______The Makai was cold and damp as the rain started beating down on its many inhabitants. Well, the place was hardly ever called " warm " anyway so the day was like any other ordinary one. Except for one small thing: This koorime who was making his way down the Makai borders at lightning speed.

______Soon, Hiei thought excitedly, I’m going to be there soon! His small, lithe figure hopped from branch to branch, ignoring the few small rips in his clothes. Many of the creatures looked up in confusion. What was so special about today that someone had to go running out, past any shelter, while the rain poured mercilessly in torrents? Simple.

______Hiei was finally going back to the Ningenkai.

______In one swift rush, Hiei felt his body flow through the passageway of the creature world and into the humans’. He stopped for a minute, alighting on a tree branch to catch his breath. He felt his heartbeat increase rapidly. Was it from excitement or from breathlessness? Maybe from both. But Hiei swore he’d die first before he’d openly admit it. Surveying his surroundings, he noticed that things had changed a lot since the last time he was around. He couldn’t seem to tell which way was which. Normally the gateway that he took would undoubtedly lead him straight into the front sidewalk of a familiar ramen shop but from where he stood, he could not seem to find that certain landmark at all.

______What’s going on in here? Hiei thought in confusion. He was sure he took the right gateway, but why did it seem like he had stepped on to a whole different world. Maybe he got his calculations wrong. But still…there was only one gateway that he knew of that would lead him straight into the heart of Ningenkai.

______" K’so," he cursed, " What the hell am I going to do now? " Hiei hopped off the branch, just in time to avoid a large stone being thrown his way. Turning around, Hiei glared at the small kid who was busy snickering behind him. Raising his slingshot he aimed another stone that hit Hiei squarely on his bandanna. Growling, Hiei unsheathed his sword and with death written permanently on his face he told the " baka human" slowly, " I can slice you into little pieces or I can just kill you in one swift blow. What’s it going to be, kid. I’ll be nice and let you pick."

______The kid’s eyes widened as he stared fearfully at the sword, inches from his face. He stepped back slowly, intent on running away. " Don’t even think about it, kid," Hiei warned him steadily. The boy’s eyes filled with tears as the slingshot dropped heavily to the ground.

______" Maa—ma---MAMA!!!!" the boy screamed as tears began streaming down his face. Losing his patience, Hiei growled and raised his sword. He didn’t care to let the stupid ningen pick anymore. He was going to kill the noisy brat then and there.

______Before he could bring the sword down on the kid though, a strong hand gripped his arm and stopped him from harming the boy. Annoyed, Hiei turned to look at who was interfering with his intentions and was surprised to find himself staring into two familiar brown eyes.

______" Yusuke?" Hiei asked warily, dropping his stance, giving the screaming kid a chance to run away. " Is that you?"

______The figure grinned back at him. " Long time no see, Hiei. I thought I recognized that black coat of yours. Always causing trouble. What are you doing here? Off to see Yukina?" Hiei grabbed his arm away from Yusuke’s grasp and fixed him with a stony glare. " None of your business."

______Yusuke laughed. " Same as always, eh Hiei? Don’t you ever get tired of being grouchy?" Hiei turned away, choosing not to answer his old teammate and proceeded to walk down the opposite lane. Yusuke came in step with him, whistling as they walked. " Things have changed a lot since you left. Technology’s boosted up pretty well back here. New buildings, theaters and stuff . At least we finally have multi-cable TV’s. I was beginning to get worried!"

______" Where’s the ramen shop?" Hiei grunted out. Yusuke frowned and looked down, kicking a stone at his feet. " Gone. They had to tear it down to make room for the skyscrapers and gigantic malls they were putting up." He sighed. " Keiko grilled about it for a while but she finally let it off when we started a trading business of our own. It’s much better now. At least we get to spend more time with each other, working together and all. But still---"

______Hiei turned to look at Yusuke’s normally happy face cloud over with sadness. Frowining, he turned to look the other way, feeling more like a stranger than he had ever felt before. Yusuke shook his head and turned to smile at the koorime once more. " So, Hiei, can’t you at least give me one small reason why you’re here? We’re heading towards Genkai’s temple and they’d want to know the same thing anyway so might as well ‘fess up."

______Hiei continued to stare the other way, his pace slow and steady. After what seemed like forever, he turned back to Yusuke and answered in a monotone sort of voice. " I got bored."

______Yusuke raised an eyebrow. " That’s it? You got bored?" Hiei shrugged and walked ahead of his teammate. " And I wanted to see how the rest of you were doing…is that a problem?"

