Thanks you for the reviews. Warning Rated 'M'. You know these lemon spills are getting harder and harder to clean up.

Chapter 7

As usual, Hiei cursed his luck as he finally found a parking spot, half a football length away from his destination. Locking the car, he quickly made his way to the building, dodging cars and people in his hurry.

After clearing the main entrance, the black haired took note of the line waiting to get visitor's passes. He, again, cursed his luck as he stood there waiting for his turn. If he was in uniform, he would have just bypassed the whole thing, for no one seemed to question someone in uniform.

Signing his name and accepting the pass, he gave the girl behind the desk a nod of 'thanks' and headed towards the elevators. Of course all the people that had been in line ahead of him were now waiting for the same elevators to descend and take them to their destination. Seeing the lights indicating that the elevators were stopping on every floor on the way down and not wanting to get any more cozier with the people he was waiting with, the black haired decided to take the stairs, he only needed to go to the second floor.

As he turned to head to the end of the hall to get to the stairwell, red eyes noticed the gift shop and he shrugged. 'Why not?' And made a detour into the large shop.

a)a)a)a

Kurama closed his cell phone with a sigh, Mr. Takanaka had been understanding as usual as the red head explained the situation.

Turning, he headed back into the building and took the back stairs to the second floor. Giving the woman behind the large circular desk a nod as he passed, Kurama lightly knocked as he pushed open the door to room 202.

"I'm back mother." Kurama said as he stepped in the room, only to pause as the person sitting beside her in the chair looked up as the door opened.

"Hiei." The red head said, quickly composing himself at the surprise of seeing the man there. He walked over as Hiei stood up and they gave each other a hug, though Shori could tell it was stiff and uncomfortable. Her son had told her about Hiei's job opportunity and that he had gone out of town to visit the place.

"When did you get back?" Kurama asked, pulling back from the smaller figure and leaning over to give his mother a kiss on the cheek.

"Early this morning." Hiei said, re-taking his seat.

"Hiei was just telling me all about his trip dear." Shori said with a smile. "It sounds like a really nice place and the job sounds interesting."

"Really." Kurama muttered. Noticing a bag on his mother's lap and wanting to change the subject, he asked. "What's that?"

"Oh, Hiei brought me this adorable gift, here." Shori said, handing the small bag over.

The red head pulled out a small bamboo box, about four by four in size and two inches in height. Each side of the box was painted with a water coloring depicting one of the four seasons. It was the same scene of a cherry blossom tree in a field and how it would look during each season. The top of the box had a piece of paper covering the lid, which could be removed. Lifting the paper, the lid showed all the four painted season scenes in a block format. Reading the paper, it said.

The Four Seasons

By: KyoHana

4 mini hardback books, containing 25 Haikus each, written by the famous author, displayed in a limited edition, hand painted, bamboo gift box.

"Mother's favorite author." Kurama said, handing the box back.

"How did you know?" Shori asked, looking to Hiei.

The black haired shrugged as he blushed and admitted. "I've seen some of her books on your coffee table and took a guess."

Seeing the man turn pink, Shori chuckled. "Thank you dear." A harsh cough then resonated from deep in her chest causing each man to freeze as the woman tried to suppress the sound.

"Shall I get the nurse?" Kurama asked as he handed his mother a glass of water.

Shori, with a hand still covering her mouth, accepted the offer as she shook her head 'no.' Still trying to stifle the cough. She took a drink, only to choke on the water.

Hiei stood, but Kurama held up a hand, indicating he would step out and call the nurse. Just as he went to pull open the door however, Ruka stepped in.

"Okay Ms. Minamino, it's time for your…" She paused as she saw Kurama at the door and heard Shori coughing. "Seems my timing couldn't of been better." She said, stepping around the red head and going straight to the bed. "It's time for your inhaler. This should help ease the cough." The nurse began setting up the device, which consisted of a hand-held breathing tube attached to a small canister. "The doctor ordered a round of aerosol corticosteroid spray inhalers to help open up your airway. After this, we'll set you on a round of pure oxygen."

As Ruka helped Shori get started on the breathing device, Hiei reached out and patted her hand. "I have to go, I have to work tonight and there are some things I need to get done. I'll try to stop in before visitations over tonight." He headed towards the door, hearing Kurama say.

"Mother, I will be right outside."

