Scully jerked awake, inhaling deeply, almost desperate for oxygen.

"Scully! Scully!" and heavy banging brought her attention to that which had wakened her.

She padded over to the door connecting her room to the one next door, allowing its occupant to burst in, eyes darting wildly.

"Mulder?" she mumbled sleepily. Her partner had an energy level illegal for three in the morning.

"Where is it?"

"Where is what?" Scully grumbled testily. "Mulder, it's three in the morning!"

"I should be saying that to you," Mulder countered.

"What? Why...?"

Was that dream real? So it wasn't a dream... But then, she had just woken up...

"You were calling for me," Mulder said. "Yelling for me to come help you." His eyes reflected not a little satisfaction. "You said, 'It's coming, it's coming.'"

Scully blinked, now wide awake but still totally baffled. It was unlike her to panic and call out like that for no apparent reason, especially in her sleep.

Then she remembered the details of her dream. She shivered violently, not from the cold, but from the memory of the shadows invading her.

"That dream... It was... Oh my God." She shivered again.

Mulder immediately was all concern. "What did you dream about, Scully? What got you so worked up?"

Scully struggled to vocalize the turmoil inside of her. Mulder was genuinely worried about her. That provided her a little comfort, but not enough to mute out the deep feeling of dread.

"I don't know."

Kurama thrashed about in his bed, limbs and blankets entangled so much that it was impossible to discern where one began and the other ended.

He finally triumphed over the linen fetters, sitting straight up. He wiped away the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand, trying to control his uneven gasps for air.

What a hell of a dream.

Kurama rubbed the back of his neck wearily, memories of his recent migraines enough to make his neck stiff again. What was his nightmare even about? He recalled no images, only emotions. Fear, pain, desperation... All felt by his victim. Pleasure, sadism, excitement...? All felt by him.

Swearing to himself, he tried to physically shake off the sensations. It disgusted him that he could feel that good about something so horrible.

What?

What the hell was that something?

"You're no good to us like that," a sharp voice snapped.

Kurama raised his eyes to the window. A figure, clothed in black, reclined along the sill, an almost sullen expression on his face.

"You're useless if you're just whimpering and suffering from some stupid dreams." Hiei descended from his perch and fully entered Kurama's room. Despite what he was saying, Kurama could see the concern behind Hiei's fa�ade. "It makes you seem weak, which you're not."

"I know," Kurama sighed, still massaging his neck. "But this is not like anything I've dealt with, either as a youko or a detective for the Reikai. I've never had to battle myself before."

"That's why it's so damn hard," Hiei replied. He unhooked his sword, propping it against the wall, underneath the window. His dark cloak followed, hung over the hilt.

Apparently, Hiei was spending the night.

Kurama tossed a pillow at his temporary roommate with a smirk. Hiei batted it to the floor, scowling.

Infinitely more relaxed, the redhead leaned back and pillowed his arms underneath his head, studying the moldings of the ceiling. The usually white color was now, in the depths of night, replaced with a dull, grey hue. Even more darkness crept in through the window. The only light that remained was from the moon, which shot a straight, strong beam through the murkiness. It reminded him of life struggling to triumph over death.

Kurama frowned. To him, the moonlight was growing less and less attractive, as the darkness drew him towards it.

He knew not what was ravaging him from the inside, but he knew enough to know that what he felt was not a passing fancy. It was a disturbing clue to what lay ahead, and Kurama did not like what it insinuated.

He glanced over at Hiei, who was in turn giving him a full forced glare. Hiei knew that Kurama was falling into a worried, self-pitying funk again.

It would do no good. It's better to take action.

"Hiei... Thank you," Kurama murmured, smiling softly.

He was answered with the trademarked, "Hn."

"Can't sleep?"

"What about you?"

Keiko sighed heavily, her hands playing with the tangled mess of brown hair sitting atop her head. The desk chair she was sitting in swiveled with the movement.

"It's too hot. I can't fall asleep," she grumbled.

On the other side of her open window, a young boy sat perched on the tree branch. He was dressed in pajamas but had a denim jacket thrown over his bedclothes. His hair, lacking the usual gel, hung down around his eyes.

"Me neither," Yuusuke replied.

Keiko grinned slyly. "Really," she said flatly. "I think you're just worried about me, Urameshi-kun."

It wasn't like Keiko to tease Yuusuke like that, but he let it slide.

"So what?"

Keiko blinked, face flushing slightly. She leaned back in her swivel chair, the piece of furniture moving slightly away from the desk and window.

