Author's Notes: A shorter chapter but no less action packed? I hope?

We're nearing the end, my lovelies! Thank you so much for following the story this far. (*_*)

Leo moves fast: rummaging through leaves with his paws, sticking his nose in mud, and then they're off again, loping with big strides. Yuuri's run appears aimless, zigging and zagging in random directions through the forest.

Clutching Leo's white fur, Victor tries desperately to quell the roll of nervousness in his stomach. There's no telling what they might find when they locate Yuuri; he can only hope that his confused angel hasn't come across an innocent human on his route.

"So let me get this straight," Phichit says next to Victor, "You're Morooka, you've been alive this whole time, and you've developed some sort of purifying antidote to Murase's evil-inducing serum?"

"Got it in one!" Morooka says cheerfully, raising a thumbs-up.

Phichit turns his gaze upwards to Minako, who's gliding smoothly through the air. "And you're a half-dragon youkai who's Yuuri's actual mentor, Murase's former mentor, and the master of these two shiki we're riding on?"

"You catch on quick," Minako says, grinning.

"Then who's the youkai carrying Morooka?"

"I am merely here to observe the fool's serum." The pale girl shrugs, white flakes swirling gently round her form. "It will be beneficial for all youkai if it works."

"Also, I needed a lift," Morooka says in a loud stage-whisper.

"That is Yuki-dono," Guang Hong chimes in, while Yuki very nearly drops the researcher to the forest floor, "She governs ice youkai in the region."

"About the serum," Victor cuts in before Phichit can raise any more questions, "How do you propose we get Yuuri to take it?"

Limbs wrapped around Yuki like a koala, Morooka lets out a sheepish laugh. "Yeah, see, I was hoping one of you had a blowgun or something…"

"You brought the antidote with no means of using it?" Victor says incredulously.

"I don't work well under pressure," Morooka protests.

"Fool," Yuki sniffs, but makes no move so shake him off.

"Hate to interrupt," Leo glances back, nostrils flaring, red eyes glowing. "But we're close. His scent's getting strong."

"Anyone else in the area?" Minako asks sharply. "Exterminators? Civilians? Youkai?"

"Nope, just him."

"Right then." Minako floats closer to the ground crew. "We need a plan."

With Yuuri in close promixity, they have to move fast.

The discussion is swift, and the decision: unanimous.

Within minutes, Phichit is swinging onto Guang Hong's back, the cat youkai bounding into the darkness.

And in minutes, Victor will have to face his worst nightmare.

Seung-gil sinks into a chair with a sigh of content. Gumiho may be unconscious for some inexplicable reason, but the society hasn't shown signs of movement, no youkai attacks have been reported, and the neighborhood convenience store has finally restocked his favorite brand of oolong tea.

The night is quiet, and he fully intends to savor this rare moment of tranquility with a warm cup of –

A giant, black paw bursts through the entrance, ripping the oak door clear off its hinges. And then it withdraws, seconds before the head of a cat, far too large, slams unsuccessfully into the door frame, shooting an armored figure off its top to land right in front of Seung-gil with a perfectly executed forward roll.

Frozen, the priest stares at the intruders, cup tilted, oolong tea dribbling down his chin.

"Seung-gil, meet Guang Hong," Phichit gestures at the giant cat, brushing dust and wood splinters off his armor. "Guang Hong, Seung-gil."

"Hello," says Guang Hong, pupils dilating. The head shudders once, before it shrinks down to the size of a normal cat, which pads quietly into the office. "You might've seen me around," he says shyly, dropping to his haunches.

Slowly, Seung-gil sets his cup down, picks a tissue, and dabs gingerly at his chin.

So much for a quiet night.

"I just had that door fixed," he says after a moment, rising to his feet.

"Eh, you'll work it out," Phichit waves his hand flippantly, and Seung-gil bristles. "Listen, you wouldn't happen to have a blowgun and darts lying around, would you?"

"Why would I have a blowgun and darts – "

"Didn't think so," Phichit interrupts. He holds his hands out, beaming. "Then may I have Victor's old silver-tipped arrows? Pretty please?"

Seung-gil shoots a heated glare at the yaksha. "Why on earth would you need those things? Silver does nothing to a youkai."

"That's why we need them," says Guang Hong.

"Now," Phichit adds.

Seung-gil frowns. He wants answers – he wants answers right now – but he also recognizes the urgency in Phichit's voice. And the Thai yaksha is almost never anxious.

Something must be wrong with Gumiho.

Scowling, he jabs an index finger at Phichit, "When this is over, you owe me an explanation and a new door."

"Done and done," Phichit says cheerily.

The plan is simple.

