**Standard Disclaimers Apply** This chapter: implied Shuichi x Yusuke, implied Shuichi x Yomi (non-con also implied)

The beginning of this chapter overlaps the end of the previous chapter. We're going to see the same conversation from Shuichi's point of view before moving on.

As always, feedback appreciated!

Shuichi woke up to see Urameshi Yusuke next to him leaning on the the side of the bed. He observed that he was in Yusuke's quarters, in fact, he was in the King's bed. The normally hot-blooded and rash man-child before him carried an expression of care and worry plainly on his face. It was this genuine and open side of him that drew Shuichi in.

"Yusuke san…"

"How are you feeling? Does it still hurt?" The king must have been waiting for him to wake up. Shuichi was a little flattered that Yusuke was looking after him despite all the recent events that must now be straining for his attention.

"No. I believe I'm in much better shape now. Thank you for asking." Shuichi shifted the attention to Yusuke. He'd rather be the one asking the questions. "How have you been?"

"You mean since I knocked you down with the Spirit Gun or since you left for ningenkai?"

Shuichi laughed. "Both, I guess." Yusuke had made a mockery of himself both during and after the succession celebration. Shuichi didn't really mind, that side of him was endearing as well. What he really meant to do was jog the young King's memory of the kiss they shared and see the young King's apologetic reaction. He kept probing until Yusuke reddened and finally bought up the incident. Shuichi inwardly laughed when Yusuke came up with a run-on sentence worth of excuses for his behavior.

Suddenly, Shuichi heard the call.

Fox.

Yusuke had stopped talking and was looking appropriately remorseful. Shuichi decided to string him along. "I was a willing participant." That much was true. He had been wondering if the King kissed the same way he behaved - warm, carefree, strong, daring, and protective. It was all of that and more.

At this, Yusuke blushed all the way to his ears. "I forced you."

Shuichi continued to play the submissive subordinate. "As my King, you have every right to exercise your dominance over your subjects. I was perfectly aware of that when I agreed to be your adviser."

Fox. Fox.

The call came again. Louder this time. Shuichi sat up.

"No, you didn't sign up for dealing with a horny moron."

"No, but I did sign up for guiding my wayward King be it through Makai conflicts or demonic growing pains." Shuichi's head was starting to hurt. He refused to let it show on his face and instead decided to fluster Yusuke some more. He reached for Yusuke's hand. "Should you require such services again, you need only request." Shuichi added demurely.

Fox. Fox. Fox.

Looking humiliated, Yusuke responded but Shuichi couldn't hear his reply clearly.

Decided to drop this subject, he gave a neutral response. "Very well." His head was really pounding now. Soon the call would be too loud. "Any news on Mukuro and the conflict at the borders?" Shuichi asked, even though he already knew.

Fox. Fox. Fox. Fox. Fox. Fox.

The call was getting even louder and more urgent. Shuichi wanted desperately to pull his red locks out in tufts so he could distract himself from the pain. Somewhere between the calls, Shuichi heard Yusuke asking him what he thought Mukuro was doing at the border.

"Perhaps a show of power. Perhaps to tempt you into battle. Regardless, it doesn't bode well." While he enjoyed Yusuke's company, Shuichi needed to get out of here now. He needed to change the subject and an excuse to leave. "What of Yomi?"

Once again, Yusuke responded with information he already knew.

FOX. FOX. FOX. FOX. FOX. FOX. FOX. FOX. FOX.

The call was now demanding his attention. His entire body throbbed. He couldn't talk any more. He could barely hide his pain.

Shuichi got up from the bed and slipped on his shoes. He needs to go to Gandara, now.

"Where do you think you're going?" Yusuke asked.

Shuichi gave an excuse about investigating what Yomi was up to. But Yusuke wasn't satisfied and asked him what he should do about Mukuro. Shuichi wanted to push him out of the way. He had forgotten how stubborn Yusuke could be.

In a sudden moment of clarity, Shuichi realized that the plans he had painstakingly laid may be at stake if adviser Hokushin, who is known to shy away from confrontation, got his way while he was gone. He needed to ignite a fire within Yusuke, and Shuichi knew exactly how to do that. "Your power levels rival Mukuro. Now if only you were able to fully control them..."

Just as Shuichi had expected it to, Yusuke's face lit up at the praise and suggestion. He practically bounded out of his room shouting, "Hokushin! Seitei! Kuwabara! Get your lazy asses over here! We're training!"

As soon as Yusuke was gone, Shuichi shut and secured the heavy doors of Yusuke's bedroom. Finally alone, Shuichi sank down to the floor with his head in his hands and screamed.

Shuichi felt like his head was about to detonate. The calls were coming at a furious beat, so rapidly that all the words seem to blend into one.

FOXFOXFOXFOXFOXFOXFOXFOXFOXFOX

He was vaguely aware of where he was. He was in a chamber that he had spent a lot of sleepless nights in. One that held a lot of shameful memories. But right now, none of that mattered. He needed the calls to cease. He needed to purge himself of this migraine. He needed Yomi.

After Shuichi had returned to his senses in Yusuke's room, the redhead had made himself a powerful concoction that dampened the calls enough for him to discreetly make his way to the Gandaran border. By the time he got there though, the roaring in his head had become so overwhelming that Shuichi could no longer endure. From there, two demons appeared seemingly out of thin air, transported him straight to this chamber, and dumped him into the bed where he promptly huddled in a fetal position.

"Fox."

The thumping in his head was so loud that Shuichi couldn't tell whether someone was actually calling for him or if a new voice had joined the one in his head.

