I apologize for the long wait... i never intended it to be this long, considering how the chapter had already been written. Then, as i was typing up what i had wrote, the story took a completely new turn, so now, everything i had previously written is useless. I aplogize. again. hopefully, the next chapter will be up much sooner.

/Kurama to Hiei./ /Hiei to Kurama/ "English"

Within ten minutes of the soundless conversation's end, Hiei arrived. Madame Pompfrey was speaking to Kurama, "Physically, you're fine. All your symptoms point to magical exhaustion, but the levels of your magic are also fine. I double checked for that. I don't know what to do, but to have you rest and not use any magic for a few days."

Hiei arrived the same way he travels: soundlessly, with the barest flicker of youki that only Kurama, as his bonded, could sense. Hiei announced his presence with a softly spoken utterance: "Kurama." Madame Pompfrey bit back a scream, and the two Slyherins started, wands immediately falling into their hands from hidden sheaths. No one, save the youko, had noticed when Hiei came in.

"Hiei!" Kurama's voice was delighted. Strained and tired as hell, but delighted. He tried to stand, but swayed slightly, opting to collapse back onto the couch in annoyance.

Hiei ran a critical eye over his lover's body, not seeing the physical human shell, but assessing the nearly hidden youki that surrounded Kurama. "I don't believe this…"he muttered as he raised his hands to clasp around Kurama's, letting youki flow through the physical link between the two. /You're so careless…Tthat's supposed to be the detective or the idiot—not you./ Kurama laughed lightly and tightened his hold on Hiei briefly. /Gomen ne./

"Hn."

Kurama laughed again. His face was regaining it color, and his skin was not longer clammy to the touch. He gently withdrew his hands from Hiei's. "That's enough, koi. Arigatou." Hiei frowned, but said nothing aloud, relinquishing the hold on his lover. /That's not enough, and you know it./

/Aaa. I know, but this is enough for now. Your own reserves are low. I'll find a time to shift to Shuuichi or youko form later to gain a quick refill./ Kurama didn't tell Hiei, or allow the worry to seep through the mental bond, that the youki he was getting from Hiei wasn't changing. Youki that was transferred to him from someone who spent a lot of time with him, or was his bonded as Hiei was, should have changed the moment it entered him, yet most of it wasn't changing.The magic in Harry was also starting to try and fight the foreign presence, and it was all Kurama could do to hold it back. Meanwhile, the three humans were confused. To their knowledge, nothing had been done, yet Kurama had laughed twice, and is now looking both healthier and happier.

The two youkai spoke quickly and softly about the plants that Hiei had just brought, careful not to slip into Japanese, and to stay in Makain Common. And though neither would admit it, they were both disturbed by the way it sounded when spoken by a human. Shuuichi may have been human, but he was created and designed by Kurama, giving him heightened senses, physical agility and strength, as well as the ability to speak Common properly. Harry was human through and through.

They decided that Kurama would go check out the plants once he was recovered enough and would be able to slip out from under the watchful eyes of the Hogwarts staff. That way, it would also be assured that even should he need to stay in human form, he would be able to have enough youki to at least prevent the plants from maiming himself or anyone else once they break Koenma's subduing wards. Hiei, after much persuasion by Kurama, agreed to stay with the others and not use much, if any, youki until his reserves were once again filled. Instead, he would ("Peacefully!) scout the Forest and surrounding areas for clues on what Voldemort had done. Kurama would rest himself, and build up enough strength for him to separate from Harry, once he deems the boy strong enough.

The talk was short, and over after it had barely started. The rest of the details would be worked out, should any problems arise, telepathically. In his unique manner, without ever so much as acknowledging the others in the room, Hiei left, leaving Kurama to fend off the others alone.

After doing another check and cautioning him to rest, Madame Pompfrey left as well, leaving Kurama alone in the room with two Slytherins. After an exhausting session of questions and answers-that-don't-say-anything-while-gleaning-information, ended with a plea for rest that wasn't as feigned as Kurama would have liked, he slumped back into the couch, deep in thought, painstakingly changing Hiei's youki into his own.

He needed allies who would follow him despite Dumbledore. The old wizard, while wise and powerful, was too ingrained in his philosophy that there was good in everyone. Perhaps he was being too criticizing of the headmaster, but there are times when death is unavailable. There are also times when killing the opponent was easier than trying to harm them…especially true if demons were involved. Snape was not loyal to Dumbledore, as he had originally thought. He was loyal to the forces directly opposing Voldemort, and that was why he followed Dumbledore. And while Draco had agreed to fight Voldemort's forces, he did not completely support the Headmaster.

