C&C is water to the soil of an artists soul. . .  Water me please!!!

    Kurama staked out the temple stealthily. He had plans, big plans. And they would require someone small and swift and able to fight. Rumors had been spreading through the Makai like wildfire for the last fifty or so years, about a forbidden child fitting just such a description.

    Being one to distrust anything not seen or done himself, the fox spirit had taken his time, finding the truths to the tale. He liked what he heard. Oh yes, liked it very much indead.

    Koorime Hiei was the son of a fire demon, born to a tribe of female ice demons. Cast out at birth with only a tear jem, he'd obtained a jagan and found his twin sister by the time he was thirty. For her sake and his beliefs he joined a martial arts master named Genkai and was choosen over hundreds of others to be her deciple, encluding a reikai detective.  Since then he had lived the life of a warrior monk of the shrine ever since. Protecting the innocent. Bah. That is no task for such a . . . usefull little Youkai.

    Moving in a barely visible flash of silver, the Youko crept closer. Until he could see into the quaint ningen dwelling.  A wrinkled old woman sat there with a maiden pale as ice and a young man dressed in red and white, with fire in his eyes. //Koorime Hiei. He is perfect!//
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    Hiei glanced at Genkai quizically, "You're waiting for something."

    She smiled, "Ah, what would an old woman like me have to wait for?"

    "You tell me."

    Yukina bowed her head respectfully, "It is not your place to ask that Oneechan."

    Hiei looked at his sister a moment but fell silent.

    "So Whelp, did you see Enma about the boy you beat in the trials?"

    "Hn, he's a beginner. No training other than street brawls."

    "Maybe you should join the Tantai." She said thoughtfully, "There is a lot that they are needed for. . ."

    "You want me to work for the Reikai?"

      Yukina smiled brightly, "It would be fun Oneechan! You would be very good at it!"

    He melted under his sister's excitment. He always had. "I will think about it." Standing smoothly he bowed, "Would you excuse me."

    Genkai nodded, "You answer tommorow Brat."

    "Hn."
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    Outside the air was crisp and clean as mountain air usually is. The forbidden child looked over his newly adopted home with a the feel of a bird trapped in a cage. He loved his sister and respected the old hag, but this place, these people, they were not home.

    He longed for the wild abandon of the Makai. For the thrill of the job whether fighting or theiving. But he was as a ningen now. He had to remain so to respect his Imoto. She deserved this quiet, ningen life if she wanted it. His opinion was of no consequence.

    "Koorime Hiei."

    The small figure jumped and spun to face to woods near the edge of the temple grounds. The training woods. No one should have been able to sneak through there. No one should have been able to sneak up on Hiei at all. Unless they were very, very good. "Hai?"

    A silver shadow detatched itself from the trees and Hiei's breath caugh tin his throat. He knew this shadow. He'd seen him once before, in Makai. The Youko had been selling off the skin of a hunter who'd tried to kill him.

    No one could ever forget the face of the most infamous thief of the Makai. "Youko Kurama."

    The angelic face smiled, a fang poking out slightly, rakish. "You know me."

    "I've seen you around." Hiei pursed his lips trying to seem disinterested in what youko Kurama would come to ningenkai for.

    "Have you? I've seen you also."

    "Hn."

    "That's all you have to say?"

    "S'enough." Hiei looked the slim, lithe creature up and down, "What do you want?"

    Kurama smiled again and Hiei watched him even more carefully. Kurama's smiles meant nothing good.

    "Well?"

    "I'd like a drink. It has been a very long day."

    "A drink?"

    "Hai."

    The koorime nodded, maybe the fox was just in the neiborhood, probably robing some religious relic from a museum or something. He most likely had felt another Youkai's ki and come to see who it was. Even youkai get hungry and thirsty. "You steal anything from the temple and I will hunt you down and kill you."

    "I'm not going to steel from you."

    "Hn." Hiei nodded, "Follow me."

    "Arigato." Kurama's grin broadened and Hiei instantly regreted the invitation. He had been away from Makai too long. Was almost ningen himself now. What kind of protection would he have against an A class Youko?

