Chapter Five: Technique

The fox prowled through its woods, hunting. Hunting the black dragon. The dance was unfinished, for the dragon was gone. It was still somewhere on the fox’s lands, the fox could feel it. But the fox couldn’t find it. And this made the fox very nervous indeed. Where was the dragon? Running away? Or setting an ambush? In its woods, the fox carefully continued the hunt.

   ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...

Kurama woke, shivering. He wasn’t used to feeling frightened in his own territory. His territory was his own. It was a place of refuge and power that Yoko had very carefully staked out and tended and controlled. Every plant in there was one he had nursed from a seed. He knew every centimeter of the land. The animals that wandered in, he watched and controlled. For some it was a refuge. For others, it was Yoko’s hunting ground. That was the nature of land. But Kurama had never had the frightening experience of being hunted on his own land.

With a sigh, Kurama sat up and stretched. I haven’t been back to Yoko’s lands in fifteen years. I wonder who’s taken them over? Or is everybody still too wary of Yoko to even approach them? He grinned, maybe… I should set up a territory as Kurama. That… would be fun, and interesting. He would have to be careful, very careful so not to make enemies that could track down his interests in the human world. But to redesign, to start a new territory, new plants, new structure… Kurama thought it would be a worthwhile project indeed. It would be a long time before he would feel comfortable reclaiming Yoko’s identity and territory. It would be good to have one as Kurama instead.

A low groan interrupted Kurama’s reflections and he sat up, "Hiei?" There was only silence and he looked around. The demon was nowhere to be seen. Kurama got up and started prowling around the area, sniffing carefully for traces of Hiei’s scent. Finally, he found Hiei curled up asleep on the tree branch he’d been sitting on the night before. I should have looked there first. The small demon was shivering in his sleep. Kurama wondered that he didn’t fall out. Carefully, he climbed the tree and maneuvered to sit down next to Hiei. Hiei – do you have nightmares every night? Not a very good survival trait, this deep sleeping. Kurama doubted very much that it was a normal trait of the demon. Maybe… maybe the demon was relaxed enough in Kurama’s presence that he let out some of his self-reliance. And with all those years of self-restraint… Nightmares might be the least to come out. Tenderly, thinking of brave strong Hiei, trusting him, Kurama reached out and gently stroked the soft fur of the demon’s hair. Hiei rolled over on the branch, somehow managing to keep his balance the entire time. And he shifted his body away from Kurama’s touch.

Kurama rolled his eyes, "Oh come on, Hiei – do you want me or not?" Unexpectedly, he felt hurt by the move. Just wait a bit longer, Hiei. Just a bit more. Don’t leave yet. But he knew the fire demon would wait. Hiei was Kurama’s. Kurama had stolen the demon, and Kurama would keep him. Even if it meant changing his own life to do so. Kurama reached out and shook Hiei gently, "Hiei, wake up."

Red eyes showed under the lids and then Hiei sat up, swinging his legs over the tree branch. He sat there for a moment, then jumped down.

Kurama huffed, "Geez, Hiei… how about a ‘good morning’ at least?" You leave me so readily…

"It’s morning. We’ll find out later whether it’s good or not," Hiei’s dry tones drifted up to Kurama. He hadn’t gone far. The fox laughed and jumped down to join his demon.

   ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...

Later, when they were ready for their day, Kurama grinned at Hiei, "Well, shall we go after Uranth next? If you beg me, I’ll let you have him."

With a glower, Hiei turned in that direction and silently headed off. Still grinning, Kurama followed.

   ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...

"Hiei," Kurama carefully avoided stepping in the pooling blood as he walked to his partner, "what’s the point of slicing the poor thing into two hundred pieces? It’s dead already with the first!"

Hiei grunted, putting his cape back on, "Not necessarily."

"Huh?" Kurama blinked.

