Yomi awoke with a smile on his face.

He stirred lazily under the covers. enjoying the sensation of peace and contentment that filled his body.

He felt alive. There was a new revitalizing energy running in his veins. It was not the surge of power; it was not strenght or the urge to rule and exert his power. It had nothing to do with dominance.  It was merely the warmth and satisfaction that transported him to an ecstatic paradise. He was on cloud nine.

He felt still warm from the love he and Hikaru had shared. His body was deliciously marked and hurt. Love bites, hickeys, nail scratches, bruises... The pain seemed to enhance the feel of the pleasure their lovemaking had given him. Hikaru had resisted bravely, but in the end, love and their lust had defeated his chaste pride.

They fell to sleep a little before daybreak. They had spent the long Makai night entangled, making love with energy and passion, with frenzied need. The youko seemed tireless. Even aware he could not match a fox-demon's lust, Yomi used the last of his energy to correspond and keep up with Hikaru's apparent insurmountable hunger of love.

He felt exhausted. Yet, all it needed him was to awake in order to crave for more. He wanted to make love more and more. He felt no need of food, no need of any drink, no need of anything but of holding that delicious youko tight and make love to him over and over and over...

Yomi rolled to his side. He breathed deeply, feeling the scent of his foxy partner all over the pillows and sheets. He could never suspect that polite, aristocratic demon hid such fire, such passion inside... He could still hear his groans, his growls, his roaring cries when they reached climax... Hikaru could not hold himself; whenever he felt too aroused, he dug his nails hard on Yomi, and Gandara's king loved every part of it. Hikaru could be extremely sweet, but also fierce, like a wild demon. He possessed such sharp teeth, such long hair... Yomi loved his slender but strong body; not to mention the well-endowed lenght and girth of his member...

He had been blind! What a fool! He had wasted such precious time...

But now Yomi was inclined to make every minute count. He wanted to make love till he drop.

Slowly, he tapped the matress, reaching out for Hikaru.

One instant was enough to make the king realize he had been left alone.

Yomi sat up, and before he could even think, he expanded his senses, using his you-ki to scan the surroundings and the whole building, searching for his youko. Nervous with the prospective of losing his newly-found lover, Yomi trembled; it was even difficult to focus on his search.

"Hikaru? Are you there? Come back to bed, my love..." Yomi asked, believing Hikaru might just be blocking his you-ki to start some kind of delicious love-game between them.

As Yomi perceived no response, he extended his perception further, using all his skill and determination. His senses widened in scope and he scanned the whole store, the tower, the complex of buildings around his stronghold, the whole city and even beyond. He used such energy his you-ki started to glow around him, forming a silvery halo.

Yomi trembled. Nervous because he found no trace of his youko lover, he would have cried if he could. Why would Hikaru leave after such a passionate night spent together?

He had to do something; it was urgent. The King jumped up and found clothes for himself, dressing up in a haste. By the time he wrapped himself on one of his usual long military-style coats he was already outside his quarters, questioning guards and servants on Hikaru's whereabouts.

No one knew a thing. All information he gathered is that Hikaru had left early in the morning, just a little after daybreak. He told not a soul where he was heading to.

Desperate, Yomi almost ordered the execution of the inept Guards that had allowed Hikaru to sneak out. But he managed to count to ten and remember he had granted the grey youko free pass in Gandara.

Yomi decided to search for Kinno then. His pretty son-in-law must know where his best friend Hikaru had gone to.

It was very unpolite to butt in the newly-wed chambers right in their honeymoon. Yomi felt extremely embarrassed to do it, but it seemed the only way to find a clue about his runaway youko lover.

Nervously, he broke in the newlyweds' chambers. The two young lovers were on the terrace, having breakfast in the gardens. They had woken up late too, after indulging themselves a long night of passion.  It was very beautiful to feel the love they shared as they talked, smiled, and enjoyed their time together; they were such graceful lovebirds...

Gandara's King was very well aware he flushed. He felt terribly bad for interrupting them, but there was no other choice.

Shura smiled to his father, closing up the front of his robe with a vexed haste. Kinno waved, showing a large smile, telling Yomi to come sit with them. He wrapped his tail around his hips, concealing his naked sex with its fluffly end.

"Papa Yomi! Let's have breakfast together! We are a family now!"

Yomi smiled back, finding his place in between his two sons. He sat there, cross-legged, and just as he did it, he was wrapped by two pairs of loving, embracing arms.

That contact was more than enough for Shura to realize there was something serious afflicting his father.

"What's wrong with you, papa?"

Kinno served him a cup of tea, and he refused. The married couple looked one to the other, exchanging worried glances.

"Papa Yomi... Tell us... What happened between you and Hikaru?" Shura insisted, using a sweet tone of voice he reserved to Kinno alone.

The blind demon covered his mouth with his hand in an elegant fashion, concealing his smile. Even sad for having been left on his own, hearing that grey youko's name was enough to make him recall the blissful moments they had shared.

He needed Hikaru back. He would do everything, anything, to have his youko brought back to his arms.

"We have made love..."

It was all it took to make Kinno jump on Yomi's arms, hugging and kissing his lips with a long, loving smooch.

Shura smiled, and patted his father's back, exulting the chance Yomi had found to be happy, at last.

"Congratulations, papa. I know you and Hikaru shall be very happy together."

Kinno caressed Yomi's face. Then he aimed his sweet golden eyes straight at Yomi, knowing he would somehow perceive the contented glint in his eye, and his satisfied smile.

"We always knew you were made one to the other! You are a perfect pair, papa Yomi! It's very good to know you're happy together just like Shura and me!"