Ruka gave the red head a nod and began getting vitals on her patient as he left the room.

Kurama followed the black haired down the short hallway to the end. He knew Hiei wasn't trying to walk away from him. They were heading in the opposite direction of the elevators.

Hiei stopped at the end of the hallway that dead ended near a plate glass, flood to ceiling window, and a few chairs.

Hiei didn't even wait for Kurama to say anything as he turned around and said.

"What happened?"

Kurama stopped short at Hiei's abrupt turn. Giving a soft nod, the red head explained, though he was still just as confused about what exactly happened the night before.

"Mother was with Seiryu yesterday. He apparently took her shopping, at her request, and she started having a coughing fit. He took her home and she used her inhaler, but it wasn't helping much. Seiryu insisted she come to the hospital, but mother refused. He finally convinced her to let the nurse on call at the front desk come up and she called for an ambulance. The hospital called me late last night and they finally admitted her early this morning. The doctor wants to run a few tests."

As Kurama talked, Hiei studied the red head and it seemed she wasn't the only one having trouble breathing. Hiei noted the tiredness in the voice, the dullness in the usually bright green eyes and the dark circles under them. Kurama's clothes looked ruffled, his hair a little out a place and he could make a good guess that the guy probably hasn't slept or eaten all day.

When Kurama finished, Hiei nodded that he understood. "I'm sorry I didn't get here until now." He said.

"You were out of town and you said you wouldn't be back until late…how did you find out anyways? I've only called my boss." Kurama wanted to know, he had planned to call the man a little while later, after he had informed his boss.

"Shizuru called Yukina and she left a message on my cell phone. I didn't get it though until I got back. I'm sorry. I could have been here earlier and…" Hiei said, running a hand through his spiky hair, flustered.

"It's okay." Kurama said, reaching out and pulling the smaller figure towards him to embrace him. Sitting his head on top of the black haired's, he muttered. "And I'm sorry, I should have called you, I had planned to after…" He took a deep breath and held on like he was hugging a stuff animal. "She'll be alright." He sighed, making Hiei wonder just who the red head was trying to convince.

Hiei pulled back and looked up at the red head. "She will be." He said. "The question is, 'will you'?"

Kurama gave a nod and continued. "It's happened before. I can't get too worked up about it though because she'll push me away. She's always been tough though, very stubborn, but tough."

"Sounds like someone I know." Hiei muttered and got, though it was tiredly forced, a smirk back.

"The doctor's already told me she'll be here for a day or two and then she can go home and continue the treatments there until she's better."

Hiei looked at his watch. "I need to call Yusuke and tell him I won't be in."

"Why?" Kurama said.

"Because you need me here." Hiei said, cocking his head and blinking his eyes, wasn't it obvious?

"There's nothing you can do, you might as well go to work. I'm going to sit with her until the end of visitation and then go home. I brought some work with me to finish up as she rests. In the morning, I'm going to drop the papers off at the office and be here when breakfast is served."

"Are you sure? I can sit with her and let you go get cleaned up, get something to eat. I can…" Hiei tired to offer.

"No, thank you. You should go ahead and pass the time at work." Kurama said, pulling him closer again, but this time was so they could kiss.

When they broke the kiss, they both heard a nervous 'excuse me' and turned to see Ruka standing behind them, a nice shade of pink adorning her cheeks.

"Sorry to interrupt, but, uh…I wanted to let you know, y-you can go back in. She still has ten minutes or so on the inhaler, but…" She was trying to sound professional, but ended up sounding like a school girl who was trying to tell the popular cute boy she had a crush on him.

"Thank you nurse." Kurama said ignoring her embarrassment and directing his attention back to Hiei. "I'm glad you're back safe."

"I'll have my phone on, I swear and if you can't get me, call the station and if that doesn't work…" Hiei began to ramble.

"Call dispatch and have you paged. I know." Kurama said, mockingly rolling his green eyes.

"Anything and I mean 'anything' she needs, you need." Hiei continued.

"Bye. I'll call you, I swear." Kurama smiled, holding up his hand in the scout's honor.

"Okay." Hiei said and leaned up to give another kiss before heading back down the hall towards the elevator. Passing Ruka, who was now back behind the desk, he noticed she was looking down the hall towards where he had just been. Red eyes followed her gaze and he saw the back of the red head looking out the window at the cloudy sky. Hiei let out a sigh and headed towards the elevators with a lot on his mind.

