______Hiei zipped through Ningenkai at his usual lightning pace in order to get to Kurama’s house before midnight . He didn’t know why he did it. Why he persisted to stay outside the window, freezing in the damn cold just to sleep in a cramped tree all night, watching over the kitsune. Some nights Kurama would peek out, call out to him and offer him the bed while he slept on the floor. Other nights Hiei would come for a visit but stay visible by the window only for a few minutes. And some other times, Kurama would just stare out the window and smile, maybe to no one in particular really… but Hiei always knew it was for him. And maybe that was why he persisted. Because he knew there was one person who was always happy to see him. And even if he didn’t show himself, he knew Kurama always knew he was there and was expecting him.

______Hiei sighed as he vaulted over the fence. Thank goodness for Mukuro’s nightly meetings! At least then he was able to slip out and have a life of his own. Alighting on a tree branch, Hiei cranned his neck to see what Kurama was doing… and was surprised to find darkness as the only greeting. Is he asleep already?! Hiei thought incredulously, cursing himself for not getting there fast enough. But his window’s still open!

______Then Hiei heard it.

______The soft sound of crying coming from within.

______Peering closer to the window, Hiei was able to make out a solitary figure weeping on the bed. His red hair was tousled completely and his body racked with strong yet silent sobs, as if he was afraid anyone would hear him. Kurama, Hiei thought biting his lip, Why is he crying?

______Hiei felt a battle rage within himself . A part of him wanted to just run and escape this unfamiliar situation… and yet another part of him wanted to come in and hold Kurama in his arms, wipe the tears away from his face. Hiei didn’t know what to do. It pained him so much to see Kurama cry but in his position as a loner and a ‘forbidden child’ he didn’t really know what to do to make his friend feel better.

______Maybe I should leave him alone. This is the first time I’ve ever seen him like this, Hiei said to himself, deep in thought, He probably needs some time to himself to sort things out. But as the crying continued on through the window Hiei could not bring himself to leave the kitsune. It was like his feet were firmly rooted to the branch he was standing on. Hiei’s eyes widened as he heard a name escape Kurama’s lips, as more tears flowed forth.

______" Hiei," Kurama moaned quietly before relapsing into his depressed state. Instinctively, Hiei hid behind the leaves of the tree. He still wasn’t so sure about whether he was going to come in and check on Kurama or just leave him alone for the time being. What am I going to do?! Hiei cursed for the umpteenth time.

______The few minutes that followed were one of the longest and hardest ones for Hiei but finally the cries ceased and Hiei heard nothing for a while. Breathing a sigh of relief, Hiei thought, It’s over. And that was when Kurama closed the window and pushed back the curtains in its rightful place. Hiei gulped. Kurama had never closed the window on him before. Only when he was really certain that Hiei wasn’t there anymore did he do that type of thing. Was Kurama mad at him that he didn’t go inside to comfort him?! Hiei couldn’t help but curse himself again for doing the wrong thing.

______Burying his face in his hands, Hiei felt a wave of guilt wash over him, more bitter than anything he had ever tasted before. He didn’t like the feeling. That was why he avoided any type of relationship with ningens--- because of their damn feelings. They were so sensitive sometimes. But he thought Kurama would be different being a half-yuoko and all, and that’s why he considered it safe to be his friend. But why…why was he suddenly inflicting these horrible feelings on him?!

______" This is stupid!" Hiei muttered to himself. " I’m a fire demon, I’m not supposed to care about things like this." But he did. And he knew if he stayed longer those feelings would persist even more and would eat through his soul. So Hiei left, trying to forget, but unable to. Demons have hearts after all.

______And so Hiei promised himself he’d go check on Kurama the next day to see how he was. But try as he might, he was unable to visit Kurama the next day… or the day after the next…or even the day after that because of Mukuro’s stupid change in plans. As it was, Hiei was only able to escape her clutches after more than a week and with something past his usual lightning speed, he ran across the Ningenkai, looking for Kurama.

