Chapter Three: What to do…

The fox ran in the woods, chasing after something as yet unseen. It was the game, the play. He would let the prey think it was getting away… And then what he was chasing suddenly turned. The fox found itself facing a huge black dragon rearing up high, mouth open to engulf… The head came down and swallowed the fox whole. Down, down, down. In the dark pit. Falling ever farther down. Falling. Falling. There was no end to the sensation, to the pit, to the depths. Falling…

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Kurama woke up in a sweat, his body tensed and frozen in place. With a shudder, he forced himself to relax, unclenching his muscles one by one. It was a dream. Just a nightmare. Kurama shivered again and wrapped his arms around the warm body next to him, bringing the warmth closer.

Huh? Kurama blinked and looked down, realizing that he was holding Hiei tightly. The demon was still asleep, curled into Kurama’s chest, arms wrapped around his own. How?

It looked like Hiei was having a nightmare of his own, the small body quivering and whimpering sounds coming from deep within. Kurama shook him slightly, "Hiei, wake up. Hiei." He stroked a hand reassuringly over Hiei’s fur, "Hiei, it’s only a dream. I’m here, Hiei. I’m here." And then Kurama wondered why he’d given that type of reassurance.

But even as he wondered, Hiei’s eyes flickered open and the red gaze sought him out. A look that was fearful and tentative at the same time. A lost puppy, looking for its home. A frightened cat, expecting a blow. Hiei, looking for him.

Without thinking, Kurama leaned over and kissed Hiei gently on the forehead, over the bound jagan, "I’m here Hiei. I haven’t gone away. I’m here."

Confidence slowly replaced the fear in the demon’s eyes. Confidence, trust, and love.

Inwardly, Kurama shuddered again. What have I done? What have I done?

After a moment, Hiei pulled back from Kurama’s embrace. The demon sat up and ran his fingers though his hair, fluffing it out into its normal spiky self. He glanced over at Kurama and said calmly, "I expect you have questions, but don’t expect me to answer many of them." He grinned, "You might have me now, but if you try to bind me you will find me gone."

Have? Kurama blinked. And ran his own hand through his hair in frustration. It was like trying to play a game without knowing the rules. Bind? But… I don’t understand! Kurama wailed to himself. Sitting up, he stared at the demon, as if he could find answers just by watching him.

Hiei stared back at him with his mouth barely quirked up – a broad grin for that normally impassive demon. Then Hiei stood up so quickly it almost looked like he floated and he walked to his sword stuck in the ground. With a quick move, he pulled it out, flicked it out to disperse the dirt and then sheathed the sword.

And on that moment, Kurama felt spell wards around the camp dissolve. He glanced around to double-check what he felt, but the wards were gone now… Kurama looked back to where Hiei was now putting his cloak back on. Spell wards. Protecting us while… While Hiei was getting his answer. Perhaps Hiei hadn’t changed that much after all. For one thing, he was still as annoying as ever – Such a smugly confident demon, always planning things down to the last precise detail… Kurama was still annoyed at the way he’d been so neatly maneuvered off-balance the night before. He glanced in irritation at the spot where a few shreds of cloth still lay on the ground. That had been his favorite shirt…

"Over on your left."

Kurama blinked. And looked over at a pack sitting by the fire – one that hadn’t been there before. The fox’s curiosity got the better of him and he reached over, opening it up. On top was a shirt made of the finest silk, spun in shades of russet and amber, delicate dark roses embroidered on the collar and seal. Kurama lifted it out and ran a hand over the smooth fabric. The other had been his favorite shirt, but not his best outfit. Kurama thought that this shirt would now be favorite and best. ‘I’ll buy you another.’ Hiei had anticipated him yet again. But… ‘buy?’ With a quirk of a grin, Kurama checked the tag… and his eyes widened. It was true. There really was a receipt attached to the shirt. Kurama gulped at the price it showed and involuntarily glanced over at the demon sitting on the rock. 

Hiei raised an eyebrow, amusement showing behind the quietness.

"Uh, how…"

Hiei grinned, "Investments… Koenma couldn’t confiscate all my assets!" The sour note was back in his voice as he remembered his captivity.

Oops, shouldn’t have reminded him. Kurama put the shirt to one side and continued to explore through the pack. There were a few more outfits, some food – Kurama started to munch on the sweet fruit bars immediately – and several small souvenirs. Kurama lifted them out and placed them in a row on a rock, eyeing them narrowly. Finally, he looked up.

