The Black Rose - Part I

Author's rantings:

I don't get myself sometimes, but right now I'm in the mood to torture my fave characters.  Call me crazy, but it's a season thing.  Sorry to everyone who hates Mukuro, lucky for everyone who hates Hiei and adores Yomi and loves Mukuro!  Our brave Yusuke is here too!  As for the irreplaceable, lovely fox (sigh) he should learn to love me back! (Sorry, couldn't resist this line, ha, ha!)

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Hiei: Oi, shut up!  You think Kurama would look at you twice?

Shuriken:  He is looking at me NOW, see?

Kurama: (Growling)  What is the meaning of this-this whatever you call this??  I won't be tortured!

Shuriken: (sweatdrops)  Even if you get the last laugh?

Kurama:  I won't be threatened or made a fool of by just anyone!

Shuriken:  Hey, this is just a fic, Kurama!  Loosen up! And i promise to make this fic REALLY short!

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Kurama stood solitary in his room facing the blue skies of the ningenkai.  His very stance forlorn and his missing someone terribly.  He missed Hiei, his beautiful fire demon.  Hiei had been going back and forth between the makai and the ningenkai.  The fire demon had to do errands for Mukuro, one of the three rukers of the makai.  Kurama thought that the tasks for Hiei would take a month or so to complete and a month was too long.  But a month had passed, progressed to two and three more and still no sign or news from Hiei.  He was getting worried.  Had something happened to the fire youkai?  Surely, someone at the makai would have warned him, reported if something was amiss, but none.  Nothing was ever reported,  not even from Koenma who usually gave him updates as to the comings and goings of the makai.  The serenity and the silence of it all unnerved him.  Kurama sighed.  He had no other choice but to make the trip to the makai. 

He hated lying to his kaasan, but he had no other choice.  Bringing nothing save himself and the turmoil inside his mind, Kurama opened a portal to the makai.

 And promptly found himself in a middle of some demon fight.  Kurama's mind barely had time to assess the situation when a giant hand shaped like an axe descended on him fast.

"Kitsune no baka!"

Came the achingly familiar voice as Kurama prepared himself for the blow.  Fortunately, Kurama's instinct was even faster as his rose whip tumbled out of his hair and broke the axe/hand into halves.  In a blink of an eye, the redhead was straightening and welding his precious whip in hand.

"Hiei!"

"Hn.  What are you doing here?"

The redhead stopped the words from coming out of his mouth.  He wanted very much to say how much he missed the fire demon and inquire why he had not gone back to the ningenkai, but the brooding disposition of the fire demon held him back.  Obviously, Hiei was not in so a happy mood.

"I'm just... visiting."  The fox said lamely, wondering what he would say next to the fire demon.

"Hn.  Come, I'll show you `round."  The fire youkai said, not waiting for the redhead to comply but flitting away swiftly from one tree to another.  Kurama sighed.  He was starting to regret his impulse.  He should have stayed in the ningenkai where he belonged, with his plants and his kaasan.  But Hiei... the fire youkai was everything to him.

 Kurama swore darkly under his breath.  He knew something was wrong, at least with Hiei's relationship with Mukuro.  He caught a glimpse of Mukuro lying on the bed and Hiei coming over to her and giving her a kiss on the lips, before the doors to the private chamber was closed.  Kurama clenched his fist.  This was something he had never imagined Hiei would do.  But then Hiei had never told him that he was in love with the youko.  Kurama just assumed.  Stupid! Stupid human emotion!  Kurama gritted his teeth and schooled his expression as Mukuro came out of her chamber at last, Hiei following her from behind.  Mukuro smiled at him.

"Kurama, we meet at last!  We were never properly introduced."  The makai lord said very nicely.  Kurama had no choice but to smile back.  He stared momentarily at Hiei before he spoke slowly.

"I'm honored, Mukuro.  H-Hiei has never told me anything about you."

Hiei snorted and turned away from them both.  Mukuro laughed and turned to Hiei then back at Kurama.

"Well, he's no good at communication skills, is he?"  She joked.

"H-hai."  Kurama smiled a little.  His heart was beating wildly.  Inari!  What was he doing here?  He wanted to get out of this place now.  Get away from Hiei and Mukuro.