______He found him walking home from school. Hiei hid behind a large tree branch, watching his friend and trying to figure out if he was better, and if it was safe to come and join him. Kurama stopped and Hiei felt his heart do the same. Kurama bent over to pick a small coin up from the ground and Hiei felt his heart do a nose dive… until Kurama spoke up, still bending over the coin.

______" Hiei, I suggest you stop hiding behind that tree before you get infested with a swarm of big termites. There are a lot of them around this season."

______Putting on his usual nonchalant face, Hiei jumped down to stand beside Kurama, although he felt far from ‘ nonchalant.’ Kurama stood up, stuffing the coin in his pocket and turning to smile down at Hiei. " Well, koorime, long time no see. How have you been?"

______Hiei watched Kurama’s expression closely. He seemed happy, like it was a genuine smile he was sending across to him… but he had to make sure. " I’m okay," he said gruffly," Things have been pretty hectic with Mukuro back in the Makai though. ‘Got to escape her this time and I just thought I might see how you were doing."

______Kurama shrugged, still smiling. " Still the same. Homeworks to finish. Shiori’s off on another trip with my step-dad. Yusuke and the rest are pretty okay." Hiei nodded, feeling a warm relief spread over his body as he felt sure that Kurama was fine. They both walked together, side by side, in companionable silence. Passing a candy shop, Hiei peered through the window, feeling more relaxed and happy than he had in days. Kurama looked in the window as well, wondering what caught Hiei’s attention. " Do you want some candies, Hiei?" he asked curiously.

______" Hn. I was just wondering whether they had the "sweet snow" in here." Hiei said shrugging and continuing the walk. Kurama smiled, a plan forming in his brain as he caught up with Hiei.

______" Hmmm, Hiei, tell you what, I’ll make you a deal, I’ll buy you all the ice cream you want if you do me a favor," Kurama said. Hiei looked at him suspiciously. " Which is?"

______Kurama grinned. " Oh don’t worry, it’s nothing hard. And you get all the "sweet snow" that you want and can take for the whole day in return." Hiei crossed his arms over his chest. " You’ll have to tell me first what I’m going to do."

______" Well, there’s a photo studio down the way. And I just thought that maybe, well… it would be nice to have a picture together with my best friend." Kurama explained , avoiding Hiei’s gaze, an embarrassed blush spreading up his cheeks. Hiei couldn’t help blushing himself. " Is that… it?"

______Kurama nodded silently, still afraid to look Hiei’s way and Hiei felt his heart warm. It was amazing. Kurama was one person he was sure who could be able to melt a heart of ice. Well, he succeeded in melting his anyway.

______Walking ahead of his friend, Hiei turned around to look at him. " So where is this photo place of yours anyway?" Kurama looked up grinning, a small twinkle in his eye. " Just around that corner…ah, there it is!" he told the koorime, pointing to a small, pleasant brick building. Opening the door for Hiei, the two stepped into the shop.

______Once inside, Kurama went up to the desk clerk and ordered two pictures to be taken. The clerk lead them into a small room with a single light hanging above them, before closing the door and leaving the two friends alone with each other. Hiei looked around nervously as he eyed the contraptions set up on a tripod in front of him while Kurama took a seat on the bench opposite. " Don’t worry, Hiei," he told his friend," That’s what they call a camera. It won’t bite."

______" Hn." Was Hiei’s reply before he took a seat beside Kurama. They sat there waiting in anticipated silence, before Hiei turned to Kurama, looking at him curiously. " Is this all were supposed to do? Just sit here??"

______Kurama looked thoughtful. " I suppose, yes… unless you’d want to pose for the picture when the cameraman gets inside."

