PART FOUR
THE FIRST MOVEMENT

"…Hiei…"

Kurama…?

"Hiei…wake up…"

Kurama?

He opened his eyes, wincing at the light. "Kurama…?"

The redhead smiled down at him, looking relieved. "Firefly… Thank Inari. How do you feel?"

He pushed himself up, shoving the covers aside and glancing around him. He was back home, in their two-story house. "I’m all right," he assured the youko. He was, he noted, staring down at his body, perfectly fine, as though he hadn’t been in an explosion. "How long have I been asleep?" he asked.

"Oh, not long," Kurama replied, bending to brush a kiss across his lips. "I’m just glad you’re okay. Are you hungry, Firefly?"

Hiei nodded, and hopped off the bed, following Kurama out of the bedroom. "What time is it, Greeneyes?"

Kurama glanced at his watch. "Oh, a little after nine. What would you like for breakfast, Baby? Eggs and bacon?"

"Sure."

Hiei took a seat at the table while Kurama filled the teapot with water and plugged it in. The youko reached into the cupboard to get the mugs. Hiei rested his head on his folded arms and yawned. He was back home… evidently the demon wasn’t as strong as he was, if Hiei had made it out of the explosion unscathed and he was nowhere to be found.

His head jerked up when he heard the cups crash to the floor. "Kurama?" The youko was leaning on the countertop. "Kurama?"

Hiei sprang from the chair and took Kurama’s shoulders, turning the redhead to face him. "Fox? What is it? What’s wrong?"

Kurama stared at him with wide, green eyes…but his eyes didn’t seem to be focused on anything. He groped until he found Hiei’s shoulders. "Hiei…I…I can’t see anything…"

His heart skipped a beat. "What?"

"I can’t see… I’m blind…" His voice cracked at the last word and he slumped forward. Hiei caught him and lowered them both to the floor, disregarding the shards of glass littering the tiles.

"…I’m blind…" Kurama moaned again, sounding like he wanted to cry, burying his head against Hiei’s chest. Hiei held him tight, not saying a word. Kurama didn’t need any words now – just him.

Hiei frowned. Something was wrong… A flicker of youki…then…

"Razor Wind!"

He flitted out of the way, taking Kurama with him. It couldn’t be… Could it? He reached for his sword, and cursed when he remembered it was probably still upstairs in the bedroom. The silver-haired demon materialized in the doorway to the kitchen and grinned at him.

"Top of the morning to you," he greeted, and then grinned again. "I’m sorry – I’ve just always wanted to say that. Human expressions are so cute."

"What the hell do you want?" Hiei demanded, making sure to put himself between Kurama and the demon.

"This doesn’t concern you, little one," the demon said. "I’d thought of telling you to stay out of the way, but I believe I know how well you listen to those instructions… So…we’ll have to do it this way."

He knew what was coming, and prepared to dart away - Kurama! Instead he seized one of the kitchen chairs and hurled it at the oncoming demon, wincing when the wooden piece of furniture was sliced to splinters.

"You’re such a little busybody," the demon chided. "Why don’t you go pick on someone your own size?"

Hiei croaked as he was hoisted into the air and flung across the room. He hit the wall with a grunt and was held there, pressed between a two slid walls – one visible and one not.

"Hiei?" Kurama called, his voice sounding a tad panicked. "Hiei? What did he do to you?"

Hiei gasped as the demon appeared in front of the youko. He struggled, pushing his youki against the wall, doing everything in his power to free himself and stop the creature from - No!

Kurama yelped as he was seized by the face and tugged roughly to his feet. "Hiei…?!"

Get away from him!! Hiei tried shouting, but his voice wouldn’t work. He was trapped. Leave him alone!

"You," the silver-haired demon said, staring at Kurama’s eyes, "are one of them." Then he placed his hand over the youko’s eyes.

