Dark Embrace - Part I

Author's Rantings:

Ohayo minna-san!! This is an attempt to create a different situation in my fanfics and this time it will involve Karasu.  Later this fic will have a lemon scene, which will only be available to those people who would request for it, because I don't like posting scenes of these types on the Net.  So, if Karasu makes you lose your breakfast and dinner, I advise you to skip this one and write me!  Yeah, I can do fics for request esp. now that I'm at a loss for new ideas.  OK.  If I like the idea.   Well, let's get on with this fic.. For the rest of us who persevere, good luck to all of us!!! He, he, he...

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 Kurama slumped on his bed, emerald eyes going blank for once.  He was tired, very tired.  The kitsune rolled to his side and closed his eyes wearily; his heart was beating painfully against his chest.  He was rejected again.  Hiei had finally turned down his love.  The fire demon had told him that he could never give his love in return for the pleasures of the flesh he and the recalcitrant fire demon had been having for a long time.  Hiei had confronted him and told him he could only consider the redhead his best friend and probably occasional lover, but nothing more.  And he Kurama, the once heartless youko had hurt a lot from that revelation.  It had been two months since his last meeting with Hiei and they had made love furiously, each one clutching to the other one last time.  Kurama thought that he would get over the fire demon easily.  If Hiei could forget him swiftly, so could he.  But here he was, utterly miserable, feeling that painful rejection all over again.  Why was it so hard to forget Hiei?

The fox stood up finally.  The moon was already casting its shadow on his room.  The redhead slowly undressed intending to take a shower when he felt it.  The youko turned swiftly and gazed at his dark room.

"Show yourself!"  Kurama hissed softly but dangerously.  He was glad not for the first time that he had transferred to this apartment.  Better for his kaasan to be safe from unexpected enemies.

"Kurama..." A voice purred behind the redhead.  Kurama felt warm slender hands enveloped his waist, drawing him against a solid chest.

"Ka-Karasu!"  The redhead gasped, trembling slightly as the cloak figure sucked on his right ear.

"I'm back my redhead.  I've been waiting to do this to you for a long time."  The youkai said, beginning to nibble hungrily on Kurama's slender neck.  Kurama pushed him aside roughly.

"NO!  How dare you come here and... not after what you did to me!"  Kurama stopped.  He was trembling badly.

Karasu held up his hands.

"Let me explain.  After the makai tournament, after you had me devoured by a blood sucking plant, my soul went into a limbo.  I didn't know where to go.  Nothing and nobody came to guide or tell me where to go.  I used my ki to slowly heal my bloodless body and here I am."

"You expect me to believe that crap?" Kurama said angrily and took out his rose whip.

Karasu merely smiled at the redhead.

"No, I don't expect anything from you.  You're right.  I deserved to die over and over again for what I did to you."

Kurama gazed uncertainly at the youkai.  This was not what he expected from Karasu.

"What do you want Karasu?  Why are you here?" 

"I want--you.  I've come for you."  Karasu said gently as if expecting Kurama to lash at him with his whip.

The youko laughed bitterly.

"Inari help me!  What is this, some kind of trick?  How can you say that?"  Kurama glared at Karasu.  "Is this some kind of a sick joke?"  Kurama demanded angrily.

Karasu sighed wearily.

"Look you don't need to be afraid of me.  I've lost all my powers in the process of healing my body.  I'm just an ordinary human."  Karasu stood up and much to the fox's surprise, kneeled before the redhead.

"I admit to all the pain I've caused you in the past, but now that I have another chance at life, I want to make it up to you.  I-I love you, Kurama.  Can you at least believe that?"  Karasu implored the redhead.  Kurama's breath stopped.  This was just a dream, a very weird dream.  The youko felt stump.  Somehow he knew that Karasu was telling the truth and he couldn't feel any youki on him.  He glanced down at serene violet eyes, hungrily memorizing his features and sighed.  He needed to investigate Karasu's case further.

The redhead stood up.

"Come with me."

"To where?"  The youkai/human asked.

"To Koenma" The youko said and led Karasu out of his apartment.

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"Hmm."  Koenma studied the violet-eyed youkai who was standing near to the redhead and scratched his head. 

The little demigod turned to Kurama.

"All the tests showed that he had certainly no energy left to create bombs of any sort.  Hi ki is equal to that of an ordinary human.  Yes, he is merely ningen now."