    //I'm getting sloppy. If it weren't for Yukina. . .// Hiei stopped that train of thought. His sister was the only one who ever loved him, he wouldn't start resenting her for keeping him in ningenkai, it was HIS choice. A bad one but his.

    The fire demon left the Youko in the main room and quickly fetched a glass of water. He wasn't sure what Youkos drank besides that. When he got back to his guest, Kurama was looking interestedly at the pictures on the wall. "These are very fine artistry."

    "Hn. Genkai likes to paint."

    "The old woman did these?"

    "How long have you been watching me." Hiei demanded as he handed over the water.

    "Hm?"

    Hiei frowned.

    "Is that a permanent expression for you? A frown?" Kurama asked with a grin, "Ningenkai not so grand?"

    "Hn, what is it to you? How long?!"

    The fox waved a hand dismissingly and just breathe, "Long enough."

    "What do you want?" Hiei growled but it died in his throat when the tall, beautiful Youko turned those golden eyes directly onto him. Shivers ran all through him and the Youkai swallowed back a sound of appreciation. He couldn't affored to fall for this. Kurama was known for his conquests through all three worlds, Hiei didn't want to be another of them.  "Tell me."
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    Kurama grinned, he'd been right to choose this Hiei. He was smart, and he wasn't some lackey to be led, this one knew his mind and ignorred his body. . . a quick glance at the smaller man's crotch had a sly grin spreading over full lips. //His body is definitly singing a different tune.//

    "Tell me."

    Not one to give up easily, the Youko sauntered up to Hiei and sat gracefully beside him, almost in his lap. He lowered his eye lids a bit and offered a sexy smile, "A have a . . . proposal for you."

    "Oh?" Hiei cursed when his word came out breathy and moaned. This was NOT good!

    "A job." Kurama licked his lips and leaned closer so that their noses almost brushed together, "It requires a partner I can trust. You would be. . . exquisite."

    "exquis. . . job?" Hiei backed away and shook his head clear, "No. I don't do that stuff anymore."

    "But you were so good."

    "I have my sister to think of. She likes it here."

    "But do you?"

    "Yes."

    "You are a master theif Hiei, but you're a lousy liar. This place isn't a part of you like it is for her. It kills you a little more every day until one day you wont know who you are anymore. We could change that. We could make this world whatever we wished it to be."

    "Yukina likes it like this."

    "We would be good Hiei." Kurama ran his fingers up the koorime's hip and chest. "In many ways."

    Hiei's lips parted in a small, need filled pant, but he shook his head and backed away, "I can't."

    Kurama nodded, "If you change your mind, just call. The trees will tell me."

    "What are you after anyway?"

    "Besides you?"

    Hiei averted his eyes. "Hai."

    "Reikai's treasures. The Mirror of Utter Dark. the sword Ghostslayer. and the Ruffian Sphere."

    Hiei blinked, "You'd have to be despirite or insane. . ."

    Kurama smiled, "I just want a challenge." He placed his lips to Hiei's hand and backed away, "Feel free to call me, just to call. I'll be around for a while I think."

    "A while?"

    "Hai."

    "'k."

    With that the silver spirit vanished and Hiei sagged against the wall, clutching the empty water glass tight and trying to still his heart. //So fast. My heart is beating so fast.//

    "Hiei." Genkai stood in the doorway.

    "Hai?"

    "You've finally met our guest."

    "You knew."

    "He has been watching you for some time. What did he want?"

    "Me." His voice was awed. "His name is Kurama."

    Genkai frowned. This was worst than what she'd feared.
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    Kurama's smile stayed with him all day. This was an unexpected treat. From afar he hadn't realised how lovely his prey was. Forget buisness partner. This relationship was going to be much more fun!

<Part 2>
 

    Hiei knelt on the polished floor of his room in the temple. Staring out the window. He was out there somewhere. Youko Kurama. The theif's offers had been tempting, both of them. The candle light flickered and Hiei closed his eyes. //Why can I not be content to have my sister. Why should I lust after a dream? That is all this thing could ever be.//

    "I have to be strong. For Yukina." His vow sounded more like a question and Hiei cursed and smashed the tiny flame out. "Why can't I be content?!"