______" What do you mean?" Hiei asked, wrinkling his brows together.

______" Well, I’d appreciate it if you smiled a bit, Hiei."

______" I don’t smile, kitsune. You know that."

______Kurama sighed. " I know, Hiei, but just this once ‘look’ like your enjoying spending some time with m—"

______" Sorry, sir, but the cameraman is out for lunch. Can you come back in half an hour?" The desk clerk said apologetically as she stuck her head inside the door. Kurama nodded reluctantly and both he and Hiei walked out, back on to the street. " I guess you’re expecting the "sweet snow" I promised you?" he asked Hiei smiling softly.

______" A promise is a promise, kitsune," Hiei said licking his lips. Kurama laughed and they both walked towards the park where a tall ice cream vendor was displaying his flavored wares.

______" Yes sir, we’ve got a few specials of the day; ‘mocha madness’ ‘vanilla ice’ ‘strawberry sunrise’ ‘banana blast’ ‘toffee treat’ ‘cappuccino carousel’ ‘orange road delight’ ‘chunky monkey’ and many more!" the ice cream vendor said quite a bit loudly, " Which is it going to be sir?"

______" All of it. And everything else that you have in that cart, mister," Hiei said in monotone. The vendor blinked back at him. " Nani?"

______Kurama stifled a giggle. " I think we’ll start with the mocha madness. Five please," he told the vendor who obeyed but began staring at his two customers weirdly all the while he began scooping. Of course, Five cones could not satisfy a very hungry Hiei, and so half an hour later, 120 double scooped cones after…

______" Aren’t you beginning to get a stomach-ache from all that ice cream Hiei?!" Kurama asked, sweatdropping. The vendor meanwhile was scooping up the last two scoops of chocolate that he had left in the cart. " Will that be all, sir?" he asked tiredly.

______Kurama looked to Hiei and Hiei paused from his licking. Looking from the ice cream vendor to Kurama and back again he finally nodded and resumed his licking. Kurama sighed in relief. " Thank goodness! That’s about all my wallet can take for today…not to mention my whole month’s allowance plus savings!"

______The vendor, delighted to have sold all of his wares for the day, hurriedly packed up his things and was gone before Kurama and Hiei could ask for a napkin to hold the last cone with. Shrugging, Hiei continued to lick his way down instead, before it dripped on him and they both headed back to the studio.

______" I certainly hope you enjoyed yourself today Hiei," Kurama said softly. Hiei nodded, mumbling something Kurama didn’t quite catch. " What did you---" Kurama was about to ask as he bent down, when he caught sight of Hiei’s face and burst out laughing. There was a smudge of chocolate, mocha and vanilla on Hiei’s right cheek, and a streak of nuts and berry sauce on his other cheek. Plus, his hands were dripping with something that looked much like dark chocolate. " Hiei," Kurama said laughing as he opened the door once more for his friend, " I take it you enjoyed the ice cream!"

______" Mmmm, goorbd…." Hiei said in between licks. Chuckling, Kurama entered the room after him, past a very surprised looking desk clerk who was staring after them. They both took a seat on the bench in the middle of the room as the cameraman positioned himself behind the camera. Kurama put an arm around Hiei as Hiei continued finishing off his ice cream, oblivious of the preparations going on around him.

______The man opened the lens. " Say " ice cream!"

______Hiei’s head jerked up. " Where?!" he asked, a delighted smile crossing his face as the camera flashed before his eyes. Kurama began to laugh and Hiei blinked his eyes slowly before standing up and shoving his melting cone into the cameraman’s face. " What the hell was that?!! What did you do to us?! Kurama he’s trying to steal our youki!" Hiei said angrily, grabbing the man by the shirt. Kurama stood up, gasping for breath as he continued laughing. " H-Hiei, that… that was the camera flash. It doesn’t do anything to your …y-youki."

______Kurama saw the flabbergasted look on the man’s face as ice cream began dripping down his chin and couldn’t help but burst out laughing once more. He had to hand it to Hiei. He had never felt this good in a long time! It was ages since the last time he felt like laughing. And he owed all that to the koorime!

