(A/N: Sorry this one's a little short. I've got an outline now and there will be six chapters of this story, just like Arrogance. Thanks for all your reviews!)

Chapter 3: Guilt

"You should probably just tell me what you're doing."

It was the first time Hiei had spoken in nearly an hour. He was sitting in Kurama's windowsill, watching him work. Kurama wasn't sure if Hiei was still on his weeks-old campaign to annoy Kurama with his presence, or if he genuinely didn't have anything better to do. "Homework," Kurama replied absently.

"That's not what I mean."

"Well, what do you mean?" Kurama asked, not looking up from his equations.

"Don't think you're the only one with contacts in this city. I may not know what you're up to, but I do know when you start calling in favors. We can do this the long way around, but it would save time if you just told me what you're planning."

"Oh. That." Kurama had been waiting for Hiei to ask this question. He marked his place in his notebook before closing it and turning around to face Hiei. "I've been looking for Yukina."

Hiei carefully controlled his expression, not betraying a hint of surprise. Kurama experienced a fleeting wistfulness, thinking of how much emotion Hiei used to allow him to see. "Why?" Hiei asked.

"To help you." Hiei gave Kurama a look that said that explanation was not going to cut it. "And also, because you and I need a project."

"Why?"

Kurama shrugged. "I'm bored. Also, Yusuke's done with his training in about four months. Do you want to know where you stand with me before meeting him again? Or not?"

Hiei paused, then nodded, acknowledging Kurama's point. "What have you learned so far?"

"Not much, I'm afraid. Certainly nothing particularly helpful." Kurama gave Hiei a measured look. "It would help if you told me everything you knew about her disappearance."

Hiei frowned slightly, slouching a little in the windowsill. "What makes you think I haven't already? All I know is that she's in this world. Every rumor I trace is a dead end. You were there for the last one."

"You must have some reason to believe she's in the area," Kurama pointed out. "You haven't looked too far from here."

Hiei gave him a look Kurama could not interpret-incredulity, maybe, or surprise. He said nothing. Kurama pulled a map out of his desk drawer and showed it to him. "I've marked all the places I know you've investigated, and circled the area they comprise. If I've left anything out, you would benefit from telling me. I do have one rumor in this area we could look into, but it's quite unlikely to be her."

Hiei looked down at the map of Japan Kurama was pointing to. "And... what size is this world?" he asked, sounded disconcerted and somewhat hesitant.

Kurama blinked. ". . . Oh dear."

Several hours later, Kurama had managed to get Hiei a basic education on the scope of the world he had once tried to take over (apparently without much knowledge of its size). He was pleased at the surprising good grace with which Hiei had taken the whole thing. He hadn't acted hostile, he had simply paid attention, absorbing what Kurama said and asking occasional questions. Trusting Kurama with his ignorance. It was almost like before.

The only reminder that it wasn't was when Kurama stopped to make himself dinner and Hiei, as usual, refused to eat. Kurama almost pressed the issue-he was annoyed in spite of himself by what felt like a petulant action. But he stopped himself, because he knew the real reason Hiei wouldn't eat with him had nothing to do with petulance, and to draw attention to it might ruin the brief moment of peace they were having.

They had established truce already; now, comfort with each other and a measure of trust were what they needed to move forward. There was nothing to be gained in pushing Hiei.

Unfortunately, Hiei wouldn't stop pushing him.

Accordingly, Kurama drew out the geography lesson as long as he could, enjoying the respite from the tense silence that filled much of his life these days. Hiei had stopped deliberately antagonizing him at every opportunity, but he was still there: dogging Kurama's footsteps, watching him with a sense of weariness and waiting.

It made Kurama feel guilty. He was the cause of Hiei's current confinement. And then the guilt made him angry; he had been more than justified in betraying Hiei. But that didn't change the fact that he'd done it. He'd used Hiei's youth, inexperience, and trust in Kurama against him. In short, he'd used his knowledge of Hiei to screw him over, just as he'd done so many times before with so many different people. Only now, in his new life, was he starting to realize this was something a true partner would never do, no matter what the situation.

But a true partner wouldn't have put him in the situation Hiei had, either.

"I expected it to grow leaves by now," Hiei commented.

Kurama glanced at him, startled out his thoughts. "Hm?"

"That paper," Hiei said, gesturing to the map spread out between them on the floor. "Usually when you watch something so intently for so long, it blossoms."

"I apologize. I was distracted. We can move on to another map."

"What were you thinking about?"

Kurama hesitated, thinking of possible answers. But Hiei's eyes narrowed slightly, showing he'd noticed the hesitation, and Kurama decided a lie would be detected. "You."

"What about me?"

"Why did you decide to steal the three artifacts?"

"Again?" Hiei said, an expression of displeasure on his face. "We've been over it, fox."

"Not to my satisfaction. I can't believe it was just a matter of opportunity or timing. Something provoked you."

"Since when, Kurama, have you needed more than an opportunity to justify stealing something of great value?"

"But it wasn't my idea. It was yours. You're not a thief, you're a warrior."

"But my partner was a thief," Hiei said, his tone bitter. "The best thief Makai has ever seen. I wanted to see what we could do using both our strengths." He met Kurama's eyes, a small, grim smile on his face. "I suppose I found out."

Kurama took a deep breath and let it out slowly, fighting two impulses. The first was anger, at Hiei's implication that they would have fallen apart no matter what. The second was guilt, at the realization that Hiei's motivation for concocting that awful job had been an attempt to further their partnership. "I suppose so," Kurama said evenly.

Heavy silence lay between them. The mood was irrevocably altered. After a moment's consideration, Kurama got up to gather and put away the books and maps they had been using. "I am also trying to find out what we can do together, now. But you'll notice I'm trying to save the woman you care about, not obliterate her entire race."

"I know." Hiei didn't look at him, or put any expression into his voice.

Kurama continued to put things away. Hiei remained sitting on the floor, staring at it glumly. Kurama was irritated and aching to provoke him somehow, but he restrained himself. When everything was cleaned up he sat down cross-legged on his bed, watching Hiei watch the floor. Was he feeling guilty? Or bored?

"For the record," Hiei said, "these staring matches are getting old."

"I agree," Kurama said. "Perhaps it wouldn't happen if you went somewhere else for a change."

Hiei cocked his head to the side, a habit that gave away when he was considering something. Then he nodded. "True."

Kurama watched in utter astonishment as Hiei, with his customary speed, stood and leapt to the window, then out into the night. It hadn't crossed his mind that Hiei would actually follow his advice.

Belatedly he went to the window, but of course Hiei was long gone. This was the first time in weeks that he'd left at Kurama's request. Was it out of guilt? Was he off to hunt for Yukina? Was he just trying to confuse Kurama?

"Don't get into trouble without me," Kurama said to the empty yard, having a hunch he might still be heard. He didn't make any attempt to follow Hiei's trail. But he left the window wide open.