Echoes VI Shadow Lover Jewel-toned eyes stared at him, liquid and accepting, limpid pools in a pale face. He blinked in astonishment, then went on the defensive, pulling his katana from its sheath in an instant, dropping to a low crouch. Despite the fact that he could sense nothing hostile about this strange, fragile-looking beauty, something seemed infinitely wrong about the stranger. He bared his fangs in warning as the stranger stepped closer. “Hiei.” The stranger held up a hand in a gesture of supplication, of peace, but the little Koorime wouldn’t have any of that, backing up further. “Hiei, I won’t hurt you. Listen to me, kudasai.” The beautiful stranger slid closer, stepping into a shaft of light, and Hiei was dazzled for a few moments at the sheer perfection. Flawless white skin, with strange, gemstone eyes with no fixed color, bouncing from a deep, beloved green, to a familiar fiery red, to a shimmering sapphire blue. Full lips curled in a friendly smile, and the face was neither young nor old, nor was it strictly male or female. The body was tall and slender, neither overly feminine or masculine. “Who are you?” he snapped, uneasy by the dark familiar bond that tightened between them; he would have known, remembered, if he had met anyone like this before in the past. It had to be a trick, or something, a plaything of a fevered mind, but whatever this was, it was not real. It couldn't be. Therefore, it was safe to approach creature before him; the stranger was too stunning, too gorgeous to be real. For a moment, he swayed, persuaded by the sheer seductiveness of beauty. He hadn’t been aware he had taken a step forward, until something snapped in his mind, a lightening-shock of pain, and he jerked up short, eyes wide, but unseeing the stranger before him. Instead, images of another bishounen flashed through his mind; laughing bright green eyes, soft red hair, pale skin that sparkled ethereal under the silver light of the moon ... Laughter broke his reverie, and instantly, he was more guarded than before, drawing a sharp breath and hunching his shoulders, glaring in disgust. The stranger was smiling, the most peculiar quirk to the sensual lips, and amusement sparked in the multicolored eyes. Slender, decliate-boned hands folded before the creature’s heart, as it studied him long and hard, one fine eyebrow quirking as if in amusement. “Ah, Hiei,” the thing whispered, in a breathy tone that was almost too quiet too hear, yet so loud it vibrated throughout the world, booming in his mind. “My lovely little avatar.” “Who the hell are you?!” he demanded again, drawing away when the stranger stepped closer, reaching out to touch his face, running a slender finger down the side of his face. “What do you want from me?” The stranger didn’t seem to hear, the strange eyes distant even as they raked slowly over his body. Hiei resisted the urge to blush, channeling his embarrassment and changing it to anger, snarling and crouching lower, bringing the katana up in warning. He had only allowed Kurama to study him with such frank appraisal; it was unnerving, seeing that same playful sparkle in a stranger’s ever-changing eyes, to see his lover’s playful nature reflected in the white face. “You know who I am,” whispered the stranger, bending down so that they were on equal eye-level, watching each other evenly. The slim hands alighted on his shoulders, a feathery touch that he barely felt through his clothing, yet so burning hot that he yelped mentally, wanting to pull away, but unwilling to show his loss of control, staring evenly burning orbs that now reflected earth-brown. When the stranger leaned closer, he closed his eyes tightly, gritting his teeth in angry anticipation. Lips brushed over his forehead, a tender, almost parental gesture, and he could hear that same whispery-loud voice above, the sweet breath ruffling the spiky bangs that fell across his forehead. “My lovely boy, it was I you courted until you found that youko of yours. It was I whose embrace you longed for until your heart was stolen by that silver thief.” There was a soft laugh, one that carried a note of forgiveness. “But I am not upset; oh, no. The way the Web of Fate is woven is something that not even I can change, much as I wish. I want you back, beautiful boy, but you are destined with that fox of yours. As he is yours, you are his, and there is no way I can stand between you.” The stranger drew back, standing, drawing to a full height above him. He watched in dumb surprise as the stranger formed a cup with the slender hands, a glowing ball of yellow-tinged ki appearing. “But you must be careful, beautiful boy,” the stranger whispered, eyes focused now on the ki held between slender hands. “The path you take leads you straight to my bedchamber; while I wish for your cold touch once more, I have no desire to take only half a soul. Would you be able to forgive me - or yourself - if your fox was to suffer harm because of you?” Hiei blinked, an answer ghosting from his lips before he was aware of it. “Never ...” “I did not think so. Lovely boy, I do not wish for your soul in my chamber yet; nor do I wish for that of your beloved. Choose your paths carefully, when you come to the crossroads - a single choice could mean my cold touch instead of your lover’s fiery caress.” The stranger smiled sadly at him, noting the furrow in Hiei’s brow, one caused by confusion at the cryptic words. Once more, the stranger bent down, pressing slim fingers lightly against the closed Jagan. “Live, my little one,” the stranger breathed. “Live, and be strong. Learn the way to defeat me and my ilk.” Cold, soft lips found his, and suddenly, the world fell away from around him, dissolving into a puddle of inky black. Hiei awoke with a start, gasping painfully, his heart hammering in his chest. He looked around sharply, distrustfully, half-expecting to see multicolored crystalline eyes looking calmly back at him. Instead, his eyes made out the dark, bulky shapes of their camp, barely visible in the pitiful starlight. The moon was shaded, half-covered by the dark veils of clouds, sending out on a few weak rays to illuminate the sleeping countryside. Yuusuke was curled on his sleeping roll, not too far away, snoring by the remainders of their fire, which had died down to a pile of ashes and a few sullen coals that had barely a spark left in their hearts. A little further away, Kuwabara was sprawled bonelessly, one large arm thrown over his eyes; Yo-mawari