    "Mayhaps you are missing something."

    The koorime jumped back from the sill where Youko Kurama had just suddenly appeared. "I didn't call you."

    "Not with your lips." The fox smiled.

    "Not with anything. Get out."

    "You're saying one thing, but your eyes beg another favor."

    Hiei glarred.

    The pale demon slid to his feet and walked weightlessly over to the smaller man. One slim finger slid down his face and the Youko's smile grew sensual. "I could offer you completion."

    "I doubt it."

    "Two bodies, dancing in a ritual old as time. Filling, completion. Sweat slicked ecstasy."

    "No."

    "You're body say's yes."

    "Fuck my body!"

    "I intend to."

    Hiei blushed bright, "That isn't what I . . ."

    "Oh no?"

     "I am happy here."

    Kurama looked at him with pity and understanding, "No you're not. Hiei you are miserable in Ningenkai. You know it, I know it. Now come with me. We could make all three worlds our playgrounds."

    "No."

    "Hiei." The youko sat in front of him and knelt between his legs. "Then let me touch you? Let me show you how we could be."

    "I said no."

    "But did you mean it?"

    "I. . ."

    "You're so beautiful. So strong. So quick and deadly. But you're empty inside. Let me fill you Hiei. My beautiful Koorime. Let me complete you."

    "We can't."

    "This has nothing to do with my proposition for you earlier. This is only you and me."

    "I will not be made a fool."

    "I don't want to make you a fool. I only want to feel what we could do together."

    Hiei blinked and reached for his headband.

    "You would attack me?"

    The third eye opened and gazed into Kurama's soul and the Youko felt picked apart like he'd never been before. Hiei blinked and tied the cloth back again, "You mean it."

    "You were in my mind."

    "You really want me for 'me'."

    "I didn't tell you that you could do that."

    Hiei glanced up and fell out of shock when he heard the tone in Kurama's voice. Betrayel.

    "You raped my mind without a thought." He glarred at the tresspasser and slapped the trembling hand away from him. "Stop. I was wrong. I can't trust you any more than any other youkai." With that he vanished and Hiei stood frozen.

    The koorime closed his eyes to hold back bitter tears of regret. Kurama had really wanted him. Not for gain of something but for 'him'. And he'd. . . he'd raped the youko's mind, just like he said.

    //How can I ever make this right?!//

<Part 3>

    All of Makai was paying dearly for the Youko's anger. He had been ruthless before but now he was simply being crewl. Youkai fell by tens and twenties to his rose whip and he ravaged the treasure houses of the after life realm with unerring accuracy. Still none of this could make him happy. He felt used. He felt dirty. The one time he let himself actually feel for another creature and he'd been violated so deeply that he would never be the same again.

    //I will NEVER let my guard down! I let it down for Kuronue and he chose Yomi's love over mine and then died for our 'freindship'. I let it down for Hiei and he stepped into my soul without a thought and trampled my private thoughts.// "Never AGAIN!"

    A passing Youkai screamed as his head was lopped off by the rose whip.

    "Never again."

    "Kurama you are killing all of my subjects."

    "Fuck off Mukuro."

    "Who will I rule after you've slain them all? Who will you rule for that matter."

    "I didn't become your second in comand to rule sniveling weaklings."

    "And I didn't take you as my second to babysit a tantrum throwing kit."

    Kurama turned on her, eyes blazing, "Watch your fucking tongue Mukuro."

    She took his face calmly in his hands and looked over his face. "What happened my kit?"

    That was the last straw. The silver Youko crumbled and hugged his serrogate mother for all he was worth as his eyes streamed silent tears.

    "Hiei didn't accept your offer did he."

    "He is staying in Ningenkai for his precious koorime sister. I expected that much after I met him. I was. . . I was going to stay there with him. He is rough and ningen-like and annoying and I feel so damn whole when I'm around him."