He kissed Yomi again, covering his face with fast, light smooches, so tenderly and enthusiastically it tickled. Yomi laughed, and tried to pull himself from Kinno. He needed to explain the bitter part of it all...

"My sons..."

His voice was so full of sorrow both Shura and Kinno moved back, aware Yomi was suffering. The golden youko still kept contact with his father-in-law though, as they held hands.

"It was the happiest night I have ever had. We have shared so much love, so much hope... We soothed one another, we found relief for our pain and sadness together..." Yomi showed a shy but extremely pleased smile. His pale cheeks became red when he recalled the intensity of the love acts they had performed in the frenzy of passion. He would never have suspected that reserved youko could be so wild and do such things... "I feel I have found the love partner I have always dreamed about. He is magic; he is ice and fire, love and anger, evil and goodness, all in one..."

Kinno smiled in return to Yomi's satisfied beam. He squeezed Yomi's hands in his fingers, and kissed his cheek.

"I knew it would work out right. You deserve to be happy, papa. And so does my friend; he is too lonely..."

Shura touched Kinno's shoulder. He asked his partner for silence with a tender gesture. Somehow he had already realized what was going on.

"Where's Hikaru, papa? Shouldn't he be here too? We could have tea together..."

The silence gave away what Yomi's suffereing was all about. Before he could even speak about it, Kinno and Shura already exchanged an afflicted gaze, aware of Yomi's unspoken pain.

"He left Gandara."

Yomi lowered his face, lettting his long black hair cascade and conceal his features. He pulled his hand from Kinno's very delicately. He embraced himself and took air in deeply. Then he sighed out, hopelessly.

"He did like he said he would. He left Gandara a little after daybreak and told no one of his destination." Yomi reached out to caress Kinno's hair very gently. "I imagined you might give me some indication about where Hikaru might have travelled to, sweet Kinno..."

Kinno seemed surprised at first. Then his expression became one of deep pain. He knew he would miss his best friend. His eyes became teary at once.

"Nope; I have no idea about it. Hikaru has always been so mysterious... I never knew where his homeland is. He is like a wanderer; I bet he does not know where he's heading to himself..."

Yomi assented.

"Thanks anyway, my son. I see I'll have to go after Hikaru myself..."

It was then Shura jumped up, getting on his feet. He was trembling from indignation. Anger altered his face, and he clenched his fists furioulsy.

"We are gonna find him! I'm gonna send the whole army on his tail! No youko dumps my papa like this!"

The younger demon huffed and punched the air violently. He was outraged. His hot temperament was evident now - The prince was ready and willing to step outside and put the whole city and army on red alert, setting a youko hunt all over the Makai.

Yomi got on his feet too, reaching out to detain his son.

"No! Wait!" The blind youkai exclaimed, in a loud, commanding tone that Shura could not avoid obbeying at once. "I do not need your interference. I have already chosen my course."

Yomi's closed eyes locked on Shura's. Father and son kept a deep, emotive silence for a while. The tight fist aroung Shura's wrist became a slow caressing hand. Yomi enveloped his son with his arms, hoding him tight to his chest. It was a long, sweet embrace. The older youkai patted and caressed his son's hair, showing a satisfied smile.

"You are a grown-up now. You have won the tournament and became King. Neither you nor the Kingdom need my presence any longer. I am leaving Gandara."

It was Kinno's turn to get on his feet and throw himself in Yomi's arms, hooking around his waist.

"Papa... Please.. Go get Hikaru and come back to us... Shura still needs you!"

Yomi smiled quietly. His hands trailed stroking gestures on his son's back and along Kinno's hair. He cupped the side of their waists and brought them closer to him. The three of them cuddled together, sweetly, and Yomi kissed their heads with all his love.

"I must leave you and chase my youko lover. It is my ultimate chance of trying to be happy; I shall not let it escape." Yomi added, bringing the blond youko closer to him.

Shura shook his head, desolate. He loved his papa; he needed him. He had been not only his father and King, but his best friend all these years.

"Papa. I count on your advice. I cannot rule on my own; I'm not prepared..." The young prince murmured, fretfully. "Don't go..."

Yomi hushed his son. He guided them down, making them sit on the floor again, one next to the other. Then he kneeled down for a moment, holding their hands together.

Even devoid of sight, Yomi focused his other senses deeply on the young partners, facing them with a frank and tender disposition. His smile, his expression, the way he kept his closed eyes on them, it all meant nothing trust and sweetness.

"I must live my life. Hikaru is real; he is not a dream, he is not an illusion - I have to go after him in order to be happy. I don't know where he has journeyed to, but I do know my place is with him."

It was then Shura aimed an angered stare at Kinno.

"Your friend made papa suffer!"

Kinno hid his face on Yomi's shoulder. He huddled and sobbed. It was Yomi's large hand that comforted him, with a long stroke down his back.

"No... Please... Hikaru is suffering too... That's why he left... He is so much used to sorrow and loneliness he forgot what happiness is like. Loneliness and revenge have been his sole comfort for very long. He is afraid of starting a new life."

Kinno agreed.

"Yeah... Hikaru is like this. He is brave, and he is able to face many enemies and dangers on his own, but he is very afraid of facing his own feelings. My poor friend... I wanted him to be happy, but..."

Yomi smiled.

"I shall make your friend happy, dear Kinno. I just need to find where he has fled to."

Shura was still aprehensive. He loved his father too much. He did not want Yomi to be used and abused by any other youko again.

"Papa. Please, be careful."

The three of them held themselves in a sweet, very tender embrace for a long while. Yomi kissed either Shura or Kinno's face, circling their shoulders with each arm. He smiled, trying to show confidence.

"Hikaru and I shall be together; I know it. Fear it not, my son. I won't be betrayed and left alone again. Hikaru is a very high-minded youko."