Kurama started to scream, and Hiei bucked and thrashed for all he was worth. KURAMA! The youko was kicking, but his strikes didn’t seem to be affecting the silver-haired demon at all. KURAMA! Hiei Called, pounding at the barrier with his rei. No!

The youko fell to the floor when the demon released him, and curled into a fetal position, covering his eyes and whimpering. Hiei…my eyes… He…he took my…

I’ll kill him! I’ll slice him to pieces! I’ll--

But the demon wasn’t through yet. He rolled Kurama over with his foot and bent down thrusting a hand deep into Kurama’s chest. The scream the redhead made stabbed at Hiei’s heart, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t break the air shield that was keeping him against the wall.

It was moments later when the silver-haired demon pulled out a glowing white sphere from Kurama’s body, holding it high and roaring in triumph. Then, in a flash of white, the demon disappeared.

Hiei fell to the floor and scampered over to the fallen youko. "Kurama!" He rolled the other demon onto his back and lifted him into his arms. "Kurama…" He took one look at Kurama’s face and wanted to cry. Kurama…his eyes were… Was he awake? How could he tell if the youko was awake…? Why wasn’t Kurama saying anything…? "Greene--" he swallowed the endearment quickly, not wanting to unintentionally hurt Kurama’s feelings. "Fox…say something…" Nothing. "Kurama…?" He shook the youko’s still form. "Hey…Kurama…? Talk to me…?" Nothing. "Kurama…stop it…it’s not funny… Say something." Nothing. No…

He lowered his head to rest an ear over Kurama’s mouth. He didn’t hear anything. No… He lowered Kurama to the floor and pressed an ear on his chest. Nothing. No heartbeat. No…no… "NO!"

Kurama was dead.

The bastard killed him.

Kurama was dead.

It wasn’t fair.

Kurama was dead.

It wasn’t right.

Kurama was dead.

His closest friend.

Kurama was dead.

His lover.

Kurama was dead.

The other half of his soul.

Kurama was dead.

Kurama was dead.

Kurama was dead.

He screamed – louder and harder than he ever thought he’d be able to. He didn’t care who heard; didn’t care what anyone thought; didn’t care if the whole neighborhood came running. He threw himself over Kurama’s body and screamed.

Nothing mattered anymore.

Kurama was dead…

…Kurama was dead…

…and so was he.

"Fire and Air…" Kurama mused, shaking his head. "Hiei, you should know better." He gazed tenderly at the sleeping Jaganshi tucked safely beneath the covers of the futon.

Sheltered from the harm of the waking world, perhaps, but unguarded from the harshness of the world of dreams. Kurama frowned worriedly as Hiei twitched and whimpered, eyelids quivering as his eyes moved rapidly under them, signifying that he was deep in a dream – or possibly a nightmare.

"Firefly," he cooed softly, brushing his fingers through the white starburst of his lover’s hair, "wake up. You’re dreaming."

The han-koorime gave a mewling whine and tossed his head. "…No…"

Kurama started stroking the Jaganshi’s hair, petting the soft, ebony locks in a soothing way, doing his best to coax his beloved from the visions that plagued him without waking him.

Abruptly Hiei jerked, sucked in a mouthful of air. He came awake with a gasp, lurching to a sitting position and falling forward into Kurama’s arms, muscles quivering with strain. Kurama held him close, palming his back with one hand, the other settling against the back of his head. Hiei turned his head to rest his right cheek on Kurama’s chest, arms creeping up to press against Kurama’s pectoral muscles so that he was completely within the encirclement of Kurama’s arms.

They stayed that way for a long time. Kurama rocked them gently back and forth, humming an old, nameless lullaby while Hiei gradually relaxed, freed from any effects of the dream he’d been entangled in. Kurama stopped his song when Hiei shifted a little, rubbing his cheek over Kurama’s heart.

"Where are we?" he asked quietly.

"Genkai’s temple," Kurama replied, bending his head to breathe in the pine scent of his lover’s hair. "We’re all here."

