Chapter 4: Half Youko, the Dream, and Waking up

'Something's wrong with Kurama.' They both thought, staring at each other for what seemed like forever, but was only a few seconds. Hiei was the first to move as he ran over to the controls, trying to see what was going on and if he could do something, anything.

Yusuke thought about going upstairs to see if he could find someone who could get Mukuro, yet he also didn't want to take the chance of getting lost.

About five minutes past, with each wondering what they should do, when the door finally opened and Mukuro came jogging down the stairs. There was concern clearly on her face as she walked over, making the fire demon move back to allow her room to the controls. After quickly flipping and pushing various switches, the siren went off and the two boys notice the vines had started moving. They were getting thicker, trying to cover every inch of the red head's skin, even closing around his neck and head, concealing his face.

"What the hell?" Yusuke cursed, his voice growing in panic with the sight before him. "What's happening…?" 'He's libel to be choked to death if those vines don't stop.' His mind thought.

Hiei had run up to the tank. 'We've got to get him out.' He thought, trying to control his own panic. He began looking at the lighted buttons along the bottom of the platform, which had turned from green to flashing red, wondering how to open this damn thing.

He looked up when he noticed Yusuke was beside him and felt a hand on his shoulder. He saw a finger pointing to the tank and a sense of 'look' in the raven haired's eyes. The fire demon looked up, his eyes going wide, for once speechless and panicking as all he could do was watch as the liquid turned cloudy, like some smoke was mixing in, turning it into a thick wet fog.

Mukuro had walked over, she was a little surprised as well at the change in the liquid. Thinking to herself that that had never happened to anyone she had known who had used the tank.

The two boys noticed her standing there. "You've got to get him out of there!" Came both voices, Yusuke's high and frightened while Hiei's was said with anger through clenched teeth.

"I assure you." She said calmly. "He is well…he was having some kind of reaction to the medicine in the liquid…maybe because of his ningen half, but I diluted it with saline and now his vitals are back to normal." She placed her hands behind her back, looking at the tank as she added. "He is almost ready to come out…if we take him out too soon, he will not be completely healed and will need to spend even longer next time in." Her voice was still calm and reassuring as she made eye contact with the other two.

After a few minutes, they watched the liquid become clear again. The vines were still in place, but then, they too began to move back to where they were before. Two and a half sets of eyes were as big as saucers at what was now presented before them. It was Youko, well not quite, but it wasn't Kurama either. What was now floating in the tank was what could only be called a hybrid of the two self's. There were fox ears, which were the first thing Hiei noticed, then there was the hair, long and thin like Youko's, but it was Kurama red. He also noticed that the eyes were opened and instead of being Kurama green, they were Youko's rich golden color. Something in the fire demon made him curious and he had to know. Yusuke and Mukuro watched him walk around to the back of the tank. Sure enough, it was what he thought and a smirk played across his lips as the other two followed, wondering what was up. They saw his face and looked to see what had gotten the fire demon's attention to give that look. Again eyes went wide as they saw a fox's tail poking out of the vines that covered the backside of the figure. It was also red and not as bushy like Youko's.

"I don't know what to say…much less think." Yusuke's voice finally broke the silence.

Mukuro gave a thought. "He was probably going to change to Youko so he could handle the rest of the healing, but I stopped the need by diluting the medicine, making the change unnecessary."

Yusuke's mouth fell open. "So he got stuck in the middle of changing?" He made it sound more like a question then a statement then rambled. "Do you think this will hurt him? Will he be able to change back or go full Youko?" He wanted to make sure fox-boy was going to be okay. He didn't think it would go over well if Kurama had to return to the Ningenkai looking like that.

"He should be fine." Hiei voice broke into the conversation. "The tank will force him to go one way or the other…though I know which way he'll choose."

They walked back around to the front. The more Hiei looked at the half-yoko the more he smiled to himself. 'When you do things Kurama, you sure don't do them half-way, but then again, this could be an exemption.' He thought, watching as the golden eyes started drooping, finally closing as the body become more relaxed as it floated.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to get here." Mukuro said, remembering what had kept her from coming as soon as she had heard the siren. "But, Lord Yomi sent his 'get well' wishes and wanted me to pass them on to you. I was just going to your room to see you two when I heard the siren."