So, he's telling the truth."  Kurama said thoughtfully.

"Well, Karasu.  You're ningen now.  That means you are under my jurisdiction from this day on.  Please behave yourself."  Koenma glared at Karasu, sucking at his fukumen furiously.

"I intend to."  Karasu said softly and gazed expectantly at Kurama who avoided the violet gaze.

"Umm, Koenma, can I have a moment, dozo?"  The redhead said.

"Sure thing."  The demigod said.

"Please wait here."  Kurama instructed a seemingly lost Karasu.

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 "All right, what's bothering you, Kurama?"  Koenma asked as he sat on his chair.

"Karasu... what am I supposed to do with him?"

"Kurama, he's not your responsibility."

"I know, but... just look at him Koenma.  He doesn't know anything about ningen ways much less about being human.  We've got to help him."

"Well, I just can't let Yusuke take him on.  He'll probably beat Karasu to a pulp."  Koenma said, snickering at the thought.

Kurama glared at the toddler.

"Hey, I'm serious here, we've got to help him."  Kurama said as Koenma shook his head.

"You and your golden heart, Kurama.  Okay, I'll think of something."  The demigod said.  "In the meantime, could you take him in?"  Kurama asked.

"O-okay."  The redhead said a little hesitantly.  Karasu was in love with him and he was in a vulnerable period in his life.  Now that Karasu had taken a big turn from being an evil youkai into a gentle human, Kurama was afraid he would fall for Karasu.  It was all too easy.  Koenma looked at Kurama thoughtfully.  He knew that Hiei and Kurama had something going on between them in the past, but now the fire demon was constantly in the makai.

"What a great loss."  The demigod muttered.

Kurama turned to Koenma questioningly.

"Excuse me?"

"Erm, nothing.  Just thinking that's all."  Koenma laughed nervously.

"I need to go now.  Thanks Koenma."

"Anytime, Kurama, anytime."  Koenma said cheerfully.  When the redhead was gone, he sighed.  He was feeling sad for Kurama, knew the pain the youko was hiding in a facade of cheerful, exquisite face.  He sighed again.  Thank goodness he had Botan for himself.

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Kurama assigned Karasu to a room next to his and gave Karasu a change of clothing.

"Tomorrow, we will go and buy you more clothes.  You just can't walk around wearing a cloak."

"Well, I forgot about that.  This is all too weird."  Karasu said as Kurama laughed at his confused expression.

"You'll get used to it.  Trust me, I've been there before."  Smiling beatifically, the youko turned to go when the youkai/human called him back softly.

"Kurama, can--can I kiss you goodnight?"  Karasu asked uncertainly.

Kurama gasped as a touching feeling rose within his chest.  Oh, Inari... those worshipping violet eyes.  How long could he resist Karasu?  How long before he fell willingly into his arms?

"Y-yes you may."  The redhead acquiesced.  He watched in a trance as Karasu came to stand very close to him and touched his cheek softly.

"You are so beautiful."  Karasu murmured on Kurama's slightly parted lips before locking his lips to his.

Kurama felt an urge to be taken rise from his groin to his chest, making his heart beat faster as he felt Karasu's tongue questing inside his mouth, tasting him.

"Ku-Kurama."  Karasu whispered hoarsely, nipping at Kurama's creamy neck.  The redhead arched his back, hands entangled in Karasu's silky black tresses.  Kurama was floating in a mist of desire.  He couldn't think anymore.  His whole body was in lethargy.

"Kurama!"  A voice suddenly rang out from across the room.

Both Karasu and Kurama hastily separated as the light was switched on.

"H-Hiei!"  Kurama wished the ground would swallow him then and there.  Hiei had seen him and Karasu kissing and in his own apartment too!

"Stay away from him, Kurama!  Hiei growled and pulled the redhead toward him.

"H-Hiei..." Kurama began, wondering how he would explain to the fire demon about Karasu's condition.

"Did he hurt you?"  Hiei asked the redhead anxiously who just gaped at him.  "Dammit!  Answer me, did he hurt you?"  Hiei growled.

"No, Hiei, he's..."

"I'm going to kill you!"  Hiei said dangerously to a bewildered Karasu.

"No, Hiei, don't!"  Kurama said, holding fast to the fire demon.
"What's with you?  Has he hypnotize you or something?"  The fire demon asked angrily, pushing Kurama's hands away.

"Hiei I said don't!"  Kurama shouted as vines suddenly immobilized the fire youkai.

