The silver fox had slept very little. He was excited with the prospective of a journey into the Makai. It had been long since he had abandoned his adventures in the demon world. Besides, he had no previously decided destiny. He was bound to go wherever Hiei's track guided him.

He was determined to achieve reconciliation. And it would be the first time he actually chased an ex-lover like that - The proud thief and pillager Youko Kurama had always preferred to find a new lover than to re-join a previous one.

Strangely, the morning found him less concerned about leaving the children on their own than before. Kinno was undoubtedly a bit stupid, but in relation to his younger brothers he was quite responsible. Not to mention he could count on the Skunk's help.

Kurama left his territory before daybreak. Before departing, he woke up Hyoko and Ikki, smiling and distributing kisses and caresses to them. Even Kinno, to whom Kurama was still a little avert to exchanging loving gestures, was granted with warm, squeezing hugs and sweet kisses.

The youko gave them comforting words and affectionate goodbyes, stressing the younger ones should respect Kinno, and that everything he told them must be obbeyed.

Ikki agreed at once, and Hyoko showed a frown, sticking out his tongue. But Kurama insisted agin, being extra-sweet to his baby, patting his spiky white-haired head, and giving him an extra kiss. It was enough for the albino whelp to acquiesce.

"Be good and I'm gonna bring you a surprise."

Two wide smiles livened up their childish, chubby faces.

"Omiyage!" shouted Ikki, happy with his adopted father's promise.

"Candy!" Added Hyoko, loudly.

"Take care, daddy Kurama!" Ikki continued.

"Tell daddy Hiei we want him back!" Hyoko demanded.

The silver youko agreed, getting on his feet and walking towards Kinno, to make sure he really understood everything he had ordered him to do, or not to do. Then Kinno kissed his father on the lips. A brief  but very affectionate smooch, with a missing feeling already imprinted on it.

"Come back soon, daddy..."

Kurama put his hand over his lips to conceal his embarrassed smile from Kinno. He had learned to love his older son, but still had some difficulty in letting it show.

It was then Kurama left, before the hollow in his heart became too deep and he changed his mind. The fact he was leaving his babies was difficult to bear.

After he had been on the road for some time, when he was deep in the dense forest that surrounded Gandara, he was intercepted.

It was Yomi.

Kurama snorted. He knew it would happen. His former second-official had not wasted a fraction of second after Kinno gave away his breakup with Hiei.

The King was wearing a very elegant long, black coat, and Gandara's sober insignia colored the left side of his chest. His long hair was sheeny and the perfume flowing from filled the air between them. His horns had been polished, and his long black leather military trekking boots had been neatly shined. Yomi had visibly taken extra care of his personal appearance for that encounter.

Hn... As if he could be given a chance... It seemed unnescapable as Fate itself. Yomi simply could never forget him.

The youko's expression became a peeved scowl at the very moment he found the blind King standing on his way, showing a kind smile and a rosy tint of excitement on his cheeks.

"My dear Kurama..." Yomi spoke with a husky tone, spreading his arms in an invitation for the silver youko to walk into his embrace. "I want to help. You must be in need of friends at this dark hour, yes?"

His voice, his way of speaking were husky, inviting, and extremely submissive. It was a tone of voice he had always reserved to his foxy ears only. Yomi spoke very differently to his peers and subordinates.

The youko shook his head in a vehement denial. Of course he had no need for Yomi! He was the last person he wanted to meet at this moment! And now there were they, face to face, because Kinno could not keep his mouth shut!

"Yomi. Get lost."

The King chuckled very softly. Obviously he was not inclined to obbey. He made an appeasing gesture to Kurama, and instead of moving out of his way, Yomi stepped forward, taking slow, careful steps. He knew how deeply anything made in a hurry or clumsly disgusted the silver youko.

"I perceive how nervous you are. I am here to offer you my sympathy and personal aid."

Kurama closed his eyes for a brief moment, trying to remain calm. Yomi's presence was a constant stress on him; a test of patience and tolerance.