"So what brings you back to the makai?"  Mukuro asked curiously.  "That is if you don't mind my asking."

"I'm not... no, it's okay.  I'm here to see Yusuke and Yomi."  The youko lied.

"Oh good!  Your visit will be a good spell for both camps, I'm sure."  Mukuro said.

"Thank you, Mukuro.  I sure hope so."  Kurama smiled at her again. 

There was an awkward silence as they both thought of something to talk about next.  Kurama quickly spoke and excused himself.

"I have to go now.  I've sent a mental call to Yusuke and he knows I'm coming.  Thanks again for seeing me, Mukuro."

"You're welcome and please do come back."

Kurama nodded and allowed himself to be escorted by tow of Mukuro's guards.  When Kurama had left, Mukuro turned to the silent fire demon.

"So, he didn't know and he came here for you?"  She asked softly and embraced the fire youkai.

Hiei snorted.

 "He has no reason to demand any commitment from me."   Demons don't need commitment.  He added silently.

Mukuro looked at the fire youkai.  She knew that Hiei couldn't understand the meaning of fidelity or commitment.  He had no experience to serve as basis.   That was fine with her since she had long accepted the rules, but Kurama.... The fox spirit's human emotions must have been responsible for the changes in his perceptions about love.  He may not be able to take it.

"He's letting his emotions get the better of him."  Mukuro whispered to herself sadly.

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Kurama walked a little agitatedly toward Yusuke's territory or was it Yomi's territory?  He didn't know anymore.  He had suddenly developed a headache.  The soft, feminine features of the redhead became colder and colder still, until Kurama's youko aspect manifested itself.  The silver youko's golden eyes were flinty.  A tightly clenched fist was on his left chest.  HE was going to get rid of his feelings for Hiei.  A tiny part of his sub-consciousness scolded and told him to get back to the ningenkai, settle down and have kids.  But NO!  He was Kurama, legendary makai thief and slave of no one and certainly no human emotion was going to paralyzed him!  He calmed down a little and unconsciously transformed back into his more delicate human form, blinking his emerald eyes.  He was in Yomi's territory!  And Yomi had just sent him a mental message.  The redhead briskly walked toward Gandara's main city.

 Yomi was waiting for him.  Come to think of it, the makai lord had been doing this for a long time.  Yomi smiled silently as he felt the fox spirit's ki nearer his kingdom.  At long last!  Kurama had finally decided to visit him again.  He missed his friend so much.  His smile grew wider in appreciation as he perceived the lovely redhead.  He came forward and placed warm hands on the slender shoulders.

"Welcome back, Kurama."  He said and surprising the redhead bent down and kissed him lightly on the lips. 

Kurama did not resist.  He just closed his eyes and surrendered to the inevitable.  Yomi took his lips away and caressed one soft cheek with the thumb of his hand.

"You are so beautiful."  The makai lord murmured, then remembered his manners and moved away.

Kurama just stared at him aghast.

"I'm sorry.  I just missed you."  Yomi offered apologetically.

Kurama blushed hotly and cursed inwardly.  He was a centuries old youko for Inari's sake, so why was he blushing like a schoolboy?

"I-it's all right."  The youko said briefly.  The less words said the better.

"I;m sure you'll be happy to knnow that Shura has grown into a fine young youkai."  Yomi said conversationally.

"Good.  I'm pleased to hear that, Yomi."  Kurama said and sat down on a chair from across the makai lord.

"And you, Yomi?  How have you been doing?"  Kurama asked in his soft alto voice.  Yomi shivered and thought deeply of his next words.

"Missing you terribly."

"Y-Yomi!"

"All I can think of is you and I naked on a big bed with no one and nothing to bother us."

"Y-Yomi!"  Kurama started to stand up, trembling.

"NO! No, don't run away again!"  Yomi trapped the youko against the chair.

"Y-Yomi I-I...."  Kuso!  What was wrong with him?  He was all feather in his human aspect!

"Kurama, I know the changes you're going through, but if you let me woo you, we'll take it slow."

Yomi, I...."

"I know."  Yomi sighed, holding the redhead's elegant hands tightly.  "I know that you're still inexperienced in this form and your human body is still very young.  I want to be your first."  Yomi said passionately.

