Yomi's eyes had been forever closed by the actions of one fox. Not in death, but some would say that the fact he survived the attack that had left him forever in a world of darkness was far crueler than even the slowest and most painful demise could ever possibly be.

The closed eyes could not glare, and it seemed the rest of the face had chosen to take the lead of the eyes. The face, pretty even after these years, perhaps even more pretty, due to the maturity brought on by hardship, was as impassive as a doll's. The forehead was smooth, the lovely lips curved into a bow-shaped, pleasant smile.

The throne was new. Kurama was quite certain that it had not been there the last time he had come to the kingdom of his former second. Massively large, ornately but not ostentatiously carved, inlaid with gold and jewels and ivory in an impressive but strangely tasteful manner.

He had been planning for this.

And a stunning picture he made, seated with elegant nonchalance atop that behemoth, his hair a smooth mass flowing down around his shoulders, his form so very trim, bearing regal.

And that lovely, once-dear face.

Fury radiated from the king like scorching undulations roaring from a furnace. His skin felt like it should be burning, crisping, peeling away, although he knew it wasn't so. His hands itched to reach and check, to make sure, and he stubbornly refused.

Kurama had known he would be met with anger when he returned, but he had also known that he had no choice as to whether or not to return. There was more at stake here than personal pride.

He had expected to be met with anger. He had expected hostility.

He hadn't expected an armed escort to meet him and "lead" him to the king at sword point.

"I'm surprised you had the courage to return, my friend." Yomi said pleasantly.

Kurama returned his smile.

"You have upheld your end of the bargain with surprising accuracy," he answered. "My family remains unharmed, despite my…actions."

"Actions. Yes."

That smile was very disconcerting. Kurama wondered if he had ever appeared this way to any of his enemies. Had Yomi learned this game from him, or was this of his own mind?

He spread his hands.

"I have come to uphold my own end of the bargain," he said at last.

Yomi didn't answer – just continued to smile.

"If you still want them, the warriors I have offered are prepared. I will send for them on your word."

"So pliant now, Kurama?" he asked, amusement in his voice. The wall of anger pulsed painfully. "Forgive me, but the last time I saw you so pliant, it…how do your precious humans say it?...blew up in my face."

Kurama ducked his head.

"In retrospect," he admitted, "I was, perhaps…"

"Perhaps…" Yomi's smile grew. He gave a laugh. "Yes, you were…perhaps."

"There is little room for pettiness, and I do owe you an apology. It is of little consequence that you offended me. That I could not allow that offense to go without response."

"Offended you." Yomi chuckled. "And what have you done to me?"

"Need we go over this again?"

"No, Kurama, we need not. Bring me your warriors; I will accept them. And you."

He nodded, turned to go. He stopped as his name was called.

"Kurama?"

Yomi was no longer smiling.

"We have yet to bargain for your life. Do not make it necessary. I have forgiven you more than anyone else ever would, but my affection does not stretch forever."

"I understand."

Kurama had been expected to be lead to the lush, prison-like quarters that had first been given to him. He had expected guards, perhaps even chains.

He hadn't expected to be taken outside into a large courtyard. Hadn't expected to find himself surrounded by plantlife as escorts led him to a series of beautifully designed Japanese-style buildings.

"This is new."

One of his escorts smiled at him. It wasn't the fact that she was a woman that told him that she was an actual escort, and not a guard. He had met many women throughout the years who had proved to be formidable opponents.

It was the way she was dressed that let him know she wasn't prepared to fight him. The robes were lovely, but would be cumbersome.

And she didn't carry herself the way someone prepared for violence would.

"When our king orders renovation, it happens," she answered.

Perplexing. Yomi was furious at him, but hadn't killed him. Wasn't keeping him prisoner or demanding to share his bed. The anger radiating from his former friend would have been enough to decimate a lesser demon, but in Kurama's absence he had done…this.

"It's good to see a bit of green around the kingdom!" the escort said cheerfully.

Yomi knew that Kurama could use the plants to attack him, take over his palace, do any number of things. But he had planted them, despite knowing that Kurama would be returning. Despite his anger.

The fox frowned, disliking this confusion. Up until this point, each and every move Yomi had made had been carefully calculated to give him power over the infamous Youko. Each of Kurama's responses had been calculated just as carefully – intended to hurt Yomi as much as necessary.

What had caused the intense urge to hurt his old friend?

Kurama had been angry upon ever arriving in Yomi's kingdom, and it had nothing to do with the king. Perhaps if he hadn't been hurt, if a certain demon he had once been close to had not walked away from him without hesitation…perhaps then Kurama would have been in a more suitable state of mind. He should have been more afraid of Yomi, and the fact that he never had been was damning evidence.

The demands Yomi had made of him had hurt his pride, but that was the way demonic politics went. Had he been thinking more clearly, things would have gone differently.

And he probably would have ended up the eternal pleasure slave of the other demon.

In that respect, at least, Hiei's actions seemed to have actually saved Kurama. He had been so upset over their last conversation…perhaps he had been taking it all out on Yomi.

Still. Yomi would have made him a slave, and that was something Kurama had long ago vowed would never happen again.

Kurama had managed to stay away long enough that he had calmed from the petty anger that had caused him to humiliate Yomi in front of those visitors and this surprise had shaken him out of whatever remained. Two demons on equal terms simply did not squabble amongst each other like human children. He had meant his apology.

This concerned him greatly, though. These plants, these buildings. Anyone uninvolved would think Yomi had had this built as a gift for a returning lover – but the anger Kurama had been met with proved that sex was likely the last thing on the demon king's mind.

The contrast was astounding.

His guide showed him to the room he would be using, and left. She did not stay to stand guard, did not ask he remain indoors. She simply smiled, explained how to call for a servant if he needed anything, and left him alone.

Like a guest.

"Well, you didn't use your plants to strangle me in my sleep. I must say I'm quite surprised."

From the corner of his eye Kurama glanced at Yomi as the king came to stand beside him near the giant windows. The view of Yomi's kingdom from this particular set of windows had caught the fox's attention on previous visits, and he hadn't been able to resist stopping to enjoy the view on his meandering through the palace. The calm of it helped him think.

Anger still permeated his Yomi's aura, making it dark and sharp and painful, but it had lessened considerably from the last time they had spoken.

"I, too survived another night here. I remain healthy and, whatsmore, unchained. Surely the surprise belongs to me."

"Going to take that away from me, too, Kurama?" he asked with a quiet chuckle.

Kurama turned his attention back to the view.

"Why did you plant the garden?"

"You know."

"Yomi…"

"I can't say it. After everything you've done to me, I shouldn't be able to feel it. But it's as true now as it was true before you tried to kill me. I hate you, but the other feelings are just as strong now as they were when they were all I felt."

There was silence between them for a long time. It may even have been companionable were it not for the steady pulse of Yomi's rage.

"You are one of the few things in my life which I regret, Yomi." Kurama said at last, turning to go.

A voice broke through the silent stillness, catching both demons' sensitive ears though it came from far away.

"Hey Yomi! You son of a bitch!"

TBC