Kuronue YYH Fanfiction

Author's Notes: Before anything else, I would like to say a few things about this fanfic. This is the first Yuu*Yuu Hakusho fanfic I've written, and the only one so far. It's three long months in the making, and I'd like to thank this particular "entity" that helped me along the way: the entire Sisterhood for pushing me far beyond my limits as far as shounen'ai is concerned. (Did I say that this is a yaoi fic? Well, it is.) On a more particular note, I'd like to thank the team of Shizuru-sama and her dear Sis for giving me the initial idea of writing a Yuusuke + Kurama fic, and the editing team of Maijie Soliman, Shizuru-sama, Mme Mandigma, and the Higad Queen (you guys are the best AND the worst ever).

About the story's timeline, this fic is supposed to occur a little after the Meikai Shitouhen: Honoo no Kizuna, Yuu*Yuu Movie. But somehow, I got the continuity mixed up a bit. In any case, it may be seen as an alterniverse thingie. Also, I got some ideas from Kurama's song from the said movie, "Nightmare".

Comments? Suggestions? Violent reactions? E-mail me at . Thanks.

And before I forget, most of the characters appearing in this fic are the property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Studio Pierrot, Fuji TV, and Shonen Jump Weekly. Only the story is mine. And like I said, this is a Yuusuke + Kurama yaoi fic, with a little surprise somewhere along the way. If you're not into this stuff, or object the pairing, or don't like the sound of it, you'd better stop now or regret it in the end.

Now, on with the story!

~ o 0 o ~

Part One: Awakenings

"Konoyarou!" He stopped running all of a sudden, and ran back.

"What's wrong?" The silver fox youko turned to the raven-black youkai with a start. "We have to get out . . ."

"Matte yo!" The silver youko was silenced with a look. "My necklace . . ."

"But we have to get away as soon as we can . . ."

"Just wait a sec, will 'ya?" he said as he pulled away. "You know I can't be myself without that pendant. I'll just be as fast as . . Aaaaarrrrrggghhhh . . . ! ! !"

There was a sudden rumbling of thunder, then the boy woke up in cold sweat with a start. His breath was heavy and laden with shock. He snatched a clock from his bedside table to take a glance at what time it was, and began to wonder what all that madness meant.

"Akumu darou," he said, getting up to walk towards the bathroom. Splashing himself with cold water from the sink didn't seem to help. He brushed his jet-black hair to the back with both of his hands. He couldn't get the moving pictures out of his mind. The images were as sharp as reiken cutting through a demon. He stared at his own dark blue eyes through the bathroom mirror, then shook his face in apparent disbelief. In this lifetime, Yuusuke Urameshi had faced various nightmares and fought countless demons without any hint of fear on his face. It wasn't like him to be shaken like this.

For sure, it wasn't just because he had been thinking of Kurama a lot lately.

~ o 0 o ~

He gazed out his window, brushing a lock of his fiery hair from his brow. He couldn't sleep well. It had been like this for the past few days in a row. Not that he needed sleep that much. It was way past Shuichi's bedtime already and here he was, staring out into the full moon of the ningenkai. 'Shuichi' shouldn't be doing this, or feeling like this either. But then again, it's not everyday when a youko gets to have a taste of adolescent ningen hormone overdrive.

He partially closed the windows when a light, cool breeze found it's way into his room. He stood up and went back to sit on top of his bed. He looked at a necklace hanging from his desktop lamp. Most of the time, it helped him focus on a lot of things, especially when Shuichi needed to study for his exams, and such stuff.

The pendant swung from side to side a little bit with the gush of wind. He looked away and lay down, as he tried to put his cold, youko mind to work, and put good old Shuichi to sleep.

In a matter of minutes, he was himself again, his entire being engulfed by the seemingly limitless, abysmal sky above, and the murky, shadowy mist below him. In his sleep, he was carried away, back to the memories he longed so much to forget.

A sudden crack of lightning flashed through his mental image of a dark sky. A few moments more, then there were sounds of distant thunder thick in the air. Of course, he knew he was dreaming. But this was one dream he didn't want to be in.

Footsteps echo through the darkness. Then two images spring to life from a surreal mist. One was an image of sparkling silver cutting through the blur. The other was an image of a flying cloud of darkness. He knew for a fact that he was the silver entity. He knew all too well who the dark being was. They were running away from something.

In a flash, the image of the dark person was caught in a tricky web of bamboo spears. No use trying to edge him out of the mess. It was one of those traps set up just for the two of them. Somewhere along the way, there was another trap waiting for the silver-haired one.

Then, as if in a trance, he could finally hear words coming from out of nowhere.

"Kuso," someone said between gasps of air. "Just get away from here and don't mind me."

"Demo, omae wa . . ."

"Baka! How many times do I have to tell you not to mind me?! Can't you see? This is all the distraction we both need!"

Between struggling and taking gasps of air, the dark one held out a pendant towards the silver being.

"Uketotte kore," he said, holding on to his swaying pendant. "Shi . . . shinpai shinaide, I'll come back for it. I pr-pro . . . I promise!"

"Yakusoku yo," the silver youko said, taking his outstretched hand and giving it a firm grip. Taking the necklace from his hand, the silver fox ran away as fast as he could. The dark one tried to open his black wings, and let out a cry, bursting in a final flare of dark purple youki.

A surreal flash of lightning, an earsplitting crack of thunder, then a deafening silence filled the void in an almost forgotten memory.

In his sleep, the ningen boy known as Shuichi Minamino hugged a pillow tightly, as beads of tears trickled down the rims of his closed eyes.