______It took a while before Kurama could pry his best friend lose from strangling the cameraman but after a lot of apologies and explanations, Kurama was able to set a date with the desk clerk on when he was going to pick up the pictures. As they exited the shop, Kurama took one last look back and couldn’t help giggling at the bewildered look on the clerk’s face and the ready-to-kill one on the man Hiei had attacked.

______They day was drawing to a close as the sun dipped slowly over the horizon. Kurama looked up to the sky and smiled softly, watching it cast it’s beautiful hues beyond the tips of the trees. He sighed and turned to Hiei, who seemed busy watching Kurama. Hiei turned his head away.

______" Well, I had a really nice time with you, Hiei," Kurama said sincerely, " Thank you for making this a truly unforgettable day. And thanks also for agreeing to the favor."

______" Hn. Thanks for the ice cream, kitsune," Hiei said gruffly. He seemed to be struggling with his words but all he could come up with was… " I …had fun too."

______Kurama looked at him, his eyes soft and misty. " I’m glad you did Hiei. So it was worth everything after all."

______" Um, yeah…well, I have to go," Hiei said awkwardly, jumping up on a tree branch . " Umm…Ja ne, then!"

______" Sayonara, Hiei," Kurama said softly. Hiei turned back to look at his friend. " You mean ‘Mata Aimasho,’ kitsune…"

______Kurama smiled. Hiei could not figure it out but somehow he thought he saw traces of sadness in his friend’s eyes. " Ki o tsukete kudasai, Hiei,"

______" You too, Kurama. I’ll be back once I have an opening from Mukuro… maybe I’ll check on you then," he told his friend discreetly, trying to act as though it didn’t quite matter much to him when in fact he was feeling quite the opposite, and was still unable to voice out his real feelings towards the kitsune.

______Kurama waved silently back at Hiei as he began making his way back to the Makai. Hiei took one last look at his best friend. He didn’t know why but the picture the horizon painted over Kurama seemed to fill his heart with sadness and he felt like it was going to be a long time till he would get to see his friend again . Out of impulse and this weird stirring in his heart, he waved back before disappearing into the darkness.

______Kurama looked on after him, a small tear slipping down his cheek. " Sayonara, Hiei…ai…shiteru."

______Hiei began rushing through the usual path, past the usual grove of trees that lead him to Kurama’s house. It had been ages since he had last seen the kitsune due to Mukuro’s tight clenches, but finally he was able to find a way to get back to the Ningenkai to see his friend. Hopping on to the window sill, Hiei peered excitedly into his best friend’s room…

______… and found nothing.

______The room was empty, save for a few furniture pieces in one corner but everything that was Kurama seemed to have been visibly wiped out from the room inside. Hiei felt himself half-stumbling, half-walking inside as he tried to detect any sign of Kurama’s youki left anywhere. But only silence greeted him, emptiness—was his answer. The room looked old, as if no one had been living in it for quite some time now and Hiei could not help but feel a pang of betrayal well up inside of him as he eyed a small note stuck on to the wall that said quite plainly. " Sayonara…gomen ne." Had Kurama moved out? Did he change homes? Why didn’t he leave any message on where I could find him?!

______Hiei felt like punching a wall and sorely did as he wondered what became of his friend. He couldn’t believe Kurama could do this to him! Just leave with a small insignificant note left behind, without any trace of finding him, without even a small goodbye!! He had trusted Kurama. He had made him his friend…his best friend. Hell, he had given his heart to the damn kitsune. His heart that seemed to be cracking up into a million tiny pieces at that moment.

______K’so! He cursed. Damn you, Kurama! What did I do to deserve this?! Hiei sank down on to his knees, banging his fist against the cold floor board. He cursed Kurama for making him care for the kitsune so. And he cursed his own self for believing that Kurama cared for him back. And as he did, a small tear rolled down his cheek, falling unheeded to the floor.

______A single tear.

______The only tear Hiei vowed he would ever shed for the damn kitsune.

______Standing up, Hiei turned a pair of cold eyes towards the faded note and spat heavily on it before rushing out the window and into the brooding darkness, leaving the cold night air to blow eerily into the lonely, deserted room.

