He had been sleeping for a while.

The youko touched the bandages around his head, very lightly. He had the headache of his life... Desolate, he stroked his head, slipping his fingers down his hair. He just sighed, looking helplessly at the other youko and his youkai partner. It would take him hours till he disentangled his knee-length hair. It was all entwined into a confusing mass.

He could almost cry at the thought...

He had suffered a concussion, serious enough to knock him out of action for days. Fortunately that Jaganshi had found him - His fall left him in a coma state, with one badly broken leg, caught on a pile of  debris, but he was very thankful - It could be worse. He had hit water before bumping his head on the bottom and losing counsciousness. Then, he was just dragged away by the river's swift current. Hikaru was convinced he had been very lucky. He'd be listing his debts in the Reikai had he hit the rocks directly...

He swallowed then, feeling dizzy; his tongue was coated with a bitter taste. He had drunk all Kurama had given him, and yet he bravely fought to sleep  any longer. He had much to tell those two - They had no time to waste.

The silver youko gave him some more beverage, in a cup made of some cabbage leaves folded together. Hikaru did not refuse, though he wanted to sleep no more. All he wanted was to help as much as he could in Kinno's rescue.

He leaned against the rocky walls, and breathed deeply. It was relieving to sense that familiar energy passing into him. The cave was just what he wanted - a rocky, narrow, dark den...

"It's Kinno's master. He knocked me out of the way to retrieve his possession."

Kurama just heard it, visibly trying to avoid the other youko; he would not even stare at him directly, feeling a little anxious in his presence. Moreover, Hikaru's voice annoyed him. It was soft, and yet he spoke in a firm manner, proudly aware of himself, even though he was no more than a striped misfit.

Hiei, who was sitting in a dark corner, sprang forwards, much interested in hearing that story. He looked askance at Kurama, very aware of the unspoken tension between the two youko. It was clear one didn't like the other's looks...

"I knew he was a troublemaker. It is not enough that we strive against our own enemies; now we have to deal with that blond pest's unresolved business." Kurama mumbled, looking up at the cave's ceiling, and sighing in.

Hiei silenced Kurama's protest with one gentle movement of his bandaged hand. He turned back to Hikaru, then.

"Kinno never told us anything about a master."

"He was afraid you might not shelter him if you knew he was a fugitive. His Master is not a very easy youkai to deal with, I assure you."

"He lied to us."

Kurama's statement was dry, brief, and fell on them heavily. Hiei looked down, knowing he had to admit his partner was right that time. Kinno had played dirty with them.

Kurama's eyes were narrowed as his expression became angered. A wicked golden reflex flickered in his eyes as he spoke.

"He must have lied about it all."

The Fire demon stared for a moment at the silver youko. He said nothing; neither  was it necessary. His dour expression was enough to give out his sorrowful feelings.

"Kinno didn't lie to you; he just omitted some facts." Hikaru intervened, aware the two felt betrayed by his revelation.

He knew it... He knew Kinno's insistence in hiding those facts would lead him into trouble. But that kid was too afraid of the reaction to even try disclosing the truth then. Now, he would have to face the aftermath.

Kurama didn't seem to relent. He faced Hikaru then, directly, for the first time. Tense, Kurama could not help trying to intimidate the other youko with his eyes and his presence. Foxes were not sociable to others of their own breed; they always hunted alone.

"All the same for me."

The blue-eyed youko responded in a similar manner, facing Kurama fearlessly.

"You really don't like the poor child, do you? What evil has he done to you?"

Kurama could not take that. The reply came so quickly he didn't notice till he had already declared it, loud and angry.

"And what do you know? Better mind your own life, Skunk!"

Hikaru glared at Kurama. It was obvious he didn't appreciate at all being called by such a nickname. The response showed in his face, in the way he frowned. He half-opened his lips, as if he were to say something, but he seemed to be able to control himself.

Instead of crying out his anger, he just inhaled deeply. It was just one of the reasons why he lived on his own, apart from his own race, with no friends, no partners, no lovers of his kind. Among youko he was a weirdo with no name; he was merely the Skunk. The past had imprinted that nickname on him, and there was not much he could do about it.

Hikaru just stared at the other youko, with very resolute eyes. His body became very tense, but he just clenched his hands tightly.

"I have a name; please, don't call me Skunk." He declared. His voice was firm, and cold, concealing his anger. After all, it was not even a matter of power levels to Hikaru, but politeness. He was in the other's territory, he had been healed by him. "Such a name does not bring me any good memories. I beg you to skip it."

Hiei looked at Kurama, exasparated at his youko's attitude. He could understand he didn't appreciate the company of that grey youko, but he was over-reacting then. Kurama might be a little stressed because of Kinno's disappearance, although he would rather die than admit the fact.

Living with the youko aspect of his lover was not easy at all. Hiei imagined it  ought to have something to do with hormones or seasons... He could never suppose Shuuichi Minamino's appearance concealed such a nagger.

Oh... Too late now...

"How did you meet Kinno? You seem so fond of him..." Hiei asked, in an effort to change the topic. He talked to Hikaru, but while doing it, he looked at Kurama with disapproval and tenderness at the same time, trying to ease him down.

