The creature posing as Hiei smirked at the startled Kurama.

"You must tell me where my error was fox, something to do with the headband? Am I missing something under there? The little guy never takes it off, you see, guess he is hiding something there, right?"

Kurama couldn't believe the change. The figure still looked like Hiei, but the voice and mannerisms were completely different. 'How could I fall for such an obvious trap,' Kurama thought in panic, 'Hiei would have never said those things, would never have kissed me.' Kurama felt a wave of sadness and shame sweep over him. He had ignored all common sense, they were looking for a shape shifter after all, he knew Hiei was acting abnormally. Why had he fallen for it?

"Now now Yoko, it wasn't all that bad was it?" The fake Hiei asked. Kurama snapped out of his mental stupor and glared back at the other demon.

"Who are you? How do you know Yoko?"

"Don't you remember my voice? Well it has been a long time I suppose," the demon chuckled quietly to himself, "I never forgot you Yoko, your scent, the softness of your skin, it still haunts my dreams."

Kurama was shocked. He didn't remember anyone name Kasai, yet this demon spoke as if they had been intimate.

"Show me your true form," Kurama demanded holding his whip high in a threatening manner.

"Calm yourself dear one, for you I will reveal all," Hiei smirked and his face slowly contorted. It looked almost putty like, as if it were melting for a second before the form grew larger and began to reform itself. Soon Kurama was no longer looking at Hiei, but a much taller demon, a black haired fox demon with silver eyes and a large jagged red scar across his face.

"Kasarnai," Kurama gasped letting his whip fall slowly to his side as he starred in horror at the other kitsune.

Meanwhile Yusuke had finally caught sight of Kuwabara, he was no longer running but instead pushing his way clumsily through the brush.

"Hey Kuwabara wait up," Yusuke demanded angrily. Kuwabara stopped walking and glared over his shoulder at the spirit detective.

"What's the big idea taking off like that?" Yusuke demanded.

"The next time you have Hiei tell me where we are meeting tell him he has to follow the plan. The little jerk wouldn't even give me the password," Kuwabara said.

"How did Hiei know we were going this way?" Yusuke asked looking confused.

"You told him to come tell me to meet over there," Kuwabara crossed his arms stubbornly.

"The area is clear detective, it seems the idiot was mistaken again," Hiei said suddenly flitting besides Yusuke.

"Who are you calling an idiot Runt?" Kuwabara raised a fist menacingly at the fire demon who just rolled his crimson eyes.

"Hiei why did you come here, you're supposed to be with Kurama," Yusuke snapped.

"You told me to come here Detective, I thought the oaf was the dense one."

"I'm telling ya Hiei, you'd better watch it!"

"Whoa hold on guys," Yusuke said stepping between them, "why are we here?"

"The shrimp told me you wanted us to head this way and meet up," Kuwabara declared crossing his arms in front of his broad chest.

"I was with Kurama and Yusuke told me to head this way to patrol the area," Hiei said glancing suspiciously at the dark-haired boy.

"Okay something is messed up here, Kuwabara you told me you sensed something from this direction and then took off before we could tell the others," Yusuke said looking at both his comrades.

"Whats the password?" Kuwabara asked suddenly looking nervous.

"Forget it Kuwabara you asked me that when you came and got me," Yusuke frowned.

"Another brilliant plan," Hiei said smugly.

"Wait why isn't Kurama here?" Yusuke asked. Hiei's eyes opened wide.

"Kurama is in danger," he breathed and immediately dashed off in the opposite direction.

"Not this again," Yusuke growled and once again chased after a teammate.

"Wait, Urameshi," Kuwabara panted as he ran alongside Yusuke, "how do we know that's the real Hiei."

"We don't have time to worry about it now Kuwabara, lets just find Kurama and we'll sort this mess out."

"Okay, hope this isn't another trick."

They continued running through the trees, branches hitting them on all sides. The fight had not even begun and already they looked terrible.

Kurama was bound between two trees by strong vines. He had tried to control them, but they only obeyed their master and Kasai or Kasarnai as Kurama now remembered him, wanted Kurama bound. Kurama felt quite defenseless, his arms were stretched open between the trees, while a root from the ground held his legs together. It had happened so quick, he had still been startled of learning the true identity of his attacker when the plants had suddenly moved against him. He struggled against his holds in vain once more.

