TCA- Here is the next chapter; I hope that you all enjoy it. This shall be a Yomi/Kurama pairing…just because I find them adorable. Check out my other Ficlet, it needs lurve. Please review for me, even if it's just something like 'Good' or 'I like it' or even 'it suxs' (if that is what you need to say). Sorry it took a while, I have been sick and today I got bloodwork.

Standard disclaimers apply; I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its characters.

It was not Kurama's cup of tea. In fact he didn't want to be within a thousand mile radius of Yomi. Not only was it disconcerting…it was down right dangerous.

Take for example how he had been convinced to come here in the first place: Yomi had threatened his family…and turned the Reikai's rightful ruler against him. Then when he finally does arrive the idiot sends people to fight him. He looks at the now dead fighters and let's out a small sigh. Might as well get this over with…

"Yomi, I know you're here." Yomi almost squeals in delight, but he manages to stop himself. It just wouldn't be lordly to do that. Instead he steps out to face his old friend and smiles brightly.

"I'm glad you have accepted my invitation, Kurama." Yomi feels slightly uneasy. He and Kurama didn't exactly leave one another on friendly terms, but that conflict has to be put in the past. He is truly delighted that Kurama came, even though he had to do a bit of threatening so he could see him again. Well, not really see him…that was impossible. Not that seeing him mattered; it was just breathtaking to have a discussion with the kitsune again. Yomi briefly wonders why Kurama seemed so distant and then…

"Are you mocking me? You call me here and this is how you welcome me?" Kurama is livid under the calm mask and Yomi sighs inwardly. It's not like he ordered anyone to kill the kitsune, he just had them fight him for a few seconds. They had been ordered not to hurt the kitsune, not that Kurama knew that.

"Easy, my friend. I did this because you're changed. I was wondering if you still have enough skill to be useful to me." Yomi tossed his head slightly to get the hair away from his face. He hated lying to the kitsune but it was a necessary evil. Kurama didn't know enough about Yomi's heart so how could he comprehend what his heart ordered his mind to do? Everything he had done since the accident, because he still viewed the assassination attempt as an accident or a misunderstanding on Youko's part, had been done to win the kitsune's heart. Hell, everything that he had done before the accident was an attempt to win the gorgeous kitsune's grace.

All he had ever wanted was a smile or a laugh. A hug would have turned him into a pile of quivering jelly. If Youko would have just focused his eyes momentarily on Yomi, looked at him the same way that he looked at the sparkling treasures he stole…Yomi would have been happy for the rest of his life.

"So you were testing me? You have changed since I last saw you too…you seem more… cautious." Yomi can feel the way Kurama's eyes glint. He's testing what type of freedom's he has here…Yomi smiles and turns his back. No need for Kurama to see how much the situation amuses him.

"Yes, I have changed. I've become king, and my power is on equal to Raizen's and Mukuro's. And they have been kings for much longer. My goal is to defeat them both, and then take control." Yomi remembers the way that Kurama used to look.

In his mind golden eyes are narrowed at him and long silver hair flows in the Makai breeze. He had never gotten to touch it, but he was willing to bet his life that it felt like strands of silk. The scent of roses was still on his human form though it wasn't as thick as the scent of a kitsune.

"It's been a thousand years," says Kurama. "It's a rather long time." It startles Yomi enough for him to let out a small squeak, but then he realizes what Kurama is talking about. Power levels…not his looks. Yomi flushes slightly at the sound he had made; it is not kingly.

"If you're as strong as I think you are then I have no reason to fear them. I'm counting on you." Yomi mixed the compliment with a token of trust and hoped for the best. Maybe if he dropped little hints…maybe if he showed he cared…maybe Kurama would forget the past? He'd have to put the past behind him as well and he could do that completely later. No secrets, no lies, and no hatred. Just forgiveness and love.

It was at this moment that Youda showed up to alert Yomi that the meeting with Gandara's military commanders was beginning shortly. Yomi sighs inwardly and then tells Youda to escort Kurama to the meeting. Youda doesn't seem thrilled by Yomi's choice of adviser…but Kurama is Yomi's choice.

Yomi has Kurama sit to his left, in the first chair. It's a privilege to sit near him and he wants to get a few messages across to all of the others in the room.

Kurama is trusted and they can't compare to him. Kurama is an old friend; therefore his advice is to be taken more seriously. Kurama is important to me. I love Kurama…well maybe he wouldn't make that one clear to them. Rulers were to rule with their heads and not their hearts, which was why Kurama had gotten rid of him. Kurama didn't hate him…Kurama couldn't hate him!