______In his rush he had failed to read the almost invisible characters that had faded away on the top of the note, that read in blurred tones:

______" For Okaasan."

______" Please…please have mercy!" the yuoko screamed as Hiei towered above him darkly. " I won’t do it again, I promise!!!"

______Hiei snorted. " Mercy? The word has no meaning to me. No one’s ever showed me any mercy in my life, why should I allow myself to show any to you, you miserable thief!" The yuoko cowered down in fear. " Please…" he croaked out, his fox ears twitching behind him.

______" Hiei, stop that right now!" Yukina said firmly, stepping out from behind a large tree. Hiei frowned. " Get out of here Yukina! This does not concern you!"

______" How can you kill him for a measly stab of meat?! Here, I still have food in my pouch. You can have it as a replacement instead." Yukina said grabbing the bag at her side. Hiei glared at the cowardly yuoko. " That’s not it, Yukina! I’m killing this bastard because he thought about stealing from me!"

______" I was hungry!" the yuoko wailed. Hiei silenced him with a large blow on his shoulder. " Hiei, please…stop hurting him," Yukina begged softly," I…I hate seeing people in pain."

______" That’s why I told you to get out!" Hiei said angrily as he slashed a large cut down the yuoko’s arm. The yuoko whimpered in pain. Yukina could not take it anymore.

______" Onii-san, I told you to stop!!!" Yukina screamed, a tinge of anger in her voice. Hiei stopped, his hands numbly dropping the sword. " What did you say?!"

______Yukina took one step back in fear. " Onii-san please…please don’t fight." Hiei’s eyes bored into her. " Who told you about that?!" he demanded. Yukina looked down. " I…I can’t tell."

______Hiei watched his sister as he counted the odds. There were only a few people Hiei knew who knew about his sister. But the closest to Yukina was Yusuke and…Hiei’s eyes darkened in anger. Yusuke and ONE other person…!!!

______" Kurama told you didn’t he?!" Hiei demanded angrily. " The stupid snitch!! He told you, didn’t he??!!! I’m going to ki—"

______" It’s not his fault!" Yukina threw back in exasperation. She looked down at the trembling yuoko at her brother’s feet. " Is that why you’re killing him? Is that what this is all about? Is Kurama the cause of your all your anger? Is that why you’ve suddenly become a cold heartless monster?!"

______Hiei looked at his sister with blank eyes and said darkly. " I was already one to begin with, Yukina. That’s why Kurama left me. That and the fact that he’s just this selfish, lying , undermining sneak who cares nothing about anyone but---"

______" Anyone but YOU, Hiei," Yukina said softly, touching her brother’s shoulder. " I figured it out myself, so please don’t blame Kurama-san for it. And even if he did tell me straight, it was only because he was concerned about you. " Hiei looked down. " Yeah…well, Kurama’s still a jerk."

______Yukina smiled softly at her twin. " My dear long lost brother…I have a present for you." Hiei looked up warily. " What do you mean …what is it?"

______" I’m giving you back your heart," she told him simply. Reaching into her obi, she produced a small faded letter, worn out from years of safe-keeping. " Kurama had given this to me on the day he had left for Makai." She handed him the letter as Hiei reached a trembling hand out for it. Yukina looked straight into her brother’s eyes as she said, " He told me to give it to my twin brother. Of course, I did not understand what he meant then. I should have known he meant you."

______Hiei swallowed. " Ore no shitta koto ja nai!" he spat out bitterly and raised the letter up, intent on tearing it into pieces. Yukina grabbed his arm. " Don’t do it, oniisan!" she begged, " Give him a chance, please. He looked so sad while he was leaving the temple. If a person could look as miserable as that, I wouldn’t think he would have the heart to betray anyone, especially not the one person he loved." Yukina looked at her brother intently, " Despite all that you think has happened, you know almost as well as I that Kurama would never do that."

