Kurama woke suddenly, as if an alarm had gone off. And in fact, one had. He'd told Hiei he would be on guard, and even in his light doze, he was watching
for any sign of youki. It wasn't the shocking power he'd sensed before, but even with suppression, he recognized the dark power emanating near the house.
Green eyes snapped open in the dark and he slid out of the bed, trying in vain not to wake Hiei. But his lover was nothing if not a light sleeper. He frowned
when Hiei sat up, wide red eyes darting to him.
"What is it?" Hiei asked, his brows lowering when Kurama shook his head. He wasn't fooled. The fox was moving slowly, not seeming to be in any rush, but
those bright eyes didn't meet his. His frown turned into a glare when he couldn't sense anything that might have set Kurama off. He jerked the band off his
jagan. A third, horribly distorted view of the room met him and he closed the eye immediately, not sensing anything. He couldn't even sense Kurama with it.
But Kurama clearly sensed something, and Hiei had an idea what it was. He got off the bed only to freeze when Kurama shot him a dark glare, rapidly shifting
forms.
It was one thing to agree to let Hiei fight when he was at full power. Kurama wasn't about to let him go now, with or without him. Hiei's eyes widened, but
Kurama turned away from them, darting through the bedroom door and slapping a hand over the doorframe. He didn't wait for Hiei to rush the kekkai, or the
vines that suddenly covered the walls, blocking him in. His senses were locked on the retreating youki that he wasn't about to let escape.
Striking the invisible barrier, Hiei pressed against the kekkai, his eyes wide and furious. "Kurama!" The fox disappeared from his sight and there was no
longer any doubt in his mind what had happened. The fool was giving Biula exactly what he wanted. Hiei struggled with the shield, energy crackling around
him as the vines somehow spread the kekkai. He knew the window would be just as useless. But he wasn't going to be held back, wasn't going to sit and wait,
hoping Kurama would make it back to free him. Biula thought he was dead. That was the only explanation; Biula thought he was dead so now he was going
after Kurama. The stupid fox was running right into it and he was trapped behind a last-minute barrier. And without a hostage to ensure complacency, Biula
would have no reason to keep the youko alive. "Kurama!"
.-.
The youkai was faster than him, but Kurama managed to trail him through a portal into the Makai. The moment he set foot on Makai soil, however, the youki
he'd been following disappeared. The youko froze, pale golden eyes darting over the dark forest. He knew the demon could have intentionally drawn him
away. It would be simple for the youkai to use a different portal and go back. And he'd left Hiei locked in the bedroom, relatively helpless. But youki couldn't
just disappear like that, it had to be suppressed. He caught a glimpse of something a second before a heavy limb struck his back, throwing him to the ground.
The blow nearly rendered him senseless, but he was too angry to feel it, shoving to his feet and turning his eyes on Biula. The demon's arms were marred
with dark scars, freshly healed, and glowing the blue eyes seemed to match his own glare.
"He's dead, then?" Biula murmured, his lips curving back to show a flash of long teeth. "And you followed me for revenge."
Kurama was stunned. Yes, Hiei's youki was low, but this demon had to be an S class to have defeated Hiei. Such a high level youkai should have felt Hiei's
energy, no matter how low it was. But he wasn't about to tell him that Hiei had lived. His hand rose to his hair and he plucked two seeds, one swirling into a
blade. He didn't know why Biula hadn't felt Hiei, but he wasn't about to underestimate the demon. Those blue eyes flashed and Kurama jerked back, unable
to follow the speed when the youkai lunged at him. An arm curved around his shoulders suddenly, pulling him off his feet as another hand closed over his
right wrist. But if Biula thought he was now immobilized, then he didn't know much about him at all. His left hand closed over the second seed but he paused,
glaring when the demon's face pressed close to his neck.
"I lied," Biula said softly, teeth flashing again when pale slits of gold turned back to him. "I had no plans to kill you." The fox blinked, not quite losing that dark
glare. Biula tightened his grip, smirking at the choked gasp. "You don't even interest me. I just used you. Everyone wants Youko Kurama. He never doubted
you were my target." His claws closed tight over the slender wrist he held and he tossed the youko, snorting when the fox managed to stay on his feet.
"There's no point in my killing you, there are so many who would enjoy it more. But..." With a blurred lunge, Biula crossed the distance between them, one
hand circling Kurama's neck until his claws overlapped, not quite cutting the skin. "I hear you can be quite dangerous. You should have stayed in the
Ningenkai."