lay crosswise to his head, seemingly relaxed, those his body had the minor tenseness of long-trained reflexes; he had no doubt that, should it come to a fight, both he and his servant would be the most prepared. At his side, Kurama murmured something, snuggling closer, the slender arm draped around Hiei’s waist tightening, pulling him closer as the sleeping human curled around him possessively. He tried to relax in that warm, comforting embrace, listening to his lover’s heartbeat as he tried to calm his own. Glancing up at the familiar features, he saw, for a brief instant, the stranger’s face imprinted over Kurama’s beloved face. Shaking himself, Hiei frowned, pressing closer, wrapping his arms tighter around the slender form against his, as if pressure could assure him he was alive, in reality. His mind was awhirl; confused, he tried to ponder what he had just seen. Who was the beautiful stranger who had spoken to him like any former lover? It made no sense - the only one who Hiei had allowed claim to his affections was the selfsame redhead he now held in his arms. And yet ... he felt like he had known the stranger, like he did know the creature ... “... it was I you courted until you found that youko of yours ...” the voice murmured again, and he shivered at the memory, pressing closer to Kurama’s chest. He had courted no one, had never sought out the comforts of another’s presence until Kurama had entered his life ... And then, he realized, he knew. The words of an old sensei came back to him; the old bastard was long since dead, killed by the only two students he had ever taken in his long life - Hiei and another youkai, a storm-demon, both who had hated the old youkai more than anything at the moment. He had to admit, though, that the words had some merit at times, especially that warning he had given, three weeks before his unfortunate ... accident ... in the Makai woods: “Be wary of what you choose to undertake in your life, for should you try the path of the Fool, you court the attentions of the Shadow-Lover.” “And who the hell is that, you old bastard?” “Hush up, boy,” his sensei had barked, glaring coldly at him with unnerving, sightless brown eyes. The staff he always carried dipped nervously, as if unconsciously obeying its wielder’s desire to smack his student’s head. Hiei had growled in reply, though he stayed close, still wishing to hear the master’s words. “The Shadow-Lover is Death, boy,” the sensei snapped. “You remember that when you do one of those damn stupid suicidal stunts o’ yours. Y’hear?” He growled, but nodded, vanishing into the woods, his mind rolling with dark thoughts; the desire for revenge against that old bastard had burned hot and bright in his mind, and until the day when he finally shoved his katana through that frail body, he had felt vindicated, liberated. The bastard was dead, and he was finally free ... Hiei shook off the memory and nodded. A few times, while staying at inns, he had heard bards and others of their ilk singing tales of the Shadow-Lover; always, they described a beautiful creature, strange and stunning, enticing, loyal, yet flighty in who He chose to bring to His side. And that stranger had claimed courtship with Hiei ... that creature who had been stunning to the point of pain, almost - but not quite - more perfect than the trusting fox who slept in his embrace. As if hearing his name whispered in Hiei’s mind, Kurama stirred, shifting closer, rubbing a cheek against Hiei’s chest before subsiding again, a sleepy smile lifting the corners of his mouth, brightening it like no light ever could. Hiei sighed, pulling away a little to watch the sleeping face; the blinding awe of the Shadow-Lover might have nearly overpowering, but in the sight of his lover’s face, it melted away, pushed back to the shadows of obscurity. He was no psychic, no seer to ponder the twists and turns of a dream. Instead of worrying over it, he pressed closer to his beloved, his lover, and closed his eyes, sighing heavily and willing sleep to return to him. But, even as the drowsy heaviness stole over his body, he heard that same whispery voice call in his mind the same warning ... “... be careful, beautiful boy ...” The morning dawned cold and misty, the sun a pale, heatless parody of itself as it struggled to a higher point in the pale sky. Yuusuke was the first to awake, uncurling his body from his sleeping roll and yawning widely, stretching luxuriously, as if he had spent the night in the little apartment he shared with Keiko, and not this strange Makai territory. Other than the sounds of soft breathing, the world was quiet and infinitely still, and he hugged his knees to his chest, enjoying this odd peacefulness in a world dominated by fighting. He was actually mildly surprised that neither Hiei or Yo-mawari showed signs of stirring; both seemed completely wrapped in their dreams, the latter curled at the edge of their camp, the sharp gleam of his katana plainly visible; the former with his arms tightly around his lover, his usually stern face softened, almost gentle. As he watched, a faint line appeared on the small youkai’s brow, and he muttered something under his breath, burrowing closer to Kurama, who responded by tightening his grip around Hiei’s slender waist. The sight made him smile, the twist to his lips a tad rueful as he pondered his situation; he would have never believed that he harbored a hopeless romantic inside, until he had seen that open expression on Kurama’s face; that one look that said everything. He chuckled to himself and stretched a little, getting to his feet and giving the camp a quick once-over. Everyone was still asleep, and it seemed they would be that way for a while longer; no one would miss him if he went for a short walk ... he shrugged and set off, humming softly to himself. The woods were eerily still; not even the light breezes stirred the thick foliage of the trees. He looked around, noting the odd plants that grew in a twisted mass at the feet of the huge trees, dotted with bright, pretty flowers that nodded, dewdrops turning them into tiny, living jewels. He smiled, bemused, watching as they nodded in the light breezes, half-expecting dewy-eyed forest creatures to emerge and stare back at him. Instead, a large, three-eyed bird in the tree above him ruffled it’s feathers and let out a hoarse call, remarkably like the cawing of a Ningenkai raven. He jerked, startled, looking up at the winged creature as it hopped around