Yusuke answered. "Well, we weren't there as you can see…freight train blockhead woke me up and I came here to talk to Hiei. Speaking of which, I should go see if he is up and tell him what's going on. And 'damn' I should also inform Koenma too."

The Lord nodded, saying. "Tell the guard at the top of the stairs that I asked him to walk you back to your room. Then when you are ready, have him take you to communications …you can contact Lord Koenma from there." She'd been wanting some time alone with her heir and now was a good of time as any.

"Thanks."

After Yusuke had left, the remaining two stood there, both silent and content to just watch the fox float. "What in the hell did Yomi want and how in the hell did he know about Kurama?" The fire demon asked with anger in his voice after he was sure Yusuke was gone. He didn't turn to look at his 'boss'.

"Yomi always keeps track of his investments…just like I do." Came the answer with a sound of smugness at the last part.

"And what the hell do you mean by that?" Hiei growled and turned to look at her, his hands balled into fists at his sides as his ki starting to rise.

Mukuro wasn't fazed, saying. "You know as well as I that Yomi asked Kurama to be his heir, just like I asked you. And that I have been keeping tabs on you to make sure nothing happens. I assume Yomi has been doing the same. I had heard that you were looking into having the fox watched as well, but decided against it."

This made even more ki spill off the fire demon. He had only heard the part about Yomi. 'How dare he watch Kurama, he had told him no way in hell would he be his heir. So why watch him.' He internally fumed. He knew Mukuro was having him watched, he had agreed to be her heir, but he also had made it known that he was going to bide his time back in the Ningenkai until the time came. He didn't care about being watched as long as it didn't become a problem. Hiei was taken out of his thoughts by a comment that came from out of nowhere.

"I can see why you care for him…he is quite handsome in both of his forms, but then again, this one is most interesting." She mused as she moved closer, studying the fox's features better.

"I AM NOT having a relationship with Kurama!" He barked out, wanting desperately to take someone's head off.

Mukuro was taken aback by the reaction to her words. Turing and making eye contact, she said. "I didn't say you were having a relationship. I said I can see why you care for him." She tried to read his mind, for it was usually so opened to her, but he had learned to block things from her, making her no longer able to read what he was thinking.

"Everyone seems to think we are together." Hiei said softly, starting to calm and knowing there was no reason to be mad at her. She knew from the time he had almost died and was in the very same tank Kurama was in now, that he cared about the fox. And that it was the real reason why he had wanted to return to the Ningenkai.

"You need to go and rest now, you are exhausted and it will do you no good, he will need you when he wakes up." She told him.

"Is that an order?" He replied with a small smile, for after all, he was her heir, so that meant he took orders just like everyone else under her command.

"Do I need to make it one?" She said, also smiling back and watching as he made his way to the stairs, his fatigue finally showing.

"Before you leave, I have something to say." She called out and Hiei stopped at the base of the stairs, turning to meet the eye of his master. "Go with what you are feeling and let it be known, it will work out. Better than you think."

The fire demon wonder what she meant by the statement, but decided he needed sleep more than a riddle. Instead of going back to the room that he had been taken to with the others, he made his way back to his rooms. He still had a place here even though he wasn't staying here full time. Mukuro had told him to leave some items incase she called him back on short notice.

After washing up and changing clothes, he lay down on his furs and was immediately asleep. The next thing he knew, he was in a field and saw Kurama sitting under a tree next to a small stream. He began making is way over….

(And as I wandered down to where you lay…The blood rushed up to meet the roses in your hair…I thought I saw you smile…but now I don't see you anywhere.)

Kurama was suddenly gone and he found himself running the rest of the way till he was standing under the tree. Hearing whispered voices, he listened….

(Whispering your love song in my ear…How can you touch me…When you're not really here…?)

