Sorry this is a day late; I had company...

This will be the last chapter before 2006!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Warnings: Yaoi-ness, AU-ness, Non-ownership of character-ness

"Got any twos?"

"Go fish."

Scowling, Hiei reached down and took a card from the scarred table between them, glaring at his hand. A loud snore from the other side of the room gained his attention for a moment, and a slight expression of amusement momentarily overtook his habitual scowl.

"What did you give him, anyway?" He asked with a snort.

Yusuke shrugged, full concentration set on arranging his own cards in a manner that pleased him. "I dunno." He answered absently. "I slipped some of Kurama's herbs into his drink while he wasn't looking. Guess it worked. You got any sevens?"

Hiei grunted; slightly annoyed. Kurama had begun teaching Yusuke about plants weeks ago; there was no way the young detective didn't know what he'd done. And though it was clear the large human had been getting on Yusuke's nerves lately, Hiei knew Yusuke considered the oaf one of his closest friends and would never do anything to risk poisoning the other youth.

"Too bad it didn't kill him." Scowling, Hiei tossed his companion his only seven. "Are you positive you aren't cheating, detective?"

"I told ya already that I'm not!"

"Like I trust you. Give me your threes."

Yusuke's eyes rolled up from his cards as he smirked brazenly at the diminutive demon before him. "Go. Fish."

Hiei ground his teeth as he took another card, arranging them once more. Silence passed between the two for a moment.

"He shouldn't be this late." He finally said quietly, hoping Kurama's other lover didn't see his worry as a weakness. It had been hours; the group had gotten all of their supplies unpacked and even eaten a small dinner in the inn's common room, and still there had not been word from the fox.

"He'll be back; he promised." Yusuke crushed his drink can in his hand. He, too, Hiei realized, was trying to hide how worried he was. He was the one who had begged Kurama not to go out alone, yet his nerves seemed just the slightest bit steadier than Hiei's. Abruptly, Yusuke rose. "I'm getting another drink; you want one?"

"Sure." Hiei huffed.

Yusuke came back around from behind Hiei where they had placed the mini fridge Botan had brought, handing Hiei another drink. Grape. Hiei grimaced, but opened it and took a sip nevertheless. Grape was Kurama's favorite; it was too sweet for Hiei.

Trying to ignore the urge to get up and find something salty, Hiei fixed his gaze on Yusuke until the human was forced to meet his eyes.

"Since you're slightly less annoying than usual tonight, detective, I may as well ask something that I've been wondering for quite some time."

Yusuke blinked, looking quite surprised. "Wh…what?"

"Why did you change your hair?"

The human boy blushed most charmingly, lowering his eyes. "Kurama." He answered simply.

"Ah." Hiei smirked. "I see."

"Any queens?"

Hiei blinked a moment, before slamming his cards down on the table. "Damn it detective!" he exploded. "I know you're cheating somehow!"

"Aw, come on, Hiei…"

"No! I refuse to play anymore!"

"Geez; stop being such a baby, man! It's just a game!"

With a snarl, Hiei grabbed Yusuke by the collar and yanked him violently to his feet. Whatever he had been about to yell was lost as their eyes locked, ruby red into chocolate brown. For a moment, Hiei was nearly overcome with the intoxicating scent of the boy's skin – warm and spicy and sweet all at once. He had been waking to that scent every morning since their mission had begun, found it on his pillow and his clothes and the bedding, but he had been studiously ignoring it as well as his response to it.

But now…

Slowly, Hiei began to smirk as he reached one hand to the human boy's face, cupping his cheek in his hand.

Yusuke's voice was breathy and surprised.

"H…Hiei?"

"Quiet, fool." He murmured, leaning forward. Those magnificent coffee-colored eyes closed and it seemed he had forever to stare at the delicate play of dark lashes against pale cheeks before he finally leaned a touch closer, their breath mingling. A trill went through his body and he closed his own eyes.

Their lips brushed.

The door opened and Hiei jumped back guiltily, dropping his hand.

Kurama raised one graceful eyebrow, lip twitching in amusement as he closed the door quietly behind himself and leaned against it.

"Getting along?" He asked, eyes glinting with wicked pleasure, tone dripping with pleased suggestion. "Perhaps I should leave the two of you alone more often."

Hiei glared at him. "You're hurt." He accused coldly, eyes locked on the blood seeping slowly through the shoulder of the other demon's shirt. He pushed Yusuke back down into his chair and crossed the room quickly to his lover, ignoring the human boy's noisy cursing.