~ Tsudzuku ~

Part Two: Memories

He was in a park near Meiou High, sitting alone in a desolate wooden bench in front of a grand fountain. It was early autumn, and dry leaves were falling slightly in the light breeze. It was just a little before school, another one of those usual days for him. For Shuichi Minamino, that is. But for Kurama, who lived a double life, his "life" wasn't as easy at it seemed.

It had been a few weeks since their last "encounter". A very exhausting one, but it wasn't just the gravity of the task that made it difficult. Sure, it isn't everyday a group of what would seem to be ordinary teenage kids would be sent to save humanity from what seems to be the end of the world as they knew it! But it wasn't just that.

The battle for Meikai brought forth immense physical strain, emotional stress as well. Kurama could easily live through countless centuries worth of ningenkai years easily, without complaining about getting hungry, or growing weak, or being hurt physically. But being hurt emotionally was an altogether different matter. From as far back as he could remember, his heart had hurt this much only once before, and that taught him a lot. If anything, he didn't want any of that to happen all over again, which was one of the many reasons why he didn't want to be emotionally close to anybody at all, be it ningen or otherwise.

Well, not too close. Yuusuke and the others were a different matter. They were friends, and they were part of the Reikai Tantei. Nothing more.

He had been thinking of this in connection to their last assignment when, speaking of the devil, he sensed Yuusuke's aura coming from behind him.

"Ohayou," he said with a wave of a hand, not looking back.

"Hi," the ningen boy said, almost taken by surprise. "D'you have a minute, Kurama?"

Kurama said nothing, but motioned for Yuusuke to sit beside him. The ningen boy was dressed in his usual green uniform, with his hair brushed back, slick with gel, and his face as bright as the morning. He sat noisily beside the red-haired boy, whom he knew for a fact to be a silver youko.

"Nice day today, ne?" Yuusuke said, an attempt to lighten the mood, Kurama noted.

Kurama hardly gave a reply; he just nodded, brushing back a lock of hair that blocked his eyes. Yuusuke looked at him for a moment.

Kurama was always like that. Very subtle in movement, refined if you will. His hair of violent autumn that came in waves, moving in the wind, complemented his eyes that reflected the freshness of spring. Anybody could easily mistake him for a female. What with that finely-contoured face, that smooth, slender neck, that distinct fragrance of roses in perpetual bloom, those delicate, dainty fingers on those smooth and pale hands? As a young ningen boy, he could be very exceptional. His appearance and bearing were like no other, making for an easy crush for young girls. His intelligence could make the evening news, or the headlines on the next day's papers. All in all, he was a beauty —ž yes, even in battle.

"D'you stay here often?" Yuusuke crossed his arms behind his head as he looked towards the fountain.

"Not always," Kurama replied, barely moving an inch, his face a total blank. "I come here when I want to be left alone, or when I'm in a thinking mood, or when I don't feel like staying at home."

Kurama stopped to gaze at the fountain in front of them: a cherubim holding a big conch, sitting on a clam that rested in the middle. Water came out from the mouth of the conch, bursting upwards, then falling down in a spray, gathering at the big clam, overflowing at the sides, flowing down to the pool below it.

"Nice fountain, dontcha think?" Yuusuke said without taking his gaze off Kurama.

"What are you here for, anyway?" Kurama asked with a cold tone.

"Oh, nothing in particular," the ningen boy said, rubbing the tip of his nose with the side of his knuckles. "Just wanted to know how you're doin'."

The red-haired youth was tempted to burst out in a fit of laughter, but he didn't. He just wasn't the type to do so. In his own manner, he smiled at the other youth. They both knew what that meant.

"Tch, as if you'd change anyway," Yuusuke snorted.

"That's something new," Kurama noted. "It's not like you to just check on anybody like that, especially me."

"Well, I've set my eyes on you —ž for now, I mean."

Both of them bowed their heads almost at the same time, looking at their feet, not knowing what to say next. An uncomfortable silence fell between them. Both thought of something that would start the conversation again. It was Yuusuke who spoke first.

"Actually, it ain't just me, y'know," he said.

"So what's it about?" Kurama gave him a glance.

"I want to ask you about a few things, if you don't mind."

Kurama knew this situation all too well. It wouldn't be so strange in this situation either. He thought he had it coming, anyway.

"I'll take your nod as a sign of approval," Yuusuke said, wanting to start his inquiries.

"You can speak up, it's okay," Kurama said, not moving an inch.

Yuusuke gave a little sigh, cleared his throat, then turned his head to face Kurama.

"You see, I just can't help but notice your going into seclusion after our encounter with Yakumo and his goons. The guys and I know for a fact that 'Kurama' can be such a loner. but what we don't get is 'Shuichi Minamino' going through Kurama's phase. If you have any problem with the guys, you can talk to us about it. Even Hinageshi seemed to pick it up, y'know."

"No, it's not about you guys," Kurama said, turning to face Yuusuke. "If anything, I should be very thankful to have met you in the first place. I never knew that I could have friends here at Ningenkai, at least until you people showed up."

Kurama looked down at his feet again.

"It's not about you guys . . ."

Yuusuke, baffled by what appeared to be Kurama clamming up, didn't know what to do or to say. Up until now, he was quite secure about Kurama's bond with the group.

It was then Yuusuke noticed Kurama toying something in his hands.

"Hey, Kurama, I hope you won't mind me asking again, but what's that you've got there?"

"Oh, this?" Kurama was careful in lifting it to the light. It was a necklace. The pendant was an exquisite black semi-transparent jewel shaped like a teardrop that glistened in the sun's light.

"That necklace looks so familiar," Yuusuke commented. "Now isn't that . . ."

"Yes, it's Kuronue's," Kurama said in a matter-of-factly tone.

"Oh yeah, of course!" Yuusuke almost exclaimed, smacking his forehead with the palm of his hand. "But I thought the guy that you fought was a fake. How'd you get that?"