"It's abnormally hot for this time of year," she remarked for lack of anything else to say. She just wanted to dissipate the awkward situation that was sure to form given enough silence between the two childhood friends. "So hot it gives you chills."

"Cold heat, huh," Yuusuke smirked. "That's something."

"Yeah�" Keiko stared at him for a few seconds, then quickly averted her eyes beyond his form when he tried to catch her gaze.

There had always been tension between these two who had known each other practically their entire lives, but in the past months that tension -- which used to be negligible or at the most easily brushed off by a heated argument -- had intensified. And neither knew how to deal with it, or even if they really wanted to do so.

Keiko fished around in her top desk drawer until she found what she was searching for. She ripped open the bag of chocolate pieces, tossing one at her nocturnal visitor.

Yuusuke snorted indignantly at the small candy in his palm before downing it in one swallow. Keiko immediately tossed him another before he could find his voice to complain.

"So the model student has a hidden sin," he mumbled halfheartedly. The young delinquent's eyes hooded over as they scanned the books and sheets of paper covering the desk. Biology lab notes, math homework, English texts... They all lay sprawled across the oak surface, and Yuusuke couldn't help but recall his own bare table in his room.

When had these two, who had grown up alongside each other, split onto such divergent roads? While he began losing interest in class and was frequently found committing some petty crime or another, she went on to become class representative and one of the most popular girls in school. Their association never ceased to be a topic of much gossip and speculation among the ninth grade class. How and why could Yukimura possibly stand to be acquainted with someone like Urameshi?

Why, indeed.

"Whaaat?" Keiko dragged out, long and slow, as if she were wringing the word out to dry. Her coarse presentation didn't fool Yuusuke, though. He knew by her expression that she knew exactly what he had been looking at. And what he had been pondering.

"Nothing," he drawled, also giving false pretense, dragging out the final syllable with an almost musical tone.

"Are you worried about Kurama-san?" she offered.

"Aa," he mumbled, accepting. Anything to divert their attention from what he didn't want to face.

Because, he thought to himself as an addendum, once they began to deal with it, their precarious balance would be disrupted and he could very well lose her forever. No more nights like the current one, no longer could he see her for no reason other than to be with her.

"He'll get through this," Keiko insisted, "because he has you. You won't let him down. You wouldn't let yourself let him down."

"Thanks, I guess," Yuusuke grinned.

"Y'know..." he continued after a thoughtful pause. "I never really appreciated being a Tantei. I pretty much took it for granted. I mean, I helped people when they needed it, but I always thought in the back of my mind... All the people I was helping... Did I exist because of them, or did they exist because of me?"

Keiko blinked, but said nothing, allowing Yuusuke to continue when he felt comfortable enough. His dark bangs fell across his eyes as he relived past regrets.

"I know the situation with Baasan worked out in the end... But if it weren't for me having to enter that Tournament, I always wonder if she would have died in the first place..."

"I think..." Keiko considered her words for an instant, "I think neither case is entirely true. Those people who experienced pain, they would have experienced it even if you weren't a Tantei. Genkai-san would have died at the hands of Toguro even if you weren't there, because of choices they both made independent of you.

"But ultimately, I think that first case is true." Yuusuke looked at her inquisitively. "You exist because... No, more than that, you exist for these people. You found Hiei's sister. You brought Genkai-san back into this world. You've given so many people what they were lacking..." Yuusuke studied her face, but she gave no indication of whom she was specifically referring to.

"Like now," he murmured.

"Yes. Exactly."

"That's where I was going, I think," he admitted. "I really didn't care much for my job, but now, when my friend is in the crossfire... I couldn't be more grateful that I'm able to protect him, and that I have the power to bring him back to safety."

Keiko beamed at him, an expression that almost left him breathless. "That's why you're you."

Yuusuke leaned his head back against the wide tree trunk. "Remind me to thank Koenma after all this."

Keiko giggled. "After this ends, you'll forget what you ever wanted to thank him for, and you'll just blow it off. That's why you're you."

Yuusuke let out a shout of laughter, quickly hushed by his companion. They fell into an amused silence.

"Do you..." She still hesitated. "Do you want to come in?"

"No." Not yet. "I should go now."

"Okay, then. Good night."

"Night."

Somehow, they both knew they would sleep easier.

Kurama rubbed his sleep-deprived eyes once more, bemoaning the catastrophe that had been his attempt at rest the night before. After Hiei's arrival he had only managed to snatch fleeting minutes of sleep, never enough to warrant substantial rest.

As a result, Hiei had not slept well either. However, Kurama's companion gave a better presentation. He had no change in demeanor; that scowl darkening his face could be attributed to his usual character or last night, no one was sure.

