Pain seared deep within his chest. It throbbed and stung, as though the sharp knife were still plunging into his body. He seized at it, as though to take the blade from his torso. He could feel the blood running from the wound; could smell its bitter metallic fragrance. He could feel it seeping, running through his fingers down his arm. Of course the demon who'd given such a deadly wound was far behind him, dead and rotting into to forest ground, but that could not heal him.

Thoughts raced through his mind as he struggled to keep his eyes open, and he was beginning to lose feeling in his limbs. Mentally he'd been numb anyways; he needed it to keep sane. Being so close to Yukina; knowing such a relationship would never be within his grasp had forced him to shut out the pain. He didn't feel his weight anymore, as his feet carried him closer to what he'd wanted to call home for so long now. Reaching the temple steps, he finally stumbled and fell. His energy was fading; he wouldn't be able to go any farther.

It was only fitting to end like this. No one even knew he was here, so close but so far, just like how he lived with the others. The question he'd always asked himself was answered. He had a heart, though it did not beat. He now knew it had existed, had functioned, though barely. Truly, it hadn't ever really worked properly, it couldn't have. It had sustained his life, but it had never loved. It couldn't love; perhaps because he himself had never been loved.

He looked into the small, crimson droplets on his skin, and Kurama's face flashed in his mind, his soft red hair at a sharp contrast to his intense green eyes. No, he certainly couldn't have been loved, especially not by something so perfect. But then, why did he yearn to reach out and hold the fox, never to let go? Why did he feel such an ache in his heart? He wanted to believe it was the wound, that he was numb to the fox. He let out a small groan as he again failed to lift himself up.

He heard footsteps from what seemed to be miles away. He could feel movement close, yet so far away. This wasn't right. He wanted to be alone. He deserved to suffer alone. He attempted to push the presence away but couldn't find the strength to move his arm. Did he even have an arm anymore? He did not know. Taking a harsh, shaking breath, he managed to open his eyes, and there before him were the fearful faces of those he wished for most. His sister's eyes were filled with tears. Kurama appeared next to her, his face almost unreadable, but the emotions were sharp in his eyes. Anger. Fear. Sorrow. Determination. Hiei's world was blurring, he could now only see shapes and colors. He didn't want to look away from them. He didn't want them to see him.

Hiei realized he was moving. Or maybe he was spinning. He couldn't feel the ground. He couldn't feel his back. Did he have a body anymore? There must have still been a body for him to inhabit, he thought he felt arms around it. His soul ached for them, but he knew he could never have been with them anyways. All he could be if he revealed himself is another burden to them, another pain. He could never be anything but a burden, and nothing good could come of his presence. He could feel their spirit energy rising around him, as though he were wrapped in it. It embraced him, covering him in warmth. It was as though they were denying the thoughts burned into his mind. They were filling him up with their energy, desperately trying to keep him in their world, by their side. They weren't going to leave him, he realized. They already accepted him, regardless of what would come. Finally, he closed his eyes, and his world went black.