"Why has he left you then?"

Shura's voice was low, and his accusation hard enough to make Yomi hesitate for a moment. He squeezed his son's shoulder, and tilted his head to kiss his cheek.

"He has suffered much in the past. Love can be bliss, but it can hurt immensely also..." He patted his son's head, amazed to realize how much he had grown. Shura was an adult demon now - The strongest Overlord of the Makai. "I understand Hikaru. I know how hard it is for him to accept his own feelings."

"Have you talked much, papa Yomi?" The golden youko asked.

"Yes. We have confided all our sorrows one to the other. It was a deep, unbreakable bond we have established between us during the previous night. I love him, and I know he loves me back."

Kinno smiled happily. But Shura was still uneasy about it all. The fact Hikaru had left his father behind without any excuse or explanation was worrysome. Yomi might not resist sulking over another lost youko lover...

"You have to do something, papa! Who does he think he is to discard a demon like you?"

Yomi smiled. Shura was indeed outraged...

"Calm down, my son. Hikaru is a youko of honor. He would never hurt my feelings on purpose."

Kinno smiled to his lover. He reached out and stroked his black hair. Then he slid his one fingertip down along his cheek, till he caressed his lips.

The youko leaned forward to place a soft kiss on Shura's lips. He knew it was the best way to quieten his sugar's nervousness - love and tenderness.

"Don't worry, Shura. Papa knows what he's doing... Trust him. And trust my friend Hikaru. He is a good youko; I have always told you so."

Yomi agreed. He stroked them, and Kinno leaned his head on Shura's shoulder. Both of them observed Yomi.

"Now that you are together to enjoy the beautiful love you share, I must pursue my own happiness. I wish you well..."

Yomi embraced them at the same time. And he heard Kinno was starting to cry, very softly. His delicate hands grasped his back urgently, and he sensed Shura place a kiss on his cheek.

"You're gonna be a good King, Shura. You are noble and strong. I know you shall be one of the greatest leaders of the Makai ever..."

Shura quivered in his father's embrace. He placed his lips close to Yomi's ears, and murmured to him, very slightly:

"Don't leave us papa. I need you still.."

Yomi smiled.

"You two are grown ups; you are married. Please... indulge me the chance to try to be happy..."

Kinno smiled back and assented vigorously.

"Yes, papa Yomi! I wish you good luck! Go get Hikaru!"

The blind demon's smile became to an amused laughter - Kinno had such power to inspire and encouurage! He was indeed the perfect counterpart to Shura's austere, over-stressed temperament.

"Yes, Kinno. I'm gonna get him! I'm gonna catch him and give him no chance to escape me again!" Yomi retorted, in a happy mood. "I trust you to take good care of Shura, yes?"

Kinno's response was to squeeze his papa with a fierce but loving hug. He chuckled and nodded his head contentedly.

"Yes, Papa! Shura is my baby! I'm gonna take very good care of him! You can go get Hikaru!"

Shura said nothing. Yomi needed no sixth sense to realize how sad and touched his son had become. He stroked his son insistenmtly, trying to assuage him, but both knew their separation would be hard. Yet, Yomi knew it was his only course of action.

"Forgive me, my son. I must leave..."

The youngster assented in a grave but complacent mood.

"Yes, papa. I understand."

The former Makai King smiled and shuffled their hair, stroking their heads. Then he placed a kiss on either one. First he kissed Kinno's lips and played with his furry fox-ear.

"Be good, Kinno."

The gorgeous youko agreed and smiled beautifully.

Then, Yomi turned his shut eyes to his son. Shura was trying not to let his deep emotion show.

"I trust you shall be a loyal and brave King, my son."

Shura acquiesced softly. He said nothing though; he had to chew his lips not to cry. He would miss his father immensely...

"I must pack up and leave. I have to go after Hikaru while his track is still fresh."

He released the affectionate grip around the young demons with hesitancy. He wanted to stay there, and just enjoy the fulfuillment to be witness of his son's happiness by that pretty golden youko's side.. But he must find his own way...

"Be happy, kids..."

Shura lowered his eyes, miserably.

"Papa..." He murmured, still trying to convince his dear father to stay, even though aware it was impossible.

"Good luck, papa Yomi!" Kinno cheered, waving his father-in-law an exultant good-bye, and then blowing him a kiss.

The former King responded with a glorious smile.

"You are the sole King of the Makai, my son. The throne is yours. I shall set all arrangements with Yoda and the Ministers right away."

Shura tried to step forward and accompany his father, but Yomi made him a gesture to hold still.

"Enjoy your honeymoon, you two. And don't worry about me. I'll send you news about me and Hikaru, the sooner I can..."

The newly-wed entwined their arms, and just watched Yomi leave...
 

He was already very far away from the luxuriant forests that surrounded Gandara. Hikaru had trekked alone, aimlessly, for days now. He always followed the less traversed paths, attentive not to leave any tracks behind.

He had been a youko-hunter for very long. He had been a fugitive for just as long - If there was a lesson he learned perfectly is how to cover up his trail and avoid pursuers.

Since there was no other enemy of his alive but Kurama, he was not actualy sure why he was avoiding being followed.

It took Hikaru some time to grasp he was running away not from an enemy, but from a lover.

When he realized it, instead of becoming a lillte less tense, he found himself in a strange kind of panic. The open plains and the arid scenery unfolded before his eyes, taking to endless horizons felt to him like prison bars.

He had already reached the fringes of the Great Desert that separated the western and the Eastern part of the Makai. Desolate, he sat on the edge of the platteau, his legs hanging over the deep chasm below. Then, he faced the long, plain wasteland unfurled before his eyes.