"Why did you come after me?"

The smile floating softly on Yomi's lips was sensual and inviting.

"Hiei is gone, you are on your own... I imagined you might want a friendly listener to open your heart to..."
 
Love and surrender glinted in the corner of Yomi's smile. He offered Kurama his right hand, stepping in closer to the youko, who refused the touch.

Yomi's hand remained in the space between them, hanging in abandonment. But the King still smiled, moved by a blind and affectionate expectance.
 
 "We are pratically related now, Kurama. Do not be so hard on me. Our sons are officialy engaged, and we should become closest friends."

Kurama showed a scowl at the insinuating way Yomi left that last sentence hanging... He obviously aspired to much more than mere friendship; without Hiei in between them, who could stop that horny doom?

Yomi was now a mere half-step away from Kurama. The youkai was so close Kurama could sense the warm scent of Yomi's breath as he spoke.

"Your beautiful son told me of your strife with the Dragon-boy. I feel very sorry for you. It is the second time I witness it happen, and I imagine you must feel a wretch." Yomi breathed deeply then; it was a pleased gasp, on the verge of pure excitement. "Let me help you overcome it, my loving Kurama..."
 
Yomi's hand was laid on Kurama's shoulder. At firrst, the silver fox shuddered, feeling uncomfortable with the alien touch on his skin. But a second later, he felt strangely recomforted. He had never noticed before, or perhaps he had just conveniently forgotten it - Yomi's touch was warm, instigating, exactly like Hiei's.
 
"It happens, Yomi... Don't worry, I have everything under control."

"Are you sure you don't need me?"

"Definitively sure, thanks."

"Are you feeling fine?"

"As much as it is possible, yes..."

"You know where to find me. You can look up for me anytime, under any circunstance. Do not be shy."

Kurama could not help but smirk at such silly comment.

"I have never been shy."

"Do not be proud either. I offer you help with all my heart. Please, take my hand without fear."

Only then Kurama allowed Yomi's to hold his hand. But he still felt very suspicious about that affectionate promptness on his ex-lover's part.

"I would appreciate to reward your dedication to me, but I don't have any more Dream Flower seeds. They are very rare and I have given you my whole stock."

Yomi's smile became less subtle. His lips revealed a tender, but also playful smile. He squeezed Kurama's shoulder tenderly, and his breathing became hoarse and audible as he sensed the youko's firm flesh resist under his fingers.

"Seeds?" Yomi's shut eyes seemed to smile too. "Why should I care about seeds and dreams when I can have you for real?"

Kurama tried to steal himself fromYomi's advance, but Gandara's King jumped forward, too fast for the youko to stop him. Yomi clinched around Kurama's waist and pulled him closer.

Then, Yomi kissed the youko's lips.

It was a voracious kiss, and Yomi continued it, even though he noticed Kurama's mouth open in a wide "O" of surprise and muffled protest. The youko winced and struggled for a short while, but the horned demon just squeezed him tighter, and pressed his mouth harder to their kiss.

A fevereish longing moved Yomi's hands all over the youko's body, and his fingers wormed eagerly into his tunic's drapes. He pressed his body sensually to Kurama's lower abdomen, passionately reassuring the other demon of his presence and desire. His tongue was pushed deeper into Kurama's mouth, and he probed avidly for a response to his ardent but lonely kiss.

The silver youko shuddered with shock when he could not resist any longer, and their wet, warm tongues met. He struggled more to free himself, but Yomi's hands were hooked at either side of the small of his back, fixing him in place. He needed fight harder to pull himself away from that alien caress, but he wisely preferred not to show any reaction - neither positive nor negative. Yomi had to learn they meant nothing together.
 
The blind King still persisted on that folly. One of his hands slid downwards to stroke Kurama's soft-furred tail, and he squeezed the youko more affectionately yet, till there were no spaces at all in between their embracing torsos.