"Merely a scratch, my dear." Kurama assured him, pushing away his hands as Hiei reached for his shirt.

Hiei glared until Kurama sighed and held out his arms, placidly allowing the smaller man to unbutton his shirt and pull it carefully off of him. Hiei hissed at the sight of the wound, maneuvering so that the sight was blocked from Yusuke.

"Idiot." He seethed.

Kurama smiled softly.

"You don't even have the energy to grow the plants you need to treat this, do you?"

"No." He admitted sheepishly. "Dai'shaal has grown much rougher than I had anticipated."

"And you look human, whatever your power."

Kurama began to shrug, then winced. "Lecture me later." He said, leaning forward to brush his lips against Hiei's cheek.

"Shit, Kurama!"

Yusuke had gotten up from his chair and come around to join them, and was staring at the wound with an expression of anger. His face had paled considerably.

"He was careless." Hiei snorted dismissively. "I'll make him pay for it later, I assure you. For now, though, go and fetch some water. Also see if the supplies contain a needle and anything like a first aide kit."

Normally, Yusuke would have grumbled endlessly about being sent out on errands. However, this was for Kurama. Asking the stubborn human to do anything was usually a gamble, but Hiei could see that Yusuke was beginning to care about Kurama. The gamble was minimal.

As expected, Yusuke went to do as he had been told without a word of dissention. Satisfied, Hiei led Kurama to the bed and forced him to sit.

"Well?" He demanded impatiently.

"I did not make nearly as much progress as I had expected to." Kurama admitted, eyes following Yusuke as the human boy moved around the room gathering supplies. "The survivors have had a hard time of it restarting their lives here, and no one wants to talk." His voice was quiet and soothing to nerves that had been raw all evening. "It's almost as if…as if they're afraid of something."

"That's all?" Hiei demanded, snatching a bottle of water from Yusuke as the human approached. "You were gone – alone – in Dai'shaal for hours, and that's all you know?"

Kurama winced as Hiei poured the water over the wound. "I suppose I deserve that." He said, attempting a smile. "However, surely something is better than nothing."

"Not when that something is nothing." He bit out, fully concentrated on cleaning the wound. He had to forcefully remind himself that Kurama was a powerful warrior; his protectiveness for the man was pointless.

He realized that Yusuke was staring at him, and shot his glare his way.

"What?" He demanded.

Yusuke shook his head. "Just…never seen you this way."

"What. Way?"

A shrug. The human brat was fighting a smile. "You're so…possessive. But gentle, too."

"I. Am not. Gentle."

"Really, now, Yusuke." Kurama sighed, almost pouting. "Now that you've brought attention to it, he's bound to stop."

For a moment, Hiei was forced to divide his glare between the two of them.

"Fuck you both." He decided finally.

Kurama gave a wistful sigh. "If only."

Hiei snorted; nearly laughing as he watched Yusuke's face turn a bright, shocking shade of red.

"You didn't find anything else?" Hiei asked Kurama, turning the conversation back to the task at hand as he threaded the needle Yusuke had brought and began to sew up the wound. His companion didn't so much as flinch.

Kurama met his eyes, amusement plain. "As I said; no one wants to talk about what has happened. I fear it will take a certain amount of persuasion to get the answers we need." He grimaced. "Not a pleasant prospect, I fear."

Yusuke sat down on the bed with them, closer to Kurama than to Hiei.

"This mission is beginning to sound fun." He grinned.

"Fun, is it?" Kurama asked in amusement, arching an elegant eyebrow. There was definite fondness in both his voice and expression. "I believe I will leave the fun to you, my dear. As for me, I would like some sleep."

"We all need sleep." Hiei decided coolly, glaring challengingly at Yusuke.

The human boy glanced down at the bed they all sat on. "It looks like it might fit all of us." He decided. "As long as Hiei keeps his hands to himself this time."

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about."

"I woke up with your arms around me, your leg thrown over mine, and 'little Hiei' digging into my hip!"

Hiei narrowed his eyes. "For the last time," He growled, "I didn't realize it was you."

"And I suppose you always wake Kurama up that way?" He challenged.

"Like an alarm clock." Kurama agreed with a content smile. "Better, even. Morning sex is the best way to start the day."

"All right; enough." Yusuke huffed. "No more talking from either of you, all right? I don't think my nerves can take it."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Shut the hell up, Hiei."