He was so fast, easily faster than Hiei. And Kurama acknowledged the demon's strength as he held still in Biula's grasp. He wasn't trying to bide his time, but
his mind was twisting around the low words, disbelief surging at the conclusion he reached. The seed had fallen when he was caught by that fast assault and
he didn't risk getting another, very aware of the long claws pressing close to his skin. His right hand was now gripping Biula's thick wrist. He glared when he
wasn't strong enough to do anything but watch as the claws moved close to his face, one brushing the silky hair away from his eyes.
"I didn't think you'd let him die," Biula admitted, staring at the youko's hard eyes. His gaze dropped briefly when Kurama lifted his left hand, and he bared his
teeth. "Planning to use your plants against me? What makes you think they'll be any more affective than the kokoryuuha?" He curled his own free hand in
that silky hair, grinning as he moved his face even closer to Kurama's. "You have the same glare. Maybe I'll enjoy killing you after all." He felt something shift
within the youko's hair, brushing his hand. He clenched his right hand tighter, nearly snapping the youko's neck. "Are you hoping for a double death? The
moment your plants touch me, you die." Those butter colored eyes widened suddenly and Biula blinked, jerking back a few inches. The fox looked shocked,
even terrified, and it was the last expression he'd expected from the infamous youko. Then those eyes darted to the side and he followed the gaze, his own
eyes widening along with his grin. "Ah."
Kurama's eyes widened, stricken by the hateful glare sent, not to Biula, but to him. Hiei was glaring at him. And for the life of him, he couldn't see how the little
youkai had the strength to be angry. The demon was wearing the black outfit he'd slept in, but his skin was dark, visibly burned and bruised. And his
forehead was covered in blood. "Hiei..." Those red eyes flicked away from him. Kurama's left hand flew to his hair, desperate to kill Biula now. Hiei had
forced his way through the kekkai. He could die without the demon even laying a hand on him. He'd never survive an attack now. Blue eyes snapped back to
him a second before his neck was released.
Hiei took a step forward, wavering when Kurama was dropped. He could barely follow the curled fist that struck the back of the youko's head. He flinched at
the impact, his eyes narrowing to slits. "Biula!"
Licking his lips, Biula's gaze moved from the limp fox, roving over the slender figure watching him. "I didn't kill him, don't worry. After all, we have a deal." He
glanced once more at the silver-haired youko, taking in the small bit of blood mixing with that pale hair. The fox had tricked him, hidden the fact that Hiei still
lived, but obviously that had been his own plan. Red eyes glared at him when he looked back and he smirked. "You're alive." The little youkai seemed to
shudder and Biula's eye twitched, noting how those legs shook. "Barely."
Hiei couldn't maintain his balance. Pain radiated through his entire body and he barely had the energy to stand. Although it had been erected in seconds, the
kekkai had nearly proven to be too much for him. To think that he had gotten so weak a single kekkai had almost killed him. His eyes fell to Kurama again
and he managed to stiffen his legs, glaring at the pale youko. If he fell now, he wouldn't be able to get up again. His sudden appearance must have
distracted the fox enough for Biula to catch him off guard. Either that, or Biula was better than he'd thought. Even if the demon were stronger than him, no
one bested Kurama so easily. Suddenly a large shape was looming over him. Hiei's head tilted back, eyes glaring up at bright blue orbs. He couldn't follow
the fast movement, but it didn't matter.
"I didn't call you," Biula murmured, his eyes sweeping over the little demon's bloody forehead. He didn't remember having touched the youkai's jagan, not
even once, but it was obviously the source of the injury. The bright blue eye was glazed, but it moved doggedly, turning up to focus on him along with the
wider red eyes. Hiei's expression was angry, but visibly tired. That constant spark of resistance seemed to be gone. "Hiei, look at you." Hiei blinked, frowning
up at him, and Biula's hands moved to press on those narrow shoulders. Hiei fell to his knees immediately. "I didn't call on you," Biula said again, crouching in
front of the little demon. "I was only checking to see if you had survived. I had no plans to take your fox until I knew you were dead. He was the one who
followed me. I would not bother to call on you when you're like this. You don't have either the blood or youki to satisfy me now."
"I'm alive," Hiei growled, glaring at the mocking blue eyes roving over his body. "That's all that matters."
"Ah, yes. I agree," Biula nodded, one hand brushing the demon's damp forehead. He brought the fingers to his mouth, tongue swiping out to taste the dark
blood. Whether it came from the jagan or not, it tasted the same, that distinct flavor making him lick his lips. "As long as you're alive, I leave the fox alone.