    "You found your soul partner." Mukuro smiled and petted the Youko's hair, "It happens to the best of us. At first we might feel more weak for having such a vice, but in the end you are made twice as strong through your bond."

    The fox jerked from the Youkai ruler's arms and stormed away from her. "You don't understand."
He walked into his bedroom in the palace and slid to the mattress with a threatening grace.

    "Then tell me."

    "He used the fucking Jagan Mukuro! He didn't trust my work and so he rapped my mind to find the truth!"

    "K. . . he. . ."

    "He rapped my mind."

    "He didn't mean to hurt you kit. He was scared you ment to hurt him and his."

    "I would have let him if he had just asked."

    "Maybe there have been others who said no."

    "What are you saying?"

    "You should go, ask him why. Ningen are complicated beings, and he has lived there a long time. I'll guess he's just as upset at himself as you are at him."

    "No one should ever tell you that you aren't a born ruler Mukuro." Kurama splashed water on his face and turned to smile at his employer. "Better?"

    "Much." She smiled, "And in your case kit. I'm just a born mother."

    He hugged her and grinned, "Being my mother is harder than ruling the whole Makai."

    "It has it's moments though." She was forever greatful for this Youko. He was ruff and moody and an evil bastered, but he had wonderful moments.

    "You tell anyone I cried and I'll kill you slowly."

    Obviously, this wasn't one of them.
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    In Ningenkai Hiei was suffering the most painful guilt he'd ever felt. He hadn't left the temple since that day and he was snapping at everyone, including Yukina. //He wanted me for me. He didn't care that I was little better than ningen, that I am a forbidden child, that I am going to be a part of the Rekai Tentai who hunt theives like him, He just wanted me for me, and I punished him for it. I tore through his mind and pulled out what I needed. I rapped him effectively as any physical act.//

    "Hiei?"

    "Just go away Genkai." He clentched his teeth and stared out into the darkness of the night.

    "You are upseting your sister."

    ". . ."

    "It wasn't your fault you know. The Youko pushed you and you pushed back harder than he thought you would. You showed strength. . ."

    "I showed ningen evil. No Youkai would have done that to someone who hadn't attacked."

    "He did attack."

    "No he didn't. He offered to care about me." Hiei closed his eyes and shook with silent sobs. "He's been following me, he knew I'm joining the Rekai, he knew I hated this place with all of my soul but stayed for Yukina. He knew me."

    "Then why didn't he know you would use the Jagan?"

    Red eyes slammed shut and became cool as steal, "Because even I didn't realise that I could be that hateful."

    "So you're letting him win."

    "He didn't want this! He didn't even really want to steal the Reikai treasures!"

    "Then why do it?"

    ". . ."

    "Hiei?"

    "He was bored."

    "He's insane." The old woman sniffed and looked at her student carefully.

    "But it's a wonderful insanity."

    "Hm?"

    "And he smelled like Makai."

    "Don't let memories of your world taint you Youkai. You've become better for being here."

    "No. I've become ningen." He growled, "And I hate it!"

    "Niisan. . ."

    He spun to face to spft voice and stared helplessly at his sister. "Yukina."

    "Are you really so unhappy here?"

    ". . ."

    "Please tell me the truth."

    "I only stay for you."

    "I will still be here for you. Even if you go back. I'll always be your Imoto."

    "But who will protect you if I'm gone?"

    "Genkai-sama will keep the bad ningen away, and the bad youkai have only come for you. Never me."

    "And the Rekai?"

    "It would be a well choosen path to join them," Genkai observed, "But it is your path to choose." She walked back toward the temple, "It is your choice. Think about it, get some sleep. We will all talk tomorrow."

    "Oyasumi Oniisan." Yukina kissed his cheek and followed their sensai inside leaving Hiei with his thoughts.

    //They've set me free. They gave me a way to go back without loosing my family here.// He stood in the night like the shadow of a shadow and stared ahead of him even though he could see nothing there. //Now am I brave enough to take this chance?//

    "Am I brave enough to go home, even ningen as I've become?