on the thick branch, crooning roughly to itself, even as it cocked a head at him and stared, all three brown eyes blinking at him. He raised an eyebrow as it shook itself again, then took off, flapping it’s wings clumsily as it tore through the branches, without any real grace as it careened from sight. Confused, he only shrugged to himself and continued walking. Further into the woods, he saw a small, yellow-green plant forcing its way from the forest ground; he squatted down to get a better look, noting its appearance with surprise and a little apprehension - it looked like a miniature version of the Makai Ojigisou that Kurama had summoned during the Ankoku Bujuutsukai; when he reached out a finger to brush it, the whole plant shivered and turned towards his touch, tiny jaws appearing on what he had first thought to be seed pods and snapping hungrily at him. Startled, he fell back, then scrambled to his feet, backing away from the thing, facing it until its tiny body was hidden by larger bushes. Then, he turned and ran back to camp. Breakfast was a subdued event that morning, the five of them lost in their own thoughts - Hiei and Kurama in particular. They were back on the path to Kuraihana’s home by midmorning, the sun now brighter, stronger, the yellow rays burning away some of the clinging mist. Kurama’s face was grim as they walked, his mind going back over the memory of his two previous encounters with the Creature; once, when he had been a relatively young, stupid kit, just barely learning how to steal; the second time when he and Kuronue and Kuraihana fled through the dark Makai forest, fleeing the deadly creature, and the fight that had ensued that same night, when the Creature had tracked them and attacked. His leg throbbed with remembered pain; he had been terribly lucky, he knew, to escape the fight with only that broken bone; those claws had been aiming for his chest, the poison in them gleaming deadly fire in the darkness. Those images were ones that continued to haunt his nightmares, even now, centuries after they had occurred. The silver scythes cutting the air, making it whistle as it was sliced to ribbons; Kuraihana’s single, piercing scream as her father’s blades slipped and sliced her wing open to the bone, rather than the Creature’s tough hide. Blood pooled around him, drowning out the light of blue eyes; of moonlight on silver-edged weapons; of electric green claws that were almost luminescent with poison ... “Kurama? Daijoubu ka?” he heard Yuusuke’s voice ask from somewhere behind him; somewhere far away, and he startled, snapping back into focus and turning his head to blink at the younger man. There was a veiled concern in the brown eyes that stared evenly back at him, a silent question that went unasked in his words. Kurama nodded once, silently, then looked upwards, squinting into the pale blue-grayness, watching a single ghostly gray-white cloud scudding across the weak sun. “I’m all right,” he said quietly, straightening a little, raising his voice. “Kuraihana’s home isn’t far away, but we’ll have go cut through some of the thicker parts of the forest to save time. It’ll be around midnight by the time we clear the woods.” Kuwabara groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “You ain’t serious,” he complained. “Why do we have to cut through some friggin’ woods to get to her home? Can’t we keep takin’ this path and walk a little faster?” Kurama shook his head in a negative gesture, closing his eyes as he mentally traced over the old paths. “No. When Kuraihana settled in that house, her father devised a series of traps along the free pathway, to keep marauding youkai bands out. I have no idea if they still work, but it wouldn’t be a good idea to test that theory. Going around them would take even longer, and we’d have to pass through some of the more unfriendly territories. The forest is our best and fastest bet.” Yo-mawari nodded sharply, cracking his knuckles, a loud, sharp sound. “All right. We do it that way, then,” he said firmly, the tone of his voice and the hard gleam of his black eyes leaving no room for argument. Kuwabara made one last despairing sound and sighed in resignation, glancing at Yuusuke. The latter shrugged eloquently, but said nothing. He was beginning to suspect that there was something between the black-haired youko, and the faceless healer that he only knew through the short explanation Kurama had given - that the girl was Kuronue’s daughter, and an A-Class healer who had never learned to fight, despite years of wandering with her father and Kurama. Though he had no idea when Yo-mawari could have met her, there was that look on his face, in his hard black eyes, that reminded Yuusuke of himself, where Keiko was concerned; of Kuwabara about Yukina ... Hiei of Kurama. He chuckled to himself at the thought and ducked his head, shooting a surreptitious glance at the twins, then back at the trail ahead. There was little conversation after that; the four of them trailed silently behind Kurama as the redhead turned sharply off the beaten path and pushed into the dark woods, shoving thick branches and trailing vines out of his way. It was eerily still; none of the usual little sounds of life could be heard; despite the mass of plant life that closed around them, the forest seemed like a cemetery. A living graveyard, Yuusuke thought morbidly, then chuckled to himself. He had definitely been watching too many of those badly-dubbed gaijin horror movies; they were starting to get to him. Kurama suddenly paused, his slim frame illuminated for a brief second by the watery sunlight, tilting his face upwards and frowning. He seemed lost in some mental indecision, unable to decide which of the barely-visible paths to take. Tilting his head to one side, he lifted a hand slightly, the barely-curled fist glowing emerald green with his you-ki, the plants obediently moving out of the way at his silent command. He took a hesitant step forward, then froze - as they all did - as a hoarse, shattering shriek echoed through the deadly stillness of the forest. Kurama fell back as if mortally wounded, one hand coming up to grasp convulsively over his heart, grabbing a fistful of his shirt, his green eyes vividly bright and dark at the same time, wide with some unknown horror. Kuwabara was frozen in a similar position, his hands thrown into the air from the unexpected shock of that grating sound. Yuusuke and Yo-mawari blanched at the sound, the horrible