"How?" Hiei inquired. He didn’t need to say any more.

Kurama chuckled and moved his hand from Hiei’s hair to caress the nape of his neck. "My precious, ruby-eyed shadow… You were hard to miss. Do you have any idea what kind of mess you and that demon made?"

Hiei was silent for a moment. "The explosion?"

"Yes," Kurama affirmed. "Quite a large one. Thank Inari the park was deserted," he added with a grin. "I think they called in four fire trucks. We’re probably going to see some sort of arson report on the news tonight."

Hiei "hmph-ed". "How long have I been unconscious?"

"Since I found you? About four hours."

Hiei snuggled further into Kurama’s embrace. "And the other demon?" he wondered lazily.

"Vanished," Kurama replied, kissing the top of the shorter demon’s head. "Don’t think you got him, though, beloved," he added, a trifle teasing and a trifle serious.

"No," Hiei agreed. "He was strong."

"How do you feel now?" Kurama asked, running his hands gently over the bandages on the Jaganshi’s ribs.

"…Good," Hiei replied after considering it.

"And you’re all right?" he prodded. He didn’t mean the physical injuries; he meant the dream, and knew that Hiei was aware of what he meant, as well.

The han-koorime shuddered, and Kurama’s grip tightened reflexively, doing his best to make Hiei feel secure. "I’m fine," he whispered, pressing a firm kiss over Kurama’s heart. "It was just a dream…"

Kurama nodded, relieved the nightmare wasn’t troubling him. "Are you hungry?" he asked, in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Hiei shook his head. "No… I’m tired."

Kurama grinned at his love’s proclamation of exhaustion. Since being awakened by Kuwabara’s phone call, he hadn’t been able to sleep again, yet. Since their arrival to the temple, Yusuke and Keiko had been shown to a room of their own. Kuwabara and Yukina were both asleep, as well – in separate rooms. Kurama, however, had stayed awake to keep an eye on Hiei.

He released the Jaganshi and took the shorter demon’s face in his hands. Hiei blinked at him, but has Kurama leaned over, he tilted his head up, welcoming him.

The kiss was slow and tender, a gentle display of relief and devotion. Though Kurama knew there hadn’t been any real reason to worry, he was still glad that Hiei had escaped the encounter with the renegade demon with a minimum of damage.

When they disengaged, Hiei pulled Kurama down to the futon and cuddled to him. "Sleep some more?" he mumbled.

Kurama nodded, pulling the blankets over them both and wrapping his arms around his beloved once again. Sleep well, Quickfire.

You, too, Greeneyes… This isn’t over yet.

Kurama winced even as he was drifting off. No, it wasn’t over yet. Not by a long shot.

No, it wasn’t over yet, Yusuke decided, stroking Keiko’s cheek as she slept. It was far from over. Not only had Keiko been stricken with the strange blindness that was apparently spreading throughout the city, now she had become the target of a crazed demon with immense power.

He kept up the gentle stroking, but inside he was fuming with rage; rage directed at whoever or whatever was behind this and any who followed him. Hurting Seung – one of Keiko’s closest friends – was bad enough. Now that demon bastard was after Keiko. To coin a phrase, now it was personal. Messing with Keiko meant messing with Urameshi Yusuke, and messing with Urameshi meant messing with the Urameshi Team.

He didn’t give a rat’s ass about whatever Koenma had said.

This was business for the Reikai Tantei, whether the Spirit World wanted them or not.

"We have a problem, my Lady," Hwang stated, staring at the back of the cushioned chair by the windows.

"Oh?" The High Lady Eiyo swung the chair around so that she faced him, her pink eyes alight with mild concern. Her soft, mint-green hair was pulled back and up into a coronet, looking almost like a crown, with a few stray bangs falling around her third eye. Her forest green gown was tight until it came to her waist, where it fell loose about her. The gown’s collar was a V-neck, and so the pendant she wore was visible. The golden chain itself glimmered in the sunlight, but the small, round crystal that hung from it twinkled like a star. "Speak."