Hiei sat on the rock, hands behind his head as he half-stretched, half-reclined, watching Kurama intently. Silently, he waited.

More games… Kurama wasn’t going to ask. He picked one of the things up and turned it over in his hands… ‘Made in Mongolia.’ He picked up another, ‘Made in India.’ ‘Official souvenir of Yugoslavia.’ A replicate of a certain temple in Nepal. And a couple of others. Kurama sighed, "Did you finish everything on the list?"

A deep chuckle congratulated his astuteness. "That gives us three weeks before Koenma-kun expects us back."

Involuntarily, Kurama’s head jerked up. Us???? Does that mean…?

Hiei didn’t move from his perch on the rock, but his voice was softly serious, "I’d never do anything that would endanger you, Kurama."

And that included going back to the camp of the enemy. Kurama shook his head slowly. He hadn’t realized things would go this far. He’d wanted Hiei’s trust, yes… but the love… the love was totally unexpected. He swallowed the dryness in his throat. "Hiei…"

The demon regarded him almost impassively even as he lowered his arms and crossed them in front of his chest, shifting his position. Now that Kurama knew Hiei a bit better, he could see the fear behind the action. Fear of rejection. That Kurama would speak the words…

Kurama sighed, "Hiei…" The name trailed off, as there was nothing more Kurama could say.

There was a long silence.

"You can ask your questions now," Hiei finally broke the silence, "I’ll answer what I can."

Kurama shook his head. No. He had no questions. The ones he really wanted to ask were the ones that were sure to drive Hiei away, and he didn’t want to do that. The other questions he either knew the answer to already, or he was willing to wait for the answer. If he trusted the demon enough to let him go, then surely he trusted him enough to wait.

Hiei’s eyes widened at Kurama’s gesture. He lifted a hand uncertainly, then put it down again, clasped around his knee as he sat perched upon the rock, one leg dangling down, the other drawn up to his chest. Half-open and relaxed, the other half tense and protective.

He loves me, he trusts me, but he still doesn’t know what I will do. Kurama grinned, his heavy mood lightening. Hiei is not all-powerful. He doesn’t anticipate everything. Carefully, Kurama approached the next thought, he didn’t know I was going to steal him. And now that Kurama had Hiei, what was he going to do with the demon? It wasn’t a problem that Kurama usually had with things he stole. He studied Hiei thoughtfully, wondering.

Hiei stared back, waiting.

Well, Kurama could think of one thing to do… But the trouble was, he wasn’t sure he wanted to. The memory of Hiei’s soft fur. The gentle, tentative kisses. But Kurama’s body hadn’t responded to them. Yet, at that time he’d been so confused and scared and frightened… it was no wonder he hadn’t responded. The memory of the kisses and the soft fur was almost enough… The memory and the thought. Maybe… But the emotions were still confused. Kurama didn’t love Hiei – he wanted him as a friend and a partner, he wanted his trust, but he’d never even thought about love. He’d never thought of it as a possibility. But now he had the little demon’s love… Yet… ‘What does love have to do with sex?’ Kurama felt that he should agree with that statement. He could remember the pleasure that sex brought. He could remember it – in his Yoko form. In this life, his human body had only recently begun to function as an adult’s. It was still uncertain and awkward at times, growing into a body that wasn’t the same as he’d had for six hundred years. Heck – this body hadn’t even had sex yet. But there wasn’t really anything in the human world that had made him want it yet, either. The children he went to school with… were children. His same physical age, but they were all trying out these feelings for the first time ever and giggling and sorting out the emotions from the feelings… Kurama knew better. He was amused at the way his body would react to the sight of a pretty girl, but he knew better than to confuse the physical reaction with emotion. Or to seriously get involved with any human girl. There were certainly enough girls in his high school and a lot that would look longingly at his perfect form. But beyond the looks, they mostly tended to avoid him. Somehow, they could sense the fox spirit behind the human facade. They would laugh nervously and fancy themselves smitten, but truly they were just uneasy in his presence. Rapid heart and shallow breath could be either attraction or fear. Without knowing the cause, they thought it was attraction. It was really fear of the fox, of the non-human in their midst. Afraid of Kurama. Scared of angering him. Terrified of what might happen if they did.