After a considering glance at the fox, Hiei said seriously, "Most demons have incredible healing powers ingrained in their genes. Some more powerful than others. Slicing a demon in half doesn’t automatically kill it. Beyond that complication, there is also the matter of vital organs. There are over four thousand classes of demons in the demon world. Of those, maybe about a third keep their hearts in their chest. Roughly three-fourths keep a brain in their heads. Some don’t have chests or heads. Several have more than one brain." Hiei prodded a tail part with his boot toe, and then squatted down next to it, flipping it to show the sideways cut and internal bits, "This demon kept a brain in each tail," and he pointed out the small grey matter.

"It’s smaller than a walnut!" Kurama protested, mostly for fun – he knew basic biology and the demon had already made his point with the first sentence. But Kurama was curious to see how much more lecture he was going to get. He rather liked listening to Hiei’s rich deep voice – when it wasn’t snarling at him. Actually… he liked it then too. Kurama grinned – he just liked listening to Hiei, period.

"That’s not the thinking brain, it’s an action brain. Just designed to control the tail. If I didn’t slice that part of the tail, the tail would continue to move around, with no direction, but if those spikes connected, the guidance wouldn’t have been needed."

Kurama glanced around at all the small body parts, "You’re not going to tell me it had walnut brains everywhere in its body."

Hiei grinned briefly, "No. It’s… precaution." He glanced around, following Kurama’s gaze, "Maybe I overdid it on this one just a bit." He shrugged, "The multiple slices are designed so I can use the attack against any type of demon, even one that moves its vital organs around."

Kurama put a hand to his chest involuntarily.

"I wasn’t trying to kill you," Hiei growled. And turned before blurring away.

No, you weren’t. Kurama’s lips curved in a smile as he followed. Nor Yusuke either with that sort of a strike. Now that I know more of your methods. What were you expecting Yusuke to do? What would he have done, if I hadn’t intervened? For a long moment, Kurama thought about it. Humans were frailer than ghosts, not having much control over their weak rei and therefore no control over their bodies. But that didn’t necessarily mean their bodies were that much weaker. Kurama’s present body was very nearly a true human’s. Yet the sword hadn’t killed him because his rei was stronger. He had automatically stopped the blood flow out and shunted all his rei power to the wounded area to start repairs immediately. It was a damn serious wound, and had laid him out for nearly a week. But not fatal. Now, Yusuke was a human and not a ghost… but his rei power was stronger than Kurama’s own. He didn’t seem to do any automatic healing on minor injuries... but what would he have done with a sword through his chest? Hiei had suppressed the control factor on Ghost Slayer. And Yusuke wasn’t a ghost. So it would have just been the major damage much like Kurama’s. How would Yusuke have reacted to that? It was very likely that he wouldn’t have died on the spot; his will to live was much stronger than Kurama had seen in any other human. So… would Yusuke have instinctively drawn his power in? And what would Hiei have done then? It was an interesting enough question to keep Kurama occupied until he reached the next town.

   ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...

As he approached it, a dark shape fluttered down to land next to him and walk beside him. Kurama glanced over and smiled, "So, who gets this demon?"

Hiei glanced up, "You do."

Kurama looked down, a smile on his lips, "Why?" The demon was, again, of a higher class than himself.

"I want to see you dance." Hiei’s voice was low, deep, and serious. His red eyes glittered. And he licked his lips.

Kurama blinked, taken aback by the directness of Hiei’s focus. He’d… Well, Kurama hadn’t exactly forgotten about that part of Hiei’s offer of friendship, but he’d put thinking about it to one side. Under the intensity of that regard, Kurama blushed and didn’t say anything more.

Hiei grinned at Kurama’s reaction, but he didn’t turn the focus away. This time, this dance, he would watch Kurama. Oh, yes, he would watch. Not evaluating, not worrying. Simply watching the beauty of the fox’s dance – and most especially, the beauty of the fox.

   ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...