______Yusuke hid the smirk that was beginning to form on his face. " Oh no, that’s fine," he told Hiei seriously, " You’re always welcome for a visit."

______The two continued walking till they reached the temple’s gates. Yusuke caught sight of Hiei’s eyes lighting up as he realized it was Yukina planting in the garden. But it disappeared as swiftly as it came and Yusuke wondered whether he was hallucinating or not. Looking up, Yukina stared at them for a moment before jumping up and dropping the shovels and spades on the ground.

______" Yusuke-san! Hiei-san! How are you both?"

______" Fine Yukina, just fine," Yusuke said, answering for the both of them. " I found Hiei in town today and I thought he might want to pay a visit to the rest of the gang, ne?" Yukina smiled happily. "Oh good! Please come inside and I’ll make tea!" Yusuke followed behind her in quick strides, excited for the prospect of filling his stomach with something good while Hiei awkwardly stood by the doorway, unsure of what to do. Yukina turned back and waved at him. " Hiei-san, Dozo onegaishimasu! Genkai would love to see you again. Please come in." Hiei hesitated but relented after a minute or two of watching Yukina’s pleading figure.

______Inside, they were serving tea and Yusuke was already busy attacking the rice cakes as he sat beside his master, deep in conversation. Hiei nodded to them both and took a seat opposite Genkai. Yukina sat beside him, smiling pleasantly and offering him tea all the while. He was finally beginning to relax when a loud sound caught his ears and a big bulky figure came crashing through the wooden doors. Hiei rolled his eyes when he realized who it was.

______" Yukina-san!!" Kuwabara shouted in excitement, banging the door again behind him before taking a seat beside his lady love. Yukina turned to smile at Kuwabara this time. " Ohayo Kuwa-chan. O genki desu ka?"

______" Ah…good, good…he-he-he…." He said scratching his head as a blush crept its way around his neck. " I’m always fine when I see your beautiful face, Yukina-san!" Now it was Yukina’s turn to blush. "Oh, Kuwa-chan, you say the sweetest things!" Kuwabara grinned, delighted. " He-he-he…"

______" Kazuma, aren’t you going to greet our old friend?" Yusuke asked, grinning cheekily. Kuwabara looked around. " Oi, Urameshi! Who are you talking about? Where?" Yusuke pointed down at the seat beside Yukina as Kuwabara’s gaze traveled down. " Ah, it’s you. Didn’t notice you for a second there, shrimp! So you’re back from the Makai… welcome back!"

______Hiei just glared at him. " Don’t ever call me shrimp again!" Kuwabara frowned. " You haven’t changed a bit, I see. You’re still the same old annoying shrimp I remember."

______" And you’re still the same irritating "baka" ningen I remember," Hiei countered, glaring at him. Kuwabara glared back and both began sizing each other up. The rest of the group began to sweatdrop. "Someone, think of something to grab their attention…quick! Before they tear this place down!" Yusuke said in a rush. Yukina bit her lip and softly tugged on Kuwabara’s sleeve. " Kuwa-chan, if you’re done saying ‘hello’ would you mind helping me with the dishes, please. They look very heavy."

______Kuwabara’s anger immediately drained away. " Certainly Yukina-san. I, the strong and handsome Kazuma Kuwabara will help you carry that heavy load!" he exclaimed grabbing all of the plates even before Yusuke could take one last bite out of his rice cake. " Hey…!" Yusuke said in protest but Kuwabara was too busy trying to impress Yukina to hear him. Shaking his head, he turned back to the other two companions left at the table. Genkai was busy sipping her tea; Hiei, meanwhile was staring out the window.

______" Woah, I’m full! Man, this feels just like old times," Yusuke said putting his arms behind his head, trying to fill in the silent gap. Genkai continued sipping her tea and Hiei, watching a small bird alight on top of a cherry blossom. Yusuke sighed and resigned himself to just laying back and enjoying the day in peace and quiet.

______" Where’s Kurama?" Hiei growled after a while and he turned to look intently at Yusuke. "Wha-what do you mean?" Yusuke asked, immediately sitting up. " I mean, where is he? Shouldn’t he be here? Isn’t he part of the team?" Hiei asked steadily, although with a notable hitch in his voice.

______Yusuke traded glances with Genkai and scratched his head. " Well, uh yeah, but umm, you know Kurama. Always got something to do. He’s umm…well probably off doing that something right now." Hiei raised an eyebrow. " Spill it Yusuke. What’s up?"