"Calm yourself Yoko, I do not want to harm your fragile human form," Kasai grinned.

"I should warn you, my comrades will not show you mercy for this."

"I wouldn't count on them to save you Yoko, I sent them on a bit of a fools errand, by the time they realize what's happened they will be on the other side of the forest."

"Such a distance will be no match for Hiei's speed, I suspect he will return momentarily to finish you off."

"Ah such devotion Yoko, where was that loyalty to the one who loved you?"

"Do not pretend your lust was ever love Kasarnai, you wanted me, but Yoko refused you."

"So you do remember me Kurama, and here I thought all my years of preparation had been in vain."

"I remember you now, a pitiful creature, you were not good enough for Yoko and he refused you, you persisted and he gave you that scar on your face to remind you of your place," Kurama snarled at the creature before him.

"It is true," the demon mused, "Kasarnai was not good enough to be the lover of the mighty Yoko Kurama. And so after our little falling out I made some changes."

"What have you done?"

"Do you know how one becomes a shape shifter Kurama? I won't bore you with all the details, but it is a long process involving hundreds of deaths. Not just demon deaths either, that would be too simple, it takes human life as well."

Kurama's jaw dropped. The monster had just confessed to killing humans, that alone was enough to earn his death in spirit world.

"Think of it Kurama," Kasai continued moving towards the entrapped fox, "men, women, even little children crying out in terror all for you. Their deaths were my gift to you Yoko, to make me worthy of you."

Kurama spit into Kasai's face.

"You will never be worthy of Yoko and you know it."

"Alas, I mourned a long time when I heard of his death, but then I heard of you and how he had survived inside you, a mere human. Surely I could be worthy of you." Kasai wiped his face clean.

"Never!" Kurama shouted shutting his eyes tightly.

"Come now Kurama," Kasai smiled and reached out to caress the redheads cheek, "this needn't be unpleasant for you. That's why I became a shape shifter. I want you happy, and now I can be whoever makes you happy."

Kurama felt the hand on his face become clammy and melt into another form he opened his eyes to see Hiei looking up at him.

"We can be together Fox, I won't fight you anymore, you could have me however you want me," Hiei said smiling at the kitsune.

"You will never be him," Kurama hissed jerking his head away from Kasai's hand. Hiei's face became angry and he reached back and slapped Kurama. Kurama blinked in shock.

"I did not go to such trouble to be rejected now, you will be mine Kurama," Kasai growled and ripped Kurama's shirt open. Kurama struggled harder but the vines held firm, with his arms outstretched that way he was unable to access any of his seeds, he was helpless.

"RELEASE HIM!" an angry voice demanded from behind Kurama. The kitsune tried to look over his shoulder but he could not see where the sound had come from, but the voice was familiar.

"Hiei?" Kurama gasped.

Kasai/Hiei snarled and looked around Kurama at where the small fire apparition stood, sword drawn.

"I will not let you take him from me little one," Kasai/Hiei sneered,"I have worked too hard for this."

"It must be difficult finding out what a waste your life is, but fortunately you won't have to live with the shame much longer," Hiei replied.

Hiei rushed forward and swung his sword at himself. Kasai/Hiei jumped back trying to dodge the blow, but the sword connected with the intended target, the vine holding Kurama's right hand. Hiei stepped around Kurama who was now attacking the other vine with his free hand.

"Why are you fighting me Hiei?" Kasai asked glaring at the youkai, "you know your not good enough for him. You know there is a reason you cannot love anyone, you are not worth loving."

Kurama freed his left hand and fell to the ground. Now only the roots held him back. Hiei glanced over his shoulder at the scrambling fox. Kurama's hair was tossed around and he had a streak of dirt on his face from the fall, but even still he was beautiful.

"You could never make him happy the way I could, you could never be what he truly wants," Kasai/Hiei hissed as Hiei turned his head back to him slowly his blade dropping slightly.

"I kissed him," Kasai/Hiei taunted in a whisper, "he enjoyed it. Ask him yourself if you don't believe me. Could you make him feel pleasure like that?"

Hiei said nothing, but his sword continued to drop until it rested on the ground lightly. Kurama was still struggling with the remainder of the roots.