They walked into the town together. Side by side. The tall red-haired human in the russet and amber Chinese tunic, walking gracefully, drawing eyes to his perfection of form and feature. The short black-haired figure in a black cloak with a white scarf, gliding next to the other with moves that didn’t even seem to touch the ground, yet the darkness had eyes passing him over, not noticing him as people’s attention focused on the more easily seen beauty. Together, they walked down the shop streets to a small back alley where the less prosperous gathered. Many hours later, they walked out again, together.

   ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...

"Was that too long?"

"In some ways, not long enough."

Kurama blushed red enough to match his hair. He really wasn’t used to being on this end of things. Normally, he was the pursuer. The stark hungry appraising look from the demon kept reminding him that the music had changed in mid-dance. I hadn’t finished the chase yet!

With a chuckle, Hiei relented, "Better. You made the end much quicker."

Kurama stayed silent. He hadn’t planned to… but he could see the terror in the demon’s eyes, and while normally he liked to pull it out until the last chance of escape was gone, he’d glanced over… and seen the disapproval in Hiei’s eyes. Where, through most of the dance, he’d only seen delight and appreciation. So, Kurama had ended it, not for pity of the demon he was fighting, but rather for the demon that was watching. Is that what Hiei had felt like? Seeing my nets closing in on him, watching me sneak through his walls? Did he truly see it coming that far in advance? Kurama glanced down, but pulled his eyes away before he met Hiei’s gaze. Was he that frightened, by me?

They walked silently along, together.

   ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...

"Yours?" Kurama’s green eyes laughed at Hiei.

"Mine," Hiei agreed, studying the temple. He’d done the preliminary layout the day before, but this ghost was a smart one. It would be good to do a quick reconnaissance to double-check everything. He started to blur off, then thought of something. "Wait here," he addressed the fox, "And don’t broadcast your youki." Then he was gone.

Kurama grinned to himself – Hiei had almost forgotten Kurama was there, intent on the job. And that, also, was a measure of the trust the demon gave him.

When he was ready, Hiei walked out in front of the temple. He let his rei flare out around him and he projected his voice while speaking in low tones, "Figitatha. You are challenged by Hiei."

A moment went by and then a skinny human in priest’s clothes came out from the Gate, squinting at the black form, "Dear me, visitors? Our Shrine doesn’t get many of those."

"Probably because you suck out their souls when they do come," remarked Hiei dryly. "Figitatha. I challenge you."

"Not all of them," the priest replied vaguely. He pulled out a pair of glasses and put them on, absently gazing around. Then he took them off and scratched his head, "By golly – you really are a demon. It’s been a long time since I’ve had visitors here."

"ARE YOU GOING TO RESPOND TO MY CHALLENGE OR NOT!!!!!!!!!!!?" 

The human patted his hair back in place from the sudden wind and adjusted his clothes, "Temper, temper." He narrowed his eyes, "Why?"

Hiei blinked, "Why what?"

"Why are you challenging me? I’m not on anybody’s territory. I’ve had this setup established for three hundred years and nobody has ever bothered me about it. I keep a low profile and haven’t stepped on anybody’s toes that I know of. Even Ratha only rarely complains, and if anybody should be challenging me, it’s him."

"Ratha is dead." Killed that morning.

The priest scratched his head again, "Oh dear. That leaves some territory open…" He shrugged, "Well then, if you have his territory, what do you want with mine?"

"I don’t want your territory – I came to challenge you. You’ve taken lives and souls that are rightfully Enma-sama’s, and there is a warrant out for your arrest. Will you respond to my challenge?"

The human suddenly didn’t look very human, though he hadn’t shifted forms yet. "Oh. The brat finally got around to it, did he?" He sighed, "Very well. I accept the challenge – to the death."

"Agreed." Hiei pulled off his cloak and tossed it to one side, putting his hand on the hilt of his sword as he settled into a stance and waited for the other demon.

