KyoHana: Thank you! You made my day with that review, I wasn't sure anyone would want to read my story. I have a couple others and I don't think anyone really reads them. Oh well, thanks for letting me know I should continue this!

Redemption

World comes crashing down…now if that isn't an interesting phrase you people have come up with. But appropriate none the less on some occasions. One night you fall asleep, you can have the one you love beside you, the one person in this world you can trust with your life, and more importantly with you heart. The one person you can lift you heart up to and show where it bleeds and where the world has left its cruel mark. Show the bruises you can't heal alone. The next night though, it can all be gone. Thinking back, I should've known that something was going to happen. But I was happy, I was content and I'm not familiar with these feelings. It was like a cut off switch between my head and my instincts I didn't know about…no one can take back time, it's like an hour glass glued to a table, you can't flip it back over and regain your precious time back. Because everything becomes precious when the….

Chapter 1; World Comes Crashing Down

The moon was bright, almost full. It shone down on the many people who still walked in the crisp spring time air. Soon those people would be inside for the night, but for now they walked content. Some with family, others alone, and those happy few who walked with the one they loved. Smells drifted from restaurants as the doors opened and closed, teasing those hungry and heading home. The cars that drove passed were for once few, leaving nothing to break the tranquil scene. And for once a pair of crimson eyes watched the sight, taking it all in. Eyes half closed as though there was more to be seen out the window when they were not opened fully.

Black hair matted against his face as he leaned upon the window pane. A smile tugged at his lips for reasons he couldn't comprehend at that moment. His pale skin was illuminated by one small lamp beside one of two beds, his black clothing doing nothing to change the look of death he had for his pale pallor. He closed his eyes after a while, leaning back against the window frame. The image below, though it was of ningens, was etched for the moment in his head. He took a deep breath and let it out, blowing some of his black bangs from his face. He didn't know why he felt so good at the moment and for a second it disturbed him, until he wrote it off – for once – as being somewhat glad that the latest mission for the Reikai Tantei had finally ended.

Jaganshi Hiei didn't so much as twitch when the carrot topped boy he'd continuously called "oaf" tripped in the hall, blaming it seconds later on the black haired "detective" and leader who laughed it off. His mind was abnormally peaceful for once and if it had not been for the interruption seconds later, Hiei would've realized the last time he had felt so calm……and the consequences of what had happened next. A purple glow emanated from under his white bandana, the Jagan reacting to the presence nearing the door.

Emerald eyes also took in the scene of the spring night, as a red headed boy walked down the hall. His long flaming locks garnered stares, just as much as it got him mistaken for a woman. He smiled politely at the few people who nodded to acknowledge him as he walked. Minamino Shuichi – otherwise known as Kurama to a select few – chuckled as he watch the orange haired Kuwabara Kazuma and the black haired Urameshi Yusuke argue a little, possibly over the fact that both appeared to be searching for the key to their room. He opened his own door as they managed to find the key – having been in Yusuke's pocket the whole time – and bade them good night. He smiled somewhat slyly seeing the relaxed hiyoukai in the window sill.

Hiei sat up and turned towards his youko turned human ally before even opening his eyes. Kurama smiled, walking over to the bed stand and switching on the other light.

"Really Hiei, must you sit in the dark up here? I left not more then five minutes ago with the lights on and come back to find all but one off!"

"I wanted you to be able to see when you got back in here; otherwise they would have all been off. And you were gone longer then five minutes, Fox," Hiei gave as a curt answer. Kurama smiled sheepishly, looking at the clock now to see that the small demon was right.

"Gomen Hiei, I must have taken a longer walk then I thought. Your wo-"

"You get the gash on your chest patched up?"

"Yes I did. Arigatou, Hiei for asking," Kurama whispered. Hiei didn't respond, just turned to look out the window. They stayed silent for a while, Kurama moving around behind Hiei, who was once again lost in the outside world.

Kurama's hand eventually ended up on Hiei's shoulder. Hiei turned to face him, annoyance spilling onto his childish features. Kurama just smiled.

"What is it Fox?" Kurama didn't answer, instead opting to lower his head to press against Hiei's soft lips in a feather light touch.