What Hiei didn't see was that when he walked passed Ruka. She took her attention off the red head and turned, following him with her eyes, focusing particularly on his firm rear. She bit her bottom lip in an effort to stifle a moan, but failed.

"Hurts doesn't it." Ruka jumped when she heard the statement, startled at being caught 'ogling.'

Shizuru placed a stack of folders on the desk and looked down the hall, seeing the back of the red head. She then turned in time to see the black haired stepping in the elevator.

"Yeah…it does." Ruka said softly, beginning to blush as she still looked towards the elevators. "I…uh…need to take five." She stammered and headed towards the ladies room.

a)a)a)a

"Would you like me to read to you?" Kurama asked, taking out the box of books from the gift bag and taking a seat.

Shori nodded as she breathed in through the inhaler. She's always enjoyed hearing her son's calming voice.

"Which one would you like me to start with?" The red head asked as he took out the little books, each with a jacket-cover depicting the water color painting scene for the season.

His mother shrugged, so he picked the first one on top. Opening it, he cleared his throat and his soft alto voice began to fill the room as he read.

Whisper of moonglow

Upon newly fallen snow

Comes Winter's Solstice

Kurama looked up as he heard large droplets of rain hit the window. Seeing the sky growing darker, he placed the book on the side table and pulled out the next one. "Let's think warm shall we." He said, knowing his mother preferred spring and what she called the 'Reawakening of the earth' at that time of year.

Turning a few pages, Kurama continued to read.

Pearlescent tears fall

Grief heavy upon Spring air

Breathes its dark magic

He then held the book up so she could see the watercolor scene pictured next to the words. Turning a few more pages, he said. "Oh…if I'm not mistaken I believe this is your favorite one." And read.

Falling Sakura

Petals of dusky pink hue

Remind me of tears

He, again, held up the book, showing her the picture of a cherry blossom tree losing its blossoms and he watched as his mother smiled around the piece of plastic in her mouth.

a)a)a)a

As Kurama continued to make his mother as comfortable as possible, Hiei was pulling into the parking lot of the station. Quickly shutting the car door, the black haired trotted over to the open bay, trying in vain not to drown as the sky dumped its contents.

"Look who the cat dragged back in." He heard and looked up to see Yusuke coming around the truck. "How did it go?" The raven haired asked.

"Fine…do you have a moment?" Hiei asked.

"Yeah, hey…I'm sorry to hear about Kurama's mom. Have you seen him yet or had a chance…?"

Hiei nodded. "I've seen both of them and so far everything going well."

Yusuke nodded his head while looking at the floor. He looked back up and said. "That's good, good…if you need to take off."

Hiei held up a hand. "I've already had this conversation with Kurama. Can we go to the office?"

Seeing a familiar look in the unusual red eyes, Yusuke motioned for the shorter figure to follow him. Just as they passed the kitchen door to loop around to the office, Kuwabara stepped out.

"Hey shrimp, you made it back, how's…."

Hiei cut him off. "I'll tell you everything later, need to talk to Cap a moment."

Both men stepped into the office with Yusuke motioning for Hiei to take a seat as he shut the door and took his.

"So what's up hot-shot?" He asked, placing his feet up on the desk. "Does this have anything to do with the trip?"

Hiei didn't say anything as he began to fidget in his seat. Seeing this, Yusuke dropped his feet and sat up straight in his chair. "What's wrong Hiei, you said Kurama's mother was fine, so…"

"They." Hiei tried to say, but stopped and ran a hand over his face.

"They, they who, they what?" Yusuke said, trying to understand.

"They offered me the Captain's position." Hiei finally said.

A low whistle filled the room. "Wow." Yusuke said, leaning back in his chair and lacing his fingers together on his lap.

Silence filled the room for a moment until chocolate eyes looked back up. "So when do you start?"

Hiei tried to relax and leaned back in his chair. "They want me to start a three month training program beginning next week. Then after that I would begin training others up until the resort opened." He said.

"Really." Yusuke said, not looking at him again, but at his lap as he tried to absorb the information. "So." He finally said, looking up.

"So what?" Hiei said, cocking his head.

"Are you taking it?"

"I…I don't know." Red eyes looked down and a small hand found itself twirling a loose string on black pants.