keening cry embedded in memory, something neither would ever forget. Hiei’s inscrutable face had darkened marginally; he seemed to be the only one not frozen by the sound. One slender hand moved to the hilt of his katana, ready for an attack, for anything. Kurama seemed to be the worst affected of all; when another shriek split the air, a violent shudder wracked his body and he slid bonelessly to the ground, eyes wide and blank, staring into the leafy darkness of the forest ahead. The second cry had seemed to snap the others out of their stupor, and, concerned, they gathered around their immobilized teammate, Hiei standing apart, eyes narrow as they scanned for any sign of the deadly Creature. “Kurama! Oi, Kurama!” Yuusuke snapped, grabbing the redhead’s shoulder and shaking him violently. The wide eyes that stared expressionlessly into his own were an animal’s, fearful and dumb. Swallowing a bitter, sudden burst of new fear, Yuusuke shook him harder, still garnering no response. “C’mon, Kurama!” he almost pleaded, eyes dancing nervously to Hiei’s dark form, which stood protectively before them, like a guard, though he had no doubt that the Koorime had only the redhead’s safety in mind, then back at his friend - nothing. “Kurama, wake up! Oi, Kurama! Listen to me, you stupid fox!” he bellowed finally, loosing his temper and drawing his fist back, fully intending to smack his friend. A hard, unforgiving grip closed around his wrist, and, startled, he looked up, and shrank under the equally unforgiving ruby glare of Hiei’s eyes. The small youkai’s sword was drawn, sunlight glinting off the wickedly sharp edge, and Yuusuke swallowed nervously again, trying to look away, but found himself trapped by the intensity of the emotion in those bright eyes. For an instant, everything was illuminated in those fiery orbs, and he understood just what kept the redheaded youko at this youkai’s side. Then the veils dropped again, and Hiei’s scowl deepened, the katana waving nervously, like a wolf that had scented wounded prey. There was a warning there, one that he heeded, releasing Kurama’s slender shoulders. Hiei moved with an easy grace and swiftness, dropping to his knees and catching Kurama, stopping the latter from slumping even further. There was silence as Hiei held his lover, saying nothing, only keeping a light grip around the slender waist; Kuwabara and Yuusuke both shifted, uncomfortable, looking away. Yo-mawari also shifted, though from nervous tension and anticipation than anything else; his black eyes kept darting around, half-expecting the Creature to come crashing out, claws glittering venom, madness in it’s eyes. Hiei closed his eyes briefly, searching. :Kurama ... ?: His mental touch only found an animalistic fear, a terror that blotted out everything else; rational thought and calculation fled from Kurama’s mind, leaving a blank void of memories and dread. For a moment, his mind’s view changed to a dark plain, the sky violet-blue, crackling with veins of electric green lightening, and felt a cold chill thread it’s way down his spine. There was a bright explosion of confusing, jumbled images, and he could barely sort them all out - fire pain blood blue eyes kuraihana screaming sharp metal scythes cutting air bellowing kuronue shouting himself moving too late too late claws moving towards him couldn’t move too late too late pain shooting in leg darkness sharp yellow-brown eyes and hatred anger fear fear fear ... - Hiei broke the connection with a sharp jerk and a gasp, breathing heavily. He could feel a hand on his shoulder - Yo-mawari’s concerned face floated into view - and he shook it off, tearing his gaze away from Kurama’s blank face with an immense force of will. Within a few seconds, he had regained his composure and his bearings, rising to his feet with a sharp, quick motion. “Hiei? What’s wrong with Kurama?” Kuwabara demanded shrilly, eyes darting nervously around; the Rei-Ken glowing sickly orange in his hands, illuminating his face, fear and the pale light changing his face into something almost demonic. Hiei scowled at his sister’s fiancée, glancing around the glade quickly before replying. “He’s trapped in his memories. Whatever happened the last time he met this ... this thing, it wasn’t pleasant. His memories have woven a trap for him, like a spider’s web. I have no idea how to wake him up,” he concluded softly; only Yo-mawari saw the faint slump to Hiei’s shoulders as the small youkai finished; only the servant saw the master’s hidden grief. He stepped forward, kneeling at his brother’s side, touching his shoulder lightly. :Kyodai ... can you hear me?: he asked with a mental whisper, searching Kurama’s face. Only blinding fear; only an overwhelming sense of grief and anger. Pulling free from his brother’s mind, he stood, gesturing to Kuwabara. “Oi, Kuwabara-kun - help me with kyodai ...” he instructed, tugging a limp arm over his shoulders and pulling to his feet. The large man nodded silently, lifting the slender redhead easily, settling him gently over his shoulder and glancing sideways at Yuusuke. The leader of the Urameshi Team was lost in thought, studying the two paths before them. Kurama was the only one who really knew the way to Kuraihana’s home; now that the youko was somewhat ... indisposed ... there was really no other option, save making camp in this tiny, cramped clearing and hope that Kurama would wake himself up, and soon. “That settles it, then,” he said softly, as if to himself. “Unless we can wake Kurama up, we’re stuck ...” he shuddered from the memory of that horrible scream; from the grim look on his friend’s face as the latter spoke briefly of what he knew of that creature. “Oi, Urameshi! What the hell are you babbling about?” Kuwabara snapped peevishly, shifting a little in place, adjusting Kurama’s slight weight on his shoulder. “What’s the plan?” He frowned, glaring at his friend. “The plan is to stay here and hope Kurama wakes up. If he doesn’t snap out of it by ... um ... tomorrow evening, we’ll return to the Reikai and get someone to guide us. Of course, that’s only if certain whining idiots can keep their mouths shut. All right?” He folded his arms across is chest in a gesture of petulant defiance, raising an eyebrow. Kuwabara sighed heavily, glancing at his comatose burden and nodding. “Hai. I guess so ...” he muttered, carefully setting Kurama down so that the redhead sat with his back to a tree, then shrugged off the packs he wore, opening them