The annoyance left his face, replaced instead by a look not many would be able to recognise. A bit of happiness, love, and longing all mixed together, but sadness….sadness was also present. Kurama pulled back placing another soft touch over the warded Jagan before moving back to the beds. Hiei slid from the windowsill, reaching forward to – in a most gentle gesture – link his fingers with that of the Kitsune's. Kurama turned back.

"Yes Hiei?" he asked shortly before soft, full lips pressed onto his own, somewhat shyly but eager. The red head smiled into the kiss before taking over, leaving the fire youkai utterly pleased. Kurama pulled back far sooner then for Hiei's liking, as he whimpered at the lost of contact. He hated when Kurama just stopped a kiss without making it any deeper, any more passionate. The Kitsune chuckled at Hiei's reaction to the end of their kiss, well aware that Hiei disliked it.

"You know we shouldn't do anymore Hiei, Yusuke and Kuwabara are next door after all. And there are a lot more people here then you seem to think."

"So?" was his annoyed answer.

"Heh, heh Hiei you remember our agreement! No more then a kiss on missions, wasn't it you who didn't want Yusuke and Kuwabara to know?" Hiei turned away, muttering about not agreeing to any such thing, before sitting down on the bed. Kurama sighed at Hiei's actions, sitting down beside him before pulling the young youkai into his arms. Hiei slowly put his own arms around his fox, able to smell the plant concoctions and blood from Kurama's wound. Out of all of them, Kurama had been hurt the worst on their latest mission. It was deep and though he was loath to admit it even to his lover, he was worried. Kurama suddenly turned, laying back and bringing Hiei to rest on top of him.

"Baka Kitsune! Your wound!" Hiei yelped, surprised by Kurama's sudden actions. Kurama chuckled, knowing that Hiei had no reason to worry.

"Relax, Hiei! My wound isn't as bad as everyone thinks. I'll be fine, besides your not heavy so you're not really disturbing me or anything at all." Hiei narrowed his eyes, swearing that he'd heard some sort of insult with in Kurama's well meaning reassurance. Finally, shaking his head at the obvious disregard of his Kitsune lover for his own wounds, he rested his head lightly on Kurama's chest. They stayed like that for a little while, until Hiei – still annoyed by the bed stand lights – turned his head towards them, half glaring at the inanimate objects. Kurama rolled his eyes, unseen by his fiery companion.

"Really Hiei if you dislike the lights on so much why don't you turn them off?" Hiei grumbled something into Kurama's chest. The Fox-human sighed.

"Koi, I can't hear you when you talk into my chest. Speak up," he requested of the young demon. Hiei begrudgingly lifted his face from Kurama's shirt and spoke again, but still too quietly for him to hear.

"One more time love?"

"You want it on," Hiei mumbled. Kurama blinked a few times, running the half Koorime's answer through his head over again to be sure he'd heard right.

"You leave it one because of me? When has that ever stopped you before? But thank you for thinking of me, Koibito," Kurama whispered. Hiei muttered something else to himself before turning his head to the other side, staring out the window where the moon still shined.

Hiei blinked in confusion when the room became dark seconds later. Kurama returned his arms to their former position around Hiei, smiling when Hiei turned to look him in the eye.

"You're welcome," Kurama whispered. Hiei smirked, putting his head back down and staring out the window, the moon the only source of light in the room now. Once more they were still on their room, minutes passing in a silence neither wanted to break yet. Slowly Kurama brought his hand up to Hiei's head, lazily beginning to run his finger's though Hiei's soft ebony spikes. When he had first touched Hiei's hair, he'd been surprised to find it amazingly soft and untangled. He took a deep breath, steadying himself for his next words.

"Hiei?"

"Hnnmm?" was his almost lazy and indecipherable reply.

"I wasn't going to bring this up until we got home tomorrow but I can't wait. I just need to do this now," Kurama started. Hiei froze, hardly breathing. Oh Gods! I knew this would happen! He's gotten tired of me! Damnitt, how stupid was I to get into this! What was I really expecting to happen with the infamous Yoko Kurama as a lover!

