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Author's Notes: Before anything else, I would like to say a few things about this fanfic. This is the first Yuu*Yuu Hakusho fanfic I've written, and the only one so far. It's three long months in the making, and I'd like to thank this particular "entity" that helped me along the way: the entire Sisterhood for pushing me far beyond my limits as far as shounen'ai is concerned. (Did I say that this is a yaoi fic? Well, it is.) On a more particular note, I'd like to thank the team of Shizuru-sama and her dear Sis for giving me the initial idea of writing a Yuusuke + Kurama fic, and the editing team of Maijie Soliman, Shizuru-sama, Mme Mandigma, and the Higad Queen (you guys are the best AND the worst ever).

About the story's timeline, this fic is supposed to occur a little after the Meikai Shitouhen: Honoo no Kizuna, Yuu*Yuu Movie. But somehow, I got the continuity mixed up a bit. In any case, it may be seen as an alterniverse thingie. Also, I got some ideas from Kurama's song from the said movie, "Nightmare".

Comments? Suggestions? Violent reactions? E-mail me at . Thanks.

And before I forget, most of the characters appearing in this fic are the property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Studio Pierrot, Fuji TV, and Shonen Jump Weekly. Only the story is mine. And like I said, this is a Yuusuke + Kurama yaoi fic, with a little surprise somewhere along the way. If you're not into this stuff, or object the pairing, or don't like the sound of it, you'd better stop now or regret it in the end.

Now, on with the story!

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Part Six: Lemony-Fresh! (This chapter is reserved for those who are looking for a horribly yaoi scene involving Yuusuke and Kurama. The story can actually end where it was, but this ending can serve just as well, I think. In any case, continue at your own risk. ‹ Clef-sama)

"Matte yo, Kurama," Yuusuke said, reaching out to hold Kurama by his shoulders. He swung Kurama around to face him, and gave him a light kiss. It was nothing spectacular, just a subtle reminder of who he was, and who he had become.

Kurama did not object to this, nor did he consent to it. He couldn't do anything and just closed his eyes and let it happen. He hoped that if he closed his eyes, he'd see Kuronue the way he remembered him to be, and see the memories that they'd shared long ago.

Just as when Kurama was about to place his arms around him, Yuusuke broke off from the kiss. Yuusuke looked at Kurama's eyes, his eyes searching for the soul he once remembered, the youko he'd loved back in the Makai. Instead, he what he saw in them were green pools of bitterness and sorrow.

"I guess we may as well end it with that," Kurama said after a long silence, looking down at his feet. He couldn't stand Yuusuke looking at him like Kuronue did a long time ago.

"May as well . . ." Yuusuke said, almost mournfully.

Kurama then held out the pendant which, in another place and time, rightfully belonged to Yuusuke. He declined to take it, placing his hands in his pockets. And just as Kurama was about to lift his face to look at him, Yuusuke turned his back and started walking towards the door. Kurama realized with a crushing finality that Kuronue was gone, and Yuusuke was here now, living a life of his own.

Yuusuke was Yuusuke again, and he was back to being Shuichi Minamino.

Just then, there was a click from the lock, then Yuusuke shot a glance over his shoulder and smiled at Kurama.

". . . NOT!"

Without a word of warning, Yuusuke rushed towards Kurama, holding him passionately by the neck and started showering him with playful kisses. With much surprise, Kurama could only take him in his arms and hold him closer.

"So . . . what's the . . . big idea . . . eh?" Kurama asked in between breaths. Yuusuke stopped for a while and looked at Kurama with a stern face.

"After being struck dumb AFTER being reincarnated as a young ningen boy AFTER spending my centuries in limbo as punishment for my crimes back in the Makai, what else would'ya think I thought of after gaining my full memories back? You're still as dumb as ever, Kitsune!" With that, Yuusuke tweaked Kurama's left ear with a gentle bite, letting go of his neck, only to move his arms around Kurama's waist.

"Ah . . . I see . . ." Kurama said with a smirk. Kurama's eyes suddenly narrowed, a teasing smile slowing taking shape on his lips.

Without another word, there was a bright flash of silver in Yuusuke's mind. With green glass eyes replaced by narrowed golden ones, red hair replaced with a fiery silver mane, and the pink school uniform transformed into white common Makai clothing, the image of Youko Kurama now stood in front of Yuusuke.

"My my, how you've grown," Yuusuke looked at him admiringly with half-lidded, misty eyes.

"Eh? Naze ka na," Kurama said, placing his right hand on his hips, which was now tilted to one side.

"Never mind," Yuusuke said with what sounded like a closing note, though it was more of a beginning rather than an ending.

Yuusuke, taking the opportunity, held Kurama by an arm and yanked him towards the bed. No other words were said. They knew what each movement meant for them, and they remembered. Words only wasted their time and clouded their thoughts. They were in sync again, much like moving in a symphony, a lyrical duet.