"I don't know." Yusuke huffed, throwing his hands up in the air. "What do you mean, 'I don't know'? You've been wanting a job like this for years and here it is sitting in your lap."

"That was a long time ago, things have changed and I'm not sure now is a good time to leave and…" Hiei faltered, he had looked up at the outburst, but he quickly looked back down, breaking eye contact.

"Are you finally happy here?" Yusuke asked when it appeared Hiei wasn't going to continue.

"You should have married Yukina." Hiei said with a smirk, still toying with the string on his pants. Those two did think a lot a like.

Yusuke let out a deep sigh, ignoring the remark. "I've always known it's been boring here for you. I know that's why you took all those training courses." The raven haired said softly. "I work with you almost every day and we've been through a hell of a lot. We've backed each other more times than I can count and with all that. I also think I've come to know you pretty well."

Hiei looked up and said softly. "Yeah, I feel the same way."

"So." Yusuke said, smacking his hands together as he got comfortable in his chair. "Tell Uncle Yusuke all about this place and we'll go from there."

a)a)a)a

"This is the last of it. Are you sure you have room to store it." Hiei asked as he stacked the last box.

Yukina hit the button to close the garage door. "I said it would be okay for you to store your stuff here didn't I." She said, turning to head through piles of items to get to the door. "It's not like we've ever parked our cars in here anyways." She added, allowing Hiei to pass her before she turned off the light and closed the door.

Heading over to the kitchen sink to wash her hands, Yukina dried them before speaking again. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?" She asked for the hundredth time that week.

Red eyes rolled as Hiei took his turn to wash his hands. "You're the one that told me to go live my life." He said.

"That was before, when I'd envisioned Kurama going with you." She said, slumping in a chair.

"I've done told you." Hiei started, taking a seat across from her. "His mother's still in the hospital, we've talked about it and he said he would come up and visit the first chance he got."

Silence filled the room as they took drinks from their glasses of ice tea. Both were tired from packing and moving boxes all morning from the beach house to the garage of the Kuwabara's. His sister had helped him from the very start with packing his items and getting them in storage. He had taken the rest of his leave at work, which wasn't a problem, for Mitarai had found the opportunity to work more with Kuwabara a chance to get more hands on training until he got assigned to a permanent Station. Word down the line was he might just get to stay with Station 51, since there was an opening.

"Did you tell him what you found?" Yukina said, finally breaking the silence.

"Yes."

"Did he not like the idea?" She asked.

"He has a lot on his mind right now." Hiei said, watching the ice melt in his glass as he recalled the conversation from a few nights ago

(flashback)

"Hiei, I can't just up and leave with you, mother still needs me and they really need me at work." Kurama informed, flopping on the bed. "So there is a main branch of a bank and some large insurance company." He said, looking at the bed.

"It's a start. I know you would probably have to start out as a teller or something, but with your talent with numbers. I'm sure you can move up to management very quickly, the same with the insurance company."

"Thank you for thinking of me." The red head said, getting up and starting to undress. He was exhausted after spending all day at work then several hours at the hospital until they kicked him out for the night.

"I know the jobs and probably the money doesn't sound all that great, but remember, Yama is giving me a cabin in the mountains just about thirty minutes or so outside of town for free. We won't have to worry about rent so…." Hiei said, watching the red head undress and trying to keep his mind off the striptease and the thoughts of what he wanted to do to that body.

"Hiei, I said I'll try to come out as soon as I could. Maybe I can take some of my vacation and come up to have a look myself. You did say you had three months of training so you wouldn't have the time to spend with me anyways. I need to make sure mother is taken care of. Since the apartment building lost heat, I'm trying to make arrangements for her to be released into my care and I have a lead on a nurse who can spend the day with her while I went to work for a few hours." Kurama said, heading towards the bathroom. "We can talk some more later. I have to get a shower and some sleep. I'm leaving before dawn so I can get some work done before going to the hospital."

(end flashback)

And that's pretty much how all the conversations had ended after Hiei told Kurama he had accepted the job.

In Hiei's mind the red head was completely acting nonchalant about the whole thing. Hiei thought Kurama would be happy that he had thought about him and that he had even went looking for jobs for him. The black haired knew it would take time to get things in order here and hadn't expected Kurama to come immediately, but yeah, in three months when his training was over and he was in charge of things. Then yes, he wanted Kurama to be there with him.