There was nothing before him but dried up rocks, dusty hills and dunes as far as his sight might reach... It was a dangerous crossing, even for those who knew the desert. Not only the lack of water might be fatal, but the dust storms, the quicksands, the irrational youkai-eating monsters that inhabited it...

Even a youkai's sanity's was at risk while making such a hard crossing.

Perhaps it was what he should do to put an end to everything. Enter the desert, and remain there, till death came and put an end to every one of his problems.

Now, his suffering was even more intense than before. Now he suffered not only for his past, but for the present. It had been a rough decision to move on and abandon Yomi. And now he missed him so intensely...

It hurt him much to leave the large and warm bed he had been taken to. It was torturing to leave his embracing arms and turn his back to the pleasurable moments they had spent together.

Hikaru struggled hard against himself, because part of him wanted to stay, let go of the past and just enjoy time with such a sweet and dedicated lover like Yomi.

But the other half of his heart, the dark, tormented one, suspected of those blissful moments and mistrusted Yomi. Uncertainty and the fear of disappointment led Hikaru not to risk his life and fall in love again. The scars he had suffered were old but still pained him immensely. Thus he was not ready to dedicate himself to a new relationship yet.

Frightened with the intensity of his desire and affection for Yomi, scared with his rough inner struggle to find a solution, Hikaru preferred to take a deep breath in, close his eyes, give his back to Yomi and just leave. Therefore he left Gandara, never looking back, fast, aprehensive, like a fugitive, always afraid he might change of idea...

And now he had just found he missed Yomi too much.

He missed Kinno as well. He missed Shura, the smart kids Hiei and that silvery bastard had adopted... He had left a whole life behind... It had happened just like before, and... Perhaps he could not stand so much affliction this time...

He took a downcast glance at the sharp rocks below. Then he reached for his long mane and tail, laying them across his lap. He traced a line along the black stripe that marked his fur, caressing himself in a hopeless mood.

Whenever he had tried to join any skulk, or just to approach the few youko tribes he met on his way, he was shunned away. He had never been recognized as the exiled prince he was, but his blue eyes were like a red alert for most golden eyed youko - he was the enemy, evil incarnate... Not to mention that because of his odd fur, he was thought of as a jinx.

All those years, away from his homeland and his peers he had faced Hell. He had been on the margin of society and sanity. Searching, hunting and killing his enemies had been all he dedicated himself to.

He wanted too dearly to forget his pain, his memories and the world outside and just remain circled by Yomi's strong arms. He loved Yomi. It had happened overnight, yet it was a feeling as strong as the one he had experienced for Hayashi. It was a different kind of love - but the intensity of the feeling he cheriished for Yomi was the same...

But he could not stay. he feared too much... Hikaru truly panicked when he realized what he had shared with Yomi was not merely sex - it was something deeper, meaninful, that touched his demon heart deeply. It was not skin-deep; it should not be just a one night's stand.

It is precisely whay he ran away form Gandara so readily.

He gave his back to Yomi and to what their relationship could mean for both of them. On doing this, he sorrowfully realized he was left with nothing else. Now there was nothing, no meaning, no end, no purpose for his life...

He wished he had the guts to put an end to his own life, but it was a difficult task for  any demon above a certain level of power. The older, the wiser, the more powerful they became, the hardest they were to kill.

Hikaru smiled to himself. It was a bitter smile.

Perhaps he should try to put an end to his life soon. Otherwise it would get harder and harder as he became older and more powerful...

He reached in his pockets for a long rock he had cleft in the shape of a blade. It was long and very sharp. It was a thin sliver of crystal, whose cutting edge was beautiful and perfect in its deadly shape.

He caressed the weapon lenghtily, thinking on how hard it was to have no future, no home, no friends to head to...

Perhaps he should slice his arms, and just let his blood drop down... Eventually, after a long while, he would be dead... It was a long, slow process, but the most efficient and painless he had at hand.

On second thought, it would be nobler to perform sepukku. He had been taught the whole ritual during his days in the Court.

Or he could just start a journey of no return into the desert and let time, consumption, thirst and starvation do the dirty job for him.

"Hikaru..."

He heard that voice and immediately a shiver of terror and expectation, ran up his spine. The youko shut his eyes tightly, and held the crystal blade firmer than before. He felt the rock cutting his skin, his fingers, making his clenched fist hurt and bleed. Yet, he did not lose the weapon.

He turned over his shoulder very slowly, already feeling emotion flood in his blood and make him all warm inside.

It was Yomi. He showed the most affectionate smile, and extended one hand to him, inviting him into his arms and embrace. His shut eyes, his love-inspiring expression, his candid smile said it all.

"What are you doing here?" Hikaru questioned him. His voice was weak, vacillant...

"I'll always be with you." Yomi responded. His was a soft, sultry tone of voice. Then he stepped forward, insisting swetly that Hikaru come to his arms.

The grey fox got on his feet with a elegant motion. He faced Yomi and a blend of many different emotions altered his face. He knew not what to do, what to say. He stepped forward, and the blade of crystal dropped down his trembling fingers, hitting the dusty floor.

Yomi smiled, showing confidence. Hikaru approached him in an hesitant fashion, uncertain the youkai's presence was real or just a figment of his imagination. He walked tense steps till he stood at arm's reach from Yomi.

Fear and passion flodded his chest. The emotion suffocated him. A tingling vibration caused his knees and hands to shake.

"You shouldn't have come. Why did you do it?"

"Why did you run away?" The horned demon returned.

No answer was given out. The youko merely sighed in, in a desolate mood. Yet, when Yomi reached out for Hikaru's hands, to stroke and hold them with tenderness, his gesture was not avoided.