and tugging his sleeping roll out. “And to think I used to like camping ...” he added, as an afterthought, settling the roll in a tiny corner, crouching on his haunches and looking up at the others. Hiei crouched beside his lover, carefully passing a hand over the wide eyes, pressing them closed. Kurama’s slender form shuddered once at the touch, then went bonelessly relaxed, slumping in place. Hiei easily caught him, easing him gently to lie on the ground, brushing a light hand over the high forehead, pushing some of the thin, fiery strands from Kurama’s now-peaceful face. Yo-mawari crouched at Kurama’s other side, trying once more to reach the blank mind. :Kyodai? Daijoubu desu ka?: he asked, holding his breath hopefully, waiting for a reply. Nothing. Disappointed, he pulled away and stood, nodding to Hiei. “He’s all yours, Meijin,” the black-haired youko murmured. “Not that I ever had any doubt, but ... I think I’ll do some scouting,” he blurted, turning away. It was depressing, in a way, seeing his brother so still and lifeless; he had to turn away before he said or did anything he would later regret. No one looked up as he left the clearing; Yuusuke and Kuwabara were setting up camp, and Hiei was completely immersed in watching Kurama, not touching, but very close. They set up a cycle of watches, dividing the night into quarters. After hearing evidence of the Creature’s presence nearby, none were willing to take chances. Kuwabara would be first, then Yo-mawari, Yuusuke, and, finally, Hiei. The large man grumbled his lot as he watched his companions settle down for the night, leaning heavily with his back against a tree and staring through the thick canopy, watching the sky change from evening to night. He could see only a thin sliver of the moon, burning golden and silver in the dark navy sky, surrounded by the scattered diamond pinpoints of stars. It was veiled by a thin wreath of silver-tinged clouds, as if the moon were white-hot, sending off clouds of smoke. The night was terribly quiet; he could barely hear the sounds of soft breathing all around him, and for a moment, it seemed as if he were all alone in the world, caught in a place of stillness and darkness which he couldn’t break free from. Then Yuusuke shifted, snorting something in his sleep and scratching his forehead lightly as he resettled and went still again. A thin shaft of moonlight lit across the other man’s face, a pale strip over his eyes, and for a moment, Kuwabara remembered that confusing, lonely time when the other man was dead - when his best friend and his chief rival had lain in a coffin, killed by the blow of a car. He allowed his gaze to travel around the glade, barely able to pick out Yo-mawari’s dark figure from the shadows where the youko lay. The only way his presence was revealed was by his pale skin, glinting in the moonlight, a barely visible glow that was almost missed. He noted absently that the dark-haired youko was curled slightly, like a sleeping fox, one arm draped over his eyes. When he looked at Hiei, who slept in a seated position next to Kurama’s head, an eerie chill swept through him, like the rake of icy fingers down his back. He shuddered, pulling his knees close to his chest and frowning as he studied the two youkai. Hiei’s head was tilted back slightly, his face and form barely relaxed, only a fraction less tense than it was when the Koorime was awake. The katana lay his hip, one slender hand resting lightly on the hilt, ready to spring into full awareness and kill anyone who dared come close to him or his lover. And Kurama ... the chill turned into a frigid burn when Kuwabara stared at the youko. Kurama’s pale face was almost ghostly in the moon’s light, the red curve of his lashes and curls of his hair nearly black by the bleaching glow. He looked more like his twin than ever now, eyes closed, lips slightly parted, coloring drained by the night’s phosphorus light. Kuwabara closed his eyes briefly, only for a quick blink, and something exploded in his mind; a bright shattering of lights and sounds and he jerked, startled, a fierce throb starting in his temples. Helpless to move or cry out, the psychic was forced to watch as scenarios washed over him with a blinding speed and intensity, leaving him dazed. He could hear voices shouting a name - two names - Kurama - Hiei - and the sound of a body crashing to the ground; of footsteps pounding across wet forest leaves. He saw dark shadows resolve themselves into the faces and forms of himself and his friends, full of a grim determination that arose a sense of dread in his breast. Yo-mawari had his katana drawn, a fox-like snarl twisting his face into an expression of pure hatred. Hiei had an equally cold look on his face, and the white bandages wrapped around his lower arm were glowing with an eerie black fire. Kurama, however, seemed to hover apart from the rest, and his whole body seemed to be fading, flickering in and out of view, like some pale, wandering ghost. Only the eyes were bright as ever, clear green orbs that were full of a variety of emotions - fear, love, pain, worry, anger - all swirling in a veil of crystalline emerald. As he watched, Kurama’s slender form dissipated and Hiei stopped, shuddering, going deadly pale, eyes widening in what seemed to be real despair. Even as the other three moved to support him, the little youkai fell to his knees, burying his face in his hands. A single black tear-gem appeared through the cup of his hands, falling to the ground and shattering. The dark shards of the tear-gem flew outward, expanding. He saw a dark, red-eyed dragon twining protectively around a wounded silver fox; another fox with black dappling his silver fur sitting on a moonlit hill, a delicate black rose clenched in his jaws; he saw a giant phoenix, glowing with blue fire, it’s head thrown back, keening a wordless praise to the sun and sky. And, overshadowing it all, was a feeling of pure malevolence; a sheer hatred that seemed to suck the breath from Kuwabara’s lungs, leaving him weak and gasping. Then he was back in a place of dark stillness, the only light coming from the glow of the Rei-Ken. He clutched it’s hilt like a lifeline, taking a cautious step forward, forging into the darkness. Every movement he made seemed to scream to him a warning; there was danger nearby; immense and terrible; he wasn’t sure if he could beat it alone. There was a shuffling sound, and he saw it. Tall - no, huge - towering a good seven feet