Kurama looked around, observing the rocky, tight environment. He breathed in at length, and then out, heaving a sigh, trying to calm himself. Yeah... He'd better not pick up a fight with that youko while he was surrounded by his element; otherwise it would be too stupid of him.

"Outside my Inn, years ago. Kinno was much younger then. I had heard a rustle outside my door, and when I checked, I met him, hiding behind the trash cans. He was in rags, hurt, hungry and scared." The grey youko's voice trembled a little then as he recalled the facts. It was the first time Kinno had escaped after the hope of finding his father, and he was truly disoriented then. "He begged me for a meal. He said he'd go to bed with me and do all I wanted if I gave him just a bit of food."

Hiei closed his eyes for a while, thoughtfully.

Kurama snorted.

"I took him in, and tried to keep him safe for as long as I could. Kinno never understood why I didn't want to sleep with him. He's so accustomed to being abused it took him a while to perceive what friendship was. "Hikaru paused then, feeling a bit dizzy. His head was aching too much yet. "He's like a brother to me. It hurts too much to see a child like he was at the time, willing to trade sexual favours for food. I could never let him go from there on."

Kurama kept a cold, unaltered expression. His face showed nothing. On the other hand, Hiei didn't care to hide the deep sorrow which marked his usually stern, vivid eyes.
 
"Kinno is an easy creature to hole up - He's got such low you-ki levels, he can't be traced." Hikaru smiled then. "He lived with me but it's hard to keep him out of sight; he's so lively... After a while, he was spotted and captured again."

Hiei just nodded, willing Hikaru to continue his story. There was much there Kinno had not told him.

"I managed to help Kinno to escape a little before the Convention. All he always wanted was to meet his father..." Hikaru left the sentence hanging, like an accusation, even though he didn't complete it, staring at Kurama. "Kinno's master is an odious pimp. He trades sexual slaves all over the Makai. He probably has locked the kid up in his Fortress's dungeons, just like before."

Kurama huddled. His gaze followed a line from Hiei to Hikaru. Then he turned his eyes down.

"How do you know Kinno's still alive?" The silver youko wondered.

"You Know Who wants him alive, and in one piece, so he can profit."

Hiei looked puzzled for a short instant.

"You Know Who?"

"Kinno is so scared of the creature he wouldn't even say his name aloud. I am used to doing the same. He's Udo; one humongous Lord from a small kingdom on the fringes of the Great desert."

Kurama cursed aloud. Trouble, trouble, he could see it coming very clearly...

"Never heard of him."

The silver fox spoke, very softly.

"I have. He's one detestable slave-trader. I never needed to deal with him before."

Hiei offered his partner a teasing half-smile.

"Well... It seems you know everyone in the Makai..."

"I have lived long enough for that..." Kurama went on, taking one sideways glance to Hikaru. "I know more youkai and youko than you might suspect..."

Hiei looked intensely at the grey youko, and he needed to spoke just one word.

"Where?"

Hikaru shifted position, mindful of his leg and bruises. He touched the earthen soil then, his hand caressing the soft, moistened clay as a caress. He closed his oblique, long-lashed eyes for an instant, concentrating. Then he moved his lips, his hoarse voice indicating it.

"Here..." He said.

When he brought his hand up, there was a detailed map drawn by his you-ki on the soft earth.

Hiei stood up, eager to read the map cut on the soil.

"It's a three day journey, but I can get there faster on my own."

Kurama faced Hiei very gravely. He was not content with that at all.

"You're not going anywhere on your own, youkai! Cut it out!"
 
Hikaru yawned, reclining against the walls again. He was weak; even the small effort of drawing a map had tired him. Besides, Kurama had given him too much tranquilizer, anesthetic, sedative, or whatever.
 
"I'm vulnerable to him. He knows my weak point." Hikaru licked his own lips, nervously trying to figure out how that disgusting character got the information; there were not many apart from his own compatriots who retained such secret... "You need to be careful. There are lots of  traps and magic barriers, not to mention the guards and..."

Kurama faced the other youko very annoyed.  Damned earth-powered youko; he had drawn the map that way just to show off.

"I can take care of that." He stated, brusquely cutting Hikaru.

"It's not simple as that. In fact..."

Kurama moved hastily, reaching forward to blow a sudden cloud of pollen on the other youko's face.

Hikaru looked at Kurama with wide eyes and still tried to say something. He hesitated then. His lips quivered, his eyes closed, and he fell on his side, hitting the floor with a noisy thump.

Asleep.

Hiei looked up at his partner, surprised at Kurama's impatience.

"Hn. You really can't stand any of your kind."

"I don't need any Skunk to teach me my own trade!"

"I see..."

"Hiei, we can't waste time. You wanna go there and save your pet or not?"

Hiei pointed at the grey youko.

"Do you think he'll be fine?'

"He'll sleep for two or three days. He'll be cured when he wakes." He faced Hiei. Then a sparkle which could be either pride or jealousy crossed his expression. "You worry too much, baby. Trust me..."

Hiei reached at a corner, where he kept his sheathed sword, bringing it up, already fastening it to his belts.

"You're too conceited, do you know that?"

"Um-hum... I'm cocky, just the way you love me..."

Hiei could not avoid a small smile. He reached for his cloak, wrapping himself with it in one nimble gesture.

"Ah, well... Let's go; let's rescue that kid..."