______Yususke exchanged glances with Genkai once more. " Nothing, nothing. I…I just don’t know where uh, where Kurama is right now…that’s all."

______" All right, then I’ll just have to go and find him myself, " Hiei said standing up and grabbing his cloak. " W-wait," Yusuke said hurriedly," Can’t you wait till tonight and we’ll all go to see him, Hiei. I mean he must be at work and everything…"

______" I haven’t my seen my best friend in ten damn long years , Yusuke, I think that’s waiting long enough, " Hiei said opening the door, " See you later."

______Yusuke and Genkai watched the door close behind him silently and Yusuke couldn’t help but shake his head. " What do you think he’s going to do when he finds out Kurama’s not…well, himself anymore?"

______Genkai shrugged. " I can’t say, but I’m sure it isn’t going to be as bad as when he finds out about Kuronue." Both shook their heads, troubled expressions on their faces as a small demon began making his way across town in search for his past.

______" Kuronue, do you think the Makai crest will be roughly guarded at this time of the year?" Kurama asked as shook his silvery wet hair free from the water. Stepping out of the shower he quickly wrapped a towel around his torso and walked into the bedroom where Kuronue lay sprawled on the bed, munching on a few junk sticks. Kuronue watched Kurama walk towards him, a glint in his eye. " With a body as slim as yours Kurama, I’m sure we won’t have any problem slipping through defenses." Kurama raised an eyebrow at Kuronue and proceeded to grab a robe off the dresser.

______" Aw cmon Kurama, I was just beginning to enjoy the view," Kuronue teased as Kurama threw a towel at him. " Careful Kuronue, you might just get what you want!" Kurama warned, giving him a seductive wink. Kuronue smiled. " I’m not complaining."

______Pushing himself off the bed, Kuronue walked over to wrap his arms around the yuoko, smiling fondly at him all the while. " Whoever thought we’d find each other again like this," he whispered softly in Kurama’s ear before running his tongue around his ear lobe. " Do you think even after a million other reincarnations we’d still be able to find each other?"

______Kurama sighed as Kuronue’s lips travelled down the base of his throat. " I…I don’t know, Kuronue. I’m just glad we’re finally together." Kuronue’s kiss went lower. " So am I, kitsune." Kurama moaned. " Ko…rou…ne…. how many times…have I…told you not to call….me that…" Kurama bit his lip as Kuronue’s hands began this magical dance across his body.

______" It’s a nice name. I’ll call you anything I want, kitsune." Kuronue said in between kisses. Kurama suddenly jerked away. " I said stop it! Stop calling me that!" Kurama said angrily. Kuronue stared at him, hurt lining his features. " Alright, Kurama, whatever you say," he said quietly before turning away.

______" Oh great! Look I’m sorry, Kuronue, I just kinda feel funny today…I…I don’t know why. It’s just…Kuronue, please listen to me…. Kuronue, I’m sorry!!" Kurama shouted out after his lover as Kuronue locked the bathroom door.

______Sighing, he turned away from the door and surveyed his surroundings. They had both packed everything they needed for the trip to Makai and Kurama felt he had nothing else to do but just sit there and wait. Maybe I could cook us some lunch, Kurama thought to himself as he walked towards the kitchen, I’ll just whip up Kuronue’s favorite. At least then he’ll be able to forgive me.

______Kurama took out a few eggs, chicken, flour and the other ingredients needed to make up the special meal. Kurama hummed as he began frying the meat. Cooking always seemed to relax him. The meal was an easy one and took no time to finish cooking. Kurama then proceeded to set the table shoving a few candles here and there and taking out some better china. At least for their last day they could dine in style. He was so intent on what he was doing that he failed to notice someone watching him from the doorway.

______" Something smells good, kitsune. What’s for lunch?" Kurama sighed in exasperation as he banged the plate down. " Kuronue, how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me kitsune, I—"

______Kurama couldn’t seem to finish his sentence as the plate he was holding came crashing to the floor. The figure just continued to stare at him, leaning casually on the door frame. " Who’s Kuronue?"

______" H-Hiei?" Kurama said incredulously, unable to believe his eyes. " Is…is that you?" The small fire demon continued to stare at Kurama, his face unreadable through the shadow of the frame. " Why do you look so surprised?" Hiei asked, tilting his head to one side.