over him. He gurgled a cry of fear, falling back, raising the Rei-Ken in self-defense. The thing seemed to laugh, and a huge, sweeping claw appeared, illuminated by the orange glow of the spirit sword, giving him just enough warning to leap out of the way. A shrill scream tore itself from Kuwabara’s throat as he leapt out of the way, panting more out of fear and the adrenaline rush than anything else. The chilling laughter seemed to echo in the darkness once more, and he could feel the thing draw itself higher, it’s claws coming down for a death-stroke - - he heard a loud, piercing wail, and thought it was himself - - and the claws were still coming - - and he awoke, shrieking hoarsely, realizing after a few terrified moments that it wasn’t entirely his voice he heard. The Creature. The Tamashii-Satsujinhan’nin. It was hunting. It was coming. Now. Kuwabara leapt to his feet, rushing to Yuusuke and kicking at the other man, screaming hysterically. “Oi! Urameshi! Urameshi! Wake up! Wake UP, you idiot!” he bellowed, dropping to his knees and shaking the other man violently. “WAKE UP!!” Yuusuke thrashed awake, shaking his head and glaring. He opened his mouth to say something to Kuwabara - an insult, an order to go back to sleep - when that same scream rent the nighttime air again, and he clamped his mouth closed, shoving Kuwabara away so he could sit up. Yo-mawari was already awake on his own; as was Hiei; both had their katanas unsheathed, ready for battle. Kurama continued to remain unmoving, still trapped in the web that his own memories had woven for him. Yo-mawari cast his brother a despairing, loving look, then straightened, his eyes flat and hard, like twin chips of flint in a white marble face. “It’s hunting.” “Hai,” Yuusuke murmured softly in reply, his left hand grasping his right wrist, the free hand pointing itself like a child with a play-gun. His brown eyes were also hard, and he was tense - they all were - ready for a battle that was sure to come. The Creature would pick up the scent of youkai and human blood, irresistibly drawn to the souls that their bodies harbored, hungry to try and find redemption for it’s soulless existence. “Are you ready?” “Hai.” Hiei tensed slightly, his head swinging to glare at the south end of the glade. “Then move,” he hissed angrily, bringing his katana up and pointing it, like the needle of a compass. The other three moved, gathering around him, Yo-mawari bending to tug his brother’s limp body behind him, the only member of their team unable to defend himself protected by his four teammates; the Creature would have to kill them all to get to the sleeper. The thing burst through with a roar, that same mind-numbing, horrifying wail. It was a thousand times more hideous in real life - the veins pulsed under translucent skin, pumping in time with the worm-eaten heart. The fangs curved past it’s jutting lower lip in a fierce growl, and the narrow violet eyes were insane with hunger and a bitter desire. The fluorescent green of it’s back and claws was bleached by moonlight, a pale, glowing green, a color that seemed to induce illness from the pit of the stomach. A narrow, gray-pink, snakelike tongue darted from the depths of it’s mouth to slaver across the chipped fangs, coating them with saliva - a potent venom on it’s own. “Flank it,” Yuusuke commanded in a low voice. “Hiei, take it’s right; Yo-mawari, take it’s left. Kuwabara, stay with Kurama.” He straightened, narrowing his eyes. “I’ll face it head-on.” The others nodded - this was no time to complain about jobs - and the two youkai split up, taking their designated point as Yuusuke stepped forward, raising his joined hands and pointing. Kuwabara positioned himself protectively before Kurama’s prone body, raising the Rei-Ken, as if daring the Creature to best Yuusuke and come after him. “Attack at once,” Yuusuke whispered, remembering the few texts he had read on battle strategy. “Knock it off balance with the force of your power, then withdraw and keep your strength veiled until the situation calls for something desperate. He pointed his index finger at the Creature, the tip beginning to glow blue-white as his reiki gathered on that point. “REI-GUN!” he shouted suddenly, focusing and forcing the energy out, the hot glow of reiki burning and illuminating the cramped glade in a burst of unnatural light. The Creature snarled something, raising it’s clawed hands, the palms facing Yuusuke, as if it intended the catch the blast. And it did. It stumbled back from the unexpected force, then straightened, almost seeming to laugh as it stared blankly at Yuusuke, mindless hunger in it’s eyes as it lumbered forward, raising it’s claws upwards, ready to sweep downwards and slice into vulnerable flesh. There was a black flash, and the Creature paused, bellowing in pain and whirling with surprising speed in a loosely controlled circle, blindly searching for it’s assailant. A long, narrow gash had been opened in it’s shoulder, bleeding, a slow gray-green ooze. Hiei lifted his katana blade slightly, studying the copious mess that stained the blade’s sharp, bright steel edge, then smiled, an unpleasant, feral grin that was almost as disturbing as the small, growling noises the Creature made. Once more, a black flash moved past the Creature, and a twin gash opened in it’s other shoulder as it screamed again, a paralyzing sound. Yo-mawari barely regained his balance on the tree branch, swaying dizzily, black eyes dazed. Then he shook himself, glaring coldly at the Creature as it drew itself up higher and gnashed its teeth. His blade dripped with the same grayish slime that marred Hiei’s blade, evidence of his actions. Yuusuke gritted his teeth and frowned, lifting his fist again, calling the Rei-Gun once more. This time, with the Creature unprepared, the ki-attack hit home, sending it stumbling backwards, roaring, furious. It straightened, and it’s violet eyes flashed, and Yuusuke gulped. He had the feeling he had done a bad thing; and from the stricken looks on his friends’ faces, he knew they felt the same thing. The Creature shook itself violently, then seemed to smile. It gathered itself, like a cat about the pounce, then lumbered forward, moving with a terrible, unexpected speed, raising it’s claws in deadly intent. Yuusuke drew back sharply, glancing back at Kuwabara. The larger man had deactivated the Rei-Ken and was lifting Kurama, settling the slender redhead on his shoulder and crouching, ready to leap out