After rejecting the idea of passing on the antidote via mouth-to-mouth – "No," Minako tells Victor primly when he persists – they quickly reached the agreement that the last and only option is to herd Yuuri to the open field where there's less places for him to hide, trap him with Leo's barrier, and use an unblessed arrow dipped in serum.

As always, there's a catch: Leo's strong enough for only one barrier.

And Victor is the only archer.

If the Russian hunter felt nauseated before, it's nothing compared to what he feels now.

The others have reassured him that the injury from an unblessed arrow will be the equivalent of a bee sting for a youkai – sharp enough to be an annoyance, but not at all effective enough to cause harm. Regardless, harmful or not, it means he has to, with his own two hands, fire an arrow into the love of his life.

The thought is enough to make his hands shake, his insides stumble in dread.

"Best to get it close to the heart," Morooka says, thumping a fist against his chest, missing the shadow that crosses Victor's face. "It'll send out the serum a lot faster."

"Morooka," Minako hisses, gaze darting to Victor.

Morooka grins, oblivious. "He's got regenerative abilities, after all! With an unblessed arrow, he'd be totally fi – ow!"

Minako lifts her foot off the researcher, who hops away to clutch the crushed appendage in agony. "What Morooka means to say is that Yuuri's a lot tougher than you think he is."

Victor shrugs and forces a smile. He appreciates her efforts, but nothing short of knocking him unconscious will make him forget the enormity of his upcoming task. "How do we know the serum works?" he opts for asking instead.

"Well, uh," Morooka turns shifty-eyed, "We – "

"Don't have a choice," Minako says, far too hastily. "It's the only way to help Yuuri suppress his fox at this point."

Victor stares at them, eyes flicking from one to the other in disbelief. Fury starts to rise within him, swirl and surge like a growing inferno, and he latches onto it, glad for the perfect distraction.

"It's untested," he guesses quietly.

When the pair doesn't respond, he raises his voice, feeling deep satisfaction in the way it echoes off the icy walls around them, loud and accusing and angry. "You expect me to shoot some unknown serum into Yuuri without testing it first?"

"Shhh." Teeth bared, Leo sticks his head into the makeshift igloo. "This ice thing might help with masking our scents, but it's not exactly soundproof."

"Indeed," Yuki says, idly fortifying the igloo with a touch of her hand. "Though I wonder if there is any material that can soundproof humans."

As if on cue, Guang Hong bursts through the trees, while on his back, Phichit holds up a cluster of arrows wrapped in thick cloth.

"We got the arrows!" he exclaims triumphantly.

In unison, the team shushes Phichit, and Minako hastily shoves him into the igloo.

"The serum is untested," Victor dryly informs Phichit as he stumbles in.

"Are you serious?" says Phichit. He whirls on Morooka, who is trying in vain to sneak out of the icy structure. "We came up with this crazy plan, and now you're telling me the serum might not work?"

"The serum might also work," Morooka huffs. "Must we all be so negative?"

"More importantly, we don't have time," Minako snaps, snatching the arrows from Phichit's arms and tossing them to Victor. The men flinch when she lets out a feral snarl, eyes flaring gold. "Unless you have a better idea, the serum is our only hope. Now, take the serum, switch out your arrows, and let's put this crazy plan into action."

"At least she acknowledges it's crazy," Phichit mutters to Victor.

Resting on an exposed tree root, Yuuri leaps to his feet when they approach. Eyes slanted, he backs away slowly. His side has healed completely, with no visible indication of being wounded mere moments before, but the blood on his face, his hands, his clothes – the once scarlet blood has dried on his skin, crusted and brown.

Victor feels his heart wrench at the sight; Yuuri would fall to pieces if he saw his own reflection in a mirror right now.

"Why isn't he attacking?" Phichit asks quietly, drawing his sword out with a hiss.

"Even a wild animal knows when he's facing an apex predator," Minako replies, flexing her claws absently. "Leo, standby."

"Yes, Minako-sama." In a puff of smoke, Leo reverts to his human form, looking slightly paler than usual. Beside him, Guang Hong transforms to lay a hand on Leo's shoulder, face softening with worry.

"Right, the forest edge is to the east, so – stop him, he's going the wrong way!"

At Minako's shout, the team flies into action.

Thrusting a hand forward, Yuki sends a flurry of ice and snow into Yuuri's path, and Yuuri skids to a halt, growling, before whirling to bolt deeper into the forest. Minako's sharp blast of wind drives him in a different direction, but it takes a second blast to finally set him on the right course. Phichit, meanwhile, has hopped into the treetops, following Yuuri's run in the shadow of the canopies.