Kurama smiled briefly, toying with the pendant in his hand. It wasn't your usual "Kurama" or "Shuichi" smile, but it was the bitter-sweet smile that Yuusuke saw in very rare occasions. It was that very same face that Yuusuke saw when Kurama used the stolen Mirror to cure Shiori Minamino's disease. The same smile that flashed across Shuichi's face as Shiori awakened from her to see her son.

"Nothing much," Kurama commented. "Before I saw the last of him, he gave it to me. It was separated from me when my silver youko form died, and my spirit was forced to find another body. I almost forgot about it, until I saw it in the palace where I stole the Mirror. Knowing that it came from Kuronue, and sensing Kuronue's youki in it, I took it along as a trophy of some sort. I guess it's just the youko in me that made me do it."

In a split second, the smile disappeared.

"I see," Yuusuke nodded. "So what does he do with it?" he asked, almost absent-mindedly.

"Well, he's pretty adept at what you might call hypnotism," Kurama replied in a very academic tone. "Back at the Makai, we call it basic mind control. You could very well say that he used this pendant as a focus stone of some sort. Why d'you ask?" Kurama's eyes narrowed considerably, as if in a calculating mood.

"No reason in particular," Yuusuke replied. "I just thought that maybe that necklace was good for something. Besides, it really does look awfully familiar. I don't know why, and I don't even know how I know that."

Kurama let out a sigh. He'd expected as much. Ningen people have a way of confusing things they don't understand at first glance.

"Ne, Yuusuke," he said, taking care that they wouldn't fall into that uncomfortable silence all over again.

"Yep?"

"I hate to put you off like this, but I still have a class to attend. It's already a quarter before 10, and you very well know that I don't want to be late for anything." Now that was Shuichi talking.

"Daijoubu dayo!" Yuusuke's face brightened as he looked toward the fountain again, crossing his arms behind his head. "I think I'd like to stick around a bit. Nice park you have here."

Hearing that, "Shuichi" knew what he had to do in order to get Yuusuke's little ningen butt moving along, all the way to school.

"Say, aren't you supposed to get going, yourself? You don't want Keiko giving you another of her patented ultra-electro-magnetic slaps again, do you?"

"Ghi hi hi hi . . ." The thought of Keiko getting infuriated, hands on her waist, brow wrinkled, curses flying out of her mouth at eighty-five words per minute, Yuusuke couldn't help but turn red at his own folly. "Just get moving, willya?"

"Whatever you say, Team Leader," Kurama said with a salute.

As they left the park side by side, they fell into one of those periods of silence again. Both were thinking of ways for them to meet and talk again. Their conversation was cut rather short, just when one was about to tell the other about what was going on inside his mind. As usual, it was Yuusuke who broke the eerie silence.

"I don't know about you, but I'd like to continue our conversation sometime this afternoon."

"I might drop by the park again later, if I'm still in the mood," Kurama said.

"Around six . . ."

"The wooden bench in front of the fountain . . ."

"I'll be there, promise . . ."

"I'll wait . . ."

~ Tsudzuku ~

Part Three: Dream's Nightmares, Nightmare - Dreams

"I see you in my memory, as vivid as today

And I wonder, do you see me in that same familiar way?

Oh, another place, another time, we'll meet again and you'll be mine

Oh, 'cause nothing can compare to you and I . . ."

—ž The Corrs, "Remember"

Yuusuke jumped up, startled from the ghoulish vision.

He was spending one of his 'after-lunchbreak' hours at the school's rooftop again. It was a rather usual day for him, getting bored in class, only to decide to cut it in the middle of a lecture and head off to the rooftop. If he knew any better, Keiko might be coming up the stairs any moment. It was one of those days, alright.

. . . Only this time, his nightmare followed him to school, and he didn't want to talk to anybody about it. Maybe Kurama, but that's that, and only to clear his mind on the matter and nothing more.

Yuusuke got up from where he sat, brushed dirt away from his green uniform, and decided to walk back to class before Keiko had the opportunity to march up the stairs and slap the living daylights out of him again.

~ o 0 o ~

That afternoon, Kurama was a bit surprised, though the surprise qualified as a pleasant one. His youko senses told him that his beloved Fire Youkai wasn't around much during the day, and wasn't about to follow him home that afternoon, flitting from tree to tree like he usually did. Kurama guessed that Hiei might have found out about what he was up to that afternoon, and didn't want anything to do with it, which was fine by Kurama. It could only mean that Hiei gave him the benefit of the doubt, whatever that meant.

Either that, or the adorable little imp isn't aware of what was happening at all.

If anything, he was concerned of how to start the conversation with Yuusuke without making the mistake of being too straightforward. He knew very well that Yuusuke had a reputation for being a very conservative guy, and would be the least likely candidate for same-gender affectations, which went double for Kazuma Kuwabara. Though he had to admit, he had some doubts about Yuusuke before. However, the matter at hand was confirming his suspicions in the most subtle manner with all the skill he can muster.

By 6:15 that afternoon, he was relaxing at the park bench already, toying with the necklace which he removed from his neck while he was walking earlier on.

"Oi, Kurama," someone said behind him. "Is he around?"

"Yuusuke-san," Kurama acknowledged. "You can sit if you wish. I haven't sensed Hiei the entire day."

And sit he did. Both could tell that the other was holding something back, and it was evident in the cold sweat breaking from their foreheads. And before they fell into one of those cold silences, Yuusuke decided to talk first. If there was a time to be blunt about something, that was it.

"I'd like to ask you something," he said, wrinkling the tip of his nose with a knuckle. "I've been bothered lately with dreams or nightmares that involve you and that guy . . . Kuronue, am I right?"

"Yes, and . . . ?"

"And, well, I don't know what all that means," Yuusuke said, head bowed.