of the way. Both Hiei and Yo-mawari sprung at that moment, katanas glittering, Hiei’s free fist glowing with black fire. The Creature moved smoothly, sidestepping Hiei’s slash and batting Yo-mawari from the air, sending the dark-haired youko to crash heavily through several trees, sliding to the forest ground, dazed. It turned and seemed to smile at Hiei, slashing at his chest. The small youkai dodged, the razor claw-tips ripping the fabric of his shirt, rather than shredding flesh. Hiei bit out a curse and leapt back, shedding the garment and watching as it fluttered to the ground. Within a few minutes, the acid of the venom had eaten away at the cloth entirely, leaving only a few strips of black fabric to show there had ever been a shirt. “K’so,” Yuusuke whispered, his sentiment echoed by Hiei as the small youkai leapt again and the human leapt from the way. Kuwabara let out a shriek and clambered out of the way, and the Creature plowed into a tree, shattering the trunk and sending slivers of wood flying everywhere. Yo-mawari groaned, sitting up slowly, one hand pressed against his forehead, coming away wet when he pulled it back. He stared at his bloody hand and spat a curse under his breath. “Kuraihana-san is going to be pissed as hell when we get to her house,” he thought blankly, wincing as he felt the sharp throb of pain split through his brain. “Oww ...” he muttered, trying to get to his feet and swaying violently, one hand resting heavily against a tree for support. “’Wari! Look out, you idiot!” Hiei’s voice snapped, and Yo-mawari’s head popped up, eyes wide as he watched those deadly claws make an arch towards him. He tried to lift his katana to parry the blow, but the lightheaded ache that ran through his body told him he wouldn’t be strong enough; he was still too dazed from that earlier blow; it would be like a kitten trying to stop a tiger. He gritted his teeth and held his ground; maybe he would be killed; but he wouldn’t go without a fight. The clang of steel meeting with hard, knotted flesh, startled him, and he peeked one eye open. Hiei stood before him, blocking the blow for him, giving him time to move out of the way, something he took advantage of immediately, stumbling like a drunk and shaking his head, trying to clear it of that distracting ringing sound. He fell to his knees and watched as the Creature blinked, surprised, confused, unable to understand why the seemingly helpless prey had suddenly been able to fight back. Hiei’s face was hard, emotionless, like a statue. As Yo-mawari watched, his upper lip curled back in a snarl, revealing the fine, sharp teeth, and the bandages of his arm began to burn, black fire running from wrist to elbow. The youko’s eyes widened as he realized what Hiei intended to do, and he struggled to his feet, trying to make his voice work past the lump that had risen in his throat. “Me - Meijin! Yameru!!” he gasped, falling over onto his hands and knees, staring in horror. Hiei gave no indication of hearing, and the bandages of Ijyu Taihou beginning to fall away. He could see the curving, sinuous body of the Kokuryuuha on Hiei’s arm, the ridges of it’s back as it writhed, waiting to be released. “Hiei-meijin! Listen to me!” he tried again, crawling forward, then stopping as a wave of dizziness swept over him. “If you use the Kokuryuuha here, we’ll all be killed! You, me, the Creature, Kuwabara-kun, Yuusuke-kun ...” he paused, then took a deep breath “... and Kurama! Stop it, do you hear? Do you really want to be responsible for Kurama’s death! Stop it!” At the mention of Kurama’s name, Hiei faltered, and though he didn’t move, the black fire that raced across his arm died down, dissolving into ashes. His snarl deepened, and suddenly, he freed his blade from it’s locked position with the Creature’s hand and flickered from sight. Yo-mawari breathed a mental sigh of relief as he pulled himself back to his feet and swayed, watching as Hiei appeared next to Kuwabara and said something to the large man in a low voice. Kuwabara glanced at him, then nodded once and knelt, gently lowering Kurama to the ground. Hiei knelt beside his lover and touched the parted lips, then looked at Kuwabara and nodded. The Rei-Ken sprang to life in Kuwabara’s hands, and the large man sprang forward, taking a place at Yuusuke’s side as Yo-mawari shuffled over to join them. Once more, the Creature seemed confused, it’s blind purple eyes flickering over the three that stood before him. They rested for a long minute on Yo-mawari, then moved on to glare at Yuusuke, and then, finally, Kuwabara. It raised its arms again, crossing them slightly above it’s head, and brought them down with a sharp, stabbing movement, sparks dancing from where edge scraped edge. The seeming smile deepened, and suddenly, it was running straight at them. There was no time to think; only react in the natural instinct, and they all leapt to avoid the Creature’s huge, lumbering body, Yuusuke shooting the Rei-Gun again as it lumbered by. Once again, the Creature only shrugged the ki-attack off, continuing it’s unstoppable course towards Hiei and Kurama. Yo-mawari hit the ground hard and rolled to a crouch, one hand rubbing lightly at his shoulder, swearing profusely under his breath. The little shuriken youkai that had served him so loyally were not there; he had left them in the Reikai, foolishly believing that the five of them would be enough. He had never expected his brother to withdraw into himself, and he certainly never expected anything to huge to be so damn fast. He spat another brief curse and staggered back to his feet, and felt his blood run cold as he watched it bear down on his brother and his master. Cries were lost in the Creature’s triumphant scream; it seemed to be assured of a meal, of a soul to drain and absorb. Hiei stood his ground, staring evenly into those mad violet eyes, unwavering, unafraid. “Meijin! Move!” Yo-mawari cried in despair, his command echoed by Yuusuke and Kuwabara as they watched in horror. It all happened so fast, so fast; Yo-mawari’s eyes were dazed by the sequence. One moment, Hiei was standing there, alone, watching his death rushing to him, and then, a slender, delicate figure had risen behind him in a smooth, swift motion. It could be only one creature, and Yo-mawari repressed a shout of both joy and warning as his brother turned, green eyes clear and focused; the net of memories had been lifted. And then he wanted to scream again; once more grief and