As planned, Victor joins the shiki in hastening to the edge of the forest while the rest of the team herds Yuuri to the meeting point. He's glad that Yuuri isn't putting up a fight, but his tremors have returned, stomach clenching and rolling in waves. Whether he's shaking out of fear, exhaustion, or both, he can't tell anymore. It has been hours since Yuuri's fox surfaced, and coupled with his sleep deprivation, he has to summon every drop of his energy to drag his feet, painfully and wearily, across the forest floor.

But he won't complain – not in front of the youkai who was just sucked into an urn.

As they step out of the forest and into the field, Leo gives him a sidelong glance. "You okay?"

"Just fine," Victor lies smoothly.

"It won't hurt him," Guang Hong says. He looks so miserable that Victor starts to feel sorry for him. "I know that doesn't help to hear, but even if the serum doesn't work, even if it's just the arrow, it really won't hurt him."

"And whatever happens, we're here," Leo adds.

For a brief moment, Victor wrestles silently with himself: give in to his worries and confide in the shiki, or hide behind the mask that Yuuri calls his 'phony celebrity face'.

"Thank you," he says, flashing his biggest and brightest smile. "But I'm fine."

Leo exchange looks with Guang Hong.

Whatever he's about to say, Victor never finds out.

Without warning, Yuuri bursts through the foliage and shoots into the field, face twisted ferociously in frustration. An icicle, keen as a knife's edge, slams into a spot near Yuuri, who dodges the projectile with a snarl. And then, in fit of impulsive rage, he lunges into the trees – there's a clang of steel as Phichit parries the sudden attack – before a gust of wind sweeps Yuuri into a small whirling tornado and spits him back to the ground, dazed and confused.

"Now," yells Minako, flying into the open field, and Leo reacts instantly, swinging a bolt of green at Yuuri and encasing the half-youkai in a translucent cage.

"All yours," says Phichit, landing silently next to Victor.

In an instant, exhaustion fades, replaced by a heavy jolt of adrenaline.

Quickly, Victor tears open the lid of the bottle, dips the tip of an arrow into the serum, and strings it to his bow in one swift move.

It's an easy shot: less than a hundred meters, and Victor has hit targets a hundred, maybe a thousand times farther than that.

But it's Yuuri – Yuuri, who blushes at every little compliment, who laughs when Victor pulls him into a quick tango dip in the middle of the living room, who smiles ever so shyly as he opens his mouth to say the sweetest, most adorable things Victor has heard.

I'm really glad you're staying.

Victor swallows and the arrow quivers. In the green barrier, Yuuri's throwing his weight against a wall.

Can we put our futons together? Just for tonight?

Something starts to fester in the pit of his gut; something –

You believed I had the will to fight back, even after seeing my transformation, even after seeing me lose control… and just that alone helps.

Victor's stomach sours, just as Seung-gil appears in his mind's eye, mouth pressed thin, glaring frostily in contempt. "When the situation calls for it, can you kill Yuuri Katsuki?" the vision taunts.

He tightens his grip on the bow and concentrates.

(Beautiful brown eyes, heated, rosy cheeks, and soft, soft lips, curved in smile fit for a divine soul.)

Really, really helps.

"Victor," Minako roars.

Yuuri rams forward, harder, and the barrier blurs once, before fizzing out completely.

"I'll always believe in you, my angel," Victor whispers.

And he releases the arrow.

There's no howl of pain; not even a whimper.

The only thing Yuuri lets out are wicked tendrils of dark aura, almost akin to the last time his youkai was banished. Wispy and black, the smoke-like presence curls and drifts as it leaves his arched frame, dissipating into the air.

And then Yuuri collapses.

The sight is permanently etched in Victor's memory: his love – his life – looking for all the world like he's asleep, if not for the arrow buried deep in his chest.

His arrow.

The others rush to Yuuri, Phichit and Minako leading the pack, but Victor doesn't move. He can't move.

All he can do is watch as Minako leans down to examine Yuuri.

The silence descends in a sudden, plunging drop.

Vaguely, he's aware that his fists are tightly clenched, nails digging deep and drawing blood. Inhaling harshly through his mouth, every breath he does draw just sears a burning path down his throat. Even his eyes hurt, probably from straining through his sleep deprivation, more likely from tears that seem to have caught there, unable to fall.

And then, Minako looks up, and Victor stops breathing entirely.

"He's alive and most definitely human," she declares with delight.

Just like that, the world has color again, and Victor feels his legs moving, taking him closer to Yuuri, as if pulled by some magnetic force stronger than his own will.

"Yuuri," he murmurs, dropping to his knees and taking Yuuri's hand, chanting the name like a benediction. "Yuuri, Yuuri, Yuuri…"

The world fades and it's just them: no exterminators, no youkai, no hidden or long-lost mentors.