"Could you remember when it all started?" Kurama asked, flicking the pendant around his hand, catching it inside his palm.

"I think it all started a couple days after our encounter with Yakumo," Yuusuke said, straightening his back. "At first, I couldn't see anything. Then, little by little, images started to take shape. They were still black and white silhouettes, but I could already tell one was you. A few nights after that, the images began to appear with little details, and recently, I can already hear voices, yours and that Kuronue guy's. It's quite unbelievable, but it really looked . . ."

". . . as if you were there to witness it," Kurama finished off. "Well, you're not alone, it seems." With that, Kurama resumed playing with the necklace in his hand.

"Ah, gomen," Yuusuke muttered, "if I offended you in any way, I mean I can only understand so much, losing a partner can be . . ."

"It's alright. That's all in the past." Kurama paused to smile at Yuusuke. "And besides, it's been a long while since I told anyone his story."

Yuusuke hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Are you sure you're up to this?"

"Well, it's better than having it all locked up inside, now, isn't it?"

"Hmm, I see your point."

Kurama looked at the swinging pendant for a while, then muttered something under his breath.

"What didya say?"

"Oh, I just asked myself where I should start," Kurama said with a smile.

"I just wish you'd stop doing that," Yuusuke commented. "I just can't imagine you smiling at such a painful memory."

"It's not all that painful, if you get to think about it. And believe me, a few centuries is quite a long time to think a lot of things over."

"Whatever you say, Kurama."

With another flick of the necklace, Kurama caught it again in his palm and he closed his eyes, recalling every nice memory of Kuronue. He smiled as he remembered . . .

". . . the biggest stash we ever took from one of the lesser-known lords of the Makai. The old devil didn't know how to keep his treasure safe. We were little known then, but after stealing seven sacks worth of jewels, armor, and such valuables, I guess our reputation as one of the most sinister tandem-thieves spread throughout the whole of Makai."

"Wow." Yuusuke shot a glance at Kurama's face, eyes wide with awe. "I can almost feel the thrill of going through something like that."

"You can't begin to imagine how it was like after that." Kurama looked at the pendant again, which was, this time, sitting on his palm, sparkling with the reflection of the afternoon sun just about to set in the horizon. Swinging it again, he was trying to remember how . . .

". . . we tried to heal each other with one of my plant extracts after encountering an army of guards in an unsuccessful attempt to get our hands on a famous set of rare Makai rune-stones."

"Of course, you got through it on your second attempt," Yuusuke commented.

"As a matter of fact, yes! As our first 'trophy' of sorts, we even took with us . . ."

". . . a crown of black gold with a big red Makai ruby embossed on the center of the damned thing," Yuusuke added suddenly. "You were particularly having a hard time keeping it."

"Hey, don't look at me! I wasn't the one who insisted on taking it in the first . . ."

With that, Kurama was struck dumb. It was then he noticed that, aside from sensing new youki emitting from Kuronue's necklace, Yuusuke's eyes were almost a total blank from staring at the swinging pendant.

Masaka, now what?

~ o 0 o ~

In his mind's eye, a silhouette was caught in a tricky web of bamboo spears. Somewhere else, there was a silvery image of another being, trying to get him out of the fix. In a fit of despair, he held something out towards the shimmering phantom. An exchange of words, then the bright one took the outstretched hand and gave it a firm grip.

The silver fox took something from his hand, then ran away as fast as it could. Then, from out of nowhere, he suddenly realized he was growing black wings. And in desperation, he let out a shrill, nightmarish cry.

The scene ended in a blinding flash of light and a violent crack of thunder.

It was the same image that haunted his sleep for the past few weeks. Only this time, Yuusuke Urameshi was quite sure that instead of Kuronue being caught in the web of spears, it was he who was feeling the pain of death descending upon him.

~ o 0 o ~

"Oi, Yuusuke-san . . ."

Kurama shrugged, then patted Yuusuke's cheeks gently. There was a slight urgency in his voice. He'd already stopped playing with the necklace, and he had already put it in his pocket. He was familiar with the effects of the pendant on youkai, but was unsure of what it could do to humans.

"Oi, snap out of it!"

Yuusuke was still caught in a blank stare, his breathing shallow. In as much as he wanted to get some consciousness into him, Kurama took it slowly, thinking that giving Yuusuke a quick jolt might have some negative consequences.

In desperation, Kurama took Yuusuke in his arms and swiftly moved between the trees. Before the sun could finally set in the horizon, Kurama was facing the gate of their house. With a quick movement, he opened the gate, went to the door and opened it, and called out to Shoiri.

"Kaasan, tadaima!" With that, he flipped off his shoes and put on his slippers, then he placed Yuusuke on the couch and started to look for Shiori in the house. Realizing that she wasn't around, he took it upon himself to take Yuusuke to his room. He was now babbling something about Kurama's cooking and rabbits in the Makai.

Taking time to boil some herbs, Kurama played with the necklace in his hands. Yuusuke was now flying curses towards an unnamed enemy, though Kurama was quite sure Yuusuke wasn't getting up. This is getting worse, he thought.

It was getting risky, and only one thing remained in his mind: to get Yuusuke back, whatever the cost.

~ o 0 o ~

Darkness.

Nothing around him, but total and complete darkness. It was cold and deathly silent. Then, suddenly, the images started flashing again.

He was wearing filthy, black clothing, which was beginning to grow familiar to him. He had a wide-brimmed hat, but his long hair stuck out from the top of the thing. His fine, dark hair was tied up in a single knot at the top, letting the rest flow down his back.

In his hands, he had two sickle-shaped weapons, connected with a long, metallic string. Demons were flying in from out of nowhere, but he was quick enough to slash at them with lethal precision.