That was good, Kurama mused. While Harry may have trusted Dumbledore, loved him even, the boy had been put in danger far too often for Kurama to completely trust the wily old man. Besides, Kurama was rather positive, no, he was absolutely certain that the Headmaster would not approve of the ways he planned to fight the war. One method in particular, the way of the demon: slaughter each and every opponent in your way. While Kurama does not completely agree himself with this manner of fighting, it may very well be necessary.

Once Harry regains control of his own body, Kurama could finally regain his own body separate from the boy. Kurama knew that he needed a small, but powerful, army at his disposal. The battle is nearing and time grows short. He will need to start soon.

The youkai, he knew, were eager to fight. Hiei, Yusuke, Jin, Touya, Suzuki, Rinku, Chuu, and Shishiwakamaru would all throw in their lots as soon as he requested their assistance. With a lot more training, Liseab could also help, but only in defence, and Yukina could help heal the wounded if Hiei refused to allow her onto the field. Kurama, in any case, didn't want the gentle Koorime to fight if it could be avoided. He, also, would go in person to see Yomi and ask for assistance from him and Shura. Mukuro would be approached as well, and Kurama planned on calling in a few old favors that various youkai owed him. That gave him a small, but very dengerous army already. Perhaps, through Yusuke, he would be likely to get help from Raizen's former subjects, who were now under Yusuke's rule…and perhaps Raizen's old sparring partners. Apparently, Yusuke's now training under their tutelage, making him a formidable fighter, as if he wasn't one already.

Kurama managed a faint smile at the thought, his mind starting to wander off topic. Of their close-knit team of four, he was the one that Yusuke had never fought against. A wry thought wormed its way through his mind…he was, in fact, the only one in their circle of friends who has no opponent still alive when he had fought at full strength. Then again, Kurama revised, no one had ever fought him at full strength. When he had fought nearly thirty years ago during the Tournaments, he had never fought at full strength. The fights were (if they were particularly tough) at his full strength at that time.

It had been a long, long while since Kurama had last fought with so little strength. And now, he knew, that should he need to, nearly all that he had needed to 'go Youko' for (to quote Kuwabara in one of his descriptions of a battle), he could achieve in his human form of Minamino Shuuichi. After so many years, he can finally access all the power he previously had before his death. Well, all the power he had, when he only had three tails.

Yet, Kurama has the knowledge of many more years and the memory of much more power at his disposal. He is old, older than any one of the youkai he had befriended thought. Youkai have long life spans, yet few live longer than a few centuries. It had hurt. To give up his tails, his power, his…pride. A bitter taste filled Kurama's mouth. Regardless of how much he loved his new life and experiences as a human, he missed the forests and plains of his lands in Makai. The exhilarating freedom as he ran, held down by no obligations, no rules, no liege, foliage sprouting under his paws or feet, covering his tracks automatically.

Kurama had unconsciously fallen into the abyss of memories that had been held at bay far too long. His muscles automatically cleared his face of all emotion, eyes dry and shadowed and cold. Even as his soul longed to weep, the hiding of emotions and weaknesses was an inbred habit.

Kurama was shocked out of his dismal thoughts by a firm, but not particularly painful, slap. His eyes cleared and innocent green looked up at Severus and Draco. Both of them were watching him with suspicious eyes. "What is it?" he asked, looking every bit the naïve, confused Gryffindor.

"Cut the act, Potter." Venom laced Snape's words.

"What?" Kurama strived to look even more confused. "I really don't know what's going on, Professor." A flash of uncertainty crossed Draco's face, before hardening into icy resolve. Kurama noticed that while both Slytherin's arms hung at their sides, the tip of their wands were visible, ready to snap up at any time.

"I believe I told you to stop acting, Potter." Snape raised his wand, pointing directly at Kurama's chest. Draco followed suit. "But then again, you're not Potter, are you?"

Snape's accusation echoed in the silent room.

(chapter owari)

this provides some insight to Kurama's plans, as well a bit of foreshadowing. P it should be rather obvious that the youkai mentioned by name will eventually appear...as for when, i'm not quite sure. but i am curious to see what will happen...the plot has taken me and run off. sorry about the cliffhanger, but i felt it was appropriate to end the chapter there. i promise i'll go through the older chapters and revise them soon...but once i do, i'm afraid you (lovely lovely ) readers will need to re-read as some events are probably going to change significantly... hope you don't mind!