Watching from the tree branches, Hiei let Kurama make the decision on where to go, and then he followed silently and unseen as the kitsune walked down the path to the village. Hiei was tired of talking, and he wanted to think. There was something about the fox that wasn’t making sense and he wanted to figure it out.

Kurama could sense Hiei near him, so he didn’t worry as he packed up his half of camp and left for the next tasking. The fact that he could feel Hiei was proof in itself of how much the demon was accommodating his ways for Kurama’s sake. Normally, Hiei hides his youki as well as Yusuke, though Yusuke does it unintentionally.

* * *

The red-haired human walked into the village, mingling easily with the people as he spoke their language and assuaged their suspicions. He sought his prey and found it, depriving the prey of its prey. Before he left, he set a reminder for the villagers and a warning to predators – Kurama was here.

* * *

"Is that anything like ‘Kilroy was here’?" Hiei asked with scorn as he hopped down and joined the kitsune as he walked away from the village.

"Huh?" Kurama stopped whistling as he missed the reference. He put his seeds back into his hair and grinned down at his companion, "How’d I do?"

Noting the automatic defense as the fox was first surprised by Hiei’s appearance, and then his casual acceptance, Hiei felt contentment spread through his being. Kurama accepts me now, he doesn’t feel guilty anymore, and isn’t apologizing. I like this much better. Then Hiei thought about the question. The fox had used his new whip, and had been careful with the public view. Kurama had to fight in the view of the humans he’d rescued, so he’d subtly exaggerated his non-humanness, and he’d left a makai plant that glowed different colors when fed off demon energy. It was sure to spawn new legends in the village, but the truth wouldn’t last ten minutes. "I always knew you were good."

Green eyes sparkled and danced as Kurama absorbed the praise and enjoyed it. "Let’s go after the jalatha."

With a shrug, Hiei agreed. In his opinion, the fox was showing a lot of good sense today. He was therefore surprised when they got to the lair and Kurama took out his rose. Hiei narrowed his eyes, "My turn."

Kurama grinned fondly down, "Partners share."

He expects me to fight with him??? Hiei was suddenly worried. He hadn’t fought with somebody for… well, never, actually. "Uh, Kurama…"

The jalatha rushed out of the cave and attacked with a roar.

Hiei jumped to one side, still wondering how he was suppose to do this. Kurama flicked his rose out into a whip and got the monster’s attention. Quicker than the human eye could follow, the jalatha turned from Hiei to Kurama. Hiei was even quicker than the jalatha and he knocked Kurama out of the way, receiving a gash on his side as he did so – from the rose whip that had been flicking at the monster.

When the dust settled, Kurama traded his glares between the sword-sliced monster and Hiei. Hiei shifted from foot to foot and tried not to run away.

"Well, obviously we’ll have to try that again," Kurama finally sighed. "Are you okay, Hiei?"

Caught between embarrassment and relief, Hiei put a hand down to his side and winced as he touched the wound, "I’ll be fine."

The future tense is not an answer to my present question… From a distance, Kurama studied Hiei’s wound and realized that Hiei’s youki wasn’t healing it any faster than a normal being. Silently, Kurama questioned Hiei.

At the look in the fox’s eyes, Hiei shifted again before reluctantly explaining, "The thorns on your whip are… difficult."

Not much of an explanation. Kurama stepped forward to take a better look, but Hiei forestalled his actions by putting his cloak on and then disappearing. Okay… Kurama pulled the list out and checked out the next few tasks. There were several within the large city of Baotou, and Kurama thought that a hotel for the next few nights would be a good thing. A hot shower, available when I want it… The fox-human smirked at the empty air beside him, a bed will also be nice. He shifted into the steady lope that would allow him to reach the city before night.

Kurama finally found a hotel he liked and he stared at the outside of the building for a minute before he retreated to an alley, "Okay, Hiei, where are you?"

Three whistled songs and two mistaken propositions later, the figure Kurama was waiting for finally showed up. Hiei scowled at his friend, "What?"

"Can I use your credit card?"