______Hiei turned away. " You’re wrong, Yukina. He’s put you in danger; put both of us in danger by revealing this fact to you…And I used to think that we were friends. I used to think he cared!" Hiei turned to face his sister. " But if he cared so much then why did he leave?! Why did he leave me without even saying goodbye?! Why…why did he leave me all alone?!"

______Yukina looked away. " I cannot answer that for you, Hiei. But maybe if you read his letter you’ll find your answers…" Hiei looked down, his hands dropping to his sides. " I can’t Yukina," he said gruffly, his voice choked up. " I’m…I’m afraid of what I might find in there. "

______Yukina approached her brother and drew her arms around him. " Trust him, onii-san," Yukina whispered softly," Do you want to live all your life in misery, bitter about the past you know nothing about. Find your answers, Hiei. If you love him, trust him."

______Hiei took the letter from Yukina’s hand slowly and with trembling hands he opened the seal. Hiei could feel Kurama’s yuoki emanating from within the letter and he was surprised to find how pleasantly familiar it seemed to be reading the long flowing hand-writing that contained so many memories of Kurama.

Dearest Hiei,

______By the time you get this letter I would probably be somewhere in Makai or Reikai… wherever Fate decides to take me. I know I should have told you about this, about what was happening, about everything… but I thought it was better to save you the trouble of worrying about me and putting your own life in danger. Do you remember the time you told me that everyone had to have a thorn in their past to be real in life? That perfection is only the minute dream of a fickle headed dreamer. Well Hiei, you’re right. Sometimes the past just comes to haunt us and all we have to do is face it.

______The night you stayed behind that tree beside my window, I had just received word from Inari-sama that the daughter of a demon I had killed in the past was looking for me. Back in my yuoko days I used to be known as the cold hearted thief, who cared nothing about anything… but himself. And for a time that was true. I killed many and stole from a multitude. And this demon’s father was one of them. It was unjust of me because he had not deserved to die and I had killed him out of my own selfish intentions. It was when I became human that I realized it and have now come to pay the price of my failures.

______So I cried…

______Not because I knew I was going to die. Not because I knew Inari would never let my life pass until I paid the price of death. Not because I was afraid of losing my life, but because I was afraid of losing everything I had grown to love. I’m sorry you had to see me in that state Hiei. That was the last thing I wanted you to remember about me. But it pained me so to know that I would lose my family, my life, my friends….and most especially YOU, Hiei.

______My partner.

______My teamate.

______My best friend

______My soulmate…

______I’m sorry Hiei, that it all had to end like this. I would have wanted to spend more time with you… to have spent my whole life with you but we both know that can’t come true. I’m sorry if I ever hurt you, Hiei. Can you ever forgive me? Maybe someday we’ll cross paths again. The stars are shining bright outside my window tonight and I can’t help hoping… that someday I’ll see you again. Maybe if I believe hard enough…

______I have to go soon, Hiei, but I want you to know that I’ll never forget you, no matter what happens. That I’ll love you always….forever until the end. Thank you for giving me the best memories I could ever have as Kurama or Suichi put together. I was lucky to have met you Hiei. You made life worth living and dying for. Thank you.

______Enclosed is the picture we had together. I thought you might want to have a copy. Thank you for the smile, Hiei. At least I know now that in my lifetime I was able to make you happy, if only for a short while.

______There are so much things I want to tell you, koorime yet there’s so little time. I’m afraid that if I wrote down every single feeling I have deep inside of me now I wouldn’t have enough time to tell you the most important one: that I love you Hiei. That’s the simple truth. Maybe we’ll find each other again, someday. In the meantime, I asked your sister to take good care of you for me. My last gift. I hope you understand why I did what I did. I just didn’t want you to walk that road alone. It’s okay to need someone. I learned that when I found you…

______Sayonara, koorime. I can’t say much more so I’ll end it here. Please take care of yourself and try and enjoy the life that you have now. Life is precious, Hiei. Don’t make the same mistake I did.