"Hiei?" Damnitt! Here it comes! Hiei thought, insides twisting and turning to ice. He was ready to bolt when Kurama spoke next.

"Will you mate with me?" Hiei blinked twice.

"W-w-what?"

"I know I should've waited until we were in a place where we wouldn't have to wait but, I, I've wanted to ask you for a few weeks now and well, I-" Kurama stopped his rambling as Hiei sat up, refusing to meet the red head's gaze. Kurama filled with sadness and an apology formed on his lips, but Hiei stopped him. He was chuckling. He lifted his head to stare with crimson orbs into the startled and somewhat hurt emerald ones. His relief flooded to every fiber of his being becoming a laugh on his lips. The longer he sat there staring at the fox, no his - definitely his – fox, the more he laughed. Shakily he nodded and with each second his nods increased in enthusiasm and pace.

Happiness flooded onto Hiei's features and Kurama suddenly understood, but he had to be sure.

"Is this a yes? Are you saying yes!" Hiei laughed harder still nodding, throwing himself back towards the red head clinging to him in relief and happiness. Kurama also smiled beginning to laugh along side his soon to be mate.

Sukuu

The happiness and elation of the night before dissipated from the two lovers by the time the sun had set the next day. Yusuke and Kuwabara slept in, which wouldn't have been too terrible; if it hadn't been until noon. Neither Hiei nor Kurama could wake them and breaking down/ picking the lock on the door was out of the question; too many people walked passed them as they tried to rouse their sleeping team mates, already annoying the staff at the small somewhat run down hotel they had stayed at. When they had woken up, the shock of over sleeping didn't out weigh their apparent need to eat at that precise moment, all thoughts of finding a way back to their homes forgotten for the moment. Filling their stomachs was not going to solve their problem of finding a way home. Koenma was of no help, they hadn't heard from him since they had reported the completion of their mission.

After a time, they had ended up standing in front of the hotel, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Kurama trying to sort out how to get home without making anyone they knew wonder how they had gotten two hours or more a way. Hiei stayed out of it of course, he had no way to help, had no suggestion on how to get anywhere in this ningen world. But he did stand abnormally close to Kurama not really caring if the other's notice his close proximity to the reformed thief. Eventually, though not all were exactly sure how, they ended up in the car of a man Kuwabara had actually met somewhere before. And while Hiei wasn't sure that they could trust this man on just Kuwabara's word – which riled Kuwabara – the rest eventually convince the stubborn hiyoukai to get into the unfamiliar

human contraption.

So now they were on their way back, two hours at the most from the familiar comforts of home. Hiei stared out the window watching the scenery pass or what he could make out of the almost inky blackness. By the time they had been offered the ride the sun had been setting and now they drove with minimal light, the moon covered by clouds in the night sky. Kuwabara sat in the front speaking to the driver, Yusuke was behind him listening to the conversation and interjecting every so often, and Kurama sat between Hiei and Yusuke, leaving Hiei behind the driver.

The next moments would never really be clear to anyone, not even the Reikai would fully figure out the events that took place. One moment Kurama was tapping Hiei's shoulder, probably just to get his attention, the next….the next……… Hiei turned to look into his companions deep emerald orbs, about to speak when Yusuke suddenly spoke up.

"Oh god!" the black haired youth bellowed. Hiei tore his gaze from Kurama to look out the side window, as did everyone but the driver. A bright light flashed into their eyes, Kuwabara yelled something lost in the screech of tires. Hiei sat confused, unsure what exactly was going on. Kurama put an arm around him, his eyes widening. The next moments were filled with screeches and the twisting sounds of metal slapping together and moving in unnatural ways. The groan of iron filled their ears and the crash of shattering glass. Everything went blank then.

Sukuu

A squirrel blinked its black eyes languidly. Its little nose twitched with the new smells that reeked in the air. It had been asleep, until its tree shook violently; rousing it and sending it scurrying to the branches where it now sat. It stared down at the twisted metal below its nest, smoke curling from it. Squealing caused the already panicked animal to jump, in time to watch blinding lights leave.