Rolling his eyes, Hiei muttered something under his breath that Kurama couldn’t catch. Just as well, Kurama figured – it hadn’t sounded complimentary. Then Hiei put two fingers in his mouth and whistled. Three imps popped out of the air and two from the ground as they gathered around him. Hiei sent one of them for some local money and dismissed the others.

Kurama raised an eyebrow, "You better not steal any money while we’re on probation."

Reminded of his status, Hiei growled, his skin shading dark before he regained control and answered the implied question, "My servants know better than to bring attention to me. They’ll get the money from an ATM."

"Why not just use the card direct… oh. Never mind that question, sorry." Kurama winced as he remembered that Hiei wasn’t actually suppose to have any access to his power network. "Koenma could track it."

Hiei nodded and glanced at the sky, "You just barely missed one of his scans."

"WHAT???????????????" Kurama screeched, "Koenma’s watching us?"

"Keep your voice down!" Hiei hissed, looking nervously around, "And dim your youki." Then he glared at the fox, "Of course he is, numbwit! You think he’s going to let two ghosts out on a mission and not watch? You yourself told me he was watching Yusuke!"

Kurama scratched his nose and was forestalled from a reply by the reappearance of an imp with money. Hiei handed the cash to Kurama and said, "Leave the window open. I’ve got a few more things to do first."

With a shrug, Kurama went to check into a room, being careful to ask for a large bed. The hotel clerk didn’t question him. Kurama figured it was just as well.

In the room, Kurama put his backpack down and glanced around, noticing, "A phone…" Turning to the window, Kurama frowned at it and wondered how long Hiei would be gone, then he shrugged, Mother is part of my life, if he comes back while I’m talking to her, well, he can adapt. He picked up the phone and dialed a very familiar number.

"Hi, Mom! Yeah, I’m doing great. Those friends I met last year have been wonderful – I’ve seen parts of China I never knew existed. How has it been for you? Uh huh… Maybe I should be home to chaperone! Just don’t get married without me there… Yes, just a couple more weeks now and I’ll be home. The teachers should be used to getting my homework in absentia! I don’t know if my friends can come back with me – they’ve got things to do also. Yes Mom, I’ll be careful – I always am. Hey! What do you mean by that? Well, okay, there was that time… I’ll be careful, Mom – and you be sure and take care of yourself as well! You’re better now, but that doesn’t mean you should go gallivanting all over… Yeah, I know. Yes, Mom. Yes. Yes… Okay, Mom! Yeah, good talking with you too."

Kurama hung up the phone, still grinning, Mom’s been having fun – a vacation for me is also one for her without having to watch over me. And she’s feeling much better then she has in so many years. Yet Kurama had also felt something expected and lacking at the end of the call… She was waiting for me to say something, but what? It mystified him, but the fox put it to one side so he could deal with it later. Right now, he’d rather explore Hiei’s mystery… The demon wasn’t back yet.

With a resigned shrug, ‘always coming and going,’ Kurama stopped waiting on Hiei and had a nice, long, hot shower. And during it, figured out what had bothered Hiei earlier. When he was treating my wounds while bathing me, he was caring for me, putting his feelings into relieving my pain and his sorrow at my hurt. Though my sentiment was real, when I joked about him bathing me, it made it seem like I was trivializing his care. Kurama sighed as he turned off the water and reached for a towel. I didn’t mean to – can I help it if you are a wonderfully sensuous being with skin and hair and eyes and expression that I absolutely adore? I want to have your hands stroking me under the water, drawing gently over my skin, my head on your lap, your gaze on me… With a grin, Kurama stretched out on the bed, letting his body remember all the wonderful sensations he’d been experiencing for the last few days. Hiei is so skilled. I’ve had other lovers before and many who were very skilled, but none that please me as much as this demon. Though there was that one cute… Kurama grinned and stopped that thought before it went too far. Then changed his mind and reviewed every detail of that long-ago affaire, along with every other one that had made it even part-way into his heart.

