Author note: There is some light drug use in this chapter.

The setting of the sun brought the rise of Kuronue. He was married to his bed, lying comfortably on the mattress, limbs and wings outstretched lazily. It was rare that the men and women he brought to his bed stayed through the night- there was no room for them. He let out a deep sigh as the sunlight faded, detectable even behind closed eyelids. It was time. The compound was abuzz with activity, nervous demon energy crackling in the air. One purple eye opened.

In a matter of seconds, Kuronue was in the air, ready for attack. His pupils widened, his pores opened, and he felt his energy rise- and fall quickly with realization.

"Stupid motherfucker," he spat, lowering himself to stand on the bed, no more than a mattress on the floor. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Kurama smirked. "Not at all. I figured your lazy ass would still be asleep. I came to wake you." He tossed his hair behind his shoulder. Kurama was worlds more ready than his so-called teacher. He'd dressed himself in clothing surely borrowed from one of the other thieves.

"Where did you learn to hide your spiritual energy?" Kuronue flipped his head down to gather his hair into a high ponytail, tying it quickly with an old, ragged ribbon.

"I'm very talented. Though, live under the rule of aggressive demons, and you'll learn how to not be seen, too." Kurama smirked. "Do not treat me as you would a child. I'm far beyond those days."

Kuronue stepped down gingerly from the mattress, saying nothing as he fondled a lock of Kurama's hair. The fox's ears pressed against his skull, but the bat ignored the gesture. He stroked the hair, rolled it between his fingers, examined how the strands refracted light.

"You're beautiful," Kuronue admitted, finally releasing the lock of hair. "But you'll be seen."

Kurama brought his hand to his head, as if offended that Kuronue would dare insult him. Nobody insulted his hair. They praised its beauty, cut it to sell or use for trinkets.. but this bat was calling it a flaw.

"You're wrong." Kurama's voice was slow and smooth. "I will not cost the mission. And, in the off chance that I am seen?" His head cocked just slightly, gaze never leaving Kuronue's. "Nobody will live to describe me."

Kuronue shivered with the influx of energy, wings quaking. What had the fox been up to before he fell into Yuudai's grasp?

"Big promises for such a pretty little thing," Kuronue cooed, sitting to pull on his boots. "We'll just need to take you out to stretch your wings, won't we?" he asked, fluttering his own.

"I look forward to it." Kurama smirked, tugging on Kuronue's ponytail before slipping out the door, tail wagging in anticipation.

Kuronue took in a deep breath. Welp. Looked like it was showtime.

There was no 'easing into' heists in Yuudai's band. It was sink or swim for everyone, though less experienced bandits normally had weights tied to their ankles. It was rare that the new kids stuck around too long- their mentors had more to worry about than making sure they stayed in one piece. That didn't mean that they didn't observe, however. If they survived, and that was a pretty big 'if,' only then would they receive hints on how to improve.

A part of him secretly hoped that the fox would fall in battle. Kuronue was self-serving and lazy, and he hated having to hold hands. But, he reminded himself, if Kurama died, that perfect backside would perish with him. Sigh.. perhaps he could spare a glance behind his shoulder every now and then. There were several dozen men and women in Yuudai's gang, but there were very select few as attractive as that little silver fox. It would be a pity to lose him so quickly.

"Shit! Get me Satoshi!" Kuronue roared, forced to a stop in front of a door, the lock encrypted in a way that the bat had never seen. They hadn't anticipated this.

"He's not here, boss!" Kuronue recognized the voice to be that of the sniper, Kyo. Shit. Shit. Satoshi was the best codebreaker they had. Without him, they wouldn't have a snowball's chance in Hell. He opened his mouth to issue the retreat order, but was cut off by the feeling of cool fingers on his wings.

"Giving up already? Stand aside."

Kuronue sneered as that goddamn fox sauntered to the front of the crowd, his tail held high in what Kuronue interpreted as excitement.

"And what the fuck are you going to do? Sass the door open? That's not how it-"

"Silence." Kurama cut him off with a hiss. Kuronue's wings folded, fury carved into his facial features. He could have ended the insolent fox right then.

But he didn't.

Curiosity took over as Kurama trained a large white ear on the door, delicate fingers slowly working the lock. He played it as he would an instrument, one he had spent years learning and perfecting.

The lock creaked, and the door swung open. Kurama spared Kuronue a smug glance.

"Hm. Looks like sassing the door open worked."

Kurama took a step through the door, but yelped in indignant surprise as he was lifted by his tail, and tossed a few feet into the room they had just gained access to. He stood quickly, fury in his eyes as he bared his teeth, ready to tear into whoever just launched him with such insolence.

