10

"I promise that tomorrow will not be the last time we see each other."

He sat, watching the waves. There were no words to describe the sadness and pain that he was experiencing. He felt like running, he wanted to run until he could no longer feel anything. He couldn't stay there, on that island anymore. It was too painful, the memories of the day before hung to close. They haunted his thoughts and dreams.

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"You're out of options I'd say," stated Karasu, his calm smirk fully visible now that his mask was off. "There's no summoning demon plane flora or turning ordinary plants into weapons." He paused, "I, on the other hand, could blow you to bits." Three bombs closed in on Kurama, he was nearly covered in blood now, he could barely stand. "But I won't," continued Karasu, "I wish to keep you with me. Well, your head a least."

Seems you haven't noticed that my options are not exhausted. You see, you're bleeding over your heart. That's really what my attack was about. Kurama thought, giving Karasu a steady glare of defiance. You assume that I cannot summon plants from the demon plane…but you're wrong. Not that it won't cost me every ounce of Aura I have left and my life. An option of last resort, but an option none the less.

More bombs closed in on Kurama, causing him to cry out in pain. He fell to the ground, unable to stand any longer. The crowd started screaming and chanting, "Bomb him." Over the din Kurama could barely hear Juri start the ten count. He pushed him self up off the ground the best he could.

Karasu had also heard Juri start the count, "I scarcely think that's necessary. For him it's either life…"

Kurama lifted himself up a little bit more, gathering everything he had left, No…

"Or death!" Karasu prepared to kill the spirit fox.

For you! Kurama unleashed a vampire plant, it hit Karasu as Kurama fell forward again, seemingly dead.

Karasu took a step back, surprised, as the plant drank his blood, draining away his life, "Impossible…where did he find the… energy to do this?" Karasu fell to the ground, dead. The plant covered his body, using his blood and energy to bloom into a flower similar to a red rose.

"Kurama!" yelled Yusuke, hoping the spirit fox was not dead. He ran closer to the ring, stopping just short of actually getting into it. Kurama had moved slightly, the young spirit detective breathed a sigh of relief. Kurama was still alive.

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Kurama closed his eyes, they would be leaving the island tomorrow. He took a deep breath, standing up. He turned and walked back to the hotel. It would have been better if we were like Romeo and Juliet, at lease Juliet didn't have to kill Romeo and then deal with the pain of his death.

A few days later…

"We have reviewed your case and we have decided where you are to be placed," stated Koenma looking at the raven haired demon that stood in front of him. "I have been told that you have a last request. Depending on what it is, I might grant it. So, what is your request?"

Karasu looked up from the floor, "I wish to speak to Kurama one last time."

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Kurama walked home from school, his walk was slow and lacked his usual confidant fluidness. His first day back had not gone perfectly to plan. He had missed the previous week and a half, so the population of female students at Meio Private Academy had assumed that he had been sick the whole time he was gone. This forced him to dodge the showers of "get well" presents from the girls that were obviously in love with him.

Needless to say, the spirit fox was looking forward to getting home to peace and quiet. He had yet to recover from the Dark Tournament, physically and mentally. He huffed a small sigh.

"I promise that tomorrow will not be the last time we see each other."

Kurama turned, thinking he had heard Karasu's voice. He didn't see the raven haired demon anywhere, however. Kurama's keen eyes noticed something in the sky. It was Botan. This was odd, what did Koenma need from him so shortly after the tournament was over?

The ferry girl landed in front of him, she looked slightly worried. Kurama waited for her to tell him why she had come.

"Koenma needs to see you," stated Botan. Kurama nodded, he had surmised this much already, so he wasn't surprised at her words. Still he was curious to what the young prince had to talk to him about, but Botan didn't have an explanation. He would have to go see Koenma.

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Kurama entered the young prince's office a few minutes later. "You wanted to see me," he said sounding rather tired. He was curious, but that didn't change the fact that he didn't want to be there.

"Yes," the young prince paused, "I'm actually not sure how to start this, so I'll just say it. Karasu had a last request. I said I would allow it if you gave your consent."

Kurama looked at Koenma slightly confused, "Why would I need to give my consent?"

Koenma hesitated, "Well, he wants to speak to you one last time. I know that you might think I'm crazy for asking you to do this, but will you speak to him? If you don't his spirit might not be able to move on and that would not be a good thing."

"I will…" murmured Kurama looking at the floor.

"Alright," Koenma pointed to a door behind him, "Just walk through the door then."

Kurama nodded and walked toward the door. He opened it and entered, suddenly he found himself standing on the familiar outcropping of Kurikuwbi Island. It was sunset.

He felt a familiar presence standing behind him, he turned to saw Karasu standing near the forest. Kurama felt his heart ache, "Why do you stand so far away?"

Karasu ignored his question for the moment, "I wanted to apologize. I gave into the darkness so quickly when I could have fought it."