* * *

Hiei sat on the windowsill and watched the fox. Laying on his back on top of the covers, a delightful smile on his face, the beautiful red-haired human youth slept soundly, giving Hiei ample opportunity to study the slender body. Hiei had to grin – he was fairly sure that Kurama rarely slept nude when he was alone, so this was deliberate for Hiei’s sake. Crazy, wonderful fox. My love; Kurama. The fox’s new name was more musical and softer than the name he’d held before. ‘Yoko’ sounded brief, harsh – rich and powerful, but not attainable – actually, it didn’t sound like a very intelligent name either, though that was deceiving. "Kurama," Hiei mused, "Ku-ra-ma… Kura-ma… Ku-rama… Kur-ama… Kur-a-ma… Ku-ra-ma. Kurama, the rich velvet fox with the ruby mane and emerald eyes. The jewel of many worlds. A light of brilliance and talent. Kurama. Kitsune-ningen, my fox-human, Kurama."

Without opening his eyes, Kurama said, "Hiei, a fire-demon of unparalleled ability and virtuosity. A treasure most precious, worth any effort to find. Hiei, you silly – get down here and join me." On his back on the bed, Kurama stretched, his arms and legs extending in openness and invitation. Lazily, he opened his green eyes and turned a sultry, expectant, anticipatory gaze upon the demon in the windowsill. His mouth was open as his tongue licked the edges of his lips. His fingers curled in the air. Moving his body over the covers, Kurama felt the fabric slide across his skin as he watched Hiei.

Ahh… From where he sat, Hiei moaned, swallowing as his body reacted to the invitation and tried to propel him into the fox’s arms. He resisted, closing his eyes and turning his head to one side. He heard the rustle of fabric and the creak of the bed as Kurama sat up. The movement sent the fox’s clean scent wafting through the room. The fox was ready and waiting for him, his scent smelling of the heavy musk that spoke of desire. Hiei shivered in response.

"Hiei?" Kurama curiously studied the demon. Hiei wanted him – physical reactions made that very obvious – but he was delaying… "Did you find something we need to take care of?" He swung his legs off the bed, suddenly alarmed, "Koenma’s not watching us, is he?!"

At the obvious dismay in Kurama’s voice, Hiei chuckled, though he didn’t turn his head, "I block his scans when we’re together." Any time they were together, no matter what they were doing, letting the scans through only when they were fighting. Hiei was not about to let Koenma know how much he cared for the fox.

"Oh?" Kurama tapped his fingers on the bed thoughtfully. He’d never really intended to hide anything from Koenma… but he’d not anticipated the love of the demon. He hadn’t given a thought to being watched because it was not something that had occurred to him. Having been given a task, and a timetable to do it in, Kurama had expected the free rein that Koenma had promised him. And he had to admit that Koenma hadn’t interfered once. He could see we were fighting the renegades. Even if he was scanning, he would have seen me killing some, Hiei killing others… we’re following his tasking. And if Hiei has been blocking him every time we’re together, and Koenma hasn’t called wondering why… then he is holding true to my conditions. He watches, but he’s not going to do anything. Kurama grimaced, sounds like my brother. "Hiei, what’s wrong?" It wasn’t Koenma, and Hiei wasn’t reacting urgently enough for troubles from the tasking… "Have you heard anything about Yukina?"

"Huh?" Hiei turned his head to look at Kurama – and was astounded at the sympathetic concern he saw on the expressive features. I haven’t even told him about Yukina yet.

Kurama stood up in one smooth motion and walked to where Hiei sat. He leaned over, hovering a few inches away from touching Hiei, "Hiei, I care."

And Hiei wanted to reach out and gather the fox-human in his arms… He turned his head away again, "Kurama – why is it so hard for you?" He’d given up on figuring it out and had decided to just ask. As much as that went against his grain, he wanted to know…

"It’s hard because I want you so…" Kurama leaned in a bit closer, letting a part of his anatomy below his waist demonstrate his words.

Hiei snorted even as he flitted across the room to stare at Kurama from the other side of the bed, "And you say I have a one-track mind!"

Kurama turned to watch the quickfire demon, a smile playing over his lips. He glanced out the window at the streets below and shut the drapes. "You make it hard for me to think of anything else," he purred, throwing waves of rei out at the demon.

Gasping, Hiei resisted the pull, "Kurama! Stop that!"