He bowed his head before he began. "My Lady, it appears that Jumon has begun to act out his plan – much sooner than we would have though possible." He paused a moment, waiting for some sort of reaction. The High Lady did nothing but motion for him to continue. "The Spirit threads have been woven, and the chain is being constructed."

"How long?" the Lady demanded. "How long has it been since the detection spell has been cast?"

"Nearly forty-eight Ningenkai hours," he replied. "I can’t believe he’d managed to do so without our knowledge."

"The veils were set?" the High Lady inquired, her tone promising punishment if the answer was not to her liking.

Hwang bowed low. "Indeed, my Lady. We knew Jumon would try sooner or later. We have been emitting the waves across Ningenkai since yesterday."

The High Lady’s eyes widened slightly. "And we sensed nothing," she breathed. "Jumon…his power is more potent than we’d anticipated." She shook her head in dismay. "We have been a trifle arrogant – thinking he was no match for us."

"What shall we do, my Lady?" Hwang asked. "He’s moving quickly. If he isn’t stopped soon, the Fifth may be in danger."

"We must do what we can to see that he does not succeed." Her gaze hardened for a moment. "It has been nine and a half centuries since I have ascended to the Crystal Throne. I will not let disaster befall the Hand while I am on it." She tapped her fingernails on the arm of her chair. "I will not lost my place as High Seat because of a foolish naïve demon." She folded her arms resolutely. "Child of the Eye, fetch Fukuro and bring her to me." [1]

Hwang bowed. "As you wish, my Lady." He turned to leave, but paused and looked over his shoulder. "And what of Shiryoku? Will she be assisting us?"

The Lady shook her head. "No. She will remain here. It will be safer."

"If I may ask, my Lady, do you not think that Sister Shiryoku is capable of defending herself?"

"It is not a question of ‘can she’, my Son," the Lady replied. "It is a question of ‘will she’. I doubt she can bring herself to harm him just yet."

"As you wish, my Lady."

Something was…someone was…poking…poking him in the back…again…and again…and again…

"Jus’ five mo’ minutes," he muttered grumpily. "Tha’s all I need… Five mo’…"

The owner of the poking finger didn’t relent, but giggled and kept on, moving to poke his shoulder.

"Kazuma," a familiar voice cooed, "it’s time to wake up!"

Kuwabara removed the pillow from over his head and sat up, meeting Yukina’s bright, smiling face. "Yukina!" he chirped. "Good morning!" He reached for his shirt and quickly pulled it on. He couldn’t be gallivanting around the temple half-naked, now could he? That would be indecent.

"I’m making breakfast," the Ice Maiden continued. "Will you be joining us?"

"Of course, thank you," he replied, rolling off of the futon and turning to make it. He couldn’t be leaving a mess all over Yukina’s home, now could he? That would be rude. "How is Hiei?" Not that he cared, or anything. He only asked because Hiei was Yukina’s brother and she cared about him. Yeah.

"I don’t know," she replied, toying with a strand of her aqua hair. She gave him a tiny, secretive smile. "I didn’t go in. Kurama and Hiei are in there together. I didn’t want to…intrude."

Kuwabara rolled his eyes. So much was going on and those two still found time to fool around. Gods, they were almost as bad as Yusuke and Keiko – always screwing around the house… And he didn’t just think that because he wasn’t even allowed to kiss Yukina. Of course not. They were being irresponsible. Exactly.

He finished with the futon and stood, offering Yukina his arm. "Shall we?"

She grinned and accepted his elbow. "We’ll stop and get my brother and Kurama on the way."

"Sure." Oh, yes, no problem. They’d go and fetch the dwarf and Kurama, who both got to go to sleep with someone they loved…who both got to show the person they loved how much they cared…who both got to kiss and touch the one they loved…who both got to wake up next to the one they loved…who both got to do things he wasn’t allowed to.