"A sword?" The human raised an eyebrow, "How quaint." He took a breath and held it, bringing his arms up in front of his body as his body started to melt and change. When it settled, a scuttly demon all scales and teeth and claws stood there. The ruff on its neck rustled into a full crest and it roared out its defiance.

With both opponents poised, the fight began. Hiei and Figitatha rushed each other at the same moment. At the last second, Hiei ducked between the claws and the teeth and emerged to the other side. A red line appeared across his chest and started to drip down. Figitatha turned slowly to face him, his voice a rumble of the human form, "Not bad, little one." And then the scuttle demon collapsed, falling into bloody heaps upon the ground. 

After regarding the mess for a moment, Hiei straightened up with a grunt and sheathed his sword. He glanced over to the forest and raised an eyebrow.

Kurama came out and went straight to Hiei’s side, involuntarily reaching a hand out for the wound on the short demon’s chest, "You’re hurt."

"Timed it too close," Hiei grumbled, swatting Kurama’s hand to one side, "It’s just a scratch."

Kurama could see that. And could see the expression in Hiei’s eyes as he waited for Kurama’s approval… He’s adapting to my methods. Kurama smiled gently, "Much better. At least this one lasted more than a single second." Then he glanced to the temple, "Hiei… why the challenge?"

The demon shrugged, "If Figitatha had given up, or asked for a subduing challenge, I would have just sent him to hell." He cleared his throat, "Koenma, that is."

We were only asked to subdue the demons. Though Koenma said he didn’t mind if they were killed. Kurama barked a short laugh, "That’s a point." I wonder if I should be doing that. Yet… Hiei didn’t do that with the others… Kurama abruptly pulled out the notes and looked at them again, scanning the list until he found Figitatha. There it was, under mitigating circumstances: ‘Honor-bound demon. Discriminating in his kills.’ On the line above it, recommended tactics, it read, ‘choice.’ Kurama looked back over to Hiei, but the demon was putting his cloak on. Kurama watched him, I think I’m going to have to pay more attention to the meaning behind the notes.

   ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...               ...   ...   ...

They visited one more demon that day, and flipped a coin for the fight. Hiei won the toss and the fight. This time, there was no challenge, but the small demon spent over thirty seconds on the fight, dodging the strikes the other demon tossed out, before darting in and then out again. The demon fell apart in… oh, only about thirty pieces or so, instead of a hundred. Kurama gave Hiei a grin when he was done. And then they hiked to the outskirts of the next demon’s territory and made their camp.

Kurama made dinner that night, while Hiei stalked restlessly around the perimeters over and over again. Kurama finally made him at least sit down and eat the food, and then Hiei was gone again. Kurama shook his head at the restless demon. Somehow, I don’t think I’m going to get any conversation tonight. The demon kept flitting from tree to tree and finally seemed to choose one he liked. Kurama could see Hiei settle down on a top branch… and then he faded from view. How the hell does he do that? Another odd trait of the demon.

Nowhere near sleepy yet, Kurama stared at the green flames and thought about Hiei. Not that the demon had been far from his thoughts through most of the day. Hiei… had been very quiet, but right there at his side except for brief explorations. He’d answered what questions Kurama had asked, and had even joined in conversation a couple of times – and some of them had even been initiated by Hiei rather than Kurama. All in all, it had been a fairly comfortable day. A mission shared between partners… He’s trying. And yet… it doesn’t seem to be that much of a strain, most of the time. There had been a few times Hiei had nearly disappeared completely. And a few times when he’d faltered and given Kurama one of those looks. And then usually did disappear. But he always came back, sometimes calm, sometimes grumpy… Always Hiei. And fitting very well with Kurama. The two of them actually dealt fairly well with each other. Hiei’s temper didn’t bother Kurama, and Kurama… well, Hiei liked to be near Kurama. I’m going to have to get him going on a few discussion debates – with his quick mind and tactical thinking, I think he’ll be fascinating to exchange ideas with. It had been so long since Kurama could talk to somebody. Somebody who know as much as he. Somebody who knew what he was and what he was capable of. Someone who treated him like an equal and competent.