No arrows, whistling through air, piercing through flesh.

Just the two of them, together, always.

And lowering his head to Yuuri's, Victor finally cries.

"I'd love a cup of tea, but we have business to take care of."

Victor turns the knob, waiting for the three clicks, before the blue flame erupts beneath the kettle. "The serum?" he asks, turning around to lean against the stove edge.

Minako nods, back in her less menacing human form. "Murase may have corrupted the Saga branch, but we intend to present our case to headquarters in Tokyo. With the serum, we might be able to ensure a safer Japan for everyone: humans, youkai, and half-youkai."

"Finally," Morooka appends.

"And I am willing to vouch for you, daughter of Kasenushi," Yuki says crisply. "I have never favored the idea of extermination."

"Thank you, Yuki -dono."

The four of them are standing in the dining room – the last of their motley crew. Phichit had left after contacting Seung-gil about engaging the Sweepers, Leo had hastened away to check on the Katsuki family, and Guang Hong had insisted on joining Leo, fiercely protective of his partner after the night's events. (Who can blame him?)

Victor glances to Yuuri. Though Yuuri's wounds had rapidly closed in and begun healing as soon as the arrowhead was removed, he feels better when he can see the covers rise ever so slightly with his angel's breath. "I take it Yuuri's youkai half has been fully purged?"

"For now," Morooka points out. "It could become tainted again if Yuuri still doesn't get a handle on his emotions."

"Don't forget that Murase's still out there," Minako says, face darkening. "Knowing him, he'll place all blame on Yuuri for the massacre tonight and put a bounty on his head… and there's no telling how long our discussions at headquarters will take."

"In other words," Victor interprets, "Avoid missions and stay low?"

"Precisely," Minako says with a small smile.

Behind him, the kettle gives a shrill whistle, and Victor quickly twists back to turn off the stove.

"We should go," says Minako, dropping a hand on his shoulder. "And you should rest." She squeezes, gently. "You had a long night."

Inhaling through his nose, Victor closes his eyes. "I will."

And he remains still in the dining room, gripping the edge of the kitchen counter, long after the front door closes, long after the kettle grows cold.

When Yuuri awakens, Victor wants to pull the man into his arms, declare his love, and kiss him senseless. He wants to burrow his nose in Yuuri's neck, stroke Yuuri's back, and feel Yuuri's heartbeat against his chest, strong and steady.

He wants to hold Yuuri and never let go.

But when Yuuri actually awakens, turning to him with wide, confused eyes, he freezes, lost in the bewildered gaze.

And so, lying prone under the covers, they stare at each other for a long moment, Victor's chest constricting with sudden and absolute panic at the questions Yuuri is about to ask, at how he can possibly provide an explanation without feeling his stomach turn inside-out.

"How did you bring me back?"

Victor blinks owlishly. That one is unexpected.

"Serum," he blurts, stumbling over the simple word in relief. "Your mentor, Morooka, came up with a serum to counteract Murase's."

"Morooka-sensei's alive," Yuuri muses, strangely calm. He lifts a hand into the air and twists it about, inspecting it idly, moving as though he's in a dream. "I'm alive."

"Yuuri…" Victor reaches out to take Yuuri's hand and drop kisses on each knuckle, soft and tender. "What do you remember?"

"Not much," Yuuri murmurs. "All I remember is hearing – no, feeling the roar of the fox in my mind, and then, nothing. I also remember thinking that this was it, that this had to be the end…" He takes a long, shuddering breath. "How many did I kill?"

"It doesn't matter." Victor shifts closer, pressing his lips on Yuuri's jaw. "You felled only those who deserved it."

Yuuri sighs, still oddly composed; the serum must have some sort of calming effect. "But it's enough for Murase to place a bounty, I'm sure."

Then, suddenly, he rolls over to clasp Victor's face and fix a hard, penetrating gaze into his eyes. "You need to leave."

Victor frowns. "Yuuri– "

"No, listen to me. Please." His angel starts to do that thing he does when he's sad and afraid and trying so very hard to hold himself together; that thing where he puts on a grave expression while his voice stutters and hiccups, betraying his real feelings. "I- I need to you leave. Because I'm going to have to fight people now. Humans. And – and I don't ever want to put you in a position where you have to battle with them too, because it's… because it's not right. You're Victor Nikiforov. You should be filming for movies, modeling, hunting demons, not fighting with – "

As Yuuri continues his rambling speech, an idea strikes Victor, and he carefully schools his features into a neutral look.

"Maybe you're right," he cuts in quietly.