Recognizing that Hiei meant it, Kurama gathered his rei back to him and sealed himself. He went back to the bed and sat down, leaning against the wall and waiting.

Groaning for the amount of resistance he’d had to use, Hiei looked at the remote features of the kitsune. Kurama had suddenly become all kitsune again, remote and cold, watching and evaluating but not affected by what was going on around him. Hiei sighed to himself before he asked, "Why do you try so hard to love me?"

Kurama blinked. Pulled in within himself like he was, he could see the seriousness of Hiei’s question. He didn’t understand why Hiei had asked it, but the fact that the demon had asked it was fascinating and another thing to add to his list. "Because I want to."

Hiei snorted, "That’s no answer."

"Oh yes it is…"

"So why is it so hard for you then? If you want to… then why do you struggle so against it?" Hiei’s voice was a mixture of emotion and non-emotion, his natural protective barriers coming into conflict with his love for the fox and the very openness of the question itself.

Kurama bent a leg and clasped his hands loosely around his knee, leaning against the wall, his other leg straight on the bed. He looked up at the ceiling and sighed, "Hiei, you don’t really know what you’re asking of me."

"I’m not asking anything!" Hiei growled, "Kurama – just because I love you doesn’t mean you have to love me! I want you – not a forced parody of yourself. If you force yourself into something… it’ll not be true. I’d rather have you as a friend for a hundred years, then a lover for ten."

"Ahhhh…" Kurama sighed with contentment as he closed his eyes and let the words and voice of the demon fall into him, absorbing their truth and their meaning. This… this is why I want you so, Hiei. You are such a unique being, and you don’t force illusions upon me. I have you, I have stolen you… but you will not have me until I make my choice. And you not only let me have choice, you insist on it. He let his walls fall and reached out with his rei and his arms for his red-eyed, black-haired, dragon-starred demon lover. "Hiei… come to me. Come now, and I’ll answer you later."

His resistance broken by a pair of gleaming emerald eyes and a smell of musky jasmine; Hiei went to Kurama. Hesitantly, he reached out to touch the silken skin along Kurama’s arms, his eyes tracing the smooth lean chest muscles, "How are you real?" You say you shaped your body for practicality… unknowingly, you also shaped it for love. Seeing you, feeling you… who could not fall in love with you?

Kurama let the demon touch him lightly, exploring with his fingers, though Kurama wanted to grab the demon and lock his lips tightly to Hiei’s and wrap his legs around that warm body. Wait a second – I’m forcing myself to a slow dance?? Geez… "You are so incredible, my demon lover," Kurama murmured, his fingers exploring the edges of Hiei’s cloak, looking for the fastenings. With a thief’s instincts and knowledge, he found them, releasing the fabric from its boundaries but not yet pulling it off.

"Kurama," Hiei spoke the fox’s name in a gasping breath as he felt the featherlight touches through his cloak. He looked into the emerald gaze, seeing the joy and delight inside, seeing the life that had lured him from the start. Trembling, he raised a hand to touch along the high cheekbones under those gateways to nirvana.

Not quite closing, his eyelids dipped down in response to the touch and the look in the demon’s red orbs. Kurama could feel himself in the demon’s soul as he responded to the look of utter rapture upon Hiei’s face. Oh, Hiei… Kurama forced himself to discipline, wanting the demon to have as much exploration as he would, since he seemed to be in the mood for it. I was going to teach him the dance, but it seems he does know it…

As Hiei’s touches awoke every inch of Kurama’s body, he could feel Kurama trembling, the vibrant eyes staring intently at him, riveting his gaze and not allowing his sight to wander. His fingers explored Kurama’s body, his soul was locked to Kurama’s self. Fox, what are you doing? Hiei trembled, his own control slipping. His fingers slipped over smooth skin and then dropped off, waiting for Kurama’s next move.

With a grin, Kurama accepted. Breaking the eye contact that had been so intense, he bent his head gracefully down, sinking his teeth into the white fabric of Hiei’s scarf. Holding it tightly, he raised his head and looked into Hiei’s eyes as he backed away from the demon, pulling the scarf with him.