Hiei forced his eyes to open, to rid himself of the warm cloak unconsciousness had draped around him he was loathed to leave. But he had to, for the life of him he didn't know what had happened. The crashing sounds still burned in his ears as he tried, in vain, to remember the full details of the last few seconds before unconsciousness had welcomed him with open arms. Even with his blood red eyes open, the scene before him made little sense as his scrambled mind tried to right itself. But his mind did register one thing, the scent of blood, a metallic tang he was all too familiar with for his lifetime. But why was there so much of it? He could feel it dripping onto his hand. Am I bleeding?

His eyes widened when the objects before him came into focus. The human vehicle was a wreck. Literally. The car was a wreck now on the side of the road. He gagged on the blood mixed with other unsavory smells. Glass covered him, the windshield broken; only bits remained where it had been originally placed. Hiei leaned his head on the rear window, unbroken from the crash. His head ached and so did other parts of his body. It seemed that even though he could see properly again his mind still wasn't working at top speed, giving him only a vague idea on where the pain was from. After a moment he leaned forward, placing his upper body between the two front seats. He turned to the passenger seat, and couldn't stop the sudden intake of breath.

Kuwabara's head leaned towards him, blood pooled around him, darkening his face. Glass shards were all around him, imbedded in flesh and in his clothing. Hiei reached hesitantly forward. There was no pulse, none to be found in Kuwabara's pale lacerated neck. He's……He's…dead…? Realisation crept over him. Kuwabara was dead in the seat before him, where only minutes – or had it been hours? – before he'd been breathing and talking to the driver. Hiei turned to the driver, but found no one in the front seat. Glass littered the seat, the air bag hanging out of the steering wheel.

He turned his shaky red gaze to the windshield again, seeing that easily the man could've gone straight out of it, especially from the impact of a tree which crushed the front of the car. The passenger side of the front had taken the most damage from the hard trunk of the old tree. The ningen who was driving is dead……he must be…and so is Kuwabara……Yusuke? Kurama…Fox! Panic gripped him for a second. Most of the damage is to the front, he reminded himself as he was forced to sit back, If I'm alright shouldn't they be? Kuwabara was human, but Yusuke and Kurama should've handled this better then him…… He began to move, painfully towards Yusuke and Kurama first reaching for Yusuke before all strength left him. A hand stopped him.

He turned, able to see dimly his lover smiling softly. Kurama shook his head. Hiei blinked, looking back to Yusuke.

"He's still alive," Kurama whispered hoarsely, "but his breathing is slowing. I don't think he'll wake up before he's gone. We were hit in the side." Kurama looked to the front.

"The oaf….Kuwabara is dead. The other one isn't in here, he's probably dead too," Hiei whispered answering Kurama's unspoken question. Hiei leaned back into his seat, his small frame beginning to hurt more. They stayed quiet for a few moments, each to his own thoughts. Finally Hiei turned to Kurama again.

"Think you can move?"

"We shouldn't," was his answer.

"We can't just sit here, Kurama. Kuwabara is dead, and Yusuke is dying." Even though there is nothing we can do for either of them, we shouldn't just sit here. Kurama didn't answer him. Hiei sat patiently for a while. He'd learned a long time ago that sometimes you had to wait for Kurama to give his reasons for things. But Kurama wasn't answering him. Blood fell onto Hiei's hand again.

Hiei's eyes widened. He turned to Kurama, whose eyes were closed peacefully. Hiei's breath caught in his throat.

"Kurama?" he started, fear filling him as he inched closer to his companion. A smiled formed on Kurama's lips as he turned his head slowly to Hiei.

"Hai?" he murmured. Relief flooded Hiei. For a second he'd thought Kurama was dead. He certainly hadn't liked that thought. Kurama gave the half-Koorime a sad look.

"Hiei?" Hiei turned to him, giving his fox a small shaky smile in an attempt to cheer the youko up.

"Gomen Nasi, koishii," the fox human whispered, pained as he turned to face the black haired youkai. Breath caught in Hiei's throat again.

His fox was covered in blood down his front. Blood seeped and soaked into every wrinkle in Kurama's clothing. Hiei just stared, unable to take his gaze from Kurama.