Kurama pushed Yomi away.

"Yomi, listen.  I'm not... inexperienced in this aspect, not anymore."  Kurama said reluctantly.

"Nani?"  Yomi asked incredulously.  So, someone else beat him to it!  And he wanted so much to make Kurama's first time in his human form memorable.  He exhaled a tense breath.

"I don't care then.  I still want you annd love you."  He murmured sensing shivers going through the frail human body.

"Y-you love me?"  Kurama asked in astonishment.  "Y-you never told me...."  He added unbelievingly.

"How could I tell a proud, cunning, seemingly-heartless youko that I was in love with him?  You don't think he would kick my ass and tell me to get a life, do you?"

Kurama bowed his head.  Yomi was right.  He'd probably avoid Yomi like he was the Hunter himself!

"So?"  Yomi raised the redhead's chin.  "What will it be, Kurama?"

Kurama stared at Yomi's waiting face and finally decided on a bet.  It had been a long time since he gambled and right now, he was feeling reckless.

"Yomi, if you can find me a black rose here in the makai, I'll give myself to you."

"Not good enough."  Yomi shook his head.  "I wannt all of you, your body and spirit and I want you to bond with me."  Yomi said determinedly.

Kurama reeled at hearing those words.

"Yomi, bonding is...."

"Forever, I know.  But I told you, Kurama.  I've loved you for a long time and now that fate has given me this chance to see you again, I'm not letting you go!"

"That's impossible!  I'm partly human, I have to get back to my kaasan, my family, my job!"  Kurama protested.

Yomi smiled.  So, the youko was agreeable to the bonding.

"I'll wait for you to extinguish your human life, but we have to be faithful to each other!'  Yomi smiled.

Kurama shook his head in disbelief.

"Where did you learn about fidelity, Yomi?  There is no such thing as fidelity in the makai."  Kurama said bitterly, thinking of Hiei, but inside his heart, he knew his words to be a lie.

"Kurama, love does not only exist in the ningenkai.  It thrives here in the makai and I know that somewhere around here, your black rose blooms too."  Yomi whispered softly and held the youko's hands.  "And don't worry, several centuries of pining for you has made me immune to the charms of other youkais."  He added jokingly, feeling elated that he was one step closer to possessing the fox.

Kurama turned away.  Yomi was too honest with him, making him feel uncomfortable and a little daunted.  He had never known that he had been loved like this and by a friend whom he had betrayed once.  He was not going to fight this.

"Fine.  I agree."

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"Oi, have you heard the news?  Yomi is going to give a big reward to anyone who can pinpoint the location of a makai black rose in a week!"  A youkai in Mukuro's territory whispered.

"A black rose?  Is there ever such a thing as a black rose in the makai?"  Another youkai laughed.

Hiei frowned.  He had been hearing the rumor for five days now right after Kurama's arrival in the makai.  The mere mention of the word `rose' set his insides squirming, sending a warm, aching sensation on his nucleus.  Where was the stupid fox anyway?  He had not heard from him since his first and last visit here at Mukuro's territory.  The koorime's ruby eyes hardened.  The youko must have really hurt when he discovered his intimate relationship with Mukuro and he just couldn't understand why.  Kurama was a youko, a centuries old youko in fact.  He should have understood about relationships in the makai.  Hell he himself was engaging in those types of relationships too before he was reborn in a human body..  Demons have countless lovers and they never give this a thought.  But Kurama....

"Hn!  Stupid ningen emotions!"  Hiei snarled

But why was Yomi searching for a black rose?

He found out soon enough when Yomi invited them over to his territory. 

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Yomi welcomed Mukuro, Hiei and Yusuke and waited until Kurama was sitting down from across him before he started to talk.

"I thank you, Mukuro, Yusuke and you, Hiei, for accepting my invitation."

"Well, I'm just curious about this whole thing."  Yusuke spoke quickly, frowning at his youko friend.

Kurama just bent his head.  He was avoiding eye contact with Hiei.

"Well, it's like this.  Kurama has agreed to bond with me."  There was a gasp from Yusuke.  Hiei's ruby eyes widened hands under the table clenching hard.  He felt an electric jolt on his nucleus.  Kurama flushed as Yomi continued.