"You know I'm right," Kasai/Hiei smiled sensing his victory, "you are not good enough to love Kurama and you never will be."

"Hiei's eyes darkened, "You may be right," he said slowly. His katana raised sharply. Kasai/Hiei glared at him.

"But I don't care," Hiei breathed and lunged at himself once again. Kasai/Hiei pulled out his matching sword and began defending against Hiei's blows.

Kurama finally defeated the last of the roots and stood watching the battle. They were both moving quickly and Kurama realized that he wasn't sure which was his Hiei.

"KURAMA!" Yusuke yelled.

"Over here!" Kurama called back still watching the battle. The swords had fallen and now both demons were rolling on the ground taking punches at each other. It was more of a brawl then an actual fight.

Yusuke and Kuwabara ran up to Kurama.

"Are you hurt?" Yusuke asked noticing Kurama's ripped shirt.

"No I'm fine Hiei stopped him."

"Uh oh, which runt is ours?" Kuwabara asked taking in the scene.

"Both of you FREEZE," Yusuke yelled pointing finger at the fighters, ready to shoot his spirit gun.

The identical youkai's froze and both looked up at the spirit detective. One was siting on top of the other he hands grasped firmly on his neck.

"This doesn't concern you Detective," top Hiei said.

"I'll finish him myself," bottom Hiei snapped.

Yusuke continued pointing his 'gun' but looked at a loss.

"Which one am I shooting Kurama?"

"I took my eyes off them when I was freeing myself, I'm afraid I'm not sure which one is Kasai," Kurama admitted.

"Hey runt what's the password?"

"Shut up Fool," both Hiei's yelled in unison.

"Well they both passed that test," Kuwabara said frowning.

Bottom Hiei pulled his arm free and punched top Hiei in the nose. Top Hiei growled in fury and smacked bottom Hiei's head against the ground.

"Hey I said don't move," Yusuke protested. Both youkai glared back at him.

"Make up your mind quickly Detective or I'll do it for you," top Hiei snapped.

"As if a pathetic copy could ever rival the real thing," bottom Hiei glared.

"Kurama I'm gonna need a little help here," Yusuke said.

Kurama frowned and walked over to the fire demons. Leaning close so that Yusuke and Kuwabara could not hear him he whispered to them.

"Hiei what would I never understand?"

They both looked at him eyes wide.

"Ask something else Fox," top Hiei said.

"This isn't the time for that," bottom Hiei replied.

"It's the only way I'll know for sure which one of you is real, now answer my question," Kurama snapped.

Both Hiei's glared at each other, then looked back at Kurama.

"What's taking so long Urameshi?"

"Heck if I know, I just hope Kurama doesn't pick the wrong one," Yusuke replied still taking his aim on the fire demons.

"I don't deserve to be loved, by anyone, especially you," bottom Hiei said finally.

"Fox," top Hiei said sharply, then pausing he continued more calmly, "I'm not meant to be loved, you already know why, but you ignore it. I do not have the luxury to ignore it."

"Shut your mouth, you don't know what you're talking about," bottom Hiei growled up at himself.

"Hiei," Kurama said softly standing up his eyes locked on both demons, "I love you, no matter what you've done, what you've been through or what happens here today, know that I love you."

Kurama walked back towards Yusuke and Kuwabara his eyes sad.

"Come on Kurama which one?" Yusuke asked.

Kurama turned and faced his beloved. His heart felt so heavy in his chest.

"Kurama," bottom Hiei shouted, "I may never have another chance so if it must be now, so be it, I love you." The small youkai was shaking with emotion as he gazed at his kitsune.

Kurama closed his eyes, turning his back on both Hiei's, he could feel the tears pressing against his eye lids.

"Kill that one," Kurama said firmly. Yusuke's eyes widened, not only at the fire demon's outburst but then once again at Kurama's response.

"Kurama are you sure?"

"Kill him," Kurama replied his eyes still shut tightly.

Yusuke fired just as top Hiei jumped free. There was a howl of pain and rage then silence as the fire demon burned in the spirit energy.

Hiei grabbed his katana from the ground and dashed at the figures remains angrily slashing at them. Yusuke grabbed him and pulled him away. Kurama remained motionless.

"That was Kasai wasn't it?" Yusuke asked.

Kurama turned to face him, his eyes were red from holding back tears. Helookedintently at the youkai then at Yusuke.