"Your wound! It opened! Damnitt, why didn't you say anything before?" Hiei demanded, leaping up in the wreck of a car and undoing Kurama's shirt. He stared at the gaping wound that hadn't had enough time to heal. It bled profusely. Fear crept into his voice as he spoke.

"You're not dying," he stated, unbelievable with the fear that coated each word. But he had to say it, he needed to say it. His fox wasn't dying, no if's, and's, or but's about it. Kurama's eyes only got sadder, and much to Hiei's pain the Kitsune didn't say anything. Not one "Of course I'm not dying," or "I've lost blood but it won't kill me," or any other reassurance Hiei suddenly craved. He was so used to Kurama telling him he was fine, even when his wounds were worse then he was letting on. But Kurama did none of that.

"I'm so sorry, koishii," he whispered again. Hiei shook his head. His friend, he lover, his…his …mate was not dying! He wouldn't accept that.

"You are not dying! There's got to be something we can do! A doc-….A human healer! Anything!" Kurama grabbed Hiei's hand.

"We wouldn't get anywhere in time, Hiei. I'm going to die." Hiei's eyes brightened. His lover wouldn't die! Yoko would take control and Hiei wouldn't be alone. His mate couldn't die.

"Then you'll just become Yoko! We can go back to the Makai; we can forget this miserable human world." Kurama smiled sadly again. The little hope that had flooded him in remembering the youko soul within the human body disappeared.

"Yoko won't come out, will he?" Hiei whispered reading his mate's expressive face.

"No, no he won't," Kurama admitted.

"…….why……?"

"I'm not completely sure. Koenma told me a few weeks ago. He thought it might've had to do with the Fruit of the Past Life that I used to revert to my Youko form. If this hadn't happened, time would've reversed it. Yoko would've been able to come out at the end of my human lifespan." Hiei sat back, taking the information in. It was too much in the wake of Kurama's proposal. His composure cracked.

Kurama jumped as Hiei started almost hyperventilating.

"Hiei! Are you alright? Hiei!" Hiei turned to him, emotions in full fury on his face. He looked at Kurama as though he'd grown another head.

"Do I look okay! You are dying! Everyone else is dead in here, and I'm losing you!" Hiei all but screamed, beginning to really give into the raging emotions across his body. No one was around to hear this, to see it. Why bother hiding? Kurama reached forward, caressing Hiei's cheek.

"I'm sorry Hiei. I don't want to leave you but there is nothing either of us can do," Kurama murmured, Hiei beginning to nuzzle into Kurama's hand. Hiei watched as Kurama reached up and took something from around his own neck. He held it out to his crushed lover. Hiei shakily held out a hand and inhaled sharply when a black hiruseki necklace fell into his hand. He stared at it in disbelief.

"But….but I…I gave this to you…! Why…why are you giving it back! I gave it to you because you're my lover!" Hiei cried looking shocked and disbelievingly into his lover's eyes.

"I know, I don't want anyone else to get it when I'm…"

"Kisama!" Hiei whispered in anger.

"Hiei I'm sorry. I lo-," Kurama began. Hiei glared at him.

"Hiei, please. If you can, get out of here. I don't know how you'll explain any of this if people find you in here with us dead." Tears filled both their eyes. They were unable to stop them, not with the looks their loved one held. Hiei nodded. He could do this one last thing for his lover, his mate.

Hiei leaned forward, pressing his mouth to Kurama's. He tentatively licked the fox's bottom lip. Kurama opened his mouth, allowing his smaller lover to map out every part of his mouth. It would be the last time. Hiei kissed Kurama trying to memorize every detail. The taste of his lover though it was mingled with blood. He didn't want to forget the only person to ever love the Forbidden Child.

"Ai shiteru," Hiei whispered, placing his head in the crook of Kurama's neck. He just barely heard his fox's reply of love.

Heartbroken sobbing filled the quiet night sky. Hiei couldn't hold the tears back any more. His lover was dying, soon to leave him alone again. All the rest were dead too. He sat there even when the beating heart under his ear stopped, sobbing for all he was worth. His cries echoed, no one was around to hear.