But all of a sudden, perhaps embarressed by Kurama's frozen attitude and lack of reaction, Yomi stopped. He slowly parted his lips from Kurama's and as he did it, his face was veiled by an extreme sorrowfulness.

Kurama appeared notto have noticed that changeinYomi's disposition. Piqued, he glared atthe King, but said nothing. He hoped the intensity of his wrathful golden stare to be enough to make Yomi cease any further abuse.

Kurama furrowed his brow and roared, softly but menacingly.

Yomi stepped back for an instant, and his hands slipped off Kurama's body. He lowered his horned head then.

"Yomi! Don't you dare to do this again! What are you thinking?"

The black haired demon said nothing. He heaved a sigh, and instead of surrendering to Kurama's ire, he refused to obbey and moved forward to grasp the youko with a fiercer embrace.

Kurama winced when he felt his mouth be filled by Yomi's tongue again. The King's attack was more straightforward and intense this time. Caught by shock, Kurama experienced an initial shortage of breath, and his body was tensed up in a spasm of repulse. And when Yomi started to roll his tongue in his mouth, pushed by his indecent lust, Kurama knew he must react.

The youko huffed and spat Yomi's tongue outof his mouth, yanking himself away from him. His face was altered by a scowl of deep repulse.

"Shit! Stop that, Yomi! I mean it!"

He pushed Yomi away from him violently, overlooking proper manners and all the help Yomi offered him when he decided to move to the Makai. He forgot everything and aimed the blackest look at the King. He gave some steps backwards, and cleaned his mouth from that kiss with the back of his hand.

"Don't you ever dare to touch me again! I don't like you! I don't want you! Nothing will ever change that! Can't you see?"

Kurama's peeved question affected Yomi. The king touched his own lips with his fingertips, softly like a feather's caress. His expression was one of disillusion and shock mixed. It is as if all of a sudden he had lost all his faith, all his willpower, and the whole driving motion which animated his demon soul.

Yomi's mouth gaped and he caressed his own lips, still wet from the kiss. A furrow marked his horned brow, and he seemed to become paler yet. His expression was plain abandonment. He semed so lost, so vulnerable, that Kurama halted his annoyed complaints to observe his ex-lover's astonished countenance.

Pale, counfounded, at a loss for words. Yomi hesitated, and he tried to communicate with a series of broken, inarticulate gestrures that meant nothing but confusion.

"Are you alright, Yomi?" Kurama asked him.

The King nodded his head feebly. But at the same time his lips quivered, giving out a silent but very perceptible "No..."

"Kurama... I.."

"Yes?"

"I..."

"Shoot, Yomi!"

The King seemed beaten and humiliated. His handsome, appearance that merged majesty to self-assurance was affected by his shock.

"I... The kiss... I felt nothing..."

His words were soft but charged with sorrow, like a lament.

"Kurama... What happened?"

The youko shrugged.

"How can I know?"
 
Yomi gave his back to Kurama, and started to walk in a tight and slow circle, as he pondered silently on an explanation. His face was rigid, and his mouth tense in a downwards curve of perplexity.

"How come I have not experienced that tingling lust invading my body? Where's the heat? Where's the immediate hard-on I feel whenever I think about being close to you? My blood is still flowing on a calm stream in my veins, when I always imagined I would be struck by a passionate torrent of love when I could have you in my arms again... What happened?"

He was totally disoriented. Kurama even felt pity for Yomi's baffled state. He was the King turned to beggar in the blink of an eye.

Those blind, shut eyes searched for Kurama, as if he pleaded for an explanation or a consolation. He opened his arms wide and showed the palm of his hands, in a disenchanted gesture of surrender.

"I wanted you so much... You were everything to me for so many centuries... I dreamed about you over and over, and the blood that moved my body was impelled by the will to make you my lover again. My heart and my memories have been flooded with you for the past 1000 years. Dreams, hopes, desires, expectations, plans... I have yearned to kiss you again feverishily but all I had were dreams. Now, I finally manage it for real, and it feels so... so... weird..."
 