Not far from where he was, a silver youko was lashing out at the demons with a rose whip. He had such amazing grace and swiftness, was a fleeting image of death with every movement. Narrowed gold eyes calculated every pace and every attack, always ready to counter every blow.

In the midst of the battle, they were slowly moving towards each other, until they ended up in the middle of some twelve marauding demons moving around in a circle. Their backs were against each other when they glanced toward one another at the same moment. They nodded at each other at the same time, and moved to attack as a duo, each lethal blow in sync.

Then the image faded as quickly as it came, and for Yuusuke, it was back to where it all started:

Darkness.

~ Tsudzuku ~

Part Four: Flood Of Memories

"Wasn't it true? Do you remember like I do?

Wasn't it true or is it all tainted in your view?

Could I be just a dream or two?

Wasn't it true? Oh, if I knew . . ."

—ž The Corrs, "Remember"

Kurama took out the necklace from his pocket, but instead of swinging it in front of Yuusuke, Kurama folded his hands around it. It took him some time to focus his youki to blend with the residual energy that carried Kuronue's signature youki. Finally successful, he was now going to try one of Kuronue's favorite maneuvers. Relatively easy, but very very risky.

He was ready to channel his mind energy and youki into the pendant, then dive right into Yuusuke's mind, and bring him back from there.

There was flash of light that came from the pendant, then a deafening silence.

~ o 0 o ~

Darkness.

Images were still flashing, but they always ended with that same cold darkness. Yuusuke was lost in thought from the last image when he sensed someone approaching. He didn't know where it came from, but he knew it was getting closer.

"Yuusuke . . ." the voice called out to him.

I'm right here. Yuusuke wanted to respond, but found that he couldn't. Something was keeping him from moving, or speaking.

"Yuusuke," the voice said again. "It's alright, I know you can hear me. Focus on my voice, so we can see each other." He did as he was told.

Who are you? Why am I here?

"Don't ask, just focus. Don't think of anything else."

Help me . . . Make it stop . . .

There was an ear-piercing sound, then there was that same flash of silver. Only this time, the image that he saw was a more familiar one. It was Kurama, as Shuichi Minamino.

Before any of them could understand what was going on, there was another flash of blinding light.

~ o 0 o ~

Yuusuke?!

Kurama struggled to regain footing in Yuusuke's mind-realm. All he could remember was the blinding flash of light, then darkness. After some time, he saw a dark silhouette covered by some dark cloth, crouched in a corner of some dark room. The figure was sleeping, and that the large cloth was actually a pair of large wings.

Yuusuke?

He called out, but the figure only stirred. It didn't make any move to answer Kurama's call. Kurama reached out to touch the shivering figure, but it only moved farther.

"Make it stop . . ."

Kurama reached out to him one more time. Only this time, he sent a wave of affection and security along with his mental hand. The figure seemed to feel the aura that came with the touch, and started to uncoil a little, showing his face.

"Help me, please . . . what's wrong with me? . . ."

Masaka, is this Yuusuke? . . .

The hunched figure was not the Yuusuke that Kurama knew. He recognized the features, but they belonged to someone else. The figure slowly lifted its face toward Kurama, and it began to tremble again. The soul-image was definitely Kuronue's, but the aura was unmistakably Yuusuke's.

Kurama had expected such a moment, but he never imagined the shock. His mind was a swirling mass of turmoil and confusion.

Yuusuke . . . is Kuronue ?!

The realization came a little easy on Kurama, but for Yuusuke, it was a never-ending tempest of lost memories. Yuusuke was caught in a tightrope in the middle of the storm.

"Tasukete kure . . ."

Don't worry, Yuusuke. Hold on, I'll help you . . .

As Yuusuke struggled to stretch out a mental arm towards him, Kurama caught Yuusuke's hand.

Then the darkness shattered into a million fragments, and the flood of memories burst open with a flash of silver and blue.

~ o 0 o ~

Kurama woke to the sounds of muffled sobbing. As he opened his eyes to see the familiar surroundings of his own room, a hand suddenly reached out to grasp his. He was sitting on his bedside stool, and right in front of him was a teary-eyed Yuusuke with a tired and worried look on his face.

Tears were trickling down Yuusuke's face as he slept. Kurama was about to wipe Yuusuke's cheeks, but he began to stir.

Yuusuke was never the one who cried, no matter what. He might have been emotional sometimes, but never the cry baby. If anything at all, Kurama knew that this was one experience that could change Yuusuke forever.

At least, in this lifetime.

~ Tsudzuku ~

Part Five: Changes

"Ku . . . Kurama? . . ."

Yuusuke slowly opened his eyes, looking for a familiar face.

"Hai, I'm here," Kurama responded, almost affectionately. He reached out for Yuusuke's hand to give it a reassuring squeeze. A gentle smile inched its way to Kurama's lips.

"Where . . . where are we?" Yuusuke wanted to get up, but Kurama stopped him. So he just sat up, resting his back on some soft pillows.

"Uh, in my room," Kurama said. "You passed out, but I didn't want to cause commotion in a public place, so I took it upon myself to bring you here."

"What happened?" Yuusuke rubbed his temples as headache surged into him. Kurama was about to answer his question but he cut him short. "No, don't bother telling me. I remember everything."

"You mean . . ."

"Yes, and I do mean EVERYTHING."

"Oh," Kurama let go of Yuusuke's hand and stared at his feet under the bed. He came to realize that, for someone who was a youko several centuries old, and of more than above average intelligence for a ningen, he was still prone to being stupid enough not to know how to react in some situations.

Damn this ningen weakness!

"Kurama?" Yuusuke reached out to touch Kurama's face, but before he could do so, Kurama had already stood.

"I'll . . . I'll just get you a glass of water . . ."

"No, wait . . . !"

