Chapter 6 (part 1)

Kurama sat through lunch with Kuwabara and Genkai's eyes watching him the whole time. Genkai would take a sip of tea and study him, while Kuwabara kept giving him weird glances. He expected Kuwabara to say something, but what he didn't realize was, the taller boy had learned after his incident with Yusuke and Keiko's pregnancy to keep his mouth shut about things he wasn't privy to and this was one of them.

When he felt the master staring at him again, the red head stared right back.

"Kurama, I was wondering if you would come over tomorrow and help me give Puu his bath. He seems to handle it better with you helping." Genkai said, taking a sip of tea.

"Of course." Kurama said, placing his own cup down. He then looked to Hiei. "That is unless you have plans."

"No, I don't." Hiei replied.

"I don't see why Kurama has to help with Urameshi's bird. Make that lazy bum come and help you." Kuwabara said, grabbing more food to put on his plate.

"It's okay Kuwabara, I enjoy spending time with Puu…he is a…very interesting creature." Kurama said.

"Well he should be, he's half of Urameshi or something like that." The orange haired said, continuing to eat.

Finishing what little was on his plate, Kurama stood and bowed. "If you will excuse me I need to get to the store. Thank you for the meal and I will see you tomorrow." He turned and acknowledged Yukina and then Genkai.

"You hardly ate anything. Do you wish to take some with you?" Yukina asked as she had seen what little food the red head had actually ate.

"No thank you…I am planning something special for dinner so….." Kurama told her and turned to Hiei. "Did you think of anything else besides milk that we need?" He asked him.

"No." Hiei answered. "Since you seem to have something planned I can't think of anything." He finished off his drink and went to stand. "I'll go with you though."

"There is no need. I know how you get shopping. Stay and visit and I will see you at home." Kurama said and again bowed.

Three of the four watched with worry as the red head made his exit, the forth just shrugged and walked the other way to the garden area.

"Something's wrong with him, isn't there?" Yukina whispered, looking to Genkai.

"You sense it too." She said.

"Hey, I wanted to say something, but you know how Kurama is, I don't want to get him mad at me and since you all feel it too…" Kuwabara said.

"What is it?" Genkai asked, giving him her full attention.

"Well, I…." Kuwabara got nervous and started to fidget.

"Just tell me, I'll take responsibility." She snapped.

Taking her word, he started rambling. "I sensed Youko earlier and then when Kurama came to the temple he's youki was weak. I almost didn't recognize it. He collapsed on the stairs and Urameshi had to carry him. He said that he and Hiei had been sparring pretty rough and that he was just tired and hadn't eaten."

"I thought as much." Genkai said and took a sip. "I'll try to talk to him tomorrow."

"You didn't hear it from me." Kuwabara muttered as he reached for more food.

a)a)a)a

Kurama managed to get the food put away before collapsing on the couch. He was feeling really tired, but knew he should get up and take a shower, for he was hot, sweaty and smelled. No wonder the others were staring at him, even the guy behind the register at the store was looking at him funny.

Getting his second wind, he made it upstairs and got undressed. He was sore and stiff and hoped a hot shower would relieve his aches.

Reaching in and turning on the shower to max, to get the hot water to move faster, he then reached over and turned on the light. What he saw in the mirror made him gasp.

His body was purple, black and blue. It started along his neck where his shirt collar would be and moved across his chest down to his lower region. His face was pale and his hair was dull.

Turning, he looked at his backside, letting out another gasp. He was bruised all along his lower region. Dried bloody claw marks spotted his lower back and he had dried blood on his butt cheeks and thighs.

Starting to shake from panic, he heard a voice in his head. "I am sorry, you can rest now. I am fine…thank you."

Green eyes rolled and then the figure sighed as he got in the shower. Thinking over what must have happened during the sparring and realizing Youko and Hiei had had sex was not a secret per say. When he saw Hiei and felt the soreness in his body he realized that. Now what really shocked him after seeing the blood on his lower back and thighs, was that, Hiei had apparently taken the fox. Youko must really like the fire demon, to give him that honor. He only knew of one other person, or demon that is, to have had that honor and that was Kuronue.

End Chapter 6 (part 1)