The two bickered all the way into bed, making certain that Kurama stayed firmly between them. Yusuke turned his back on them both and only then did Kurama and Hiei dare to share an amused smile. Kurama pressed his lips briefly to Hiei's before turning to pull Yusuke into his arms, spooning him tightly against his body.

Hiei pulled Kurama's hair back from his neck and settled in next to him, burying his face against the back of his fox's warm neck and breathing in of the alluring floral scent he associated with his lover.

Smiling to himself, he slid one leg between Kurama's and wrapped his arm around his waist, pressing his body close.

Yusuke Urameshi was not in a good mood.

Kurama had awoken him much too early that morning, citing the need to begin on the mission. The fox had showered and dressed and looked as perfect as he always did – awake and cheerful and ready to get to work while Yusuke was feeling drowsy and grumpy.

To make matters worse, Hiei had shifted over to the fox's side of the bed after Kurama had gotten up and so, for the fifth morning in a row, he had woken to find the small demon latched onto his body, snuggling close and very happy to be there. Kurama and Kuwabara had been forced to physically pull the two apart to prevent them from killing each other when they had begun to fight over whose fault it was.

"I ain't your damn teddy bear!"

"Don't complain when you know you love it."

"Like hell I do!"

So, not a good start to the day. Yusuke was still angry at Hiei – and furious at Kurama for leaving them alone in bed together.

Then they had begun to go throughout Dai'shaal in search of the people they needed to question. The had agreed to split up, but both Kurama and Hiei firmly vetoed the idea of either of the humans going off by themselves. After another fight, it had finally been decided that Kurama and Kuwabara would be one group and Hiei and Yusuke the other.

"Why do you get the pretty one?" Yusuke heard Kurama tease Hiei gently.

A snort. "The oaf will not survive this mission if you leave him alone with me."

The two groups separated, agreeing to meet back by sunset.

"Stay close to me, detective." Hiei hissed as they began to walk. "You are my property here. You have no rights. If anyone challenges us, you follow my lead."

"You would have made a great dictator, you know that?"

Abruptly Hiei grabbed him, forcing him to his side and ignoring his protests. He slid his hand into Yusuke's back pocket quickly.

"You try to pull away and your pocket will rip, leaving you with a large and inviting hole in your clothing." He stated coldly as the human attempted a protest. "Be thankful I'm not making you wear a leash."

"Bastard."

Hiei was not in a good mood.

Firstly, it was insulting how Yusuke had overreacted to the way they had woken up. Hiei did not appreciate Kurama's waking them in the first place – he had been warm and comfortable and just as soon would have rather forget the mission than "get an early start" on it – but the least the damn fox could have done was wake Hiei first so Yusuke wouldn't have found out he had latched onto him after the redhead had left their sides.

But no. The bastard fox thought it was funny to watch Hiei muddle through his confusing attraction for the detective as well as watch the two bicker.

Then there had been the decision to split the group and Kurama had actually tried to leave Hiei alone with Kuwabara.

He hated it when the bastard was in a playful mood. He was so difficult to argue with. Hiei had had to promise him two weeks of brushing out the fox's hair before bed in exchange for getting Yusuke.

And now his mood was only worsening. Following the damn fox's example – and advice – Hiei had been trying all day to tease Yusuke. After all, it was the same strategy that had first gotten the human into Kurama's bed at all.

But where Kurama's teasing caused Yusuke to become most charmingly flustered, Hiei's only pissed the human off.

Kurama usually had perfect judgment, but obviously he was mistaken when he said he thought Hiei had a good chance of seducing the human.

Hiei had decided he was going to make his fox pay dearly.

As it was, he and Yusuke had passed the last half hour in complete silence while they wandered the streets of Dai'shaal, following the few leads Kurama had discovered for them on how to find the survivors.

As if being in that damn town hadn't put Hiei in a foul mood to begin with.

"We gonna stop to eat any time soon?" Yusuke asked breaking the silence at last as he made a small noise of frustration.

"Trust me, detective." Hiei snorted. "You wouldn't be able to keep down the fare even Dai'shaal's finest restaurant has to offer."

"What's the deal with this place, anyway?"

Hiei tucked his hand into his pocket, casually avoiding his companion's eye. "I'm certain I don't know what you mean. Dai'shaal is like any other demon town you could find. There's nothing special about it."

"Like hell. I saw Kurama's eyes when he found out we were coming here. Even you…"

"I?"

"You're spooked, too."

"I do not, 'spook', detective." He spat. "I assure you of that."

"Whatever. Something's got Kurama upset and you extra huffy and I sure as hell don't appreciate being kept in the dark."