With movements too swift for an average teenager, Kurama strode out the door, and downstairs to the kitchen.

This was stupid. What was he doing down in the kitchen, when he knew somebody wanted him upstairs, and in his room, for crying out loud!

Still thinking about what to do or what to say, he went over to where the medicine cabinet was and fished for an aspirin. Finding one, he went to get a glass of water from the fridge. Then, taking a deep breath, he marched back to his room.

The sight of Yuusuke toying with the pendant in his hand caught him off guard. But sensing no apparent danger, he let him be. He placed the glass of water on a bedside table along with the aspirin. Yuusuke gulped it down with half the glass of water without taking his eyes off the necklace.

"I never thought it'd still work, after all this time, I mean," Yuusuke said, almost absent-mindedly.

"Well, it still does," Kurama commented. "Kuronue, I . . . I mean, Yuusuke-san . . ."

"T'ch, you may be intelligent in this lifetime as a ningen, but you're still what that little fire imp would call a 'stupid fox'." A small smile flashed across Yuusuke's face. Kurama wanted to smile back, but found that he couldn't.

A few seconds passed without word from either of them. It was just a silent moment, but it seemed like an eternity, before Yuusuke broke the silence.

"Don't confuse yourself, dear Fox," he said. "My life as a youkai named Kuronue had ended a long time ago. I'm Urameshi Yuusuke now, a ningen boy who's a part-time high school student, and full-time Reikai investigator. And I have Keiko as a girlfriend. I hold no other meaning for you other than a member of the team and, if you still feel like it, an occasional friend."

"But you can't deny the fact that you share the same soul with Kuronue," Kurama retorted. "You may be Yuusuke in this lifetime, but deep inside, I know you're still Kuronue. You saw the memories . . . didn't you?"

"Yes, but I still need time to sort that out. I know I loved you then, and I realize now that I still do. But I'm committed to Keiko in this lifetime, and there's nothing much to go on with now. You have Hiei, as everybody else has noticed."

Yuusuke's own words silenced him. That one wasn't supposed to go out, especially at this particular time. But before they fell again into the uncomfortable silence that seemed to widen the gap between them, Kurama managed to speak.

"Hiei is a friend, no more no less," he said. "He was the first real friend I had in this lifetime, and he still is. If anything, he can understand me despite my very ningen way of life. And for that, I value that friendship so much, but not any further."

"Gomen, Kurama . . ."

"It's okay, we can still make mistakes, ne?" Kurama managed a weak smile. "Even I can still make terrible mistakes in this lifetime."

"Oh? Like what, pray tell?"

"Like having a terrible crush on you, Yuusuke-san."

Another moment lost in silence. Kurama's hands felt a little clammy, and he couldn't face Yuusuke now without blushing. Gods, centuries old and still blushing!

"Are you saying that now, realizing that I was Kuronue? Or has this been a long time already?"

"I'd have to say since we met," Kurama said, stopping Yuusuke short. "I guess that's the reason why I could easily trust you even before now."

Yuusuke dropped the pendant at the bedside table and got out of the bed. He stretched a little, looking out the window.

"So, how about it?" Kurama asked.

"I don't know," Yuusuke answered. His hands were rolling into fists, and his voice was getting shaky. "I'm sorry, Kurama, but . . ."

"Stop, Yuusuke. I understand." Kurama stared at the pendant on top of the table, then sadly placed it in his pocket. "Maybe I don't, but then I will. You can go now, if you feel like it. I'll just return this glass of water downstairs."

Yuusuke turned around in time to see Kurama stand up from a chair. He walked toward him, before he could leave the room.

"Matte yo, Kurama," Yuusuke said, reaching out to hold Kurama by his shoulders. He swung Kurama around to face him, and gave him a light kiss. It was nothing spectacular, just a subtle reminder of who he was, and who he had become.

Kurama did not object to this, nor did he consent to it. He couldn't do anything and just closed his eyes and let it happen. He hoped that if he closed his eyes, he'd see Kuronue the way he remembered him to be, and see the memories that they'd shared long ago.

Just as when Kurama was about to place his arms around him, Yuusuke broke off from the kiss. Yuusuke looked at Kurama's eyes, his eyes searching for the soul he once remembered, the youko he'd loved back in the Makai. Instead, he what he saw in them were green pools of bitterness and sorrow.

"I guess we may as well end it with that," Kurama said after a long silence, looking down at his feet. He couldn't stand Yuusuke looking at him like Kuronue did a long time ago.

"May as well . . ." Yuusuke said, almost mournfully.

Kurama then held out the pendant which, in another place and time, rightfully belonged to Yuusuke. He declined to take it, placing his hands in his pockets. And just as Kurama was about to lift his face to look at him, Yuusuke turned his back and started walking towards the door. Kurama realized with a crushing finality that Kuronue was gone, and Yuusuke was here now, living a life of his own.

Yuusuke was Yuusuke again, and he was back to being Shuichi Minamino.

~ o 0 o ~

Part Six: Lemony-Fresh! (This chapter is reserved for those who are looking for a horribly yaoi scene involving Yuusuke and Kurama. The story can actually end where it was, but this ending can serve just as well, I think. In any case, continue at your own risk. — Clef-sama)

"I guess we may as well end it with that," Kurama said after a long silence, looking down at his feet. He couldn't stand Yuusuke looking at him like Kuronue did a long time ago.

"May as well . . ." Yuusuke said, almost mournfully.

Yuusuke was Yuusuke again, and he was back to being Shuichi Minamino.

Just then, there was a click from the lock, then Yuusuke shot a glance over his shoulder and smiled at Kurama.

". . . NOT!"

Without a word of warning, Yuusuke rushed towards Kurama, holding him passionately by the neck and started showering him with playful kisses. With much surprise, Kurama could only take him in his arms and hold him closer.