"Ku-ra-ma untie me NOW!"  Hiei hissed.

"Not until I've explained everything to you."

"You'll be dead by then!"

"That's what I intend to explain to you."  The redhead glared at the youkai, and then he self-consciously turned back to Karasu who smiled at him apologetically.

"It's all my fault, ne?"

Hiei glared at him murderously.

"Hiei, Karasu is not youkai anymore.  He's completely human."  The redhead said clearly at Hiei's disbelieving look.

"And I mean no harm to Kurama."  Karasu offered.

"You son of a bitch!  You think you can fool me?"  Hiei growled angrily, struggling from the vines.  "Kurama, untie me now!"  The fire demon ordered.

Kurama covered his face in frustration.  He had forgotten just how stubborn a youkai Hiei was.  Hiei will never believe Karasu's complete transformation.  The redhead finally made a decision, grabbing the fire demon bodily; he opened the door, completely ignoring Hiei's indignant outburst.

"Oi, stupid fox put me down!"

"Umm, Karasu goodnight."  The redhead said, blushing at Hiei's abusive language.  The redhead hastily closed the door to Karasu's room; one hand clamped on the fire demon's mouth.

"Ouch!  H-i-e-i!"  Kurama exclaimed angrily.

"Hn!  Serves you right!  Untie me now and put me down this instant!"

"Continue with that attitude and I'll feed you to a makai plant!"  The youko said exasperatedly and damped the fire demon unceremoniously on his bed and stood near the window.

"Hn!"  The fire demon snorted as the vines disentangled from his arms and legs.

Hiei flexed his muscles and stared at the redhead who just glared back at him.

"Why is he..."

"Why are you..."

Kurama sighed.

"I told you already, Karasu has completely transformed into a defenseless human.  He's change, Hiei.  He does not intend to kill me anymore."

"Baka!  How can you be so sure?"

"But, I changed, didn't I?"

"Kurama, I thought you were so much brighter than this.  You changed because of Shiori's influence on you.  Karasu is an evil, maniacal, sadistic, son of a..."

"Okay, no need to use foul language." 

"Baka!"

So what?"  Kurama asked angrily.

"So what?  So we get rid of him!"

Kurama frowned.

"No, Hiei.  Karasu hadn't even made a false move since he got here and frankly..." The fox faltered a little at Hiei's belligerent gaze.  "He's very attractive."  Kurama finished, emerald eyes challenging ruby ones.

"So that's it!  That explains why I saw you kissing with Karasu!"

"We--I just got carried away."  Kurama defended himself.

Hiei flitted next to the redhead and grabbed a sidelock.

"You got carried away and you just let a strange youkai take you?  Shit Kurama!"

"It's not what you think it is..." Kurama began.

"Like hell it isn't!  I know you kitsune, I know you too damn well!"  Hiei ground out

"Hiei, I can take care of myself."  Kurama said quietly and sat on his bed.

"I still don't believe that he's changed."  Hiei said stubbornly.

Kurama stared at Hiei for a while longer before he got up and opened the bedroom window.  He didn't want Hiei to worry about him.  He didn't need the fire demon's concern.  He wanted Hiei's love.

"Hiei, please go now.  Go back to the makai.  I can take care of myself."

"Kurama..."

"Hiei, please go now!"  The kitsune said in a quiet clear voice.

The fire demon cursed under his breath and left the room in a huff.

Kurama turned his back against the window, trying his best to compose his himself.  The redhead lay on his bed, shivering. The air had suddenly gone very cold.

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 For the next few days, Kurama gave Karasu a crash course on ningenkai ways.

"I never knew ningens can be this amazing."   Karasu had an incredulous look on his face.

Kurama chuckled.

"I'm glad you find it so!"  The redhead smiled.  Karasu's violet eyes settled on his face.  Kurama's hands began to sweat.  Karasu was always like this.  He had that amorous hunger on his violet eyes that made the redhead quiver inside.  He was trying his very best to repress his primal urges.  He was a centuries old youko and old habits died hard.  He'd been so lonely and his unrequited love for the fire demon was turning that hunger into desperate longing.  He needed love so very much.  The redhead's body visibly shook as Karasu lifted a hand to touch his lips.

"Ku-Kurama..."

A feverish longing coursed through the youko's veins.  His logic took a back seat and his primal urges surfaced.

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To be continued ...

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