"I cannot stay in Gandara."

Shut blind eyes locked on fearful blue ones.

"Stay with me then; the place matters not..."

"Yomi..."

"I love you."

The smile that shone in Yomi's face disappeared. But his expression revealed such sweetness, such amorousness, that Hikaru looked down and blushed.

"I left everything behind; I left everything for you..."

The youko's eyes became teary at once when he heard such avowal. He slipped his hands off from Yomi's touch and huddled painfully. It was unavoidable that he stepped back, stealing himself from facing the gorgeous, imposing youkai and the frank determination of his passion.

Hikaru shook his head, avoiding Yomi.

"No... Go back... Go back to your kingdom... Go back to your son..." He rose his fascinating blue eyes for a short instant then, and faced Yomi. "I cannot be held responsible for it... What if it goes wrong? I don't want to make you suffer, Yomi... Go away..."

Yomi insisted. He drew himself near to Hikaru again. His vigorous hands seized the youko by his arms, and held him firmly.

"I'm gonna stay with you! I love you, and I know you love me too. We are going to suffer only if we stay apart."

"Leave me alone, Yomi..."

"Never!"

The black-haired demon closed his arms around Hikaru with energy, engulfing him with an ardorous embrace. The sensation was too overwhelming for Hikaru to try to escape. He surrendered to the desirous cuddling and let their mouths touch and start a long, breathtaking kiss.

They quivered with arousal and love together. Their entanglement was intense, and their arms and hands slid all over their bodies in long, passionate caresses. They moaned, one around the other's mouth, breathing softly in between their long kiss...

"You are a fool..." Hikaru stated as their lips withdrew the kiss.

Yomi chuckled. His cheeks showed a warm, rosy tone - happiness and pleasure, all in one.

"I know..."

Hikaru attempted to shun off Yomi's arms, but his gesture only served to make the other demon cling to him tighter.

"I told you I'm yours. I will follow you wherever you go." The youkai insisted.

Another deep sigh was heard, coming from an elated Hikaru.

"Yomi. I enjoyed last night very much... But I cannot live with you..."

"Why?"

Hikaru took air in lenghtly, painfully, before responding.

"I am afraid of any commitment. I am afraid tragedy falls on me again. I have suffered enough..."

"We are going to be happy. I know it." Yomi smiled again, beautifully. "Trust me..."

The youko shook his head; hopeless, dejected, he did not want to accept it.

"I have heard such promises before. I have made the same promises to Hayashi before... And what dit it happen then? Pain, pain, just pain..."

"Wasn't the pain worth the few but significant moments of happiness you shared? Would you prefer not to have lived any of it?"

Hikaru trembled with emotion as he heard that. Nevertheless, he made a heroic effort not to let his feelings show. Yomi's words affected him too deeply, and his reaction was to struggle agsint the embrace and glare at the blind king, demanding to be set free.

"Let me loose."

Yomi shook his head negatively.

"Go back to your city. Forget you ever knew me."

"I cannot do it."

Hikaru insisted.

"Go away Yomi." He ordered, in an angry mood. His face showed a frown.

"No. I shall stay by your side."

"I want to be alone!" Hikaru exclaimed. Irritated, he struggled so hard he managed to slip off Yomi's embrace. Immediately he moved away from the other demon, fleeing any other attempt to be held.

"Yomi! Leave now, or I'll shall force you to!"

The youkai smiled. His tone of voice was sweet and defying at the same time.

"You are not powerful enough to shun me away."

The youko frowned. He clenched his fists by his side and assumed a defensive attitude. He tossed his long hair and made his stand, prepared to battle. Then he took a long glance at the scenery that surrounded them - the desert, the arid plains, the rocky canyons and deep chasms...

"I am surrounded by my element of power as far as the eye can see. The desert makes me much stronger. Do not challenge me here, Yomi. I do not want to hurt you."

Yomi stepped forward intently, pushing Hikaru to the brink of the cliff to give him no chance to escape. He was amused at the perplexed stare Hikaru returned him.

"You are stubborn!" The fox exclaimed, exasperated with Yomi's audacity and insistence.

"I surely am."

Hikaru kept on retreating. When he found there were just a few more steps to the brim of the cliff, he stopped decisively. Then, with no further warnings, he evoked his you-ki.

The whole plateau trembled. The energy that rose from Hikaru's slender, apparently fragile figure was immense. It flared up around him, like a giant silvery flame. It was then that the earth moved, forming a huge wave, like a tide, that grew forming a barrier in between him and Yomi.

"Stay back! I need no lover! I need no companion at all!"

Yomi could not say or do anything, because the whole mass of rock, sand and soil covered him, engulfing him like a powerful wave breaking against the shore. A loud roar was heard when that huge landslide tumbled on Yomi, burying him.

The platteau trembled and cracked under Hikaru's feet, accomodating with difficulty to his sudden power. The solid rock and earth was now unstable, roaring and moving under him like it was alive.

His you-ki glowed with power as he kept on commanding more and more earth and debris over Yomi. It would not kill him, but at least it could give him time to escape...

Damned fool! He was so stubborn! What a hard-headed demon!

The blue-eyed fox watched the soil accomodate, forming a hard, rocky hump where Yomi had stood. The earth was well packed to guarantee Yomi would not leave the trap so soon.

The youko turned his back to that mound of debris; he was about to leave, but he heard a loud roar come from there...

The ground seemed to explode, throwing debris in all directions. Hikaru intensified his you-ki forming a kind of energy shield to protect himself. He closed his eyes for a moment, scared by the loud blasting sound. And when he looked back, he showed an angry scowl once more. There was Yomi, free, smiling victoriously, surrounded by shiny rings of pure energy, forming a protecting globe.