Kurama grinned – that was one problem he wouldn’t have with the demon. What would Hiei care if he got angry? The little demon could smash him flat without thinking about it, his rei power overwhelmed Kurama’s to such an extent.

Actually, Kurama did have a question, "Why did you agree?"

"To join you?" Like lightening in a storm, Hiei’s grin flashed across his face, "I didn’t want to make you angry."

"HUH???" Kurama blinked. The answer so paralleled his thoughts – "Hiei! Are you reading my mind?"

The demon blinked in surprise, "Of course not." He slipped down off the rock with a bare minimum of motion and stood there a moment before walking closer. "Do you remember what you did when I first approached you with the job?"

Oh. That. Yes, he remembered. And Kurama threw his head back and laughed, "You didn’t want to make me angry…"

Hiei grinned at the amused fox. "I love the way your eyes sparkle when you’re happy. The green of life itself, delighting in life, living life."

Kurama’s laugh faltered and died out. He stared at Hiei with wide eyes.

Walking until he was standing next to where Kurama sat on the ground, Hiei stood silently for a moment, looking down as Kurama looked up. Slowly, Hiei reached out to finger a lock of Kurama’s hair. "Beautiful," he whispered. "So very beautiful. I hadn’t noticed before. Not until they cut my rei from me and bound my jagan. Then I had to see how beautiful you were. Graceful, slender, a bamboo swaying in the breeze. A rose, soft and delicate – yet never forget the thorns. Strength under the beauty and grace. Such a strength of will. And power." He grinned and his other hand moved up to brush the other side of Kurama’s hair, "But I’m talking about the rei again. Or am I? There is a strength in you beyond what spirits consider power. Akin to Yusuke’s. I think it has something to do with life. And you have so much of that…" 

Hiei knelt down next to Kurama, staying up on his knees, while Kurama was sitting flat. They were almost equal in height then. Hiei’s hands stroked through Kurama’s hair while Kurama sat still, his wide-eyed gaze on Hiei, his breathing coming rapidly as he shivered under Hiei’s gentle touch. I think Hiei got tired of waiting for me to do something… But what Hiei was doing to him… Kurama closed his eyes, shivering. Hiei’s hands drifted from his hair to Kurama’s face, lightly exploring and touching. His finger drew gently over Kurama’s lips and Kurama’s mouth parted with a gasp. Hiei… Hiei… this isn’t what I wanted…

The hands withdrew and there was only the breeze upon his skin. After several long minutes went by, Kurama opened his eyes again.

Hiei was back up on the rock, watching him with concern in those red eyes of his.

Concern? Kurama tried to settle his breathing. He didn’t have any doubts about his body any more. It seemed this human body could definitely respond given the proper stimuli. But why Hiei had withdrawn… "Hiei?"

One black-booted foot swung back and forth, tapping against the rock with his heel. "You don’t want to. Not in truth. You’re forcing yourself. I won’t." Hiei hopped off the rock suddenly and started to blur away. The blur paused and resolved into a figure again. Hiei bit his lip then said softly, "I will come back later." Then he was gone.

"Hiei…" What do I want? What will I do? I have him – now what do I do with him? Oh, what have I done? Kurama dropped his head into his hands.

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He still hadn’t resolved anything by the time the evening sunset came around again. He checked the rabbit on the spit and turned it once more. Over the flames tinged with green; Hiei’s fire needed no tending, not like a normal fire. The reminders of Hiei and the decisions unmade were all around him and Kurama sighed. Then he got out two plates for the food… as he had at lunch time also but he’d eaten lunch on his own. What did ‘later’ mean? Hiei… Kurama wanted to see him again. But he also felt confused and angry and sad when he thought of the demon. What right did Hiei have to take his world and turn it upside down like this? If he’d just been his friend… Kurama would have been happy, then. To have the mysterious demon for a friend. The great Kurama, no power, but a great thief; so great that he can even turn the powerful Hiei into a pet. Kurama snorted to himself as he took the rabbit off the fire and started to cut it up. Is that what he’d wanted? Merely to have another conquest? But Hiei had found the Truth. ‘Only what you will give.’ But what an ambiguous statement in itself – Truth was not always clear. What did he want from Hiei? What was he going to do now that he had him?