"Is that all?" Kurama snapped, "is that all you needed to tell me before I could not talk to you ever again? You just wanted to tell me that you are sorry you could not fight the darkness!"

Karasu didn't respond, he stared at Kurama not quite understanding why the red-head was upset. Kurama turned away from him.

"Kurama, I…" started Karasu.

"No," murmured Kurama closing his eyes, "I don't care anymore. My heart can't be broken anymore."

Karasu's eyes widened. He walked closer to the red-head. He reached out to touch his shoulder.

Kurama moved away slightly, "Please, don't."

Karasu shook his head. He flung his arms around Kurama, drawing the red-head close to him. Kurama didn't react to the embrace. Karasu held him tighter feeling his chest throb with pain at the lack of reaction. Kurama was soon unable to resist the feel of Karasu's arms around him anymore, he relaxed into the embrace.

"I love you," murmured Karasu, "I don't want to leave you but I have no other choice. I am no longer among the living. Cry for me…mourn my death, but please. Please, don't you dare stop living too."

"Karasu…"

"I couldn't bare it," he continued, "It's not fair to you, I know. It isn't fair to you for me to demand that you learn to be happy and smile again. I never wanted things to turn out this way." Tears fell from Karasu's eyes.

Kurama opened his, he couldn't believe it. Karasu had always been so strong, but he was crying for him. The raven haired demon was crying for his happiness, it hurt Karasu just as much to see Kurama upset as it hurt Kurama to see Karasu leave. This situation was killing them both.

Karasu's grip slackened, Kurama turned in the embrace, wrapping his arms around Karasu's neck he pressed his lips against the taller demon's. Kurama poured all his love and passion for this man standing in his embrace, into one last kiss. Karasu returned the kiss just as fiercely, just as passionately. They broke apart slowly.

"I love you," murmured Kurama looking down, he couldn't bare to see Karasu leave.

"Ditto…" Kurama looked up, something in Karasu's voice had changed. The red-head's eyes widened, Karasu had changed. He looked like he did before he had been caged by the Elder Toguro. He wasn't as pale or thin, and his eyes sparkled with happiness and a renewed life energy. Karasu smiled at Kurama, "Find love again, Kurama, but don't forget me in your happiness. Okay?"

Kurama's eyes shined with tears, he shook his head, "Never…I won't ever forget you, Karasu."

Karasu chuckled slightly, he turned, "See ya' around." He waved as he walked away, fading into the next world.

Kurama took a deep breath, he felt a bit happier now. He had gotten to see the real Karasu, the one that he had been able to sense was there all along, but could not come out. The person with whom he had fallen in love with.

He turned and walked through the door into Koenma's office. He was slightly surprised to see Yusuke standing there, the red-head smiled at the spirit detective. "Thank you, Yusuke."

Yusuke looked slightly confused, "What are you thanking me for?"

"For prying into my life. I don't think I would have been able to handle all this if it wasn't for you constantly annoying me," stated Kurama with a small smile.

"Hey! I resent that!" exclaimed Yusuke giving Kurama a glare, but he was glad to know that the red-head was going to be okay.

Kurama laughed, "Resent it then, it won't change the facts."

This earned the spirit fox another glare from Yusuke, "Watch it fox boy…" Kurama gave him a coy smile and walked out of Koenma's office, Yusuke followed him looking rather annoyed. Koenma watched the twosome leave, with a little smile on his face.

"I think everything will be okay," he murmured to no one in particular.

Yeah…I think you're right…

"A glooming peace this morning with it brings. The sun for sorrow will not show his head. Go hence to have more talk of these sad things. Some shall be pardoned, and some punished, for never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

A/N: So with that, "Bleed Black" comes to an end. I want to thank you all for reading and reviewing. I get so excited when I check my e-mail and I have a bunch from the fan fiction bot saying I have reviews. I can honestly say that is the best part of being a Fanfiction writer. Just knowing that there are people who like what I do and I love reading you comments and your ideas and guesses of what comes next. I can't really put what I'm feeling into words. I guess I can really only say thanks and just hope that's enough for you wonderful people. I do want to apologize for the slowness of my brain, which caused huge gaps in the updates. Sometimes I get involved in a ton of things and I forget, but most of the time I have a writer's block. If you read my profile page you would know this already…hint, hint. (I write updates of the story process in my profile page.) OH! Before I forget! I wanted to mention something about Chapter 8, you remember? Well, if you don't go back an read it you'll know what I'm talking about then. I really wanted to write a Lemon there, but doesn't allow that… . then I realized that it would be reeeally awkward. So, yeah…those who were disappointed about that, that's why there was no Lemon in this story. Maybe other stories, hmmmmm? Okay, catch you on the flip side! Hope you're excited for the next story, bye bye!

Harkura