Hikaru glared at the King. Worst of all, Yomi still smiled, totally unharmed and still defiant.

"The night before was a mistake! Don't come near me again!" Hikaru cried, starting to loose his temper. Yomi's stubbordness was truly infuriating.

Yomi gave the youko a complacent stare. The smile had not faded from his expression yet.

"I understand and respect the fear you feel of loving. But it is far beyond time you stop acting like that. I can help you."

Hikaru trembled with indignation.

"Stay back! I need not your help!"

Yomi's smile showed a little irony.

"Last night you acted very differently..."

"Go back to Gandara, Yomi! I demand to be left on my own!"

The former King just shook his head negatively. He stepped forward, walking to Hikaru once more.

"Let me take you in my arms..."

The husky, affectionate proposition was not taken in consideration by Hikaru. The youko used his power again. A long emmission of energy crossed the soil, hitting the area under Yomi's feet.

"No!" Hikaru protested loudly.

The ground started to move - it surged and seethed, transformed into a mucky quicksand. It took just one second for it to swallow Yomi's feet Another second and the King was sunk in the loose soil up to his knees.

Hikaru felt no remorse. Determined to be set free of that harassing youkai, he used his energy again to make the soil engulf Yomi faster. Waves and churns rose from the bed of soft, shifting mass of sand and mud, and Yomi was drawn in deeper. The quicksand was up to his waist, and he was sinking faster...

The ground trembled again. Hikaru focused his power, ready to start to solidify that mass of shifting sand and trap Yomi. He closed his eyes for one short instant, concentrating on his task...

But when he looked back, the youkai was outside the quicksand puddle, standing proudly and starting at him with his disturbing shut eyes.

"You were too slow. You would never entrap me this way, Hikaru. You have to really catch me by surprise."

A scowl was Yomi's sole response. After it, there was just the loud, tearing sound coming from the soil cracking and breaking apart.

The Makai King was caught by surprise indeed. A series of long slivers of crystal, sharp and long like spears, thrust upwards from the ground. They appeared too fast, rupturing the earth. These long splinters surrounded Yomi in a split second. The roar and the fast succession as they popped up from the cracked earth seemed to disorientate Yomi for a moment.

More pointed rocks irrupted forth. Yomi tried to escape. He was about to use his demonic power to burst a way-out of the cage of splinters built around him, when a long crystal pierced through him.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" The horned demon cried out in pain.

Yomi bent over himself and fell on the ground, huddling tight. A puddle of blood appeared under him at once.

Hikaru trembled. Shocked, he grew pale and gasped. He did not intend to hurt Yomi! Absolutely! All he wanted was to detain the youkai a little while, to be given a chance to run away...

"Yomi!" He called, stepping forward in a worried haste. He used his you-ki now to clear all the area around Yomi, disturbed with the blood that stained the end of one of the crystal-spears he had summoned. The bloodspot on the crystal surface of that tall, sharp spear accused him directly. "I'm sorry, Yomi! I'm terribly sorry! I didn't want to hurt you!"

The long crystal splinters were shunned off Yomi by Hikaru's you-ki. They fell to the ground forming a circular pile of fragments. Yomi was very still, huddling over himself, giving no sign of life. Anxious, Hikaru stepped over the splits and pieces of broken crystal in a haste, nervously, eager to reach Yomi and try to help him.

The blood dripped from him, staining the arid ground. Scared that the wound might be fatal, Hikaru circled Yomi with his arms, lifting him a little from the ground, to try to aid him.

With care, Hikaru pulled Yomi to a safer place. He crouched down before the unconscious King, and tried to reanimate him.

"Yomi... Are you alright? Please, you must forgive me..."

It was then the youko heard a muffled chuckling sound. He did not understand it at first, but when he realized what was happening it was too late to keep clear...

"Gotcha!" Yomi exclaimed, very well-humored, seizing the youko in his arms and getting up, so fast there was no reaction. Gandara's demon suspended the youko in his arms, a little off the floor. Hikaru kicked and twisted in Yomi's grasping arms, but the youkai just smiled... "It was a flesh wound! I pretended it all!"

Hikaru looked down at the youkai's shoulder. Yomi was pierced through the shoulder, and blood dripped freely, dirtying his coat. But neither his movements nor his life had been impaired.

He smiled, amused with Yomi's silly creativity. How could he have imagined it was just a prank? Funny is he was not angry with the youkai. He touched Yomi's shoulder, pressing the palm of his hand softly against the open wound. Sensing it was not a grave wound, the youko sighed in, relieved.

"You're indeed a fool, Yomi... You acted like a silly child..."

They laughed softly, together. Hikaru seemed to have given up completely the idea of trying to shun Yomi away.

"But it worked. Now you're in my arms..."

Hikaru calmed down, resting his head on Yomi's good shoulder. It seemed there was no way he could escape Yomi then...

"You won again... Put me down now, please..."

A smile was the satisfied response Yomi gave the youko.

"Not without a kiss..."

There was no resistance from Hikaru's part then. They shared another kiss, and the hand the youko' pressed on Yomi's hurt shoulder roamed all around his arm, his back, stroking his long hair...

Yomi's kissing mouth could not hide a smile when he felt Hikaru surrender to his love again. He crouched down slowly, sitting on the ground but still carrying Hikaru across his lap. They circled one another with their arms and caressing thighs, still kissing very deeply.

When they parted their kiss, Hikaru gazed tenderly at Yomi's closed eyes. He took a brief glance at the wound; the blood was already ceasing to flow. Yomi was such a powerful youkai he could regenerate from such small wounds very easily. There was actually no need to worry about his condition.

Smiling, Hikaru stuck his blood-wet fingers in his mouth, licking ther salty taste with a mischievous expression.