Kurama gave Yomi a smile; a friendly one. Now, after the initial shock, the silver youko even felt relieved - he knew why Yomi felt nothing as he claimed. But he hoped Yomi could understand it too.

"Perhaps you don't love me anymore." Kurama paused then, and took air deeper in, as he observed Yomi's astonishment before his words. "1000 years have passed. You can't live in the past eternally."

Yomi bowed his head, and his lordly appearance was bent under the burden of his sorrow. Perturbed, he covered his blind eyes with one hand, while the other was placed on the middle of his chest, on the solar plexus, as if he were sensing his demon heart's vibrations.

He felt pain. It was clear by the tense grimace on his face. Yomi faced an immense shock. He felt pushed with all might against a huge block of concrete truth. He felt ran over by the heavy wheels of Fate, and disrupted by the intensity of that revelation. As he heard Kurama's calm words, he knew the youko might be right, and yet it felt so hard to accept it...

It was too tough to face the bitter truth after a whole millenium treasuring longing dreams and hopes.

"Kurama... I dreamed of..."

The youko cut Yomi bluntly. How could a grown-up youkai like Yomi still try to run away from the truth like that?

"Yomi! Forget the dreams! Dreams are illusions! Dreams are deceits!"

Yomi lifted his face a little, to make his shut eyes meet Kurama's. He was perplexed, and could not even retort.

"This is the real world, Yomi. This is the real me; the real Kurama. You have chased an illusion of me all the time. I am not the same Kurama I used to be; far from it..."

"But... I..."

"You love the ghost of me! You love the Kurama I was 1000 years ago. You loved the image and the dream of a Kurama frozen in the past; it is not me..."

Shocked, Yomi spent a long moment trying to grasp that new concept. He felt as if his world had collapsed, and now he must struggle to find himself a new beacon he could be guided back to his sense. But it was too hard.

Hesitantigly, he stepped off the path and sat on a rock by the edge of the forest. He huddled, painfully, and covered his face with both of his hands, trying to figure out out to do, what to think, what to live next.

"Yomi..." The silver youko called. He could not deny he felt sorry for his ex-lover at this time. The Gandara's King was the perfect portrait of despair and hopelessness.
 
The King barely waved his head, acquiescing to Kurama's call.

"I feel lost. I feel empty. It is the first kiss we exchange after 1000, and yet I feel nothing..."

Kurama agreed. Inside, he wished Yomi could understand it. The sooner he grasped the fact he had chased mere illusions, the faster he would prevail over all the devastation that filled him.

"You're gonna overcome it.  You have lived an illusion for too long. It is going be much better for you in the long run."

Yomi lowered his horned head further down. He felt confused and embarrassed.

"You are brave, Yomi. I know you will find it easier to live without so many illusions burdening you. " Kurama insisted, with tenderness.

"I had such beautiful dreams we could fulfill together, Kurama..."

The youko scowled. How come Yomi was still insisting on that same matter like a broken record?

"I have my lover and my family. And I have my own dreams. I do not intend to fulfill yours."

Gandara's King reaction was to heave a painful and loud sigh.

"I feel stripped of everything I had... What am I going to do now?" The horned youkai asked, with a feeble murmur, as he embraced his own body.

Kurama smiled. It would be good for everyone if  Yomi could forget their common past at last.

"Live, Yomi. Try to live your real life, and not your dreams..."

Silence was Kurama's only answer. But he knew Yomi had heard it. There was no way he could avoid it with so many ears. But would he really be inclined to listen to it, and come to the conclusion it was his wisest course?

His golden eyes stared intensely at the handsome but dejected figure sitting on the side of the path. He was feeling much hurt, but it would come to pass.

Anyway, Kurama had his own business to deal with.

"I need to go. I have a long way ahead till I manage to find and bring Hiei back. Farewell, Yomi. I hope you'll be fine."

Yomi just sighed out again. And he did not move, he did not raise his head a single inch. He remained perfectly still, like a rock statue.
 
 

To be Continued...