horror rocked him as Kurama moved, unthinking, shoving Hiei from the Creature’s path and standing there instead. The thing literally bowled Kurama, the youko’s slender form no match for the Creature’s bulk, and the redhead was sent flying, much in the same way his twin had, earlier, and the first two “fingers” of the Creature’s claws hit home, sinking deep into Kurama’s leg and wrenching free in a spray of blood. Silence. Kurama fell to the ground with a hard thud, breathing heavily, deadly pale as he clutched the gouging wounds on his leg. The Creature towered over him, insanely triumphant, leaning down, it’s narrow pink tongue flickering out, towards the blood and the open wounds, ready to lap it up, to drain Kurama’s body of blood and soul. The youko tensed, tried to pull away, but the paralyzing affects of the poison had taken root; he was unable to move as the thing descended. But the Creature had forgotten something, lost in its primitive glee. Its prey was not alone. It had friends - and protective friends, at that. The Creature threw its head back and screamed in pain, a horrible, warbling cry as Yuusuke cried out something unknown, blasting the thing with more power than he had ever used before. And yet, strangely, he didn’t feel drained as he prepared for another, Kuwabara lunging forward and plunging the Rei-Ken deep into the thing’s body. It screamed again and tore away, tripping over Kurama’s prone body and staring at them in anger and confusion. Hiei’s face was cold and distant, and the anger that boiled in his red eyes was enough to make even the Creature pause. His bandages began to glow again, a warning, and Yo-mawari either didn’t notice or didn’t, his dark form blending out into the silver perfection of his true youko form. With cold precision, the Koorime and the youko faced the thing that had wounded and condemned their one link, the one that ranked above all others in their lives. The Tamashii-Satsujinhan’nin might have been primitive, only caring for it’s next meal and victim, but it was not stupid. It knew danger when it saw it, and now it recoiled, hissing angrily, foiled of it’s prey, the long tail thrashing angrily, the spines that crowned the tail tip waving like tiny flags. It screamed again, then hissed as the pair took a deliberate, slow step towards it. A seed glowed in the palm of Yo-mawari’s hand; though he did not have his brother’s finesse in controlling plants, he had learned enough in his years in Obasan’s home. The golden-eyed youko watched the Creature’s reaction calmly as the seed began to glow, shooting out thousands of thick, trailing vines, each like a tiny hand reaching out hungrily. Not the Shokuyu Shokubatsu, but something with an equal hunger, easier to control than the youkai-eating plant. Yo-mawari’s smile was definitely unpleasant as the vines trailed further, swerving around Kurama’s body and reaching for the Creature. Hiei’s expression was equally grim, the grin anything but cheerful as the bandages fell away completely and the Kokuryuuha lifted it’s black head and glared at the Creature with empty red eyes. The gaping jaws opened and snapped shut again, hungry. They stepped forward again, the Creature howled once more, before turning and lumbering into the undergrowth, like any coward. They could hear the crashing of it’s huge body as it moved through the forest, the snuffling sounds of it’s heavy breath, hateful sounds that eventually faded into the distance. The two relaxed, though only marginally, and the youko’s form darkened, returning to the more familiar ningen form as Yo-mawari drooped and sighed. Hiei, however, paid no heed to his servant - once the Kokuryuuha was subdued again, he whirled and ran to his lover’s side, dropping to his knees and staring at Kurama’s face with something akin to desperation on his face. He started to reach out for one of Kurama’s blood-covered hands, then froze, his hand trembling with the effort - whether it was to stop himself from reaching out, or to keep going, none could tell as the other three gathered around him. “Kurama, you idiot,” Hiei whispered finally, in a broken voice. “What did you do that for?” Kurama opened one eye, then closed it tightly again as a fresh wave of pain wracked his body. He coughed before answering, and dark flecks of blood appeared on his lips, making them gleam red. “I ... I had to ...” he said softly, his voice barely audible. “If ... if I had just lain there and let that ... that thing ... do this to you, I would never have forgiven myself ...” Kurama drew in a deep, sharp breath, and shuddered again, leaning towards Hiei, eyes sliding open again. “I’m cold,” he whispered. “So very cold ...” Without thought, Hiei reached out and enfolded his lover in an tight embrace, closing his eyes and channeling his own you-ki in an attempt to warm the youko. Kurama’s eyes started to slide shut again, and he whispered once more: “So ... so cold ... cold ...” Hiei closed his eyes tightly and rocked his lover, unable to speak. :Kurama,: he thought desperately, praying his lover could hear him through the fog of pain and poison, :Don’t you dare leave me. If - if you die - damn it, fox, if you die on me, I’ll never forgive you!: There was no answer; only the muted sense of his lover’s ki. And beyond that, nothing. And, through the blackness behind his tightly-closed eyes, Hiei saw that same beautiful creature that had visited his dreams the night before; that same stunning, smiling beauty that made his heart ache, very much in the same way Kurama’s perfection did. The Shadow-Lover. He tensed and hissed at it, tightening his grip on Kurama. “I won’t let you take him, you bastard,” he spat, pulling his lover’s limp body closer to him. The Shadow-Lover only shook His head sadly, His eyes sad as He watched the two lovers. “I am not here for him, beautiful boy,” He said softly. “I am here to warn you once more: be wary on the path you trod, or you will send both you and your beautiful fox spiraling into the darkness ...” And then the Shadow-Lover was gone, and Hiei was left with his teammates, holding his dying lover. He was trembling, he noted absently, as he looked upwards, lifting his head slowly to stare at the sky. “Damn it,” he whispered, rocking Kurama still. “It’s not fair. You’ve taken almost everyone else ... I won’t let You have him.” He took a deep breath, and, to the surprise of the others, screamed. “DO YOU HEAR ME, YOU COLD-HEARTED BASTARD?!?! I WON’T LET YOU HAVE HIM!!!!”