______Ai shiteru.

______Kurama

______Hiei felt his whole body begin to shake as he clutched the picture to his heart. " Your picture’s worth more than a thousand words, Kurama," he whispered softly. Before he knew it hot tears began streaming down Hiei’s cheeks and he turned away in shame to hide it from his sister. Yukina approached him and threw her arms around her brother. " It’s alright to cry, Hiei. It’ll make you feel better."

______" I’m not crying Yukina!" Hiei growled but buried his head on her shoulder anyway. " I—I don’t care what h-happens t-to—"

______" Shhh, it’s okay Hiei," Yukina said softly, patting his back, " I loved him too; we all did. But this was all Kurama’s decision and I guess we just have to respect it… " Is…is he dead?" Hiei asked, dreading the answer. Yukina looked away but Hiei prodded her on. .She nodded silently and Hiei felt his whole body slump to the ground. " B-but how---"

______" Koenma received a report of his death, about two years ago. I would have told you sooner, Onii-san but I couldn’t find you anywhere. Kurama…he….he died in battle. They found his body bleeding alone, somewhere in the desert," Yukina looked up into her brother’s eyes. " And he was clutching a picture to his heart as if it was the only thing he had left in the world. A picture of you and him; the same picture that was enclosed in that letter long ago. … and that was when I knew… I knew why he had asked me to give you the letter. Thanks to Kurama, my search is over, onii-san. His last gift to the both of us--- somehow he found a way for us to be together. "

______" Yukina," he said his voice all choked up, " Oh Yukina…" Yukina held him close, trying to stop the strong sobs that racked her brother’s body. " Onii-san, it’s alright…."

______" Kurama…" Hiei said tears spilling down his face.

______" I’m sorry, Oniisan," she told him softly. " I know how much you loved him…"

______" I…I never even got to tell him….that I…I…," Hiei said closing his eyes in anguish. "Kurama…" Hiei choked out clutching the picture to himself,

______" KURAMA COME BACK!!!"

______The Reikai bustled heavily with ferry girls going to and from the Ningenkai and Makai; demons filing papers and the King’s servants going around fulfilling their daily routes. The leader of them all, Koenma-sama sat at his desk, quite deep in thought, his room all quiet and serene… until the arrival of an unexpected visitor who decided to barge into his room unannounced.

______" Where is he? What have you done with him?!"

______Koenma sat up, a surprised look on his face. " Hiei, what are you doing here?"

______Hiei glared at him, unsheathing his sword and pointing it dangerously at Koenma’s throat. "You know very well why I’m here!! Now…where is he?!!!"

______Koenma sucked at his pacifier, shaking his head slowly. " I’m sorry but you’re kinda late Hiei. I’d tell you if it really mattered but at this point, there’s no possible way for you to get to him. Kurama’s gone, Hiei…I’m…I’m sorry but where he is isn’t any place you could get to anytime soon. Inari-sama denied him another chance…"

______Hiei stared at the demi-god in quiet indecision. After a minute he opened his mouth, his voice coming out flat and monotnous. " He’s crossed the spirit border…?"

______Koenma nodded. " I’m afraid so, Hiei. You’ll have to wait maybe a whole lifetime to be able to see him again… " Hiei shook his head. " A lifetime? I can’t wait that long…and I’m not going to!!! There’s one other way….!"

______And before Koenma could stop him, Hiei plunged his own sword deep within his heart, falling heavily to the ground as the long object pierced through.

______" HIEI!" Koenma screamed dropping down to the ground. Hiei looked up at him with half-lidded eyes, his blood streaming down creating a pool of red in the palace floor. " K-Koenma…can you do me..o-one…favor…?"