Wait, if he was not really here then this is a dream. 'I need to wake up.' He thought. The next thing he knew, he was standing in front of the door leading down to the tank room. Opening the door, he was surprised when it led back to the field he was just in, but this time he saw a silver fox running around. It was jumping and twisting like it was playing with some invisible object that only it could see. The whispers voices were back…

(Stumbling out, I made my way towards the open door…Climbing fast the sun poured streaming laughter down in to your empty gaze…Where can I find you? Now I want to… join in your game…I hear you calling…I hear you calling, calling, calling)

(Whispering your love song in my ear…How can you touch me...How do you really dare?)

'What in the world kind of dream is this?' He wondered. It was so confusing, was it his voice whispering or Kurama's. He didn't think too long, as he was now next to the stream from before. Looking down, he saw Kurama under the water and he appeared to be having trouble as he tried to get up. (Help!) He heard Kurama's voice scream in his mind. (I can't breath or move. HELP ME!)

Hiei sat bolt upright, the sheets falling heavily from the sweat soaking them. 'Something's wrong, that dream was too real.' He mind rambled. Looking at the clock, he noted he'd been out not even two hours. 'Well, I guess I don't need any more sleep, especially if I'm going to dream like that.' He huffed. Changing shirts, he made his way back to the tank room.

Coming down the stairs, Hiei noticed Yusuke and Kuwabara already there. Mukuro was at the controls and she looked up as he approached. "I thought you would get the message." She said. "It's time."

The fire demon didn't know what she meant by that as he walked over, acknowledging the others before noting the liquid in the tank bubbling and starting to drain. When the water was gone, there was again a hiss as the tank released from the base and the glass dome rose back up to the ceiling.

"Two of you should be ready to catch him." It was the only comment the Lord made as she disappeared into the shadows behind her.

Hiei and Yusuke looked at each other and both jumped at the same time just as the vines had moved to the bottom, leaving a very naked Kurama falling. They caught him before he hit the floor and settled him to a sitting position with his back leaning against Hiei's chest. He took out the mouth piece and removed the nose clip.

Red eyes noticed the fox was back to his normal wavy red hair, human ears, and no 'tail.'

Looking at Yusuke who knew what he was going to ask, answered. "He changed back just before you got here. He started choking or something and then he just changed."

Mukuro was now beside them, handing up a large towel. "We will take him to the room you are sharing. He should wake up in a few hours." She said.

a)a)a)a

They got Kurama settled into the remaining bed back in the room. Hiei had insisted on carrying the red head even though he had to put him over his shoulder until he got to the top of the stairs and then he changed to a cradle position. The fire demon laid him down removing the wet towel before pulling the white sheet that was at the foot of the bed up to cover the pale chest, almost to the neck.

"Like I said, he should be waking up soon. The effects of the tank refresh the mind and body so he will wake up relaxed and his ki will be back to normal." Mukuro informed, deciding to stay until the fox woke up.

Kuwabara sat back on the bed he had been using, stunned. "That was the weirdest thing I think I've seen Kurama do." He said, looking at the red head as he spoke, still trying to picture the fox ears, red flowing hair, but most of all the red tail.

The others were thinking back too when Yusuke asked "Hey, Lord Mukuro, what did you mean when you said Hiei would be here in a minute and then what you said to him when he showed up?"

Hiei looked to her, also wanting an answer. She looked into his eyes and asked. "You had a dream, did you not, about him just before you came back?

"How did you know?" Hiei whispered, not really wanting the answer, yet curious at the same time.

"Can you tell me, please?" She asked.

The other two watched as Hiei's face went blank, he was looking at Mukuro when she asked and it seemed to have hypnotized him. He started talking, his voice coming out soft and frightened, almost like a child telling their mom about a nightmare they had.

"I was in a field and saw Kurama sitting under a tree. I went to go to him, but he disappeared, then I was at the door to the tank room, but when I opened it, it led back to the field. There was a silver fox, running and playing, I think it was Youko. The last thing I remembered, I was standing beside a stream and Kurama was under the water, staring at me and yelling in my head that he couldn't breathe or move and to help him. The look in his eyes I …" Hiei's voice trailed off as he came out of his daze. His eyes blinked a few times before he shook his head, wondering what had just happened.