With Yuusuke's gentle tug at his fiery mane, Kurama slowly undid the top of his pink uniform while his face gave in to Yuusuke's kissing. When Kurama licked Yuusuke's lips sidewards, it was Yuusuke's turn to undo his top, leaving his green baggy pants on. He then pushed Kurama down on the bed, his hands exploring Kurama's supple skin, reveling at his fair complexion. Kurama reached down Yuusuke's stomach, admiring the strong muscles there, scratching and caressing at the same time.

Yuusuke quivered like a high-strung violin under Kurama's touch. Never in his ningen life had he felt this way before, not even with Keiko. It was almost like the way he remembered it to be, only now it was better.

He then hoisted himself up in front of Kurama, who was now kneeling before him, nibbling his pants loose. Throwing the garment aside to join the other clothing scattered on the floor, Kurama then removed whatever clothing was left on Yuusuke with almost inhuman speed and accuracy. Pushing him down on the bed under him, Kurama's searching hands found Yuusuke's warm length, hardening with each maddeningly light caress.

Yuusuke's head reeled with the overwhelming sensations. Taking Kurama's red locks with both hands, he nudged Kurama's head forward, who was more than willing to engulf Yuusuke's manhood in his mouth. Yuusuke threw his head backwards, and gasped with pleasure. Kurama licked the silken, throbbing member, kissing its warm tip a few times, only to suck on it again later on. A few more rocking motions and Yuusuke's body trembled with a nerve-wracking spasm, shooting out his seed into Kurama's hungry mouth. For a very brief moment, Yuusuke wondered why it felt better with Kurama than with Keiko.

With a sly grin, Yuusuke looked at Kurama in the eyes and said, "Now, it's my turn . . ."

In a single flash, Yuusuke sat up and gave Kurama a long, hard kiss, relishing his own taste that was still in Kurama's lips. His hands got to work, first taking off Kurama's belt. A finger traced the lines of his chest, following the contours of the lean muscles there. Kurama only closed his eyes and gasped in response. Much to his surprise, the playful strokes were followed by even more playful licks and kisses. Kurama slowly fell down on the bed, arching his back under Yuusuke's touch.

Yuusuke moved back up to kiss and nibble Kurama's neck, his amorous attacks almost relentless, savoring his faint scent of roses. One of Yuusuke's hands reached down, tracing the waistline above Kurama's pants with a light touch. It came to settle on Kurama's behind with a gentle push. It reached inside the garment and slid forward to feel Kurama's slightly moistened erection. Without taking his mouth off his new lover's neck and face, Yuusuke struggled to free Kurama's trousers and underpants with one hand and massaged tenderly with the other. Throwing the loose clothing on the floor, he moved his hands behind Kurama and gave another push, feeling himself hardening again with both of their erections crossing each other.

Yuusuke whispered something in Kurama's ear, and Kurama slightly nodded in agreement. Without a word of warning, Yuusuke flipped Kurama face down on the bed. Kurama then knelt, thighs spread apart. Yuusuke knelt behind him and took his erection in one hand and spread the moisture that dripped onto Kurama's behind. He then took aim, and slowly pushed himself in. Before Kurama could react from the sensation, Yuusuke reached towards Kurama's member and began to massage and caress. Kurama could only let out gasps and sighs of pain and pleasure. Yuusuke's other hand traced Kurama's smooth stomach, touching it ever so lightly as he rocked and stroked.

A few more moments and they were nearing the peak. In a sudden brief instant, an image flashed in their minds. Both of them saw the other as their former selves: Kurama, the silver youko, and Yuusuke, the raven-winged youkai. In less than a breath, they both gave out muffled moans as they released at the same time.

Their souls, now more than ever, are entwined together.

~ o 0 o ~

"Nee . . ."

"Hn?" Yuusuke looked towards Kurama who came to rest on top of his chest, breathing lightly.

"How should I call you?" Kurama held Yuusuke closer, arms wrapped around his waist.

"I'm not so sure," Yuusuke answered. "I guess you'd have to call me by my ningen name in front of others, since that's how they came to know me."

"Yah, that makes sense enough," Kurama commented. "But what about Hiei? You'd die again in this lifetime if he finds out."

"Hmn . . ." Yuusuke gave it some thought then replied. "I don't mind sharing him with you, so as long as you share me with Keiko."

"But they don't have to know, do they?"

"Yup," Yuusuke said, caressing Kurama's auburn tresses and burying his face in it to kiss him, savoring in that familiar scent of crimson roses. Around his neck, Yuusuke wore the black crystalline pendant, which was his at one point in time, and was returned to him now. "I guess there won't be any more nightmares for both of us," he said.

"From now on?" Kurama queried.

"Forever, for never," Yuusuke replied with a kiss.

Gochisou-sama deshita.

Sore dake desu.

~ Owari ! ~