"Check under his headband, Kasai didn't know about Hiei's jagan," Kurama replied.

Yusuke bent over the body and pushed the bandanna off. Hiei's forehead was smooth.

"Yeah looks like we picked right good job Kurama," he said standing up again.

"Not so quick Urameshi, better check the shrimp too," Kuwabara said.

"There is no need," Hiei replied calmly, he untied his bandanna and opened his third eye.

"Eh, I knew he was a fake," Kuwabara said smugly, "Hiei would never tell anyone he loved them."

"No, I suppose he wouldn't," Kurama said sadly.

"You sure you're okay Kurama?" Yusuke asked noticing the small cuts on Kurama's wrists from where the vines had held him.

"I'll be fine, the wounds are minor," Kurama replied, but his eyes revealed wounds of a different sort. Hiei could barely bring himself to look at the fox as he retied his headband.

Yusuke pulled a communicator and requested a team from spirit world to dispose of the body. They met with Koenma and told their story. Kurama left out a few personal details about his time alone with Kasai, saying only that he was captured and the demon had held a grudge against him from when he was Yoko.

Koenma seemed to be satisfied with that answer and after a few more questions to the group he allowed them all to leave. Yusuke told Hiei to make sure Kurama got home okay, he was still concerned about Kurama's odd demeanor. The boys parted ways once more, it was almost nightfall and they all wanted to get home and cleaned up after their forest adventures.

The walk home was oddly silent for Hiei. Usually he didn't mind the quietness when he was with Kurama, he wasn't the type to find silence uncomfortable. Not usually anyway.

Once the others had left them he had asked Kurama if he was really okay and Kurama had said he was. Not that Hiei believed him, but really what was left to say. At last they reached Kurama's yard. The lights in the house were still on.

"I wish Mother wouldn't have to see me like this, I hate to cause her worry," Kurama said finally. Hiei was a little surprised to hear his voice, it was so sad and sullen. Kurama walked with his arms crossed to hold the ribbons of what used to be his shirt together.

"You could wear this," Hiei said taking something out of his cloak. He held up the shirt Kurama had given him days ago.

"You carry it with you?" Kurama asked surprised as he accepted the shirt from the youkai.

"I was bringing it back, I forgot I had it," Hiei replied looking at the house, and away from Kurama's curious eyes.

Kurama took off what was left of his old shirt and Hiei glanced at him quickly then looked back at the house. Kurama pulled the complete shirt over his head. It was still a little wrinkled, but at least it was in one piece.

"Thank you Hiei."

"It's yours anyway Fox."

"No I meant for earlier."

"Hn?"

"You were honest with me, I appreciate it."

"Do you regret your choice?"

"No."

"He said he loved you, isn't that what you want?"

"I didn't love Kasai, even when I was Yoko."

"I know he kissed you, did you want him then?"

"I thought he was you."

"Maybe you wanted to think it was me, but we both know I wouldn't do that."

"No, I suppose you wouldn't."

"You are sad." It wasn't a question, but a statement, still Kurama felt compelled to answer.

"Yes, a little."

"So you wish it was him standing here with you?"

"Of course not."

"He could've been with you. He wanted to."

"I know."

"Then why didn't you pick him? The fools would not have known the difference."

"He wasn't you."

"Hn."

"I meant it when I said I loved you Hiei, I still do."

"I meant what I said too Fox."

"I know you did, sweetheart," Kurama sighed. They stood together in silence a few minutes more. Neither sure what to say.

"It is late, Mother is waiting," Kurama said at last breaking the stillness between them. He turned to say goodbye to the little youkai when his face was suddenly pulled forward and warm lips met his own. It was an awkward kiss, clumsy and short, but Afterwards Hiei just gazed at him.

"Hiei-kun?" Kurama asked, shocked.

"Just because we shouldn't have something doesn't mean we don't desire it," Hiei said looking into Kurama's eyes. He let the words hang there a moment, their true meaning sinking in. Kurama leaned in and kissed Hiei again, slower this time, for once the fire demon did not try to escape.

"Does this mean you will give us a chance?" Kurama asked softly after the kiss had ended.

"Silly Fox," Hiei gave a rare smile, "Why do you always ask questions you already know the answer to?"

THE END