"It was a dirty trick. You were very naughty..."

"It worked..."

"I really did not want to hurt you..."

"I know. You love me, why would you want to hurt me?"

Hikaru's cheeks became red. To be confronted with his own feelings for Yomi embarrassed him terribly. He rubbed himself on the youkai's body, so happy with the warm contact that he could not avoid growling softly. He held tighter to Yomi, shifting a little in his lap, and leaning the head on the curve of his neck.

Both the youko and the youkai moaned very slightly, breathing passionately, satisfied with the loving contact they shared. They purred and stirred one on the other, like two happy kittens.

"You made me love you, Yomi. Your insistence, your silliness, your sensuality, your warmth, your abandon... You are very attractive to me..."

The youkai smiled quietly. He leaned on the youko, kissing his mouth again. It was a brief, but very tender little kiss.

"I have nothing to offer you but my affection. It is a miserable life here in the outskirts of the Makai." Hikaru continued, in a sorrowful tone.

It was then Yomi's smile changed. He exhibited a defiant, amused and at he same time cynical smirk.

"Who says we are staying here?"

The youko's response was to offer Yomi a puzzled stare. He caressed the other demon's face, playing with his pointed ears for a moment.

"We are returning to your homeland. We are going to regain all you have lost.  I will help you plea for your rights."

Hikaru became perplexed. Openmouthed, he tried to retort, but his shock was so intense he could not utter the slightest protest.

Astonished, wide-eyed, he clasped one hand around Yomi's hurt shoulder. The youkai did not care - the wound was completely healed by them.

"I want to know the Crystal City. Besides, I am well-known all over the Makai. My presence alone shall serve to intimidade the usurpers."

The color vanished from the youko's face. Hikaru became pale and paler yet. He gulped and took a long breath in. He clutched at Yomi's coat fervently, insisting for attention.

"I cannot go back! I shall be executed! They are going to behead me!"

Yomi laughed softly. He assuaged his youko lover with a charming half-smile and a patting hand.

"They won't dare going against you. I will support you. My power and my reputation shall back you up."

"You are insane..."

The former Makai King chuckled very affectionately. He rubbed his nose on Hikaru's cheek, kissing him fox-style, with a little slip of his tongue.

"Au contraire; I am very sane indeed..."

'I can't believe it..."

"It's just politics. I am a charismatic and powerful youkai. My standing by your side will serve to scare your enemies. It is going to be very easy to overthrow your insidious brother and his allies."

The grey fox shook his head very slowly. It was a well-thought, a very focused negative.

"It is a whole Kingdom! True is it is not as powerful as before, but it is a very difficult task. We are never going to succeed..."

Yomi rebuffed Hikaru's hopeless attitude, shaking his head in the exact same way. But contrary to the youko, who showed a concerned frown, Yomi smiled in a very relaxed fashion.

"I intend to ask Shura for supporting troops. Gandara and the Crystal City shall be allied Kingdoms. We are attempting a Coup d'Etat with all style..."

By then the youko knew there was nothing he could do to move Yomi from his decision then. Perhaps, as days passed, after talking the subject over and over, they might come to agreement about it... Yomi was indeed passionate.

"What should we do if your plans do not work out right?"

"We run away..."

Yomi smiled; Hikaru smiled along. It was such an insane plan...

"Have you become King by your own hands using silly designs such as these?"

The youkai nodded, with an amused expression.

"Surprise is a very important part on every strategy. Your comeback shall be totally unexpected!"

Hikaru sighed in again, a little conformed. Yomi seemed so driven by enthusiasm... Such attempt probably added a new flavor to his life. Probably he faced not many challenges since he had established his Kingship. The prospective of such adventuresome plan might make Yomi go back to his past, to the wild gangland days of his youth.

"We are gonna kick your brother's ass off the throne!"

Hikaru chuckled; Yomi's insistence was adorable indeed! He rubbed himself tighter on Yomi's body, kissing his face all over.

They cuddled one to the other, in silence, just enjoying the sweetness of their embrace for a long while.

After a while, Hikaru pulled himself back. He looked down, clasping his fingers tightly around Yomi's arms, preventing the youkai to keep on his fondling and kissing. The youko seemed very sad then, for some reason.

He took air in deeply.

"I cannot return. I am not powerful enough... I have neither killed Youko Kurama, nor learned how to weave diamonds... I have not recoved my honor yet..."

Yomi cut Hikaru's sorrowful complaints.

"We have already talked about it... You must consider Kurama as matters already dealt with."

"But I..."

Again, Yomi did not allow Hikaru to keep on his laments.

"And as for power, we can be very powerful together..."

Before Hikaru could say anything, Yomi extended his right arm, reaching for a small rock left on the ground next to him. He held it, bringing it before Hikaru.

"We can make it together. Use my demonic energy to trigger your powers." The youkai proposed.

Hikaru just stared at Yomi, dumbfounded with his offer. Out of action, he let the youkai place the small rock in his right hand. Yomi held Hikaru's hand, and closed his fingers, making Hikaru's hand clutch tightly around that small fragment of rock.

"No... I..."

"You are not alone anymore, Hikaru. Why do you insist on trying to do everything on your own?"

"Why don't we just start anew somewhere else?"

Yomi held Hikaru's chin up, forcing the youko to face him.

"You have to overcome your past in order to be happy. I know it, because I have been through the same. I want to help..."

The youko was weary. He leaned his head on Yomi's shoulder. His fingers stroked the youkai's holding hand slowly. The stone was squeezed so tighly in the closed palm of his hand that it hurt him.

"I thank you for your support. But it is going to be very hard..."

The youkai insisted. He smiled.