A shrug. "What do I care? Anyway, it's not my story to tell."

"You could tell me something."

"And why would I want to do that?"

"Hiei!"

Hiei stopped walking, turning to glare at Yusuke. "Do not take that tone with me."

The human boy refused to so much as flinch.

"At least tell me what part of the story you belong in. Kurama won't be mad; he's going to tell me everything once we get home, anyway."

"And you can't wait?"

"Call me impatient."

"Detective, there are a great many number of things I wish to call you at the moment. 'Impatient' is not, I fear, one of them."

Yusuke laughed. Hiei wasn't sure he'd ever made the boy laugh before.

Too bad he had been completely serious.

"Come on, Hiei. Give me something, anything, and I'll leave you alone for the rest of the day. I'll be the perfect little human pet and won't even complain once."

"Why is this so important to you?"

He hesitated for long enough for Hiei to know that the detective didn't know why. "I just gotta know, man." He said finally.

Hiei looked away, debating over the potential amusement value of continuing to be an ass and denying the human anything.

Abruptly he realized what street they were on.

Hell.

Pursing his lips, Hiei nodded at a large building across the street.

"You see that building over there?"

"Yeah? So?"

Not taking his eyes from the edifice, he tugged on one of Yusuke's belt loops until the dark haired boy moved just enough…

"I was standing exactly where you are right now when I first caught sight of our fox." He stated. Gods. It was almost as if he had been transported back in time. He could almost see the fox again. Shining and perfect and beautiful, that silvery hair glinting in the sunlight, that skin so very pale and inviting…

He blinked, realizing belatedly that Yusuke had said something.

"What?"

Yusuke's expression softened.

"So it's where you met. That's not a bad thing."

No, Hiei agreed secretly.

"It's gotta be something else to get you both so upset. I mean…if all that happened here was you meeting, then you should be…"

"Should be what?"

"Happy to be here."

A snort.

"You're so human sometimes."

Hiei slid his hand back into the detective's back pocket, pulling him forcefully back to his side as he began to walk again.

To be continued in 2006!

So, I finally got to see the Chapter Black saga. Really enjoyed it, by the way. But here are my thoughts on it:

After finally getting the opportunity to watch YYH in Japanese, I finally understand the people who interpret the characters differently than I do. Kuwabara's dialogue seems much more intelligent without his gravelly English voice. And Kurama seems much less dangerous with that harmless, girly Japanese voice. This is actually the only anime I have ever come across where I prefer the English. I just adore Kurama's voice actor…that deep, cold…manipulative voice gives me happy shivers. On a side note, however, I must admit that Hiei's Japanese voice is very sexy.

I am still disappointed in the way the demon form for Yusuke looks. I really enjoyed those episodes, but really…couldn't they have given him a little more sex appeal? Neko-Yusuke will never die! (Cue evil laughter)

Hiei is pretty. It's been so long since I'd actually seen an episode of YuYu that I had forgotten just how pretty. (Damn you, cartoon network!) Additionally, he's the only one who's consistently pretty. For some reason, the animators seem to have trouble with Kurama three-fourths of the time. And Yusuke's slicked back hair annoys me.

Hiei and Yusuke want each other. Watching those two fight each other was like watching porn.

My mind twists everything the bad guys say into sexual innuendo. Hm.

Damn. Those guys use a lot of hair gel!

That's all I can remember right now, but there's sure to be more later.

Well? Got your own comments on Chapter Black, or any of the other arcs? How about comments about (gasp!) the chapter? Don't forget to review, my dears. Do so in abundance and I'll try to make chapter ten really long as my apology for having to vanish for the holidays.

(Side note: I probably won't be able to respond to any reviews, even the signed ones, until after the holidays. Don't take it personally! If anyone just can't wait to talk to me, though, feel free to send me an e-mail. I won't bite. Unless you ask me to.)

Response to Unsigned Reviews:

hanahana-chan - Here you go! Thanks for the review! Um...still a bit longer till they're all together though...

kit-kit - (Grins)

Cryptic.Kitsune - Sorry! Hmmm...you'll have to wait and see about your first question, as it pertains to later cuteness as long as I remember to fit the answer in somewhere. I do know the answer, I just have to figure out where to stick it... As for parenthesis use...well...it's just fun, now isn't it?

Tazzy - (Waves) Hiiiii!

Jena - Hope everything is going better now; thanks for reading!

All right! See you all in 2006! Have a happy and safe holiday!