But I don't think you have enough left to live through this, do you?" Red eyes continued to glare tiredly at him and his hands moved, cupping the demon's
face, claws deep in thick black hair. There was no reason to worry about the flaming sword now, so he didn't bother to restrain him. He leaned close, running
his tongue over the demon's forehead. A soft sound made his eyes widen and he pulled his head back, staring down at Hiei. Those red eyes were closed
tight and he could see the demon's shoulders shake briefly. Obviously he'd lost the ability to hide his pain. Biula leaned forward again, lapping his tongue
over the blood-covered forehead. That soft sound came again when he rubbed the open jagan and his eyes narrowed, recognizing it as a mournful whimper.
It was a sound he had never even hoped to hear from the stubborn youkai. He had known the last attack had come too close to killing the him, but he must
have done even more damage than he had thought.
When he'd gone to the Ninenkai, Biula had only meant to check the damage, to see if Hiei had lived or not. He'd had no intention of doing more right now and
he knew he didn't dare hurt him much. Whether Hiei admitted it or not, he was obviously on his last bit of strength. If he whimpered from such a small thing it
had to be severe. "Killing you now would be a waste," Biula whispered, lapping up the last bit of blood that had trailed down the demon's cheek. "But you
came all this way, there's no reason to simply let you go." Dull red eyes opened to focus on him, but that perpetual glare was slow to come, not holding the
normal biting hate. Biula's eyes sparked at the thought. He smirked, leaning back. "Open your mouth." That got a reaction from the small demon and Biula
gave a low laugh when the youkai's jaw tightened immediately. "Still planning to bite me? I suppose I can find someone with less fight," he said, his eyes
trailing away and locking on the white-clothed figure lying a few yards away from them. "I doubt your fox would be able to argue much at the moment."
"Kisama..." They had a deal, he'd never agreed to obey anything. Hiei's eyes darted to Kurama and he felt a rush of cold pour through him. If Biula chose to
break the pact now, there was nothing he could do about it. He didn't have the strength, and suddenly...he didn't have the will. His eyes burned and he
closed them tightly, his stomach curling as he had a sensation of falling rapidly. His forehead felt as if it were split apart, his entire body hurt with a dull,
throbbing pain, but he no longer cared. If he couldn't fight, what other options did he have? His teeth clenched painfully and he jerked his face away, ignoring
the pain as claws tore through his hair. He couldn't do it and it hurt, so much. Kurama could have done it.
"Ah, Hiei..." Biula's lips curled into a slow smile as he ran a clawed finger over the youkai's soft cheek. For a second he'd thought the demon would do it, he
was certain he would, but he almost felt relief that he hadn't. That unending spirit he was so attracted to hadn't been broken after all. His hand curved under
the little demon's chin and he smirked when wide red eyes snapped open to him. "It's more fun if you fight back, anyway." Thin lines of blood rose as his
claws pressed tight, forcing his mouth open. He buried his other hand in his hair. Eyes closing, he kissed Hiei, horribly weak hands pushing against him as he
lowered the demon onto his back.
.-.
Red coated his fingers. Hiei stared at them for a long moment before brushing the silky silver hair again. The wound was small, so small to have disabled the
youko. A raised bump met his palm as he shifted the limp head onto his lap, his dull eyes trailing over Kurama's face. He couldn't find the dislike he had of
the youko, only a vague wonder that the demon's features were so perfectly formed. Whether ningen or youkai, Kurama remained exactly that, perfection. It
hurt, but then, everything hurt so it didn't matter. He didn't have the strength to carry Kurama back to the Ningenkai. The portal he'd come through had
closed and the nearest one was too far away. But the fox was defenseless, perhaps even more defenseless with him there than he would have been alone.
He should have left him. Kurama would be safer alone than he was with him, but he simply couldn't do it.
The youko was much too tall to be carried by him, but Hiei crouched anyway, pulling him onto his back, one arm under the bent knees. A tiny tug pulled his
lips when he nearly pitched onto his face. He sighed, his eyes falling to the silver hair pouring over his shoulder. He couldn't take him back to the Ningenkai,
but there was somewhere closer, somewhere he wanted to be even less than in the human world. But that didn't matter either. His steps were painstakingly
slow, heavy and cumbersome and he wished more than ever that he had some bit of youki left that he could use on the fox to at least wake him up. He was far
too envious of the soft breaths that warmed him through his black shirt. Sleep was something he could have killed for.
.-.
PART 9
.-.
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