"Hard but not impossible..."

Hikaru was convinced borrowing Yomi's energy would not help. Nevertheless, he acquiesced, and rested his back on the curve of the youkai's arm. Somehow the warmth and tenderness of their embrace quietened his worries.

He took air in deeply. Then he closed his eyes and started to summon his earth-based powers once more. In the beginning, he called his you-ki forth with a certain amount of hesitation. Nevertheless, Yomi embraced his youko lover tighter, even sweeter, supporting him entirely with his body and his affection. It was then Hikaru became more confident, more focused on his task. He sensed Yomi's you-ki be elevated around their embrace, engulfing his own energy. It felt as if their bodies and their souls merged, forming one single, vibrating whole. Their demonic energy grew high, becoming more and more intense, pulsating with their love. Their cuddled bodies became warmer, and a tingling sensation ran through them, filing them with elation. It was a very pleasing sensation, as if they were indeed becoming one.

Hikaru had never felt such immense power level before. Yomi's mighty you-ki enveloped him like a warm blanket, protecting and caressing his body at the same time. Yomi invested him with power and confidence, increasing his own demonic energy. Gandara's King showed such intensity, such dedication... There were no barriers between the two of them at that moment; Yomi offered all of himself to Hikaru, abandoning himself completely to establish a bond of love and trust between them. Yomi surrendered himself, forgetting everything else but the feelings they shared.

Their auras became one. Their demonic energy grew stronger, aroused by their passionate embrace and dedication. Both demons panted softly, pleased with the extreme contact they shared. It was like a quiet but extremely intense orgasm. It was long, powerful, overwhelming... They had become like one - a whole united by love and faith...

Their holding hands trembled with the strenght of the energy they had summoned. Their you-ki vibrated around them, like a coruscating force field.

Their you-ki glowed, growing forth. That concentration of condemsed energy burst out them, like a small star exploding. Their connection had reached its peak. Hikaru was shaken by a deep spasm. For a moment his body seemed not enough to hold so much energy. It overflew, yet Hikaru insisted on focusing it to tehir holding hands, in order to transmute that small fragment of sandstone. He almost collapsed; he felt it was only Yomi's support that helped him stand such immense flow of energy and channel it.

He gave out a moaning sound, allowing all his energy, all his will power expand, aiming that small stone held in their clutching fingers. It was difficult to guide so much power into such small target; he managed it with much difficulty. His body trembled, his muscles contracted, and he gnashed his teeth. The energy was so high he felt on the verge of pain for a moment.

It was like plunging into a bottomless pool of energy. Yomi's arms and the feel of their entwined fingers around the rock they held tightly seemed Hikaru's only link to reality - all the rest seemed but a dream.

The evanescent sensation of power and completion that encircled them reached its end then.

First, both demons took air in lenghtily. Hikaru was drained, and he abandoned himself, leaning on Yomi's body for a long while. He felt a soft kiss on his head, and smiled.

The desert around them was so quiet... There was not a single blow of wind to disturb that instant of peace and contemplation. Their entwined fingers moved in slow caresses, and Hikaru kissed Yomi's lips very tenderly.

He realized then Yomi smiled. His smiling lips were very warm, and as their mouths touched in that brief kiss, he felt the vibration of murmured words against his lips.

"I love you..." Yomi murmured within the kiss.

Hikaru assented. He tried to smile back, but he was too concerned with the outcome of their interaction to be able to relax. He had already noticed the texture of the rock in his hand had changed. His fingers caressed its cold, smooth surface, but it took him a long while till he gathered courage enough to open his eyes and check what had happened by himself.

Before anything, he gazed at Yomi's face. The youkai smiled very affectionately; his shut eyes expressed much love.

Hikaru caressed Yomi's cheek. Then he looked down.

They loosened their intertwined fingers, and the youko locked his blue eyes on the clear, crystalline rock that lay in the palm of his hand.

His breath was suspended. Hikaru could hardly believe what he saw.

He held the stone between his fingers with a lot of care. He brought it up, closer to his eyes, examining its sparkle.

That small gem was perfectly translucid. It possessed such fire within that its quality culd not be mistaken. It was obvious it was not an ordinary fragment of quartz; it was not beryl; it was not a topaz; it was not a shappire - absolutely.

It was a diamond.

Starry-eyed, Hikaru faced Yomi, trying to say something. But his emotion was too high. He could not speak; there was a lump in his throat...

"Now you can go back to your kingdom. You can retrieve your throne and your honor."

Yomi's fingers reached out to stroke Hikaru's soft hair. It was then he realized the youko cried very quietly, softly... He held the diamond to his bosom very tightly; it was the treasure of a whole life.

They held hands again. Hikaru took that dazzling gem to his lips, kissing it reverently. Then he leaned forward, to kiss Yomi's lips again. It was a longer kiss; evreflowing with devotion and tenderness.

"Thank you, Yomi..." Hikaru murmured then, so softly his voice could barely be heard. "You made my dream come true..."

The youkai showed the most lively and warm smile.

"It was you who made my dream come true..."

They snuggled very sweetly. Hikaru nuzzled Yomi's neck, making him tickle.

"Where do we go from here?" Yomi asked then. He stared at his youko lover deeply withhis blind but expressive shut eyes, still smiling. "Is the Crystal City far?"

Hikaru protested no more. He got on his feet, bringing Yomi with him. They walked to the edge of the cliff, circling their arms together. Hikaru leaned on Yomi, who let his lover guide him with his love and care.

The youko turned his blue gaze to the barren plains that lay along the horizons and sighed in. Hope inspired him again... It was a sensation he had forgotten what it felt like a long ago...

"It is beyond the desert... We follow eastward all the way..."