Hiei wanted Kurama. That much was obvious. Kurama paused what he was doing to remember the feather-light kisses again. His hands, running gently over Kurama’s face… Kurama sighed and finished cutting up the rabbit. If he had sex with Hiei, it would please the demon, and Kurama was quite sure that there would be pleasure in it for himself as well. But somehow… it felt wrong to have sex without love. But that was such a weird thought in itself… Sex was for pleasure, Yoko had known that well. So why did Kurama feel like he’d be cheating Hiei if he did?

Oh… Kurama finished up with the food and put one plate down next to him and the other just a bit further away. What was not right was that Hiei loved him. Hiei loved Kurama. Kurama didn’t love Hiei. If he had sex with Hiei while Hiei loved him… He would be cheating Hiei. Hiei might not think so, but Hiei was still a demon. A demon who lived in a demon world. Kurama was not a demon. He was a fox spirit, and was now partly a human. Even as Yoko, he’d always wondered a bit at the casual way demons killed. The way they formed relationships only for power – and then killed when the power balance shifted. Demons were not to be trusted. Ever. Demons were to be cheated, conned, maneuvered, and stolen from. But trust? Demons, especially the high-level demons, only cared about themselves and nothing else.

Then why had Hiei saved him? Why had Hiei… Kurama paused, his sticks holding a piece of rabbit in the air but he didn’t notice that. Hiei approached me in the human world – and called me Kurama. But last night… last night Hiei had taunted him with Yoko. Hiei knew who he was. Who he’d been. Even Koenma didn’t know that Kurama used to be Yoko. Kurama had covered his tracks carefully and had never been back to Yoko’s haunts even once. He'd changed his methods, as hard as that had been to do. Kurama quickly reviewed all the jobs he'd done in the last seven years. No. No, he hadn't slipped up. There was nothing to associate Kurama and Yoko. Nothing at all. Kurama put the sticks down and shivered. Hiei knows a lot more about me than I know about him.

There was a low chuckle from the other side of the fire and Kurama looked up to see Hiei settle down and start eating the food. Otherwise, the demon ignored him.

"What’s so funny?" Kurama was defensive, still scared at not knowing.

Hiei chuckled again, "Had a bet on with myself." He picked up a piece of the rabbit and turned it over with the sticks, "You cook mostly meat meals, emphasis on small prey."

Kurama blinked at the answer and looked at the rabbit. He’d automatically divided it about two-thirds to himself and the rest to Hiei. The few vegetables he’d prepared were mostly on Hiei’s plate, and mostly eaten by now. Kurama glanced up with sheer puzzlement at the demon. Hiei’s not a carnivore? But… Abruptly, Kurama decided to ask. "Hiei – how’d you know I was Yoko?"

The demon grunted, "Heard you talking with Yusuke."

Oh. Kurama heaved out a breath of sheer relief. He’d forgotten about that. The fox spirit felt almost giddy with relief. Then he frowned, "You were listening?"

Hiei snorted, "Of course."

Oh, of course… Hiei… Kurama rolled his eyes. And then narrowed his gaze at Hiei.

The demon shifted under the gaze and didn’t answer.

Kurama intensified the stare.

Hiei sighed, "I wasn’t going to fight Yusuke until he was ready for me."

Kurama blinked, I got an answer? Just from staring? He hadn't really thought it would work.

Interpreting the blink as another question, Hiei growled and wouldn’t meet Kurama’s eyes, "It wouldn’t have been a fun game otherwise." He sighed as he put down the plate, "I had actually planned on waiting until he’d had more training, but circumstances—" the demon broke off and his face turned an interesting shade of red.

Putting down his own plate, Kurama stared in fascination, Hiei’s blushing? "Yusuke is over at Genkai’s right now. If he wins, she’ll train him."

"Genkai’s?" Hiei bolted up, a blue shade of rei power forming in a column around him, "That idiot! Rando is at Genkai’s!!"

Kurama watched in fascination, "I told Koenma that, and he said he knew, that Yusuke could take him."

The aura died away and Hiei sat back down, snorting, "Koenma can’t judge rei strength worth a darn."

"Huh???" It was Kurama’s turn to straighten up in shock. "But… but Koenma is the heir!!!"

"Exactly."