Yomi continued his musings in silence, at least until Youda brings out the projection screen and all of his graphs. Though the graphs are informative at times Yomi can't help but find them dull. The information is worded blandly and Youda's speeches and explanations are an annoyance. He could babble on and on about something that was clearly understood, drilling the stupid thing into your brain for hours-sometimes weeks on end.

Today the lecture is on the military strength of each kingdom. Apparently, hell obviously, the strengths of all the kingdoms are measured at equal. Yomi refrains from telling him off because he is a useful old coot. A graph is now displaying the same information, only a year has passed…or at least that is what Youda says. From the gasps in the room Yomi can tell that it is shocking and by everyone's auras he can tell that it is good. He asks Kurama of his opinion, disregarding the others in the room.

"Youda, could you show me the levels of both the kings and their second-in-commands?" The graphs show up while Youda grumbles under his breath. Yomi smiles at the display his people are putting on.

Raizen and Hokushin.

Mukuro and Kiren.

Yomi and Shachi.

Kurama sits still for a few minutes, his eyes focused completely on the graphs. It annoys Yomi, the graphs get more of Kurama's attention then he does. Kurama won't even look him in the eyes, or at least where is eyes used to be. He would have to find something to fix that problem.

"Considering how weak the second-in-commands are I doubt that they're power will be any sort of deciding factor. That leaves the kings…and since their power is matched…" Kurama's voice trails off momentarily in amusement. "That means that any war would be pointless unless a complete renovation in second rank occurs."

Shachi begins to make rude and rather loud comments on Kurama's analysis, even going so far as to call it foolish. Kurama continues on as if he can't hear Shachi's comments, making Yomi proud of his adviser.

"In six months renovations will occur in each kingdom and the new second-in-commands will be a key part in determining what happens after Raizen's death." Kurama finishes his explanation and then stops talking.

Yomi claps inwardly. His Kurama had been perfect. And Shachi is now beyond furious, heat radiating from his eyes in torrents. He wouldn't dare try anything in front of Yomi and that angered the demon lord more than anything else ever could.

After the meeting is over Kurama and Yomi leave together, Kurama still doesn't know where his room is.

"That must have been one of the most interesting meetings I have sat through Kurama." Yomi's palms were covered in a light sheen of sweat. He really wasn't good at the complimenting thing. Now to warn Kurama about Shachi without being to obvious. Obvious is equivalent to stupid in the eyes of Youko Kurama and Yomi doesn't want to be stupid.

"Shachi's glare at you…it contained more than just hatred. Loathing, perhaps something more." He tilts his head to the side slightly. "I think he's planning on killing you." This would normally be a casual remark in the Makai, but it is a well meant warning none the less.

"How could you tell Yomi?" Kurama asks in genuine curiosity. Yomi lets loose a little happy squeal in his mind: the kitsune is now semi-interested in him!

"After being blinded, I've become much stronger," Yomi explains calmly, all the while grinning on the inside. "Although unable to see, I can perceive many things: temperature, pressure, one's state of mind, the mood in a certain environment." Yomi pauses to let the meaning of his words set in.

"Kurama, I can guess what will happen in six months from now. Day and night, Yusuke Urameshi has been training to become the new leader of Raizen's army. I've been informed by an undercover agent that your companion Hiei, who has gone to Mukuro, has increased his powers remarkably in a short period of time. Do you believe that in six months Yusuke, Hiei and you will become seconds-in-command to your kings? The key elements in each of the three armies…is that it?" Yomi muses out loud. He does not wait for an answer.

"Kurama come with me. There is someone I would like you to meet." Yomi gestures for Kurama to follow him and they walk down flights of steps until they reach an underground chamber that is shut off with heavy wooden doors.

"Can you guess who it is that is imprisoned here, Kurama? It took me so long to find him…the youkai who took away my light." Kurama visibly flinched at that and turned away from the cell doors. "Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Raise your head to look at him, well, what's left of him."

The doors slide open revealing a wasp youkai who is chained to the wall. The smell of rot and decay is thick in the room and Yomi can sense Kurama's shock.

"Pity he's already started decomposing and he hasn't been talking much at all. A thousand years may have passed but that day is still burned into my mind…" Yomi whispers. Healing, they need to trust one another and this is the only way to get rid of the past. Steeling himself against the odds, he continues.