But I’m not bitter.

"Should we still go and see Seung today?" Yukina asked, leaning over the table to pour some more tea into Kurama’s cup. "Or would it not be such a good idea now…?"

Kurama frowned and pushed his eggs around on his plate. "I don’t know… What about Keiko? We should at least stop by Yusuke’s room before we leave and see how they are." They had knocked the young couple’s door, but had received a curt "no, thank you" in response to Yukina’s offer for breakfast.

"Maybe they just need some time to be alone," Hiei offered, chewing on a stick of bacon.

"Or maybe I just needed some time to think."

Kurama looked up. Yusuke was in the doorway, holding Keiko’s hands. He led the brunette to the table and helped her sit. Yukina was quick to pour them both some tea, and Kuwabara helped her prepare some plates.

"How are you two doing?" Kurama asked, catching Yusuke’s eye. How is Keiko dealing with this?

"We’re okay," he answered, squeezing Keiko’s hand. "A bit shaken, but we’re okay." She’s having some trouble adjusting to this, but it could be worse.

I could never stand being helpless like that. Hiei’s Voice spoke softly to Kurama. I’d rather die than be stripped of my sight.

Don’t say that, Kurama replied. Please.

"What do you mean?" Kuwabara asked Yusuke. "What were you thinking about?"

"The demon bastard that went after Keiko," Yusuke replied. Keiko didn’t say a word. She’d been very quiet since being stricken with the blindness, Kurama noted.

"You mean to go after him, yes?" Hiei asked. It was more a statement than a question.

"I do," the former Tantei declared, stabbing a piece of scrambled egg and shoving it into his mouth. "There’s no way in Hell I’m going to let that asshole get away with this."

"What do you mean to do?" Yukina asked, nibbling on a piece of toast.

"The only thing I can do," Yusuke answered. "There are people in danger, and Reikai doesn’t give a damn. This demon has already attacked two people – that we know about," he added pointedly. "He mentioned going after others. I won’t stand for it. This is business for a Reikai Tantei."

Kurama blinked, and he was sure he wasn’t the only one. "Yusuke…you…"

"--Don’t give a damn what Koenma says. If he won’t do anything about it, then I will." He paused, releasing Keiko’s hand and placing both of his flat on the table. He leaned over and stared at them seriously. "Guys…I…I can’t do this by myself. There’s no way I can do this alone. I want…I want to ask you… Will you help me?"

Kurama bit his lip as he considered it. To abandon his peaceful, comfortable life to fight again… To throw himself into situations that didn’t concern him to defend others…

But it does concern us, Greeneyes. Kurama blinked again. He hadn’t realized he’d made his thoughts known to the Jaganshi. Any one of us could be next.

And Keiko has already been attacked, Kurama added. "Yusuke," he ventured, "you mean to reactivate the Reikai Tantei without the Spirit World’s consent?"

"I didn’t say that," Yusuke corrected. "I said it was business for a Spirit World Detective. There are none, apparently. So that leaves me with the qualifications, doesn’t it? I’m going to stop them – whoever they are. I won’t let anyone else suffer like Seung." He gave them a roguish grin, then, and winked. "Old habits die hard, what can say."

They were silent for a few moments more. Yukina poured some more tea, though she appeared to be doing it to somewhat loosen the tension in the room.

"Urameshi," Kuwabara began, "I can’t believe you’d be so stupid."

Yusuke blinked, taken aback. "W-what?" Kurama exchanged glances with Hiei, and even Keiko’s eyes had widened a fraction.

"You heard me," the orange-haired human said. "I thought you were smarter than that. I mean, going up against a powerful demon you barely know about, to possibly get yourself killed, just to protect people who won’t even know enough to thank you…"

Now Yusuke was glaring. "Hey, look, Kuwa, there’s no need for you to--"

"And," Kuwabara continued, cutting the other young man off, "then you think you have to ask for my help."