Kurama sighed with frustration. No. The demon hadn’t really changed at all. Except that he was talking to Kurama now. Talking… Hiei trusts me. Kurama turned to look at Hiei, unaware of the softening of his green eyes as he fondly regarded the demon.

Hiei was aware of it. And he shifted uncomfortably, his body burning hot… He restrained himself with a shiver and forced his voice into calm. It still shook a little, "Koenma, as the heir to the Spirit Kingdom throne, has no basis of rei to judge others with. His own is based on his dad’s, which is based on the power of the passage of the human spirits to the spirit kingdom. Demon power comes from the demon and what they can get from other demons or spirits. As such, it is incomprehensible to Koenma. He relies on the reports he gets from others to judge them. That’s why he thought you could take that oni," Hiei’s voice dropped to a growl, "In the human world, the oni had only used enough power to satisfy his needs. And Koenma had nothing more to go by, his agents being… Koenma does not yet have the support he needs."

Hiei growls at the thought of a threat to me… Even in jail, when Kurama had mentioned it, it had prompted a reaction from the demon. Kurama studied the demon thoughtfully, "And Yusuke?"

"Yusuke…" Hiei’s voice became pensive and he studied the mist hanging over the mountains. "Yusuke…" For a second time, his voice trailed off. After a long moment, Hiei shook his head, "It would have been interesting to go against Yusuke after he’s done some training with Genkai. I’m thinking it was probably better for me this way. Any more power, and he’ll have the strength to kill, not merely subdue."

Kurama blinked, fascinated, "You think he’ll beat Rando?"

"Rando…" Hiei frowned, "It will depend on Yusuke’s motivation."

"Huh???"

"As a human, Yusuke has never been beaten. That tends to make him overconfident with what power he will put out. But give him a threat, or even moreso, a threat to one he loves… and he will use more of his power." Hiei chewed on his lip, "A demon’s power is usually obvious – we constantly test each other to our limits so we all know what ours are. Yusuke’s limit has not yet been tested. And his training to get at his rei is non-existent at the moment. Need can be a substitute for training, but only so far. Yusuke…" Hiei finally shrugged, "We’ll know when it’s done."

He is interested by Yusuke! Kurama perked up, his eyes lighting up with delight as he contemplated another thread to the pattern that was Hiei.

Hiei groaned and turned around, his shoulders shaking as he tried desperately to regain control over his body. The beauty of those rich green eyes… the light of life itself in them. His interest, flaring out like rei around him. Pulling Hiei to him, without Kurama even realizing what he was doing. He has no idea what he’s doing to me. He never did know. His need for Kurama was so strong… Fight or flight, Kurama, and you have left me no option but the second. Don’t do this to me. When you reach to me, I need to come to you. Don’t reach, Kurama. If you don’t want me, don’t reach. But the fox didn’t know… was only being himself. It was that self that had made Hiei his.

"Hiei?" Kurama's voice was full of concern and care.

A blur of motion and Hiei was gone.

"Hiei!" Kurama reached out… ages too late. The demon was gone. Gone, with only an empty plate to show he'd been there. But why did he leave? Kurama frowned as he gathered up Hiei's plate and his own to clean them. Yusuke. They'd been talking about Yusuke. Kurama sighed – why was it that one simple human boy had such power over them? All he was, was human. But so delightfully different. Kurama grinned, thinking about the young human. He'd been happy when Yusuke had trusted him – happy that he didn't have to kill anybody. And then he'd told his story to Yusuke… and the boy had believed him, had accepted the story for truth. The only question he'd asked had been the one that Kurama had asked himself many a time. And with that acceptance… for the first time in fifteen years, Kurama thought he might have found a friend. Someone who could accept both sides of his life. Someone who trusted him. But at the time, it didn't really matter since he was going to die soon. Kurama had laughed at the joke in his life; all that came when he had no opportunity to appreciate it, a friend when he was about to die. But then Yusuke had given him a second chance for both life and friendship. And then Hiei had given Kurama a third life. So many lives. So much to give back.

Once again, Kurama thought sadly of his human father, who had died years ago. Years before Kurama had known enough to appreciate the love and care his parents had given him. He hadn't gotten the chance to show his father his gratitude. So he was twice as thankful to his mother. Even after his father was gone, his mother still took care of him.

"Koenma is in charge of souls that cross the River."