Yuuri stops, and his expression wavers. "I am?"

"Yes. I should leave."

"Oh. Right." Yuuri swallows, pulling his hands back, something that looks like disappointment flashing across his face. "Yes, you should."

Hiding a smile, Victor rests his forehead against Yuuri's. Ever so gullible. "I do have one condition, though."

"What's that?"

"That you come with me."

Realization sparks in the brown eyes. "Really? For real?"

Victor laughs. "Yes, really, for real."

Yuuri averts his gaze and flounders, chewing on his bottom lip. "But… my work…"

"You're a freelancer, so I'm sure it won't be too difficult," Victor says breezily. "And it'd be far safer for you to be out of the country for now."

For a heartbeat, Yuuri doesn't respond. And then, slowly, he lights up in beautiful smile, Victor remembers what it's like to feel pure, unadulterated happiness again.

TO: Swiss
[Yuuri's coming back with us to Russia! (o^0^o)]

FROM: Swiss
[I hear from Phichit that you shot a friggin arrow into Yuuri and that's all I get? Not even an explanation for why you didn't include me in the Yuuri rescue?]

FROM: Swiss
[Where's the trust? Where, I ask you?]

TO: Swiss
[Could you contact Yakov for me? He's not picking up my calls.]

FROM: Swiss
[... you are a piece of work, my friend.]

FROM: Swiss
[So when are we leaving]

"You lied? About everything?"

"I'm not the one who used Morooka as a way to secretly train you as an exterminator!"

"I'm talking about your movie filming!"

"To be fair," says Victor, "I didn't exactly lie about that. You assumed and I went along with it."

"Oh, how very smart of you," Yuuri retorts, shaking the spatula dangerously close to Victor's face. "What else have you 'gone along' with?"

"Um, that Leo is Minako's shiki and also your precious Vicchan?"

"Leo is what," Yuuri shrieks.

"Remember," says Victor, eyeing the spatula's every movement. "I'm confessing because I wanted us to start on a clean slate. I'm doing this for us!"

"That's what people say after they've had an affair," Yuuri snaps, glowering.

"Yuu~ri~" Victor whines. "What if I told you I love you and I'm willing to go to the ends of the earth for you?"

"That's also what people say after they've had an affair." Rolling his eyes, Yuuri spins back to the stove and vehemently thrusts the spatula into the frying pan, stirring wildly at the poor batch of fried rice. "Whatever, it's not like we're an actual couple or anything."

Victor pauses. That's right; he hasn't confessed, has he? His excitement at the prospect of having Yuuri with him in Russia – of sharing a bed with Yuuri in his own home in Russia – has caused him to completely forget about his original intentions.

"Yuuri," he murmurs, stepping forward to snag Yuuri by the waist. When Yuuri glances up, surprised, he nuzzles his nose against his angel's in an eskimo kiss, eyes soft with affection.

"I love you and I'm willing to go to the ends of the earth for you."

A fierce blush blooms across Yuuri's cheeks, and his lips part, exhaling a breath that warms Victor's skin. "I um, I heard you the first time."

Victor chuckles as he grips Yuuri's hips and walks him backwards, crushing the other man into the counter, mindful of the heated stove. Absently, he has a sense of déjà vu, but directs his focus on more important things.

"My love, my angel, my darling zolotse," he croons, curling his tongue deliberately round the last word and marveling at the way Yuuri's flush deepens. (He'll have to call him that more often.) "I've given up my life for you and yet you say we're not an actual couple?" He breathes into Yuuri's ear, enjoying the way his angel trembles in his arms. Definitely déjà vu. "After everything that's happened, you still can't see my adoration for you?"

A swell of quiet, stunned and drawn-out, before Yuuri lowers his eyelashes, peering through them almost bashfully. "Do you really mean it?" he whispers.

Victor lets out a throaty laugh. "Does it feel like I'm joking?"

Yuuri shivers again, eyes darting to Victor's lips, and then he inhales, steeling himself, shoulders squaring. "Victor, I…" He starts to lean upwards, pressing his hands shyly into Victor's shoulders, and Victor feels his heart hammer in his ears. "I think I… I lo – "

"YUURI~!"

Victor lets out a string of curses in Russian, seconds before Minami flings his arms around them both, wailing about how he has heard everything from Phichit, and how he wishes he was there to protect Yuuri, and how he really, really, really doesn't want Yuuri to leave Japan.

Teenagers are still the bane of his existence, Victor decides.

But he takes some joy in noting that this time, even Yuuri looks more than a little disgruntled.

Notes

Feel free to squeal with me on tumblr: dreaming-fireflies. tumblr. com (remove the spaces).