When Hiei had been talking to Shori, she even assumed Kurama would be joining him at some point in the near future. The black haired had gotten upbeat about hearing this news, maybe Kurama had talked to her already about it since she seemed to know about his trip and why he went.

Thinking that Kurama just needed some time, Hiei had dropped the subject and went about getting things in order for his leaving. It was Kurama who suggested he stay with him when he rented his beach house out. Hiei was expecting to stay at Yukina's, just because Kurama was hardly home right now and he didn't want to be a burden.

"Are you sure that was everything?" Yukina asked, bringing him out of his thoughts. She had gotten up and was rinsing out her glass.

"Yes." Hiei said, finishing his drink. "That was the last. The rest is being shipped and the furniture is staying, unless she wants to get rid of it."

Yukina turned around with a smile. "You know you made Shizuru the envy off all the women in that hospital and even some of the men. When word got out that you were putting the beach house up for rent." She left the statement open.

"Hn." Hiei said, getting up to put his glass in the sink. "Don't remind me." His cell phone and home phone had filled up almost overnight after word got out, with messages from people wanting to rent his place. The personal phone at the station kept ringing off the hook making everyone working on that shift cranky.

"Well, I don't think you have to worry about her getting rid of anything. She's saying she's going to leave it just like it is as a shrine to you and then make everyone jealous when she has her parties." Yukina said. "By the way, I've been meaning to ask why you chose her out of the hundreds."

"She's been needing to get away from that scum-lord." Was all Hiei said, heading towards the front door.

Yukina followed him to the door. "Will I see you before you leave?" She asked as he stepped out onto the porch.

Hiei turned to see sadness in his sister's matching red eyes. "I'm afraid not. I need to leave no later than one or so if I'm going to get there in time to get unloaded and catch some sleep before I report first thing Monday for training."

"Then this is goodbye, my brother." Yukina whispered, reaching over to give him a hug. She held tight for a moment before pulling back with grim face. "Please take care of yourself and be careful." She added.

Hiei could hear her voice cracking so he gave a firm nod and said. "You to, tell the oaf I'll kill him if…"

Yukina began to giggle. "Get out of here." She said, slapping him across the arm.

That's what he wanted to see, her smile, not her sadness. "I'll call when I get there." He said, walking over and getting in the car.

"You better." She said then called out. "Tell Kurama I'll stay with Shori until you leave tomorrow."

"She'll like that." He called back as he put the car in reverse to back out of the driveway, just then Kuwabara pulled in.

"Hey." The orange haired called out, getting out and blocking the Sprite's path. "You know it's not nice to ditch your friends when they are trying to throw you a going away party."

"I told Yusuke I didn't want one." Hiei grumbled out the window and then noticed out his side mirror the tall man was holding something.

"You missed a good time. Chu got everyone at Alaric's to do the Macarena." Kuwabara said, moving to stand by the driver's side window.

"Hn, sorry I missed that. I would have even paid to see it." Hiei said sarcastically, yet internally feeling complete satisfaction in his decision to 'not' go to the party.

Kuwabara shoved the items he was holding in the window. "Here shrimp, Cap wanted to make sure you got your hat and jacket."

"Thanks." Hiei said, tossing them in the passenger seat.

"Take care of yourself partner." Kuwabara said, holding out his hand.

Hiei looked at the appendage with a raised eyebrow before reaching his hand out the window to shake it. "Take care of my sister. I don't want to have to come back and kick your ass." He said.

"Like you ever could." His former partner said. "I'll miss working with you, you were a good partner. Take care."

"Bye." Hiei said, backing out the driveway.

a)a)a)a

Hiei stood up from the couch as soon as the door opened. It was dark out, the sun having set hours ago.

"Hey." He said, as Kurama did his routine of placing his briefcase on the desk. He had already shed his suit jacket and his sleeves were rolled.

"Hey." He heard back.

"How's she doing? I saw her this morning and she looks good." Hiei said.

"Thank you for sitting with her this morning. I got caught in a meeting and didn't get there until after lunch." Kurama said, going to the refrigerator for a drink.

"It was no problem. I was going to stop in on my way out also." Hiei shrugged, still standing near the couch.

Kurama just nodded and silence washed over the room a moment as the red head took big gulps of juice. When he finished, he said. "Mother should be released soon. I need to make plans to have a bed brought in. Also ensure the nurse I requested is available."