With the first syllable, Kurama was rolling across the ground, seeds in his hand, his eyes seeking out danger… When the sentence was finished, and Kurama's gaze had found Hiei leaning against a tree, his ears burned with shame and he dropped his seeds upon the dirt, his head bowed to hide the redness in his face. "Sor—"

The amused look in the red eyes changed to anger at the cowed expression on the fox's face. Hiei interrupted harshly, "Good reflexes."

Kurama looked up, puzzled.

Hiei growled low in his throat. I will not have my fox cringing at the sight of me. Before, Kurama would never have apologized. Kurama would have calmly tucked the seeds away and gone on. It was guilt over having Hiei that made Kurama so weak. I shouldn't have rushed things like that. But Hiei hadn't known that Kurama would feel this bad about it. Didn't he want me after all? Hiei knew the fox hadn't expected the fullness of his capture, but still… Fox. Kurama was still a fox. He'd been anticipating a hunt. A long and needlessly complicated one. I upset all his expectations by coming to him on my own. With a sigh of annoyance, Hiei regarded the fox's expectations. They were stupid. That's what they were. Why prolong the inevitable? Once Kurama had made Hiei his, why should Hiei continue to struggle? What was the point in that? Just as Hiei saw no need to prolong a fight past the conclusion. A match of powers, and then an end. To do otherwise was needlessly cruel and wearying. Kurama calls it a dance. A dance that ended in death for one of the dancers. Hiei remembered the look of despair on Hiogashi's face, at the end. The lizard-demon had seen his fate… and had continued to fight it until the end. A dance… A hunt… Humm… Hiei blinked, thinking.

A touch on his hand sent him jumping twenty feet in the air, hovering there, his sword out, his rei searching… He roared, "GODDAMNIT KURAMA!! Don't do that!"

Kurama looked up at him, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth.

Slowly, Hiei settled back down, floating until his feet touched the solid rock, "Do you know how damn close you came to being sliced in two??? DON'T SURPRISE ME! EVER!!" Hiei gulped air into his lungs. "Goddamn stupid fox! Promise me you won't do that again!"

Kurama giggled.

Hiei glared.

Kurama tilted his head, his green eyes sparkling, "I'm not going to promise."

The growl was low and deep and loud and almost a roar, "WHAT?"

Kurama reached out and touched Hiei's cheek quickly, lightly, withdrawing on the instant of the touch, "You didn't."

"Huh?" Hiei's focus was in the spot on his face that Kurama had touched… He longed to reach his hand up to touch the same place…

Kurama chuckled, a low deep sound more akin to Hiei's, his expression almost… smug. "Good reflexes."

With a scowl, Hiei sheathed his sword, realizing that Kurama wasn't going to give him any more than that. Damn stupid fox. He should know better. He walked past Kurama back to the campfire, and squatted next to it, lowering his hands into the flame and increasing the heat against the night chill.

Kurama watched him, turning to keep him in sight as Hiei passed him, watching the black cloak that effectively hid Hiei from his gaze. And he smiled, a pleased, possessive smile. Hiei didn't hurt me. He was right, I shouldn't have surprised him—what was he thinking so deeply about? – but even when I did, when he would have sliced any other person who did that into a hundred pieces, even then, he didn't hurt me. 'The last thing I would ever do, is hurt you.' Hiei loves me. But that little display of temper had shown Kurama that Hiei was definitely still Hiei. Flitting in and out. Quickfire temper, quickfire moves, quickfire demon. Still playing his games of intrigue, and serious when he wanted to be, but otherwise so volatile… Hiei was still Hiei. Kurama grinned, more sure of himself than he'd been the day before. He'd been so startled by the soft, gentle, caring demon… He'd thought he'd broken the demon. That something so precious had been broken by too quick a firing – porcelain, shattered in the kiln. But he'd forgotten that Hiei was instead the steel of a sword – a quick tempering to make it strong and sure. And then a slow burn to make it sharp and true. Kurama grinned. Oh yes. He knew now precisely where he and the demon stood.