Kuwabara was the next to arrive, inadvertently flaunting his good night's sleep to his teammates. Hiei's glower intensified as the carrot-topped boy noisily greeted the two youkai.

Kurama murmured a response, managing a weak smile in spite of himself. Kuwabara blinked and studied the redhead closer, concern seeping into his jovial mood.

"You don't look so hot," was his diagnosis.

"At least you managed to notice," Hiei snarled before Kurama could vioce his own reply. "Of course he looks terrible."

"Thank you, Hiei," Kurama half-sighed. His best friend could be so touchy at times, even more so given the current case. "I'll be fine. Really," he added, directed at both.

Yuusuke descended the stairs at the back of the Yukimura restaurant, noting with satisfaction that everyone had arrived and was ready for a productive meeting. Behind him, Keiko followed, yawning around a raised hand.

"Yukimura..." Kuwabara began hesitantly.

"She did offer to let us use this place to meet," Yuusuke interrupted. "She wanted to sit in and find out what we knew so far. So I said it was okay." His brown eyes -- bloodshot from inadequate sleep like his own, Kurama noted -- flashed, challenging any sort of protest.

Kurama knew the motive behind his sudden acquiescence to Keiko's involvement. He saw the slight changes in Yuusuke's attitude, the signs of protectiveness. He wanted Keiko near him, so if there was trouble she wouldn't be at its receiving end. Kurama smiled secretively. At least this case, if nothing else, was helping progress their particular relationship.

"I'm not going to school today anyway, so I have nowhere else to be." Keiko sat down heavily beside Yuusuke, and Kurama noted with concern that she too looked exhausted. He felt guilty, then, however unjustified the feeling was. If Keiko's life was being disrupted because of this case... Never mind that the murders may or may not have been his doing, he was at the center of the ordeal... He even felt badly for his dragging his teammates into the mess, even if duty did call on them to be involved.

Kuwabara remarked with little to no decorum that both Yuusuke and Keiko looked like hell, and then proceeded to wonder aloud what Yuusuke was doing upstairs in the Yukimura house so early in the morning.

Kurama fought down his smile as both subjects blushed violently. Yuusuke snapped that Kuwabara had a mind as lecherous as an old man's, and whatever he and Keiko did was their own business. Keiko then wearily leaned her forehead on her hand as Yuusuke's words seemed to make Kuwabara even more suspicious.

"The first topic of discussion should be those two Americans," Hiei announced gruffly, bringing the attention back to the most pressing matter.

"Botan basically forged an alliance with them," Kurama said, initiating the debate.

"Well, they certainly have means that we don't," Yuusuke grudgingly conceded. "They could get into the victim's room the other night with no problem, whereas we have to sneak around like criminals."

Kuwabara leaned his elbows on his knees, rubbing his chin pensively. "But the woman doesn't seem to want any explanations concerning ki and spirits, let alone escaped Makai murderers."

"And that Mulder guy is too damn nosy." Yuusuke sighed loudly, running a hand through his mussed, ungelled hair. "Let him get too close, and clearing Kurama of these murders is the least of our worries."

"Is it that bad?" When four pairs of eyes turned to Keiko, she swallowed nervously and continued. "I mean... Is Kurama-san really in danger of having his true nature exposed? He's done quite well for the past sixteen years."

"That's true," Kuwabara agreed. "So far no one you haven't wanted to learn your secrets has, Kurama."

"So what's so special about Agent Fox Mulder, that he would be a threat in this instance?"

"He's obssessed," Hiei spoke up. All eyes turned to him next. "He's fanatically involved in the supernatural, the polar opposite of his woman. We don't know how far he'll go to learn what Kurama -- what we're all hiding... And we don't know what he'll do with that information once he's learned it."

They fell into a tense silence at that, Kurama frowning in contemplation. Hiei's words rang very true. Although he'd only met him once, Kurama could see the drive that not only kept Agent Mulder going but kept him living. And unlike his local neighbors, Mulder had something to prove and Kurama's secret could be that evidence. Ever more swiftly, this was becoming less of a case and more of a personal battle on all fronts.

As the initial impact of Hiei's remarks faded, so did the tension. Kurama noted with a hidden smile that as her earlier weariness returned to Keiko she leaned lightly on Yuusuke's shoulder, casual enough to prevent comments but significant in that it made the head Tantei color slightly. At least this case, if nothing else...