"That's good." Hiei said. "That's really good news."

"She's told me to give you her blessing." Kurama said, putting the juice away.

"Yukina told me to tell you that she'll sit with Shori tomorrow for awhile." Hiei said, leaving out the part 'until I leave' and silently thanking Yukina for knowing him so well.

(How the hell did we wind up like this? Why weren't we able? To see the signs that we missed and try to turn the tables.)

The awkwardness in the room grew intense. Hiei thought it had been bad when they'd first been at his beach house, but this was ridicules. Here they had been in a relationship for almost two years, talked openly about many things and now the two were acting like they were on a blind date.

(I wish you'd unclench your fists and unpack your suitcase. Lately there's been too much of this. Don't think it's too late.)

Kurama seemed to be lost in thought, until he seemed to finally remember. "You're leaving tomorrow." He said softly.

"Yeah, I have to leave no later than four or so." Hiei said, he'd told his sister a little white lie, which she seemed to pick up on, but he only did it because he wanted to spend time with the red head. Well, that was what he was hoping for anyways.

There was that damn silence again and Hiei fidgeted as Kurama began to undress, but he got up the nerve to say. "I'm done with everything I'd needed to do, so do you want to do something. I thought we could…"

(Nothin's wrong, just as long as you know that someday I will)

"Hiei." Kurama said softly, pausing in his undress.

Hiei walked over and stood right in front of the red head, staring into those emerald green eyes with hurt in his red ones. "Why are you pushing me away?" He growled.

Kurama froze. "I'm not…I just have…"

(Someday, somehow, gonna make it all right, but not right now. I know you're wondering when (You're the only one who knows that))

(Someday, somehow, gonna make it all right, but not right now. I know you're wondering when.)

Hiei had had enough. "Don't give me that bullshit. From the first night I told you I had heard from them, to them wanting to interview me, to me telling you I've accepted the job. You've been avoiding me."

"I've had…" Hiei cut him off.

"I know your mother is sick, but we've had time. You just keep making excuses and…"

(Well I hoped that since we're here anyway. We could end up saying things we've always needed to say. So we could end up stringing. Now the story's played out like this. Just like a paperback novel. Let's rewrite an ending that fits…instead of a Hollywood horror.)

This time Kurama cut in, anger beginning to show. "Maybe it's because you sounded so happy to have a chance to get out of here. Maybe it's because when we do have a moment together, all you talk about is how wonderful this place is. How great it's going to be for us. I'm sorry Hiei…but there's not going to be an 'us' there. Don't you get it? I have someone who is relying on me. ME, to see to her needs, she's had no one else since my father and step-father passed, just me. I can't just get her on her feet and then say, okay…bye, I'll write and visit when I can."

"She can come with us." Hiei plundered out.

"What?" Kurama's eyebrows arched.

(Nothin's wrong, just as long as you know that someday I will)

Not really thinking, just spilling out the first thing that came to mind, Hiei said. "She can stay with us. Maybe get her an apartment in town. She could walk to everything and meet new people."

"I think I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Kurama said and walked towards the bathroom. He had been taking showers every night trying to keep the smell of the hospital off him.

"What's wrong with it?" Hiei called out, following. Damn it, he was not an idiot. "I'm not selfish." He added and he really didn't think he was acting it either.

Kurama turned abruptly to see the smaller figure right in front of him. "But you're being unreasonable. Mother has special needs. She needs medical treatment that requires more than just some local family doctor."

"I'm not giving up on us that easy." Hiei whispered, looking again into green eyes.

"But I have to." Kurama whispered back, walking away.

(Someday, somehow, gonna make it all right, but not right now. I know you're wondering when (You're the only one who knows that))

Hiei stood there as the bathroom door closed and he heard the water turn on. He paced and just when he thought the red head was never coming out, the door opened and Kurama stepped out wearing pajama bottoms.

"Why?" Hiei said, standing defiant, wanting an answer.

"What do you want from me?!" Kurama yelled. "Even mother thinks I'm leaving. I can't believe she expects me to go with you. You told her that you'd asked me to go with you. How dare you try to persuade her into thinking I was leaving."

Hiei didn't even blink. This was what he'd been expecting all week. Maybe this was what he was personally pushing for. He had been watching Kurama walk around like a zombie for the past week, trying to control all the bent up emotions.

