengeance. Not till the fool threw away your precious pendent, did I realize the truth." Mused the kitsune

"I didn't mean for my evasiveness to be taken so negatively," said Kuronue

"Tell me Kuronue, Who Saved You?" demanded Kurama

"… Kane. Kane saved my life that night."

The shock was obvious. Kurama, for the second time that night, froze up. 'Well,' he thought, 'this night is just full of surprises.'

"Kurama" snapped Hiei, drawing his sword. "Isn't Kane an enemy? I told you we couldn't trust Yamagi."

Kuronue growled as Hiei jumped at him. 'Shit! He's fast' thought the koumori as he dodged attack after attack.

"Damn it! Just because Kane saved my life, doesn't mean I'm an enemy! Kane is my enemy as well! His actions made no sense, but when you're on the verge of dying and someone is trying to save you, you really don't think to question them. I swear, I haven't seen Kane since that night!"

Hiei was ignoring every word that came out of the koumori's mouth. It was all lies, he had decided. And he was going to save Kurama from this deceitful beast. He jumped forward with the intent of spearing Kuronue with his sword. The outcome was far from what he had planned. Kurama, recognizing the fight pattern as one that only Kuronue knew, jumped in front of the blade, taking the hit to protect his lover.

'That was really smart.' Thought Kurama as he sank, unconscious, to the floor.

Hiei's eyes widened. 'Why did he block my attack?' Thought the stunned koorime.

Yusuke and Kuwabara swore in unison and ran to help their fallen friend, but it was Kane who lifted Kurama off the floor.

"That couldn't have possibly gone any better." He remarked as he turned to face Kuronue. "Thank you Kuronue, you performed wonderfully. Now, go to sleep my pet."

Upon hearing the word 'sleep' Kuronue dropped unconscious and disappeared with Kane and Kurama.

And I think I'll stop here. If I get some good reviews, I'll update really fast. It should be fast either way in comparison to how long it took me to update this time.

Kuronue: If you wouldn't procrastinate, you would get it posted sooner.

Me: Quiet you! You're unconscious.

Kurama: Stop being mean to me.

Me: NO! It's way too much fun. Don't worry though; Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei will join together in the next chapter and come to save you.

Hiei: I have to work with those two. Sorry Kurama, it might take a while to get to you. Well, Give Nixie some good reviews so I can get this over with. Later.