"The risk, for now, is worth taking," Kurama decided aloud. "Refusing to allow Agents Mulder and Scully to be too close only incriminates us. We'll cooperate with them quietly, if only to throw off their suspicions. Plus, we may learn some things about them as well. We're not the only ones keeping secrets, that's for certain."

Hiei nodded accedingly. "Kurama has a point. Their reasons for coming halfway around the world must be somewhat personal. Whatever their motives, maybe..."

"We can determine for sure if they're allies or enemies," Yuusuke concluded.

"And if they're friends, it will make it that much easier to clear Kurama," Kuwabara added.

"So it's decided. I'll get Botan to contact the agents and we can hold our first official meeting with them." Yuusuke nodded decisively. "And we'll exchange information... Only that directly pertaining to the case, of course."

"Next topic," Kurama announced levelly, "what we know about this murderer, and how can we protect others and ourselves from it."

"It seems to like young women," Keiko piped up, her face a careful mask of unemotion. Yuusuke shifted uncomfortably, his own expression stiff.

"Is it because they have stronger life force?" Kuwabara mused. "That can't be it... Whoever feeds on these people should know that life force isn't gender-specific."

"It could be another piece of evidence against me," Kurama suggested. "I don't look strong enough to take down men, so it's more likely I'd be the culprit if the victims were women."

"Taking it one step further, what about your youko half?" Hiei queried. "It's general knowledge that when kitsune take life force, it's most effective when it's of a... sexual nature." Hiei flushed slightly, but quickly covered up his reaction with further explanation. "Obviously these women were unwilling and suffered a violent end as a consequence, and there were no sexual factors... But this leaves it open for there to be one later."

"That's true..." Kurama mumbled. "Someone's being quite thorough."

"So have we narrowed it down to a feeder desperate for souls?" Kuwabara asked.

"We haven't narrowed anything down," Yuusuke grumbled. "There's very little evidence."

"You haven't considered... the wound," Keiko said softly.

"That's right. I'm guessing it's just a way to incriminate me in the legal system," Kurama ventured. "That first murder did leave me with blood all over my hands, evidence much stronger than just drainage of life force." He smiled grimly. "And if no one investigating knows of my origins, they wouldn't find a way to connect me and the life force, so this physical mauling is the perfect connection."

"All this is speculation," Yuusuke cautioned. "We've got no hard evidence about the choice of victims, the mauling... Nothing."

"This is where the Americans come in," Hiei stood up, implying he was ready to act. "They can provide us with missing information, and we can do the same."

"You've never been one for teamwork, Hiei," Yuusuke remarked with a knowing smile.

Hiei turned his fiery glare to the dark-haired teen, but the look softened as it was redirected to Kurama. "There's never been this much at stake."

It was Kurama's turn to feel his face grow warm. He smiled gratefully at each one of his friends gathered around him. He would beat whatever was after him. This was just another opportunity for the Tantei to band closer together. He would win.

"I'll talk to Botan about that meeting."

As expected, Fox Mulder was more than anxious to arrange a meeting with Minamino Shuuichi's friends, a reaction that prompted a giggle from their aqua-haired liaison. What surprised her was Dana Scully's equally enthusiastic response. Perhaps they had all underestimated the female FBI agent. Maybe she did believe, if only a little.

They established Genkai's temple as the location, Yuusuke eager to keep Keiko's family uninvolved when it came to the Americans. Keiko, however, along with Kurama both were present for the rendezvous. It was a decision no one was sure about.

The agents arrived in proper time, having acclimated well to the streets of Japan. Kurama noted with amusement that they had been practicing their Japanese, as they both politely greeted the temple's owner.

Genkai soon left them to their business, however. Botan sat at the head of the low table, the agents on her right and the four Tantei on her left. Keiko sat at a comfortable distance away, although close enough to hear the discussion.

Scully made frequent eye contact with the young girl sitting behind the boys. She felt some sort of connection with her, although she only knew the girl's name. Her ambiance gave Scully the impression that she was very much like Scully when she was that age. And now, sitting behind her friends showed deference -- especially to the one with gelled hair, Mulder's notorious adversary. It seemed to be the same sort of respect Scully herself held for Mulder. They were equals to be sure, but there were times when she let Mulder take the lead.

She next turned her attention to Shuuichi. The young redhead was steady and calm, as if he were unaware of his situation. He made bold eye contact with both agents, conveying the message that he had nothing to hide.

At least, not right now.

"Excuse me," she said to Botan, who turned inquisitive eyes to her. "Perhaps, since Shuuichi is the prime suspect, he should keep his distance from this meeting?" Ignoring Mulder's protesting glance, she continued. "We should maintain objectivity that could be compromised were he here."