Hiei watched, his gaze riveted to the white teeth in the white cloth, his senses focused on the feel of the fabric sliding over his skin, creating the slightest of tugs towards Kurama. The feel of Kurama’s rei was a stronger draw, the sensuous play of power tickling his nerves and calling to him. He watched as Kurama lay on the bed and rolled twice over, the white scarf trailing over his body in a length of loops, hiding and revealing and taking his eyes on a journey around the world. Hiei’s cloak was falling off his shoulder from the openings Kurama had created and the movement of his scarf. Absently, Hiei reached up to brush his cloak off, the sleeves retracting as he automatically tossed the cloak to one side.

Kurama’s eyes widened, did I just see the cloth do what I think it just did? As many times as he’d seen Hiei pull off his cloak, he’d never seen before what had happened to the sleeves. He’d wondered, but the movement was usually too fast for him to follow. There is absolutely nothing normal about Hiei. Kurama grinned in delight, just the way I like it… He traced a hand along the cloth that was draped over his chest, following it down… His body arched in response to the feel of his hand and Kurama gasped in surprise, I was suppose to be doing that for Hiei! A fifteen year-old teenage body… and a fire demon’s regard. If Hiei doesn’t do something to me soon, I’m going to lose it!

As Kurama’s body contorted without him, Hiei’s breathing lost the careful evenness he’d been maintaining. Ridding himself of his pants faster than either his scarf or cloak, Hiei lowered himself on top of Kurama, pressing his weight upon the smooth flesh of the fox, feeling the scarf between them, feeling the need of them both. Growling low within his throat, Hiei rubbed himself along the fox, feeling his pores open with his scent.

Crispy ashes and sharp pine… Kurama breathed in the scent that he now knew was Hiei’s. Mark me, will you? Grinning with delight, he responded to the demon’s actions, wrapping himself around the warm body and biting gently at the base of Hiei’s neck, nipping down just hard enough to draw blood and then licking it off and swallowing. Mine. You are mine…

Aaaaah! Hiei threw his head back as the fox bit into his skin. It was something he’d never allowed anybody else to do and live. He refused to be claimed by others. Yet… It was something that was so erotically delightful and pleasing from Kurama. He claims me… and I want to be his. Hiei whimpered as he melted into the fox’s embrace, willingly accepting anything that the fox would demand of him.

Kurama looked up at the unusual reaction, seeking out the demon’s gaze to tell him exactly what was going on. He saw the wide soft eyes, irises twice as large as normal, gazing at him in trust and adoration… A fierce flow of possession whipped through Kurama’s body and being, mine – Hiei is mine! He growled loudly and started lick Hiei’s face and hair, dragging his tongue through the fur and wishing his human tongue wasn’t so wet. With a quick move, he flipped Hiei over and knelt above him to continue his ministrations. The demon’s eyes were closed now, his face tilted towards Kurama, his mouth open as he panted, the purring from his chest steady and loud. Now would be a perfect opportunity for a dance… Kurama’s body was burning up, the desire in his blood thrumming through his veins and creating a tension and pressure that he wasn’t sure he could maintain. His breath coming in gasps, Kurama lowered himself to Hiei’s waist, seeking hard rigid flesh with his tongue and mouth. He ground his own hips into the bed, needing the friction as his body demanded release.

Arching and writhing under the fox’s prolonged kiss, Hiei could feel the loosening of the spirit’s control. Gasping, he called out to his partner, "Kurama, take your release – do it now."

Kurama raised his head and licked his lips with confident expectation, "It’s your turn, Hiei…" He half-shut his eyes, anticipating the feel of Hiei’s powerful body moving into his… A flare of dark red fire rose out around Hiei, burning Kurama where he touched the demon, "Ow!" Kurama rolled away and looked at Hiei with wide eyes – never had any of Hiei’s fire done more than excite him before.

Hiei’s mouth tightened at the exclamation of pain from the one he’d sworn he’d never hurt. He stuffed his fire back deep within him, only a trickle of it making its way out of one eye. "No, Kurama," he said softly, "Take your release in me."