"She's going to be alright." Hiei finally said.

Kurama stood there blinking. "I…I hope your right." He whispered. "I just…I just can't leave her right now." He said, starting to shake.

"She was the one that assumed. I told her that I would like you to join me and she was happy for you, for us." Hiei said, walking over, wanting to comfort the red head. They had been sleeping in the same bed, but every time the black haired rolled over to cuddle or even comfort, he was brushed off.

(How the hell did we wind up like this? Why weren't we able? To see the signs that we missed and try to turn the tables.)

(Now the story's played out like this. Just like a paperback novel. Let's rewrite an ending that fits…instead of a Hollywood horror.)

Kurama stepped back, but Hiei grabbed his wrist. "Hiei, please…I…"

"You what?" Hiei said softly, not letting go and pulling until he had his arms around the lean waist.

The red head stood as stiff as a cardboard cutout. Hiei didn't push, just stood there calmly, resting his head on the bare chest.

Drip…drip…there it was. The first tears that needed to be shed. He could tell Kurama was trying to hold back, so he held tighter and began rubbing circles on the pale back. "Let it out." He whispered.

Kurama broke, sobs shaking his body as he let all the emotions of his mother's health and Hiei's leaving wash over him. His knees buckled and the smaller figure was able to help him to the floor where he just held onto the red head for dear life as he let it all out. The memories of the night on the beach that first time he saw Kurama break down came flooding back. The red head was stubborn, just like his mother, holding everything in until it blew.

(Nothin's wrong, just as long as you know that someday I will)

Not knowing how much time had past, but knowing it had been awhile, since his leg was beginning to cramp, Hiei whispered. "Kurama." Moving, now dry, red hair away from Kurama's face, he noted green eyes were closed, breathing calm.

Hiei took a deep breath, Kurama hadn't been sleeping well since all this mess began and now here he was, in the middle of the floor, sound asleep.

With a few grunts and groans, the small figure was able to pick up the taller one and move them to the bed. Kurama woke just enough to help get under the blankets and then he moved over and snuggled up to Hiei, falling right back to sleep.

Hiei lay there, holding the man he had come to care about very much. The word 'love' came to mind and he realized the two had never said the word to each other in the years they'd been together.

Hiei lay there all night, thinking of his past, his future and everything in between.

(Someday, somehow, gonna make it all right, but not right now. I know you're wondering when (You're the only one who knows that))

'Was this how it was going to end?' He began to think. 'I'm I willing to give up that easily?' 'Has Kurama already given up on us?' He realized the two never talked about the future much. Neither one had ever suggested they move in together. Was it because each felt safer, knowing they could go back to their 'home' if something were to happen.

Hiei had been the one to suggest Kurama buy the loft when it became available, he never thought to ask the red head to move in with him. Though Kurama had told him that he had moved in with Kuronue after only a few months of dating and then later in with Karasu so they could mourn his death together. Now knowing Karasu's true intentions, he couldn't blame the red head for wanting a place of his own.

So maybe they had both subconsciously kept their distance to a certain degree. Both not wanting to make any commitments they knew, deep down, they couldn't keep. One having had one night stands, many one night stands and one, what he thought, was a serious relationship. The other one having a serious relationship, only to have that person die and then someone take advantage of his mourning to use him.

With his hand subconsciously rubbing the red head's back, he continued to lay there thinking, refusing to look at the clock. As long it was dark out then he had time, time to cherish this moment. He had always thought Kurama would leave him, finally finding him boring, undesirable. Leaving him forbidden just like he felt when his mother died. He felt the red head shift some and stopped rubbing, looking down to see Kurama looking up at him.

Kurama leaned up and kissed him on the lips while moving so he was straddling the smaller figure.

Hiei brought his hands up to tangle in the red locks as Kurama leaned in and kissed him again. The red head's kisses were always sensual, carnal even when forced, always seeming to send tingling sensations down his sides. He never knew kisses could be this way, having always experienced 'slobbery' quick ones, like they were some sort of nuisance that happened during sex. The red head's tongue danced inside his mouth, like it was trying to savor his insides. He wanted to remember them this way. Wanted to remember how Kurama's hands felt when they raveished his body. How they groped, molesting his body, never forcibly, but with tenderness and care. How they gave pleasure with every touch as they pinched, rubbed, probed.