Over the years, Kurama had found one major disadvantage with his new body – people thought it was frail. In shaping the form, he had mostly paid attention to the things he would need when he recovered from the wound – stealth, healthy immune system, flexibility, good sight in both close/far and day/night, keen senses, and a balanced metabolism just slightly on the fast side. What that ended up with was a form that was graceful and healthy that needed little maintenance on his part. Tall and slim, skin soft and blemish-free, his metabolism and immune system kept him clear of most childhood problems. His natural grace combined with his intense training provided a delicacy of movement that was rarely seen in human males. Let alone teenage human males. And once he’d recovered from his wound and his mane started growing out… He could have stopped his mane from growing, or kept it trimmed down, but it was his reminder to himself that he was still a fox. If only it wasn’t… The mane made such a good hiding place. But in the eyes of the world, he looked… feminine. Delicate. Fragile. Helpless. It drove him up the wall. Half the time Kurama wanted to challenge someone just to show what he could do. But beyond his trying to keep a low profile, he knew there was no point. He could easily beat any of the humans around him, and he knew it. Their mocking came from their own insecurities. Kurama had no insecurities. So he kept his temper in, and let them think what they would. The last fifteen years had taught him nothing if not patience.

Yet over the years, he’d also come to scorn the body he wore. If only it didn’t look so fragile… He was tired. Tired of staying in the human world. Tired of hiding. Tired of having nobody to talk to. Tired of being continually misunderstood.

Since he’d turned seven, he’d gone on jobs to relieve his boredom. At first they were simple ones, designed to not strain his still healing self and so he could retrain his style. And then they grew more complex, gradually sneaking back into the spirit world for a few particular ones… but always returning because his mother needed him. He was grateful to her for taking care of him and she was always so calm and so reassuring. She accepted him and cared for him and protected him without confining him too tightly. She respected him and talked to him and let him be. She was the only person in his recent life who had been there so consistently for him, and she took such care… Kurama would stay as long as she needed him. When she became sick, shortly before he was fully healed, it caused a pain in his heart that he hadn’t understood. She was only a human, his mother, yet he cared for her, and hated to see her hurting. And still, she tried to take care of him, telling him to live his life, not to worry about her, teaching him the little skills needed to survive in the human world. And she was always accepting of him. To save her life and make her happy, Kurama considered the price of the Mirror of Utter Darkness to be perfectly fair. His life, to make his mother happy. It was a good trade.

Until Yusuke had yelled at him, ‘Do you think she’ll be happy if you died?’ And Kurama was forced to think of that part of it. If he died… Mother would be alone. Well, not quite alone. She’d been dating a man that Kurama had checked out the moment he first showed signs of interest in her. He was a good man, a strong man – he could protect her and care for her the way she should be. But as Yusuke had yelled at him, Kurama had realized that the boy was right – if he died, Mother would feel horrible. She would think she’d failed, and she would have cried.

With a sigh, Kurama pulled himself out of that line of thought – it hadn’t happened, Yusuke had so generously saved him at the risk of his own life. And how the heck had Kurama gotten on such a depressing line of thought anyway?

To distract himself, he pulled out Hiei’s list and looked thoughtfully at it again. He remembered the different ways Hiei had approached the different demons… All Koenma’s list had given him was demon-type, locale, and crimes. Though they had talked about many of them while Kurama was in Koenma’s office. Kurama had wanted enough of a mission to keep them busy… So much for that idea. But even so, Hiei’s list was much more detailed than Koenma’s had been. And as Kurama noted the main differences, he kept in mind what Hiei had said about Koenma’s lack of rei sense. Knowing that – a lot more became clear. Yet at the same time, he gained even more questions about the demon that was Hiei. 