"I have asked for his hand in bonding and he has agreed, but there is a catch.  First, I must present to him a makai black rose."  Yomi smiled at the redhead.  Mukuro frowned.

"A rose, the one Kurama himself uses?"

"Yes, but the black rose has to come here from the makai and not from the ningenkai."  Yomi elaborated.

Mukuro turned her eyes on the redhead who stared back at her.

"You are clever."  Mukuro smiled.

Kurama blushed even more hotly.

"And he has given you what?  One week only?"  Mukuro asked.

"He has to get back to the ningenkai."

"I see."  Mukuro murmured, but the frown on her forehead suggested that she didn't see at all.

Yusuke jusr sat there with his mouth hanging open.  Mukuro stared down at Hiei, but the fire demon was scowling, deep in his own thoughts.

"You realize that you may fail?  This is the 5th day already and a rose, a black rose at that is almost impossible to find in the makai."  Mukuro said.

Kurama frowned inwardly at her.  If she's thinking that he was just dangling Yomi for fun....

"No, please Kurama.  I didn't mean that as a criticism.  I'm just stating the facts."  Mukuro smiled.

Yomi sighed.

That's the reason I called you all here.  I need your help to find the black rose."  Yomi stared determinedly at the redhead.

"N-NANI?!"  Yusuke finally blurted out.

Kurama grimaced and stood up.

"Yomi, Mukuro, if you'll excuse me.  I'll just take Yusuke for a breath of fresh air."

Yomi nodded.  He was beginning to regret inviting Raizen's son in Gandara.  He didn't seem inclined to help him in his dilemma.

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Once outside Yusuke grasped Kurama's shoulders roughly.

"What's wrong, Kurama?  Has Yomi hypnotized you or threatened you?  Tell me and I'm gonna beat him to a pulp!"  Yusuke said, gritting his teeth.

"Yusuke, calm down!  I'm perfectly free to do as I wish.  I know what I'm doing."  The youko assured his friend.

"But, why?"  Yusuke asked confusedly.

"I don't want to be alone anymore."  Kurama murmured.

Yusuke enfolded his friend in a warm hug.

"Kurama, I hope you won't regret this."  The brown-haired youth sighed.

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"Well, Mukuro?  Can I expect help from you?"  Yomi asked.

Mukuro sighed and gazed down thoughtfully at her heir and lover.

"Hiei can do it, Yomi.  He can see the location of the rose using his jagan."

Hiei snarled under his breath and spoke in a huff.

"Why should I do you this favor, Yomi?  What's in it for us?"

Yomi stared seriously at the fire youkai.

"I give you my promise to maintain a peaceful alliance between the three territories.  And Hiei, Kurama is your best friend in a long time.  I know you would never want to let him down, do you?"  Yomi asked softly completely ignorant of Kurama and Hiei's true relationship.

 Mukuro just bowed her head, silently gauging Hiei's reactions.

Hiei cursed silently.  Damn that fox!  What was he getting himself into?  If this was some sick joke to make him pay for what he did to him, he was in for a big disappointment!  He was going to help Yomi find the black rose and if the stupid fox ended up bonded to the blind youkai, that was his problem!

"Hn.  I'll help you."  The fire demon grunted.

Mukuro looked at him quickly.

Yomi smiled broadly and extended a hand to shake that of the fire demon's.

"Hiei, you have my deepest gratitude."

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To be continued...

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Kurama: NANI?  And you promised this was going to be SHORT?!

Shuriken:  Hey, I intended to do that, but the story has a mind of its own.  I'll make this a two-part story then... Still have lots to do.. The lemon scene between You and a certain fire demon in False, as I promised to dearest Kurama-chan & your big comeback in Tears!

Kurama: Gyaaah!! Go away!! I don't wanna see you anymore!! (runs away fast!)

Shuriken:  Kurama, matte! Oh, no matter, I'll just write him back here!!

Hiei: Hn!  BAKA!!!

Shuriken:  Well, this is it for now. Sorry to cut the story like this, but I still have to go to work at 6AM tomorrow.  BYE!!!!