"Fox."

Someone was shaking him violently now. Shuichi opened his eyes to see Yomi hovered over him. Yomi, the reason why he was in pain to begin with. Yomi, the only demon who could relieve his pain now. Shuichi had promised himself he would not beg, but he couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his face.

"Drink." Yomi was holding him up and pressed a bowl to his lips. Shuichi eagerly gulped the warm brew down. "There, there. You'll feel better shortly." Was Yomi comforting him?

Slowly but surely, the throbbing in his head subsided into a dull ache and the calls ebbed into whispers until both went away. Hesitantly, Shuichi sat up and rubbed his temples. Yomi was sitting on the edge of the bed. Shuichi would need his wits about him.

"I'm disappointed that you didn't see fit to visit me until the calls started, old friend." Yomi wrinkled his forehead.

"I do not wish to deceive you, your Majesty, I must confess that I only came for the antidote." Two years ago, when Yomi had the first break-through in his chemical warfare research program, the first individual he used the virus on was the fox. Since then, the fox have had to return to Yomi once a month to get his antidote in order to survive.

"I do thank you for your honesty. It's a shame I cannot see you now. My aides painted such a pretty picture of your suffering for me. I can only imagine the fiery flush on your pale skin, the delicate tears that clung like morning dew to your soft eyelashes before rolling down your lovely face, and the soft trembling on your fragile human body."

Yomi climbed onto the bed and under the covers. He reached for Shuichi but he backed away. "Now, now, dear friend, I was only hoping to comfort you since that pitiful image was tugging at my heart strings." Yomi smiled sincerely and then added, "You know better than to deny me."

Shuichi held his tongue and settled into Yomi's embrace. While he couldn't bring himself to look, he could feel Yomi's breath near his temple and his hands gently caressing his arms. Inwardly, Shuichi cringed.

"I do enjoy holding your human form. It's so much daintier than your Youko form. Though your Youko form offers other pleasures as well, Shuichi...or shall I call you Kurama?" The fox shrugged.

Abruptly dropping his tender demeanor, Yomi took on a more commanding tone. "Enough with the pleasantries. Report."

Kurama prefered this clearly defined master and subordinate relationship over Yomi's mock courtesy. At least he didn't have to feign civility.

"While Mukuro doesn't trust me enough to confide in me or share any useful information, I've managed to distract her from her territory's affairs for the last month or so. I don't believe she is aware of the kidnappings and the tests that you have been conducting. Neither is she aware of the re-positioning of your men along the borders."

"I'm surprised she allowed you to be close to her for so long. She must know that you are my adviser."

"Everyone knows Youko Kurama works for you," But none of them know why. Shuichi wanted to snap but decided against it. "Mukuro seems more intent on having some mindless fun than worrying about political affairs."

"And Why wouldn't she? After all, she had the infamous Youko Kurama, legendary whore, in her arms." Yomi chuckled unkindly while the fox jerked and bit his lower lip. Yomi gripped him tighter as if to chastise him for showing displeasure. "Tell me about her new heir."

"General Hiei has a one track mind. I feel he is easier to grasp than Mukuro though he comes across as more difficult. As long as you don't get into the way of what he wants, he has a complete disregard for the things happening around him." Shuichi allowed his mind to wander back to Hiei. Shuichi was able to easily pick up on the compact demon's many moods and mannerisms and did not miss the way Hiei's eyes lingered on him ever since the assassination attempt. It was clear that the fire demon had acquired an unspoken appreciation for him.

"I heard there was a commotion at the border between Alaric and Tourin."

"I thought it would be fun to lead Hiei and Mukuro, along with two hundred of their captains on a merry little chase towards the Tourinese border."

Yomi snickered and started to absentmindedly pet Kurama's hair. If he hadn't known better, Kurama would have mistaken the action for fondness.

"Not surprisingly, King Yusuke could not contain his curiosity and went to the border with his advisers to investigate the disturbance. They killed several of Mukuro's captains. I am hoping this will be the catalyst that launch them into war."

"So that simpleton hasn't realized your real identity yet?"

Kurama shook his head. "I'm a fox. Sneaking around unnoticed is my specialty." He didn't like Yomi referring to Yusuke as simpleton.

"And Raizen's old friends? Are they a threat?"

"I don't believe so. I know where they are, but they haven't mobilized to meet Yusuke. It appears they intend to stay out of this conflict."

"Good fox. Sounds like you had fun playing espionage." Yomi smiled at him, the warmth not reaching his eyes. "The antidote will be delivered to your dear father and brother by tomorrow morning."

"What about mother?" Kurama was alarmed. Different viruses have been given to each of his family members. Even though their viruses were not as painful as the one he carries and did not flare up as often, the thought of Shiori in even a tiny bit of pain rattled him.

"Don't be greedy, my dear fox, if you want an antidote for your mother, you're going to have to do more tricks." Yomi smiled again, a predatory expression flickered on his face. He buried his face in Kurama's hair. "I can still smell your coupling with Mukuro on you, whore."

Swiftly, Yomi kicked him off the bed.

"Now strip." Yomi commanded with an air of authority befitting a Makai King. "Your mother will get her dose when you smell only of me."

Author's Notes: It was fun getting into Kurama's head and navigating the complicated maze of his thoughts and feelings. Though, I think I may have to stay away from his point of view for a while, it gives away too much of the story. Next chapter - We go back to Hiei. Would his competitive nature allow him to lose at a game of tag?

Don't forget to leave some feedback! I'd also like to some ideas if you have any to spare.