He sat alone, perched up high in the branches of an old oak tree that stood on the temple ground that had once belonged to Genkai. His katana was long since discarded, encased in glass inside the castle that had at one time belonged to Mukuro. His cloak was torn and tattered, the edges frayed from the fierce winds and battles he had encountered in his life. Me having a life? What life is there to have when there is nothing left but the memories and scars of a life left unclaimed, abandoned by the person to whom it belonged? Fighting back the sudden urge to vomit that overwhelmed his senses, Hiei gulped in deep breathes of air. The reality of his choices made him sick, to remember all those years ago when he had the opportunity to be loved, to have a family, friends, a seemingly normal life were thrown away in his vein attempt to gain power. Leaning back against the trunk of the tree, Hiei allowed his eyes to drift closed. It was his fault that he sat alone right now among the trees of an empty temple, void of life, cold and deserted. Had he chose the leave Makai after the first tournament, return to the human world with Yusuke and Kurama, he might not be alone this day.
Upon his return to the human world, Hiei was quick to discover things were not as they had used to be. Navigating his way through the familiar city following the small traces of his friends ki Hiei found himself in a graveyard. So many familiar names in a row, all lined up, the names of his friends engraved in thick marble stones. How could this have happened...He would later come to find out they had all been killed in a car accident.
Hiei couldn't help the chuckle that past his lips. Kuwabara and Yusuke, a demon and a strong human who had faced homicidal maniacs, crazed demons, and having there bodies ripped apart were taken out by a simple car. It was ironic to Hiei, for someone who used to fight so hard to be killed by some insignificant little thing that would cause little harm if handled properly. And Yukina, keiko, and Shizuru... innocent girls who were swept away from their lives by the carelessness of another person. Their lives stolen away in an instant by a small mistake.
Although the most confusing of all to Hiei was Kurama, his name clearly not among the bodies of his many deceased friends. If the fox had not been killed with the others, where could he possibly be? Slipping away from the cemetery with visions of his friends drumming at his mind, Hiei made his way toward the house where Kurama had lived with Shiori. Taking a detour through the park he had grown to know so well from his stay in the human world, it was here where Hiei discovered Kurama. Under a large cherry tree was the marker to the grave of 'Shuuichi Minamino' a "young professor and father who was taken from life just as it started by cancer". Again Hiei found his mind reeling, Kurama with his extensive knowledge of plants and healing properties has fallen victim to disease, something the fox should have been able to cure.
Hiei could feel his chest tighten from the memories of what he had returned to find. Had he not been so determined to rule the makai, would he still be here today? Or would he be with his friends in the spirit world, living the life he should have been. Would anyone have died if he had stayed? Sighing as he watched the waves break against the cliffs of the beach on the edge of the temple, Hiei could only wish he could change his choices, and rejoin his friends whether it be through life, or death.