______Kurama opened his mouth to answer, then closed it, then opened it up again. " I…I never expected this umm, sudden visit from you." Kurama told him honestly while gripping the handle of a chair. He suddenly felt faint. " How long,…how long have you been here?"

______Hiei shrugged. " Well, I’ve just been in the neighborhood for a few hours . It kind of took a while to find you but well I finally spotted your youki so here I am. Thought I’d pay you a visit while I was around." Kurama nodded. " Oh…I see…"

______There was an awkward silence hanging in the air that made Kurama absolutely sick. Hiei began to shift around uncomfortably, wondering why his kitsune was acting so strange and why he suddenly seemed so pale. " Kurama, is…is something wrong?" Hiei asked, hesitating.

______Kurama buried his face in his hands for a moment before looking up at the koorime again. "Something wrong? Of course there’s something wrong! What are you doing here, Hiei?! What the hell are you doing here?!!! "

______Hiei was taken aback with his friend’s harsh voice and he stuttered in reply, " I… I just wanted to see how you were doing…. I…I wondered about you."

______Kurama looked at him incredulously. " You wondered about me?" he asked him, anger rising in his voice. " That’s it? That’s why you’re here? You wondered how I was doing?? For ten f*cking long years you were gone, out of sight, and you come crawling back here for the stupid reason that you wondered what became of your pathetic partner?! That’s nice Hiei, really nice!" Kurama said, laughing bitterly. " All these years I thought you were dead!"

______"Well, thanks a lot for the warm welcome, Kurama," Hiei said skeptically. He walked over to where his friend was standing, stopping right in front of Kurama. " I asked Yusuke where to find you and somehow he seemed nervous about it all. Has something happened while I was gone?"

______" Your damn right something’s happened, Hiei!" Kurama snapped. " I suppose Yusuke didn’t tell you but your friend’s dead. Dead! Do you hear me?! If you’re looking for nice sweet Suiichi Minamino you won’t find him anywhere here. You’re old friend’s dead Hiei, buried with his last few memories of you!"

______Pain shot through Hiei’s heart but he chose to ignore it. The yuoko’s words stung like fire but he wanted to get to the bottom of everything. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. Hiei couldn’t seem to piece everything together but he was going to get to the bottom of it. " What the hell’s your glitch?" Hiei asked angrily, " Ever since I’ve laid a foot on the Ningenkai, things have been different. Everything’s changed. I’d have expected you to be the one person who would remain constant but for some reason I think you’ve changed too, Kurama. You used to be…different."

______Kurama sighed and slumped down on a seat. " You’re right, I’m not the same person you used to know. I have changed, Hiei. But I had to. This is my true form, my yuoko form. This is my true attitude, my fox spirit. If you’re looking for Suiichi Minamino, I suggest you look in the state cemetery. You’ll have better luck there." Hiei watched Kurama, his expression unreadable, as he asked quietly, " What happened Kurama? What have you done to yourself?"

______A struggle began within Kurama as he turned back to the koorime, his voice shaking with anger, "Just stop it Hiei, Stop pretending you’re so concerned about me! Stop pretending you even care! ‘ Cause we both know how much of a heartless fraud you are!" Hiei bit his lip in anger. So hard that the taste of blood was soon wet upon his lips. " Heartless? You want to talk heartless, Kurama. Look at yourself! You don’t care about anybody or anything in the world. You don’t care about feelings, you don’t care about friends! What the hell do you care about?!"

______Kurama’s eyes blazed in anger as he stood up, knocking his chair down in the process. " You want to know what I care about?!" he hissed. " Well, I’ll tell you what I cared about! I used to care for this small koorime. He used to be my best friend! But ten years ago he left me, without a sign, without a trace and that hurt terribly. More than anything! So I waited. Oh! how I waited! A year, two years…three…four, five…But he never came back. He never even cared enough to visit me and tell me how he was doing, to tell me he was fine and ease my worries. He never once thought about checking up on me to see if I was okay. But hell, I missed him more than anything in the world!" Kurama’s voice choked up here, but he continued on, " So I returned to the Makai to find him. Bargained my life many times in order to find him but failed. I searched for a year, Hiei, until finally I accepted the fact that you were dead! You left me without even saying goodbye! I couldn’t live with the pain, Hiei, so I killed it. Let go of everything that’s ever bound me to you. You call me heartless, Hiei?! I gave my life up for you. What have you ever done for me? Nothing! Nothing but cause me pain!"