"So . . . what's the . . . big idea . . . eh?" Kurama asked in between breaths. Yuusuke stopped for a while and looked at Kurama with a stern face.

"After being struck dumb AFTER being reincarnated as a young ningen boy AFTER spending my centuries in limbo as punishment for my crimes back in the Makai, what else would'ya think I thought of after gaining my full memories back? You're still as dumb as ever, Kitsune!" With that, Yuusuke tweaked Kurama's left ear with a gentle bite, letting go of his neck, only to move his arms around Kurama's waist.

"Ah . . . I see . . ." Kurama said with a smirk. Kurama's eyes suddenly narrowed, a teasing smile slowing taking shape on his lips.

Without another word, there was a bright flash of silver in Yuusuke's mind. With green glass eyes replaced by narrowed golden ones, red hair replaced with a fiery silver mane, and the pink school uniform transformed into white common Makai clothing, the image of Youko Kurama now stood in front of Yuusuke.

"My my, how you've grown," Yuusuke looked at him admiringly with half-lidded, misty eyes.

"Eh? Naze ka na," Kurama said, placing his right hand on his hips, which was now tilted to one side.

"Never mind," Yuusuke said with what sounded like a closing note, though it was more of a beginning rather than an ending.

Yuusuke, taking the opportunity, held Kurama by an arm and yanked him towards the bed. No other words were said. They knew what each movement meant for them, and they remembered. Words only wasted their time and clouded their thoughts. They were in sync again, much like moving in a symphony, a lyrical duet.

With Yuusuke's gentle tug at his fiery mane, Kurama slowly undid the top of his pink uniform while his face gave in to Yuusuke's kissing. When Kurama licked Yuusuke's lips sidewards, it was Yuusuke's turn to undo his top, leaving his green baggy pants on. He then pushed Kurama down on the bed, his hands exploring Kurama's supple skin, reveling at his fair complexion. Kurama reached down Yuusuke's stomach, admiring the strong muscles there, scratching and caressing at the same time.

Yuusuke quivered like a high-strung violin under Kurama's touch. Never in his ningen life had he felt this way before, not even with Keiko. It was almost like the way he remembered it to be, only now it was better.

He then hoisted himself up in front of Kurama, who was now kneeling before him, nibbling his pants loose. Throwing the garment aside to join the other clothing scattered on the floor, Kurama then removed whatever clothing was left on Yuusuke with almost inhuman speed and accuracy. Pushing him down on the bed under him, Kurama's searching hands found Yuusuke's warm length, hardening with each maddeningly light caress.

Yuusuke's head reeled with the overwhelming sensations. Taking Kurama's red locks with both hands, he nudged Kurama's head forward, who was more than willing to engulf Yuusuke's manhood in his mouth. Yuusuke threw his head backwards, and gasped with pleasure. Kurama licked the silken, throbbing member, kissing its warm tip a few times, only to suck on it again later on. A few more rocking motions and Yuusuke's body trembled with a nerve-wracking spasm, shooting out his seed into Kurama's hungry mouth. For a very brief moment, Yuusuke wondered why it felt better with Kurama than with Keiko.

With a sly grin, Yuusuke looked at Kurama in the eyes and said, "Now, it's my turn . . ."

In a single flash, Yuusuke sat up and gave Kurama a long, hard kiss, relishing his own taste that was still in Kurama's lips. His hands got to work, first taking off Kurama's belt. A finger traced the lines of his chest, following the contours of the lean muscles there. Kurama only closed his eyes and gasped in response. Much to his surprise, the playful strokes were followed by even more playful licks and kisses. Kurama slowly fell down on the bed, arching his back under Yuusuke's touch.

Yuusuke moved back up to kiss and nibble Kurama's neck, his amorous attacks almost relentless, savoring his faint scent of roses. One of Yuusuke's hands reached down, tracing the waistline above Kurama's pants with a light touch. It came to settle on Kurama's behind with a gentle push. It reached inside the garment and slid forward to feel Kurama's slightly moistened erection. Without taking his mouth off his new lover's neck and face, Yuusuke struggled to free Kurama's trousers and underpants with one hand and massaged tenderly with the other. Throwing the loose clothing on the floor, he moved his hands behind Kurama and gave another push, feeling himself hardening again with both of their erections crossing each other.

Yuusuke whispered something in Kurama's ear, and Kurama slightly nodded in agreement. Without a word of warning, Yuusuke flipped Kurama face down on the bed. Kurama then knelt, thighs spread apart. Yuusuke knelt behind him and took his erection in one hand and spread the moisture that dripped onto Kurama's behind. He then took aim, and slowly pushed himself in. Before Kurama could react from the sensation, Yuusuke reached towards Kurama's member and began to massage and caress. Kurama could only let out gasps and sighs of pain and pleasure. Yuusuke's other hand traced Kurama's smooth stomach, touching it ever so lightly as he rocked and stroked.

A few more moments and they were nearing the peak. In a sudden brief instant, an image flashed in their minds. Both of them saw the other as their former selves: Kurama, the silver youko, and Yuusuke, the raven-winged youkai. In less than a breath, they both gave out muffled moans as they released at the same time.

Their souls, now more than ever, are entwined together.

~ o 0 o ~

"Nee . . ."

"Hn?" Yuusuke looked towards Kurama who came to rest on top of his chest, breathing lightly.

"How should I call you?" Kurama held Yuusuke closer, arms wrapped around his waist.

"I'm not so sure," Yuusuke answered. "I guess you'd have to call me by my ningen name in front of others, since that's how they came to know me."

"Yah, that makes sense enough," Kurama commented. "But what about Hiei? You'd die again in this lifetime if he finds out."