Sukuu

The sky was still dark. The moon though had made an appearance from behind the clouds, offering what light it could to the dismal scene. Blue hair flapped into the face of a young woman, her features shocked and worried. Her pink kimono flapped also in the wind, a guide to the River Styx flying across the sky on her oar. She searched the land below her, her violet eyes filled with dread of what she was sent to find. Botan's eyes brightened though when she saw a figure walking, slowly, on the ground below her.

"Hiei!" she called in relief. The small figure below didn't stop.

"Hiei?" she yelled again, beginning her descent. This time Hiei stopped. Botan landed in front of him, letting go a sigh of relief.

"Koenma scared me when he told me something had happened to you guys! But it can't have been bad if you're alright! Where are the others?" Hiei didn't answer. Botan waved her hand in front of his face. A dangerous move for her, but Hiei was scaring her suddenly.

"Hiei?" she whispered, taking a closer look. She pulled back with a gasp, her eyes widening. Hiei was covered in blood, cloak and pants covered in it. His hands were bloody and in the left he held a chain, a black hiruseki hanging from it. Tears trails roughly glowed on his cheeks, blood beginning to drip from his nose. She drew a breath.

"H-H-Hiei? Where are the others? Where are Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama?" Hiei still didn't answer her.

"What happened!" she yelled, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him. He looked up; eyes shimmering will tears brought by the utterance of his late lover's name.

"Are they….?" She started, unable to finish the thought. The deaths of her friends had been a horrifying thought to Botan from the moment she had realised they would die and she would have to ferry their souls. Hiei just barely managed to nod, bottom lip quivering as his tears threatened to fall. Botan broke into tears. Her sobs shook her but she steadied herself just enough to speak again.

"W-what happened Hiei?" she sobbed. Two tears fell from either eye, forming a crystalline river down Hiei's cheeks. He opened and closed his mouth, trying to form words that wouldn't come. Botan continued to cry.

"W-w-w-what happened?" she whispered again. Now sounds did pass his lips, but for Botan they were strange and unfamiliar. Such a language, it couldn't be real.

"Bright….Bright…light…..light….bright...light…." Hiei babbled. Suddenly he was sobbing harder then she. He dropped to his knees; bring his hands to cover his face in shame. Botan stared in disbelief at Hiei's unabashed sobbing.

"We…we should go back. We have to tell the girls and make sure you're alright. Please Hiei; you're the only one who can tell them what happened to those they love." Botan suddenly murmured. She pulled Hiei to his feet, but he fell again. She knelt down and ran her hands over Hiei's legs. He whimpered and pulled away from her when she felt the right one.

"Something's broken! You shouldn't have been walking!" She summoned her oar, managing to gently pull Hiei on board. She looked at him, his eyes held to life or anything. He looked dead. He was hurt and Botan's limited healing wasn't going to cover it. She stared at him for a moment. Hiei was in shock, they wouldn't get anything more out of him now then the mumbled words,

"Bright light."

Sukuu

There is the first chapter to Redemption! It took me about a week, but that's pretty good for me. BTW this is my first shonen ai/yaoi story. Yes there will be more in later chapters…..even though I just killed off Kurama….and Yusuke…..and Kuwabara. I have nothing against these characters but this is how the story started. They do "come back" in later chapters though. Believe it or not but this idea came from a combo of a hectic week at school and a drunk driving lecture. Those always put me in such a bad mood. I mean I already know not to drink and drive! I don't even plan on touching a drop of alcohol for the rest of my life! My brother was killed in a hit and run with a drunk driver, I know this lesson all to well. But enough about my screwed up life. Yes Hiei is supposed to be strange at the end, the rest just died and his lover before his eyes, death messes with a person. I will try to keep him as in character as this story will let me. I am screwing around with his past so forgive me if he acts a little too strange. A REVIEW A CHAPTER IS ALL I NEED TO CONTINUE THIS STORY!

TRASLATION:

Sukuu – redeem

Ningen – Human

Koishii – Beloved, Cherished

Kisama – Bast

Ai shiteru – I love you