Without turning to look, Hiei kept his attention on the fox as Kurama stood for a few minutes where Hiei had left him, and then the fox walked to the fire… and sat down so close to Hiei that they were almost touching. The inch between their bodies was almost nonexistent as the rei overlapped. Hiei gulped, fighting down his desire. What the hell is Kurama doing now? He didn’t want… Maybe the fox had changed his mind. Hiei quickly looked up, seeking out the green emerald eyes, his hands reaching for soft shoulders… Kurama ducked and moved away. His gaze met Hiei’s, apologetic, but firm. Hiei’s empty hands clenched uselessly as he looked down. Carefully Hiei cleared his throat and started, "Tomorrow…" his voice shook and trembled. Hiei growled at himself and stopped talking. Instead, he took out a fold of paper and tossed it at Kurama.

Kurama caught the paper and held it without opening it, watching Hiei with those emerald green eyes, sadness and pity deep within. Hiei looked away from the gaze to his green fire… and grinned lightly. He didn’t mind those emotions from Kurama – at least they weren’t fear and guilt anymore. Something had shaken the fox out of his absorption, and he was now looking out rather than in. A situation that was much better, in Hiei’s opinion.

With a frown, Kurama noted the grin on Hiei’s face. What is that demon up to now? He looked down at the paper in his hands and unfolded it, scanning the written lines… and then he looked quickly up at the demon next to him. Hiei didn’t look over, and Kurama frowned harder, returning his attention to the paper and reading more slowly.

Everything was there, meticulously outlined. Names, aliases, rei-strengths, operating levels, current locale, original habitat, hobbies, activities, fighting strengths and weaknesses, a brief summary of recent activities, and a line with recommended tactics. Below that were mitigating circumstances. Kurama went over the list several times, eventually looking up.

"You did this today?"

Hiei turned his head and nodded.

Kurama looked back at the list and then again at the demon. Quietly, he asked, "Why?"

Hiei shrugged, "We needed something to do."

Needed something to do… Since Kurama had spoiled Hiei’s plans by not reacting as he’d anticipated. Since Hiei had finished off Koenma’s list… Kurama threw back his head and laughed, a delighted sound that made all the trees and ferns nearby rustle and join in the amusement. The laughter went on and on as Kurama reflected on what Hiei had done. The paper contained a list of 40 ghosts that were currently active in the region. None had been on Koenma’s list. All were dangerous spirit world criminals. Kurama recognized several of the names from discussions he’d had with Koenma when going over the original list – Koenma hadn’t included them because none of his agents could find them. And Hiei had found them, cataloged them, evaluated them… And left them there. For Kurama to decide what to do. For the opportunity to work together. A team. Working together. As they hadn’t before. Hiei had… brought them to the beginning again. Kurama grinned at Hiei and waved the list, "Hiei, you are such a joy! Do you know what sort of extra credit in Koenma’s book you’ll get for this?"

Hiei had been enjoying Kurama’s reaction. First the startled realization, and then the utter joy. The fox was happy. Happy. Hiei had made Kurama happy. Hiei basked in the glow. And then Kurama brought up Koenma. Instantly, the glow disappeared and a low growl started from the depths of Hiei’s being and vibrated the ground around them. As the trees shook, Hiei cut his growl off before the fox would be harmed. He got up and jumped in one leap to the top of a tree at the very edge of the cliff. He looked down the dark mountain at the darkness below. Behind him, he heard the fox calling his name but he ignored it. Koenma… Stupid fox. I didn’t do it for Koenma. Kurama had been so lost the day before, lost and off-balance by Hiei’s actions. Hiei had to do something to restore his fox. The fox wanted Hiei as a friend and partner… so. So that is what Hiei would be for Kurama. Kurama... Hiei looked out over the mountains and stilled himself to non-motion, becoming one with his surroundings as he settled himself in.

Damnit, damnit, damnit!!!! Kurama added many more colorful curses to his litany as he pulled at his sidelocks and stomped the ground in a rare display of frustration. Two steps forward, two steps back and then repeat from the top. Are we making progress or losing it? Kurama couldn’t tell. "Damnit, Hiei – all I was thinking about was you! With this, I can talk Koenma into letting you go… reducing your sentence… at least letting you out on parole!" It was no use, the demon wasn’t listening to him. Kurama couldn’t even see him anymore. Hiei had been standing on top of a tree… precarious perch at best, but then he’d faded out of sight. He wasn’t listening to Kurama. 

"Oh, Hiei…" Kurama sighed and sank down next to the fire, folding his legs under him and staring at the green flames. Over an hour went by with no sign of Hiei’s return. Finally, Kurama curled up to sleep, staring at the fire until his eyes closed.