What was Hiei? Hiei’s aura said fire demon. Yet he had the jagan. And other abilities that didn’t match either demon type, like his levitation and his telekinesis. His speed was also not related. Nor his fighting abilities. What demon preferred to use a sword in battle? He had fangs, and lots of sharp teeth, but ate mostly vegetables. His incredibly soft fur… and his mostly humanish form. That was Hiei’s natural form that he stayed in most of the time. Kurama had never seen him take a human form, but Hiei’s natural form was so close… Hiei’s temper was quickfire, but his control was phenomenal. The demon could both think and fight – a real rarity. And his plots surpassed Kurama’s.

Kurama chuckled; what a pair. He knew that he and Hiei would make a good team – but it was taking a hell of a long time to get there. Today was close, but they were still separate. It was taking so long mostly because each of them had their own agendas and neither matched. They both were used to plotting out long-range grandiose schemes, knowing each step of the way what the prey was going to do. Or maybe prey wasn’t the term that Hiei would use. Kurama shrugged – it was always the term he used. Anyway, their long-range plans usually worked because they could anticipate so well what a normal prey would do. But this time, he and Hiei were plotting each other, and the dance was continually shifting. Or Hiei would say, or grumble, the Game was changing the rules as it went on. They would each get a few steps into their plans… and then the other would make a move completely unexpected. Kurama couldn’t anticipate Hiei any better than Hiei could anticipate Kurama. They were, indeed, well-matched. Very different, but well matched.

Well matched in plotting. Kurama frowned, wondering once again why the demon was interested in Kurama. He knew why he was interested in Hiei – a mystery. A mystery that he had to find. A challenge. And he’d wanted the heart that Hiei had oh so carefully locked away. Kurama grinned to himself – he’d gotten that all right! And a hell of a lot more he hadn’t anticipated. There was much more to that heart than he’d thought. He’d expected something small, something cold, barely there. He hadn’t imagined that the demon knew of anything more than trust, though Kurama had been hoping for friendship. And instead, Kurama had found that Hiei could love. And such a love…

With a sigh, Kurama put the list away and then stretched out next to the fire, staring at the green flames. He would swear that Hiei was still wild. Untamed. Free. He hadn’t been so sure the day before, but yesterday and today it had been made clear. With Hiei backing off the sappy stuff, he was just as ornery as he was normally. If he’d been broken, tamed, then he would have been looking to Kurama for direction. Instead – and Kurama had to grin – Hiei was still making his own plans. Trying hard to include Kurama in them… but off completely on his own.

But Hiei loved Kurama. It was there in the way he looked at Kurama, the way he tried to please him, the way he stayed… And the fact that he treated Kurama now like a partner. The way they worked together on the demons. Well, they’d tag-teamed the demons. And Hiei was adapting his fighting techniques to try and match Kurama. Their brief conversations were conversations. Not just talk from Kurama and grunts from Hiei. When Kurama had questions, Hiei was giving him answers and not just silence. Hiei was good at silence. When they’d been planning the break-in to the palace… Kurama had done the thievery. But he’d used much of Hiei’s information to do it. The two of them had spent long hours together going over all the plans and details. Kurama had been reluctant to let an outsider in to observe his methods… but he couldn’t do it all himself. He had no access to much of the information needed as to patrols and shifts and palace plans and safeguards. Hiei supplied all that as well as all the tools that Kurama asked for. And the demon had made several suggestions that even Kurama, master thief, had found worthy of consideration. Even more amazing, in Kurama’s opinion, was the way that Hiei had turned the job over to him… and then let him do it. Hiei had been involved, but had stayed back to let the thief plan the job.

Upon reflection, there were several things about that job that puzzled Kurama. He’d known from the start what he was going to get out of it – the Mirror of Utter Dark that could save his mother’s life. But Hiei? What did Hiei want with Ghost Slayer? And why Gouki? The vampire devil really hadn’t done a bit of good prior to the job, and had been a pain during it. At first, Kurama had thought that Gouki was in charge of the job – he was a criminal born, with powerful rei and a nasty attitude. But Kurama had quickly found out that it was Hiei instead who was the moving force. Hiei had originally approached Gouki just as he had Kurama, offering it to him. But Kurama could tell that Hiei didn’t like Gouki, quietly despised him, in fact. But he had included him in the job… and had talked in ways that Gouki could understand – power and rule and terror and… well, psychotic. 