______Hiei struggled to keep his words bottled up inside of him but the way Kurama looked at him, that look of betrayal, hurt him so much he couldn’t hold out any longer. " You’re not the only one who’s been suffering, kitsune!" Hiei spat out angrily, " Do you think I chose to leave the group? Do you think I chose to leave you?! Do you know how lonely it was in the Makai, and how much it hurt when I remembered you and all the others back here in Ningenkai?! I had no choice, Kurama! Mukuro had me trapped! I owed her for saving my life, but you don’t know how many times I cursed myself for doing so, for trying to do the honorable thing. Kurama," Hiei said looking at his friend with narrowed eyes, " I broke that honor because of my thoughts of you. It took me ten years to gain as much power as I could and to train my Kokuryuha till the day that I would be able to beat Mukuro. I killed her, gave up my life in the Makai for you Kurama. Even if I wanted to see you ten years ago, do you think I’d have been able to? I’d just put us all into trouble! And to have you in danger is the last thing I want!"

______Kurama bit his lip. He wanted to believe Hiei. Really he did--but…what was stopping him? Kurama felt a rush of old emotions as he gauged Hiei’s words. Hiei stared blankly back at Kurama before looking away. He sighed and the next words that came pouring out of Hiei’s mouth came almost as a shock to Kurama. " I’m willing to try and forget if you’re willing to," Hiei said softly before looking up to face Kurama, " You…you’re my best friend Kurama…and I do care. What do you say? Let’s be friends again?"

______Kurama didn’t know what to say. Part of him wanted to take Hiei back, to become friends like they used to be…to go back to what was past. But another part of him told him that this time things were different. He had a new life and Hiei was in no part of it. And it was supposed to stay that way. Kurama was busy debating with his thoughts when a familiar voice broke through his reverie.

______" Oi, Kurama wa koibito! What’s that great smell!!! Aww, you cooked stewed ramen for me! You’re so sweet!" Kuronue said as he walked into the kitchen, drying his hair with a towel. Kurama jerked back to reality and turned to face Kuronue. " Ahh, Kuronue, you’re here. Yes well, lunch is served. Umm have a seat." He pulled out a chair for Kuroune who immediately sat down dragging Kurama with him and making him fall on his lap. " Let me start with the appetizers first," he said, looking at Kurama and licking his lips. " Kuronue," Kurama said, pulling his lover’s hands off his waist as he turned to look nervously at Hiei, " We’ve got company!"

______Kurama didn’t know why he bothered to look or why he cared so much what Hiei thought but he felt like a knife had been stabbed through his heart as he saw the pained expression in Hiei’s eyes. He wanted so much to look away but Hiei’s gaze held him, and he couldn’t seem to pull away from the koorime’s glare.

______" Kurama," Hiei asked slowly, his voice sounding even alien to his own self, " Who is he and what is he doing here?" Kurama opened his mouth but failed to answer once again. Kuronue looked from Kurama, to the stranger, and back to Kurama. He fixed the newcomer with a curious gaze and answered for himself. " Name’s Kuronue…Kurama’s lover and I live here. And you are?"

______Hiei ignored him as he continued staring at Kurama. " Is…this…true, Kurama?" Kurama looked away. " You know my answer Hiei," he said quietly, putting his arms around Kuronue’s neck. " After my year of searching I found the reincarnation of my long lost friend Kuronue. He’s been a comfort to me ever since; Kuronue wa koibito desu. Gomen nasai, Hiei. Things have changed."

______Hiei sucked his breath in. He felt his heart throb in pain, small little arrows crashing through his center. He honestly felt sick. And the sight of Kurama on someone else’s lap was driving him crazy like anything. He saw the truth in his old friend’s eyes and he knew it was time to escape before he did something he knew he would regret. " I understand, Kurama. This…this is goodbye then. I’m sorry I ever expected to much!" Hiei turned away as quickly as his feet would let him. Hopping on to the window sill he stopped for a brief moment and turned around, his face a mask of hurt and misery. " And Kurama…" he said with ringing clarity in his voice, " I hate you more than hell!"

______With that parting word, Hiei disappeared from the window and out of sight. Kurama felt his eyes mist with tears. He tried not to break down in front of Kuronue but he couldn’t stop the ache in his own heart. Kuronue didn’t help the situation much either as he looked at Kurama in concern. Putting his arms around the yuoko he stroked his hair saying, " What’s wrong, Kurama? You look like you’ve just lost your best friend?!"

______And with that Kurama burst out into tears.

______ ...To be continued. minna-san!!