"Just as I thought." She smiled. "Almost the same dream Kurama told me just before you woke up. Though, he said, it was you under the tree and then a dragon in the field." She knew deep down and now it was confirmed, the two were indeed connected in mind and soul.

"Woke up?" Yusuke and Kuwabara said at the same time. "What?" and "How?" followed.

"Did he not tell you about his time in the tank?" She said, cocking her head to look over at the two's dumbfounded faces. "Well…think I'll let him tell you on his own about that part." She commented, turning to Hiei, she continued. "He contacted me from the Ningenkai about a day after you were put in. He wanted to know if something had happened to you because he had had a dream that felt very real. As I said, it was similar to yours. A few hours later, you also seemed to have had some choking fit and then you were ready to come out. When Kurama did the same think and you showed up, I knew he was ready, too. You were both earlier then I would have thought at the healing process." She finished and watched as Hiei digested this information.

Still not believing and wondering why Kurama had never said anything about that time, he whispered. "What does this mean?"

"It means that you care for each other more than you think." She said with a small smile coming to her lips, for she hoped that he would follow his heart now and tell Kurama just how much he cared for him.

No one got to say anything else as they heard coughing and looked over to see Kurama trying to sit up. A pale shaking hand came up from under the sheet to cover his mouth. Everyone was at the red head's side in an instant to offer help. Three stopped and the smaller of them helped him sit up.

Kurama seemed a little confused as he noticed everyone around, while also trying to figure out what happened and where he was. "What hap….?" He tried to asked, but started coughing again. Lowering his head in his hand, he this time brought up water and began choking.

Yusuke went and grabbed the towel they had used to cover him when they brought him to the room. Kurama took it with a slight shake of his head and made eye contact of 'thanks' before covering his mouth and letting the water out. He ended up looking straight ahead with the towel covering his mouth and staring wide eyed.

"Its okay fox…you're at Mukuro's and you were in a regeneration tank. The water is only from what you may have accidentally swallowed, it will not hurt you, but you must get as much out as possible." Hiei told the red head almost the same exact thing he had been told when he was coughing up the liquid. He was unaware of the fact that he had been rubbing small circle on the man's back or that it was the reason why the green eyes had gone wide.

"I will go now…I'll have food brought." Mukuro said, addressing Kurama, she told him. "I suggest you eat as much as you can, it will help." She walked to the door and placing her hand on the knob, turned back to look at Yusuke. "Were you able to get a hold of Lord Koenma?" When she saw him shake his head 'yes' she added. "I will let you know if he contacts us. I suggest you all get some sleep." And with that, she was out the door.

When the door closed, Kurama pushed back with his feet, moving back so that his back was against the wall. He then pulled the sheet with him and brought his knees up to his chest. Still holding the towel close to his mouth as little coughs kept coming, he felt like he just might 'throw up' more than just water.

Hiei had to get off the bed when the red head moved, but sat down on the edge after he was settled. The others also moved to sit on their beds and no one felt like talking, it was just too much information.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door and it opened to reveal a guard carrying a tray of food, along with small plates and cups filled with some dark liquid. He placed the tray on the center of the table and left, breaking the four out of their thoughts.

Yusuke and Kuwabara moved over to the cushions and started digging right in, while Hiei picked up a plate and filled it with some fruit and bread. He presented it to Kurama who took it not knowing whether he could eat it or not. "You need to try…it will help with dissolving the liquid in your stomach." Hiei said softly, he then sat down and started eating.

When all four were done, Kurama having managed to eat everything on his plate and drink a cup of the dark tea. They all laid down to try and get some sleep.

Hiei waited until everyone was asleep before going over and watching the fox, wanting to make sure he was alright. Getting down on the balls of his feet, no more than a foot away, he studied the pale red head. All the wounds were healed, not even a scar was visible on that perfect creamy skin. 'Wait! Did he just think creamy skin?' Okay…he needed to tell Kurama soon or he was going to go crazy. Going back over to his bed, he tried to sleep, but only ended up having restless dreams of a fox running through a field.

End Chapter 4

Lyrics to the song: Missing – by: Arcadia