The former detective smiled, looking relieved. "Then you’ll…"

"Urameshi, I’m with you. I’m always with you – you should know that by now."

Kurama smiled. He should have known. Kuwabara and Yusuke were best friends. Kuwabara would walk into Hell with Yusuke…and so would he. "Count me in," he said. He smiled again when the former Tantei faced him with bright, thankful eyes. "I’m behind you all the way, Yusuke."

"I’m not," Hiei declared. Kurama whipped his gaze to his lover, eyes wide with shock.

Yusuke’s mouth worked. "But…"

"I’d never walk behind you," Hiei went on, folding his arms across his chest. "…But I’ll walk in front or beside you." He paused a moment, and then grinned, flashing a bit of fang. "Preferably in front, but I’ll settle for behind…if I have to."

Yusuke’s grin lit up his whole face. "Guys…thank you…"

"But don’t get all mushy on us, Yusuke," Kuwabara said with a grin. "It doesn’t become you."

"Thank you," Keiko uttered.

"Anytime, Keiko. Anytime."

They lapsed into silence for a moment or so, and Yusuke started drumming his fingers on the table. "So, uh…what do we do?"

Hiei snorted. "I was waiting for you to ask that," he said sardonically.

"The logical course of action," Kurama suggested, "would be to determine the next possible target."

"But how do we do that?" Kuwabara asked. "We don’t know what this guy’s after, or who he may strike next."

"I say we keep an eye on anyone who’s gone blind," Hiei stated.

Yusuke blinked. "Why?"

"Seung went blind," Hiei reasoned, "and the same night he was attacked. Keiko went blind, and she was attacked a few hours later. Am I the only one who finds that suspicious?"

Kurama did, too, but… "Coincidence?" Kuwabara offered.

Hiei fiddled with the tear-gem around his neck. "Once is coincidence, twice is happenstance, three time is a conspiracy. It’s happened twice, it may happen again. And when I was on the roof with the demon, he looked at my eyes and told me I wasn’t ‘one of them’."

"One of the blind?" Kurama asked.

"Maybe," Hiei agreed. "He never clarified. But his ki signature matched the one we felt at Seung’s house, and he went after Keiko, too."

Yusuke chewed his lip. "So…the renegade demon and the…the…"

"White blindness," Kuwabara supplied.

"--White blindness are linked somehow?" he finished.

"I won’t say for sure," Hiei replied. "I only told you what I think. It’s your call, Urameshi."

Kurama frowned. Hiei had left something out. He knew his lover enough to know that something was bothering him. Firefly…what aren’t you telling?

Nothing significant to this discussion, Hiei replied. I’ll…I’ll tell you later, Fox.

"Who else has been attacked?" Yukina asked suddenly. "The demon said he had attacked others, right? Maybe if you find out if they had been blind, you’ll know…?"

"We should pay Dr. Ikari a visit, then," Kuwabara suggested. "We can see if there really is a connection between the blindness and the attacks."

"Good idea," Yusuke said. "I’ll go with you." He turned to Kurama. "What about you two?"

Kurama frowned in thought. "If Hiei is well enough," he started, glancing at his beloved, "maybe we can scout around for the demon while you head to the hospital."

"I’m fine," Hiei assured him. "But what about Keiko? Who’s going to stay with her?"

"I could try putting up a kekkai," Kurama suggested. "It may help."

Yusuke nodded. "With the veils Genkai set in place, it shouldn’t be a problem." He looked to his lover. "Keiko, is that all right with you?"

"I’ll be here with Keiko," Yukina added helpfully.

The brunette nodded. "It’s okay with me."

"Then it’s settled," Kuwabara said. "Let’s go."

[1] The "o" in Fukuro's name actually has a macron over it.

PART FIVE - SWORD DANCE
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