It wasn’t until after Kurama had met Yusuke and had used the Mirror of Utter Dark, that he’d really started to think about things. Kurama had been so focused on his mother… Once he thought about it, things didn’t make sense. So far, he only had one little hint – Hiei’s slip, ‘I’d wanted to wait,’ and that intense rivalry between him and Koenma… Thoughtfully, Kurama nibbled on a fingernail. ‘The game wouldn’t have been fun.’ And Hiei’s words to Yusuke, ‘I respect your bravery and honor, so I’m just going to kill you.’ Instead of making him a puppet with Ghost Slayer. Kurama chuckled – if Hiei had done that, Koenma would have… Kurama sat up in total shock, the pieces finally falling together.

"Why that sneaky little bastard…" Kurama breathed, his eyes wide as he shook his head. Games. It was Games that Hiei liked to do. Koenma had gotten himself a Spiritual Detective… and so Hiei had conceived a Game. If Hiei had taken Yusuke over, made him a demon slave… and stolen all three artifacts in the bargain – Koenma would have been the laughing-stock of the Spirit World. Enma-sama would have had no choice but to disinherit his favorite son… and Enma’s anger would have devastated the Human World. Total chaos. And Hiei would have sat back and watched – and laughed. A bored demon could be a very dangerous thing.

Kurama shuddered, thinking more and more of what would have happened if Hiei had succeeded. There was more to it than he’d originally seen. Much, much more. And Hiei had planned it? Kurama remembered Koenma’s utter rejection and frank analysis of the demon. Koenma had been more truthful than Kurama had known. And this was what Kurama had decided to steal? This dangerous demon? Kurama had been more at risk than he’d originally thought. No wonder Koenma hated Hiei so. No wonder Hiei was so irritated at being under Koenma’s leash. A very dangerous demon, who thought everything was a Game.

And yet, Hiei was a good partner… A memory suddenly surfaced from the night before. ‘I’d planned to wait, but circumstances…’ Hiei had blushed while looking at Kurama. A guilty blush. Quickly gone. Quickly changed. What did Hiei have to be guilty about? Hiei had agreed to work with Kurama… why? Because he didn’t want to make him angry. Angry? Over what? Hiei’s interest in him. Interest from a powerful demon could be a very dangerous thing. Circumstances…

Kurama grew cold, inside and out. A white flame grew up within his soul and burned out. Slowly, he stood up and looked to the tree where he’d last seen Hiei. His eyes were chips of ice as he walked over to the tree and stood near it. "Hiei," he spoke quietly, his voice calm but brittle. Ice to match Hiei’s fire.

There was a slight distortion of air and Hiei became visible, "What is—" Hiei broke off abruptly and his eyes widened as he saw the white flame around the fox. "Kurama?" his voice was uncertain and hesitant as he hopped off the tree to land next to Kurama. "What’s wrong?"

"Hiei…" Kurama eyed the small demon dispassionately. The demon liked Games, did he? Well, this was one that might just kill him. "I wanted the Mirror of Utter Dark to save my mother’s life."

Hiei blinked. 

"You were listening to me and Yusuke that night. You know that."

Slowly, Hiei nodded, his gaze never leaving the emerald ice.

"You knew that before."

Hiei blinked again.

Kurama turned his back on the demon, staring at the campfire of green flame, his remote attention focused for death. "I would never have agreed to help you, if my mother had not been sick. The challenge was not enough, I didn’t want the attention from the Spirit World. But my mother was dying and I wanted to save her. So I agreed to work with you."

Slowly, Kurama turned back, "Hiei – why was my mother sick?"