Botan nodded -- and Scully noted it was done approvingly, as if Scully had passed a test -- and translated to the boys. Yuusuke -- the leader, it seemed -- looked at Scully with new eyes, filled with respect and approval. Kurama merely nodded and stood to leave.

"Take Keiko with you," Scully heard Yuusuke request in Japanese. As the girl stood up obediently, she exchanged a glance with Yuusuke that showed a tenderness to the boy that Scully had not before seen. She smiled wistfully at the protectiveness he held towards Keiko.

She knew Mulder had wanted to find out more about Shuuichi, but this seemed the best course of action to forge strong bonds among the newly formed alliance. With a nod of acknowledgment to the agents, Shuuichi left.

"Keiko, you're afraid."

Keiko gave a start, but made no indication to argue Kurama's observation.

"I suppose you have reason to be." Kurama turned his face up, as if trying to lose himself in the endlessly clear blue of the day's sky. Blue that was swiftly fading to pinks and oranges.

"Maybe I do," Keiko whispered.

Kurama smiled darkly. "And here you are, alone with the killer himself."

"Kurama-san, that's not even funny," Keiko protested sharply. "You didn't do anything, so don't even joke like that."

She shoved her hair back, obviously upset by the morbid joke. Kurama glanced down at her sheepishly, ready to apologize. His self-pity had been getting the better of him too often lately.

His apology caught in his throat and was never voiced. He just stared at Keiko mutely, wondering when she had become so attractive. The sunlight danced off her hair, revealing hidden red highlights in her mane. Her cheeks and lips were flushed just the perfect shade, giving vibrance to her features. His gaze slid languidly, appreciatively, to her mouth before pausing at her swanlike neck, and lower...

Keiko fidgeted nervously under Kurama's scrutinizing gaze. She was unused to this sort of attention from any of her familiar friends. She had to admit, though, that she didn't mind the appreciative looks being given her at the moment by an attractive young man...

"Kurama-san," she said shyly, almost reluctant to break the spell.

Kurama blinked, regaining his focus, and for an instant Keiko thought he looked frightened. He smiled apologetically at her and they wordlessly continued their journey back to her house.

"Keiko," he said softly at the end of their trip, his voice flowing like silk as he leaned in closer to her, "please be careful."

Keiko could have drowned in those large green eyes. "I will," she promised breathlessly.

Kurama's feet moved faster than even his pounding heart, as if the distance would diminish his inexplicable desire to be near the young girl he had just left behind. It didn't help at all.

He ran his hands through his red mane in frustration. He couldn't understand where this desire had come from so suddenly. Just this morning, he was noting with satisfaction how much closer Yuusuke and Keiko had grown over the course of the past few days.

Now, when he thought of Yuusuke he felt envy grip his heart and the desire, however unreasonable, to get him... out of the way. And when he thought of Keiko, his desires took a decidedly different turn...

He shivered, wrapping his arms protectively around himself. Every nerve in his body screamed for him to rush back to Keiko. But he couldn't. Somehow... He knew it wasn't him who wanted that.

Or was it?

Maybe he should head back to the temple. His shivering increased, and he began to perspirate uncontrollably. No, because Yuusuke was there... And in this state he didn't know what he would do to his friend. If only to get the girl who had, at least in her heart, pledged herself to him...

"Shit!" he snarled. What scared him was not knowing whether he swore because he was feeling these new and uncomfortable sensations, or because he wasn't going to take care of Yuusuke right that moment.

Where should he go? Where could he go? Kurama felt hopelessly lost. He stared at the last rays of the setting sun, beams of light struggling in vain to hold on to the horizon, to cast themselves onto the willing earth for a few moments more...

He glanced around at the unfamiliar streets and laughed bitterly, realizing that he was in actuality lost. Which meant that he was a safe distance from the Yukimura house. Which did nothing to alleviate the burning ache within him.

Hiei's words that morning pierced his fogged mind. Something about sexuality, and life force... He could barely organize his memories. Was that theory coming to realization?

Were they wrong all along?

Was Kurama the killer?

His eyes widened in shock at that last thought. As the darkness triumphed over the fading sunlight, Kurama let loose a hysterical laugh as the answers came to him.

And elsewhere, a young woman screamed with her last breath.

| Author's Notes |
It's finally done! _o_ My gosh, I think that was the longest gestation period for a fanfic chapter, ever. Hopefully I'll be more expedient in getting future chapters out, so cross your fingers. As for this turning into a Kurama-Keiko fic...? Hells no! :p It's all part of the story. Say it with me: Puh-lot poi-nt... XD

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