"Hmn . . ." Yuusuke gave it some thought then replied. "I don't mind sharing him with you, so as long as you share me with Keiko."

"But they don't have to know, do they?"

"Yup," Yuusuke said, caressing Kurama's auburn tresses and burying his face in it to kiss him, savoring in that familiar scent of crimson roses. Around his neck, Yuusuke wore the black crystalline pendant, which was his at one point in time, and was returned to him now. "I guess there won't be any more nightmares for both of us," he said.

"From now on?" Kurama queried.

"Forever, for never," Yuusuke replied with a kiss.

Gochisou-sama deshita.

Sore dake desu.

~ Owari ! ~

Side Story: Koenma

A youkai clad in black clothes barged into the office, ignoring the protests of the spirit guide who was following him at that time. "Where's Koenma-sama? Where's his office?" he shouted.

"What's it about this time?" Koenma craned his neck from behind a stack of paperwork waiting to be processed. Something told him this was going to be one of those days.

"Ah, doumo sumimasen, Koenma-sama," the blue-haired and pink kimono-clad spirit guide squeacked. "I told him you were busy, and that you didn't want to be disturbed, but he insisted that he see you right this instant, and . . ."

"Who are you?" Koenma asked, cutting the spirit guide short.

"So, you're the one they call Koenma, son of Enma Daiou?" the youkai said. It was more a comment than a question.

"You can either state your name and business, or leave right now," Koenma said with a stern, albeit child-like voice. "I'm busy, and I don't want you wasting my time."

"The name's Kuronue, and I want you to send me back," he said, then narrowed his eyes before adding another word to his sentence, ". . . now."

"Now why would I do that?"

"Coz my Kurama's left behind in the Makai, and I promised him that I'd be back for him."

Koenma eyed him for a while, then looked at the young spirit guide who accompanied the youkai. "You can leave now, Botan." The spirit guide excused herself then left, almost in a hurry. He went back to his stack of papers and shuffled them until he found what he was looking for. "What did ya say your name was again?"

The black-winged youkai eyed the child-like son of the great Enma Daiou. He hesitated for a while, but decided to say: "It's Kuronue."

Koenma looked at the document in his hand, then back at the winged youkai. With a frown, he shook his head. "If half of what is written on this document is true, you don't have a chance."

Kuronue's eyes narrowed, calculating.

"I see that you know yourself very well," Koenma said, walking across the room. "You were a professional thief for more than three-fourths of your youkai life, stealing from the lesser lords of the Makai, and killing when you got the chance."

"I had my reasons," Kuronue snorted back.

"And what, may I ask, were those reasons?" Koenma asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I only stole from the people who stole from me first. Those lords were responsible for the deaths of my parents, in one way or another. I only wanted to get back what was truly mine." Kuronue paused for a while, thinking of what to say next.

"What about the youkai you killed?"

"I only did it to defend myself . . . and my partner."

Koenma eyed the paper in his hand one more time. "Who is this partner of yours?"

"He's the silver youko Kurama." Without a word of warning, the youkai's shoulders started to tremble. "Please, I need you to send me back there. He needs me. I don't want him to think that I've abandoned him . . . please?" His voice quivered.

Koenma clenched his hand into a fist. "I'm sorry, but we have to play by the rules here," he said, not taking his eyes off the youkai, who now fell silent. He paused for a while, then he began to talk again.

"First of all, I can't send you back immediately. Things like this take a lot of time. Second, you have to carry out your punishment for stealing, if not for the killings you've done, which means additional decades. And lastly, I don't usually authorize my people to 'send back' youkai. It's carried out only in special cases. Besides, my Father has to review your case before I can make any decisions at all."

"Damn . . . !" Kuronue pounded a fist towards the wall beside him.

Koenma walked slowly towards his table and pressed a button on the intercom. "Get Botan back in here, now."

"Hai," an oni's voice replied from the other end of the line. Not a moment too soon, Botan came back, fidgeting like a nervous child.

"Botan," he said to the slightly blushing spirit guide. Botan straightened and nodded. Koenma continued:

"I want you to escort Kuronue here to limbo, where he will serve his sentence until I summon him back here. He is never to be in contact with another soul, and will be allowed only one audience with either me or my Father, and that's after carrying out his punishment."

With a stone face that didn't seem to suit him, Koenma then looked at Kuronue who only stared in disbelief. "Only then can we reconsider your plea. I know it can be cruel, but rules are rules. If you don't have any more questions, both of you can leave now. The sooner you carry out our punishment, the better."

Without another word, Koenma returned to his place behind the desk and put his attention towards the huge amount of paperwork that needed pushing. As soon as the two beings left the office, Koenma reached towards the intercom again.

"Henji, are you there?" he called out.

"Hai, Koenma-sama," a voice replied. "Is there anything you need?"

"Yes, I need you to investigate a certain silver youko, named Kurama. His partner has died recently and is detained here in Reikai . . ."

~ o 0 o ~

Time flies by so fast when you're so busy, Koenma thought as he took a bite from his sandwich. He was taking a break and was watching the "drama" unfold on a video wall. It had been less than two decades since the last time they talked about "going back".

He had been following the developments of their case closely since day one. The youkai had agreed to his terms completely. He knew that the youko was now in Ningenkai, reborn as a ningen with all of his youko memories very intact and whole, a result of wanting to escape from the agents of Reikai. He explained to the winged youkai that the only way for them to see each other was to follow the youko to Ningenkai and be reborn as a ningen. Of course, it came with a price.

Koenma smiled as he watched the screen in front of him. Almost blushing, he had the decency to shut the device off when the scenes began to get steamy. As he took another bite from his sandwich, another thought crossed his mind:

Good thing the amnesia inducer's effect wasn't too long.

~ Owari ! ~