Reaching out to catch the tear gem before it hit the bed, Kurama stared at Hiei for one long moment and then moved off the bed, standing by the edge, tucking the gem into his hair before reaching to stroke Hiei’s legs. "Come to me…" he whispered, putting his rei into seduction, driving out the sorrow in the demon’s eyes.

Gladly giving himself to Kurama again, Hiei scooted to the edge of the bed until he was sitting at the edge, his legs spread around Kurama’s waist. He reached up and tugged on the red forelocks until Kurama’s mouth came down to meet his and they shared a wonderful, mixing kiss as their bodies pressed against each other. Feeling the strain in Kurama’s body, Hiei broke off the kiss and laid down on the bed, his gaze steady as he clenched his hands into the cover and moved a foot to stroke the fox’s backside.

Ah! Kurama arched at the feel of Hiei’s foot stroking him. He bit his lip until it bled as he fumblingly searched through his hair looking for that damn seed…

Hiei raised an eyebrow and shook his head at the insistence of his partner on the assistance of plants.

Finally finding one that would do, Kurama tossed it to one side and inundated it with a flood of desperate rei, creating a full-grown plant with leaves to the ceiling and blossoms dripping nectar within seconds of the seed falling to the ground. He reached out a hand and a blossom came to him.

I just had to go and fall in love with a plant controller… Hiei was more amused than anything else – especially since this plant wasn’t drugging him senseless! But he had to admit that the feel of the cool nectar on his skin was refreshing and erotic, even more so when he felt the fox enter him smoothly, borne on the slipperiness of the nectar. He arched into the fox, pressing his body closer, pulling on the fox with the leg that was hooked over Kurama’s shoulder. I think I like plants…

Kurama yelped for the heat surrounding him. It was the exciting, virulent fire of desire and need that both fed and was enflamed by his own needs. It burned him in the good way that he was starting to crave from the demon. Kurama lost himself as he felt his pleasure increasing in quantum leaps as he thrust rhythmically into the fire until his own fire matched it and his pleasure released in an explosion of sensation that blanked out every other feeling.

Ah, ah, ah… As the fox’s thrusts buried into him, Hiei responded, his internal temperature rising hotter and hotter with the rei flowing wildly. When he finally felt the cool seed of the fox-human release into his body, sparking the hot flames dangerously as the liquid flowed through him, he arched his body and cried silently into the void as his fire flared violently out of him.

After a moment, Kurama sighed and pulled himself briefly away from Hiei, first sitting, and then collapsing on the bed as he reached to pull Hiei further onto the bed and closer to him. He gathered Hiei into his arms and looked at him in surprise; the smaller demon was shivering, his skin cool to Kurama’s touch as he pressed against Kurama’s longer body. Kurama winced slightly as the pain of a burn on his stomach made itself known. Huh? But he was too full of pleasure from the release and tired from the rei he’d expended to give it much thought at the moment, instead carefully filing the memory into his list as he closed his eyes and slept.

Within minutes, Hiei’s fire had restocked and he was warm again. Automatically, he searched with his jagan to find danger, looking for whatever might have sneaked up during the time his senses were confounded, seeing what might have tested his barriers, trying to get through in his weakness. He found nothing. Starting to sit up, Hiei froze as he felt strong arms holding him tightly. Normally, he would go out and check the borders of his territory, making sure of what the jagan had shown him; but Kurama was holding him close… Too close, my fox. Hiei shivered, uneasy in the confining grasp while his senses were alert for danger. But he didn’t try and free himself from the fox’s embrace, knowing that the fox was holding him for his own need rather than Hiei’s. He remembered Kurama’s words, when he was talking about the rules, ‘I like to cuddle,’ and the way Kurama would keep reaching for him… Hiei bit his lip and stayed within Kurama’s arms, listening to the steady breathing and slow heartbeats, watching Kurama’s closed eyes with the rich red lashes curving over his soft cheeks, carefully examining with touch of skin to skin the body that lay along his. Instead of looking for danger, Hiei forced himself to use his period of alertness to learn about the one that held him. After a long time, as he gradually relaxed, Hiei’s eyelids dipped down and he also slept.