It was Kuronue's turn to smirk. "Didn't think you'd like getting caught in that trap." He pointed to the floor, where a barely visible trip wire lay. It appeared to trigger the release of arrows from several different directions. Fairly likely to ruin the fox's day, right?

He still didn't look very thankful.

That night, it was Kurama's turn to come to Kuronue. It was hard to miss him. A cloud of smoke surrounded him, visible from the doorway. The bat was settled with his best friend, basically glued to the old, ratty couch.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Kurama approached, Kuronue urged for Satoshi to leave. He hadn't even had to open his mouth.

Hm. He'd trained him well.

"You weren't bad out there," Kuronue admitted, leaning forward and grabbing his newly filled bowl off of the table. He moved to strike his match.. but offered the bowl to Kurama. He'd earned it.

"Do you know how to use one of these?" he asked, eyebrow arched. Kurama chuckled, taking the match and holding the carb closed. He struck the match and lit the contents, inhaling deeply. Kuronue grinned. That fox sure as shit knew what he was doing. Kurama handed the pipe back to its owner, who took a hit before setting it down. Kuronue felt Kurama's spiritual energy relax.

"What made you choose to become a bandit?" Damn, Kurama just had to ask the hard-hitting questions, didn't he? Kuronue chuckled, tossing his hair out of his eyes.

"It's not a choice for most of us. I was stealing to survive. Food, mostly. Clothes. Some money. Drugs. Y'know. Basics." He stretched out. "One day, Yuudai caught me takin' money from him. I didn't know who he was. But he said he'd spare my life if I worked for him. Rest is hist'ry." He chuckled at himself, wiggling his fingers in the air.

"What about you?"

Kurama said nothing. He leaned forward, picking up the bowl, finding a new match, and taking another hit. He was stalling.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" he finally asked, turning toward Kuronue and tracing lines along his chest with his index finger. He felt Kuronue's breath hitch.

"What, the weed? Or the fact that you're touching me?"

Kurama smirked, reaching up and stroking a strand of hair out of Kuronue's eyes. He tucked it behind a pointed ear before closing his eyes and sitting back against the cushions.

"The thrill of having something you shouldn't. The knowledge that you afforded your fortune with wits, not cash." His arms settled above his head, sprawled wantonly over the back of the couch. His head lolled toward Kuronue, eyes glazed over and lips parted.

Kuronue couldn't help himself.

He smoothed his hand over the top of Kurama's head. Soft ears twitched as they were touched, and those beautiful golden eyes closed in appreciation. It was surely the drugs making the once aloof silver fox so agreeable, but that didn't mean that Kuronue was complaining. A soft, almost erotic sigh of contentment left Kurama's lips, and Kuronue had to fight himself to stay calm. He let his fingers roam along the kit's lips, and he'd be damned if that fox didn't pull his index finger into his mouth.

He had to wonder what it would be like to have that beautiful creature as his, if only for the night. He wanted to hear his noises, watch him writhe, feel him clench around him.. no. He had to shoo the thoughts from his mind. But that was difficult, as his free hand found its way to the sweet curve of Kurama's waist, and that ethereal beauty climbed into his lap.

But, once again, Yuudai caught him with his hands on something that didn't belong to him.

The pack leader said nothing. He merely whistled once, nodding his head in the direction of the door. Kuronue couldn't put a label on his expression, which in itself was not a good sign. He dropped his hands as Kurama dismounted and tried to compose himself.

Kuronue cursed as soon as Yuudai and Kurama were out of earshot. Oh, well. The sun would be rising soon. Maybe Yuudai would let his punishment come in the next afternoon?

As far as any other demon was concerned, they'd say that Kuronue had escaped any punishment at all. He had his rank. He hadn't been beaten. He'd even be expected to lead the next heist.. with Kurama at his side.

Yuudai was unusually smart, and especially cruel. He had seen that Kuronue was interested in his little jewel. Taking him away would be far too kind, and make it much easier for Kuronue to forget about that silken hair, or that sinful smoulder in the fox's eyes.

No, he'd have to see it every day, knowing that he couldn't afford even an innocent touch. it would be murder.

He awoke one morning to the sight of a little box tied with ribbon sitting on the table in his bedroom, right next to his bowl. Alongside of it was a new bag of weed, and a note.

'I'm sorry that our encounter was cut short. Seems like someone needs a pick-me-up.'

Kuronue scooped up the package and untied the ribbon. Inside was a little red pendant strung on a chain. It looked to be of fairly decent value- but he wasn't the type to pawn a present. It slipped easily over his head, and glowed with the strength of his spiritual energy.

Well.. he'd have to see if there was a way to sneak a cookie out of the jar without daddy knowing.