I made myself cry writing this last chapter...especially the last half. (Yay for angsty inner monologues!! Oo) Actually, there's one more chapter, but along with the chapter between 3 and 4, I'm only posting it to the version on AFF. And neither of those have been written yet, although I'm three-quarters of the way through the one b/w 3 and 4 so it should be up within the week. Maybe. Hopefully. Possibly.

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"So that's decided. Three years in priso—"

"No." The voice spoke before the gavel could come down.

Kurama stared at Karasu. What does he mean, "no"? It's not like it's up to him…

Karasu ignored the fox's stare. "Put me in maximum security." His request was greeted with a stunned silence. "Breaking out of jail would be too simple. Put me in maximum lockdown and reduce the chance that I will escape."

The judge stared at him, and then looked at Kurama. Slowly Kurama nodded his agreement. The fox looked rather baffled. He looked back over at Karasu. The raven allowed his eyes to flicker towards Kurama.

The gavel rang against the desk and Kurama turned his back on Karasu for what he hoped was the last time.

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"He asked for maximum security!?" Yusuke sounded as incredulous as Kurama felt.

"Perhaps he was humoring me, knowing I had fears about his breaking out. Or maybe he could break out of maximum security and wants to lull me into a false sense of—well, security," the fox mused. He didn't tell Yusuke about the noticeable lack of Karasu's usual self-assurance, or the almost sad look in the raven's eyes.

"Kurama you're so…morbid!" Yusuke teased.

The fox smiled thinly. "No, just realistic," he clarified, seating himself on the sofa and falling silent.

Yusuke watched him, unsure about what was going on behind those leafy eyes. "Talk to me, Kurama. What's botherin' you?" he asked.

"Yusuke, I—" the fox cut himself off, staring out absently at the city. "I just cant help but feel that this isn't over, that this isn't the last we'll see of Karasu."

"Like I said, morbid," Yusuke sighed. "Stop worrying. We'll deal with him when he shows up again, but for now just forget he even exists. He's not worth losing sleep over."

"I know you're right, Yusuke, but I just don't—I can't—I don't know." Kurama gave up trying to explain and leaned back against the sofa. He wanted crawl into Yusuke's lap and cry his fear and anger and heartbreak into the boy's strong arms, but something—probably pride—held him back.

As if reading his mind, Yusuke hesitantly reached over and wrapped his arms around Kurama's shoulders. Gently he pulled the fox close to him with a little sigh.

Kurama smiled widely and laid his cheek on Yusuke's soft cotton shirt. He bit back a chuckle as the boy's heart pounded in his eardrums, and slipped his arms around Yusuke's waist. "I love you, Yusuke Urameshi," he muttered.

Yusuke's arms tightened around him. "Love you too, Kurama…" he mumbled back, joy swelling inside him.

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In a chilly, solitary cell in the city's only maximum security prison, Karasu curled up on his cot, angry and confused with himself. I don't understand…why do I feel so guilty!? I feel so horrible for hurting my fox…my precious fox! I don't want to hurt you any more, Kurama…but why!? What's wrong with me!? I've never felt guilty in my life and suddenly…suddenly… Karasu remembered the cold, unforgiving glower Kurama had thrown him in the courtroom. It had been full of anger and hatred, and it had been what had made the raven realize just how guilty he felt. Well, it's no surprise he hates me…

A memory of the warmth and adoration that used to dominate the fox's eyes resurfaced from where Karasu had shoved it away. That was before I turned on him… Karasu closed his eyes. He loved me so much…he would just lie in my arms for hours and never have to say a word. He was so happy…so radiant and beautiful. And even then I was plotting. Even then I was waiting for the perfect moment to break his heart… Suddenly Karasu couldn't remember why he had wanted to hurt Kurama in the first place. I remember I came to him with the intent of building up his trust, getting him to fall in love with me, and then seeing the look in his eyes when he realized I'd never changed…but why? I was happy with him…I was happy the way things were… No one had ever cared for me the way he did… For the first time in my life, I felt loved… and then I went and destroyed it! Was I afraid of truly falling in love? Was it arrogance?

Karasu stopped trying to fight the guilt and self-hatred. I'm sorry, Kurama. I had everything I could have ever wanted when I was with you, and I blew it. You're right to hate me; I wish I could turn back time and undo all the pain I've caused you, because you did nothing to deserve it. You took me in and sheltered me even though you hated and distrusted me; you showed me the sort of kindness and generosity that no one else ever had; you loved me: you tolerated my mood swings and humored my quirks. In return, I hurt you. I broke your heart in the worst possible way; I abused you; I raped you; I unleashed my darkest desires on the one person to ever love me. And now I've lost every chance I could have of regaining the love we shared.

Karasu huddled closer around himself, and let the first tear he had shed since infancy roll down his cheek.