Lost Partnership

Time at YYH: 2 years after the Makai Tournament

Disclaiming: No, I don't own any Yu Yu Hakusho Characters.

Prologue

It was a stormy night. An unusual stormy night, as Kurama would have defined. It was only today, the day when Kurama felt extremely unusual. A day, where he would have felt to conceal himself inside his apartment, the fact of this is that nothing was wrong with him, which was certain. Of course, when it was meant to that, he mean physically. It wasn't the spirit of his former Youko form, thumping, right in the back of his mind, and he knows it. It was certain, though, this was an awkward day, and even Yusuke would admit it.

Which was when, the phone rang clear in his mind. Jerking back in to his senses, wearing only a white sleeveless shirt and a red boxer, he ran toward his phone, in the dark. He felt his feet clashed with the sturdy wooden floor, almost like… if he has waited for the phone call, almost if he was longing for it. Kurama wasn't sure, why he was so eager to pick up the phone. No, eager is not the word, it is more likely nervous to leave the caller waiting, for the phone to be picked up. Of course, he picked it up before he could consider what is included within the call.

"Hey, Kurama," a familiar voice rang in to his ears.

Yusuke, Kurama thought, calming himself down. "Kurama, is it me… or you are kinda gasping for air?" The young and emotional voice spoke up again.

It was unusual for Kurama to loose his breath so easily, at least, not to a 'tiny little jog' for the phone. "What? I think it is only you," Kurama answered, hiding his quick breathing. Lying, something he is very good at.

"You know, I wonder… what could have happened to our lives, if we never met Hiei," Kurama immediately was startled at the question. Yusuke kept in silence, as if waiting for Kurama to answer his question.

"Excuse me?" He asked, almost with an innocent voice, which, in no doubt, was caused due to his lack of understanding toward his acquaintance's question. He was already listing the effect, if Hiei was never there.

 Yusuke took a silent breath; he was at a random phone booth. Amusingly, he wasn't annoyed by the rain clattering against the plastic window; shielding the wind and the rain… Well, his foot is pretty much soaked up, because the door does have a leek for air, if it was ever needed for one. Uncomfortably, he continued, "Remember, Kurama? When I told you how awkward today are, well, in feeling, I mean?" Kurama paused a second, trying to understand the sentence. He nodded, almost catching himself from nodding; mentally noting Yusuke isn't seeing his expression, not to mention his actions.

"Of course, it is still disturbing me." Kurama admitted. It was nice to have company, even though; Yusuke wasn't talking face-to-face toward Kurama.

"Well, Kurama, this reminds me of two years ago." He hesitated, trying to put the words in its right place. He knows it wouldn't be nice to speak a scrambled thought toward anyone, more so, not toward Kurama. Especially when he know something is wrong. "Here, Kurama, to make my life and your life easier, just remember the time, when you stepped out of your apartment."

As if he flicked the television on with the remote, Kurama's eyes immediately started to remember. At the same time, Yusuke holds his breath, in order to stop him rambling. He wanted Kurama to remember it silently.

Before the night, it was actually a sunny day. Even the weather report didn't predicted the stormy night. That was the starting hint of the strange day that both, Yusuke and Kurama, has experienced. That feeling, Kurama just has remembered, never have occurred before he left his apartment.

In reality, Kurama clutched his fist tight, until his knuckles turned white. He clasped his eyes shut, resisting to stay at that moment.

Inside his memory, Kurama has opened his door, stepping out in to the hall. The feeling immediately changed. At the same time, Kurama snapped his eyes open and relaxed his knuckles. He took a deep breath. Where have he sense such a similar feeling? Was it when facing one of the Dark Angels? Or…

He stopped immediately, when he realizes what Yusuke is pointing about.

"It… no, it can't be. Hiei shouldn't be coming back. He is enjoying his life." Kurama answer reluctantly, hiding the false hope. It is true; Kurama wishes to meet the mysterious fire demon again. It is true; he missed him, as a friend. However, it isn't true, that he doesn't know what is lurking behind him. He immediately felt a sense of fear at the pit of his stomach. A hint to tell him something is around him.

"Yusuke, it seems like I got some company, I'll call you later." Without waiting for a reply, he hanged up the phone, preparing himself for what-so-ever is lurking at the darkness.

Yusuke stare at the receiver with a blank expression. "He should at the very least, let me tell him, I am not at home," he growled silently, as he know, he is stuck at the phone booth for the night. Of course, it is always an option to run to Kurama's home and check him out. He sounded nervous, when he told him his last sentence…

Fear gripped his heart. Immediately, he ran toward Kurama's apartment absently.

Kurama watched his step, silently planting his foot at the wooden floor. In a very alert status, his eyes peered through the darkness. It didn't startle him a lot, when the window banged in a very noisy way, that immediately led Kurama to the thought, something is happening. Without any thoughts, he ran toward the window and opened it up, nearly, cutting the person lying on it to half with his Rose Whip.

Kurama's emerald eyes widen, when he realize who it was. His body was staggered, his arms was bleeding, his face was bruised and smeared with his own blood. His chest was wounded with a very attracting wound, bleeding freely and coating his light-blue shirt with blood.

"Hiei!"

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Author's note: I am sorry, if my grammar is horrible. I have been trying to acquire a new grammar style. So, I am not surprised, if it is not understandable. If it is not, tell me, I'll rewrite it.