______Koenma stared at him with sad eyes and he asked, " What is it?"

______" Can …you…make sure I meet Kurama…up…there…"

______" Hiei, I—I don’t know if that’s possible. You’re both of different---"

______" Koenma, please…try… I need…to see…Ku..ra…ma…" Hiei opened his fist and there lay an old faded picture, crumpled a bit but still visible enough to know it was that old picture of Hiei and Kurama long ago. Raising a bloody hand up, Hiei placed the picture over his heart and with that last gesture he died quietly in the midst of the demi-god, that cold autumn morning.

______" Hiei," Koenma whispered sadly, carrying his body within his arms. " I’ll try my best…"

______Kurama sat quietly beside the mystic trees within the Spirit Valley and sighed. He looked up to the sky, wondering how Ningenkai was faring, Yusuke, Kuwabara and the gang…

______And Hiei…

______Kurama closed his eyes, wondering what had become of his best friend. He hoped Hiei was down there living a happy life with Yukina. Kurama couldn’t help his feelings of regret though. He couldn’t help wishing Hiei was there with him instead of wherever he was, roaming the Makai woods. He closed his eyes. He had been alone for such a long, long time and had forgotten how it was like to have someone close to talk to…

______The rest of the spirits had moved on but Kurama chose to stay at the gate. He promised himself he’d be there to welcome Hiei when the time came…

______If the time ever came….

______He’d wait there even if it meant forever, in hopes that maybe the gods would pity him and would agree to let him see his best friend one last time. Just enough for me to say goodbye personally, Kurama thought sadly as he remembered his short farewell many years ago. There were times he wished he had just told Hiei. And yet, in the end he knew it was better this way. Hiei deserved all the happiness in the world and Kurama didn’t want to be the one to deprive him of it.

______But how he missed him so!

______Kurama felt a single tear roll down his cheek, unheeded. Kurama had spent so many long and lonely nights dreaming of his koorime. He wasn’t so sure if he could bear the many more he was sure were coming. More tears continued to spill down his cheeks but Kurama let them go, hoping every tear could wash away that empty pang Kurama felt, even in Paradise…

______After all, paradise was nothing without Hiei…

______Something soft and warm touched Kurama’s cheek gently, wiping the salty tears away. Kurama opened his eyes to find a small hand caressing his cheek gently. Looking up, Kurama was surprised to find himself looking into two familiar, beautiful pair of red eyes, eyes the color of fire on a summer’s night. Kurama reached a shaky hand towards his face, afraid if he moved too quickly the dream would fade away.

______Not needing any words, the fire demon leaned down to kiss Kurama softly on the lips, before drawing away and licking the tears that remained. " Why do you cry, Kurama?" he asked softly, running his hand through Kurama’s long hair.

______" H-Hiei?" Kurama choked out, " Is…is that really you??"

______Hiei smiled. " Of course it’s me, baka! You wouldn’t be expecting anyone else out here would you?" Kurama just threw his arms around the koorime and hugged him tightly, afraid to ever let go. Hiei returned the embrace, having missed the sight and smell of Kurama for so long.

______" Hiei," he whispered, " I’ve missed you like hell!" Hiei buried his face into Kurama’s shirt. "Not as much as I have missed you, Kurama. So much…"

______" I’ll never leave you ever again, Hiei," Kurama whispered, " I promise…."

______Hiei closed his eyes as he hugged Kurama tightly. " Keep to that promise, kitsune. I don’t ever want to lose you again…"

______" Ai shiteru koorime," Kurama said huskily as he took Hiei’s hands in his. Looking down he realized Hiei was clutching tightly at something in his hand and prying them open gently Kurama revealed an old blood-stained picture… a picture that he remembered giving him a long, long time ago…

______The picture was worth more than a thousand words and Kurama knew, as he stared deeply into Hiei’s eyes, that in his own way, the koorime loved him too. Standing up, Kurama took Hiei’s hand in his and together, they both began the long road ahead of them to paradise.

______The road… to eternity.

______Owari! -_-

( I am quite displeased with this fan fic...I wouldn't be surprised if you were too...!!!)

Please send your " toasty " flames to:
Tasukimi
jagan@yyhmail.com