Kurama paused in his ministrations, locking his eyes with red ones as best he could in the dark. There was a full moon out and the lights along the piers, so he could make out Hiei's expression.

(Nothin's wrong, just as long as you know that someday I will)

Kurama didn't say anything as his hands began to pull on Hiei's shirt in desperate need, actually ripping the shirt away. Hiei brought his hands up, stopping the red head and saying. "No…no regrets, not like this."

Again, Kurama didn't say anything. He just leaned over and began attacking the small figure with kisses, nips, suckling along the neck/shoulder and then attaching to a nipple, causing Hiei to arch and cry out. When he arched his hips, hands had already undone his pants and they were jerked off, tossed haphazardly across the room. Kurama didn't waste anytime getting his underwear off either.

Hiei grabbed the lean wrists, trying to get Kurama to slow down, but the red head fought him to get loose. "Please Hiei…I need to feel you one last time."

(Someday, somehow, gonna make it all right, but not right now. I know you're wondering when (You're the only one who knows that))

Seeing the plea in the green orbs, Hiei let go and surrendered to the red head. Kurama continued where he left off, kissing his way down the black haired's body. The red head moved slowly, like he was mapping every scar, noting every reaction to his touches. The small figure then felt his thighs being pushed apart and without warning or any teasing, Kurama took Hiei's cock in his mouth and began suckling quickly.

(I know you're wondering when. (You're the only one who knows that.))

Hiei about hit the roof, the sensations washing over his body like a volcano erupting and not being able to control the hot lava burning down his insides. Feeling movement, Hiei felt Kurama fumbling to remove his pants and he tried to slow things down again. He quickly found out however that Kurama had no intentions of moving slow as he straddled him again and without any preparation, slowly impaled himself on Hiei's, now hard, member.

"Stop." Hiei called out, firmly grabbing the red head's waist in a death grip, trying to keep the man from hurting himself. "You've not been prepared…let me…" It was in vain and he cried out.

"Kurama!" As the red head leaned his body over his and continued to move down, ignoring the death grip that was now on his upper thighs. Hiei had thought in the beginning that the way the man was acting he was going to be the uke. Kurama never forced then turned around and surrender. Blinking to get focus, he saw the red head with his head back, eyes closed and he was sure Kurama had hurt himself, but the head tilted forward with green eyes glowing almost gold in the darkness. The red head then let out a long deep throated moan before he began to bounce up and down, locking his green eyes with red ones.

It was a cross between pleasure and pain as the red head moved at a feverish pace, but it wasn't long before Hiei cried out again as he came, his hands still holding onto the lean thighs in a death grip.

With his head swimming and his body, tingling, numb, Hiei didn't know if Kurama had found release. By the time things came back into focus, the red head was laying along his chest and he could feel content breathing.

(I know you're wondering when. (You're the only one who knows that.))

As Hiei finally let sleep wash over him, the sun was coming up.

Sometime during the morning hours, when the sun came up, Hiei woke to Kurama ravishing him again, but this time he made sure the red head took him. They were two different feelings after all, the feeling of being inside someone and the feeling of someone being inside of you.

a)a)a)a

Around four o'clock in the afternoon, Hiei slipped out of bed, leaving the red head asleep. It would seem Kurama had slept well, he needed it and the black haired was glad he'd stayed until the last minute. He would be pushing his luck with the schedule, but if traffic and weather cooperated then he should get there with time to spare. Hoping not to wake the man in bed, he grabbed his clothes from the night before and tossed them in his pack. Grabbing fresh ones, he quietly entered the bathroom to take a quick shower.

Coming out fully dressed, Hiei didn't see green eyes watching him as he packed the last of his things. The red head watched silently, wondering if the man he had come to possibly love was just going to walk out and not say anything.

Letting out a deep sigh, Hiei turned to look at the man laying in bed one last time, trying to burn the image of the one he had possibly come to love into the retina of his eye and then into his mind. He had never truly experienced love before, so maybe that wasn't the right word. Yes, he loved his sister, but that was a deep caring, wanting to protect type of love.

Realizing there were green eyes looking at him, the black haired walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. Neither said anything as they both leaned into each other and kissed.

Kurama sat up and hugged him. Holding onto the small figure like it was the last time and maybe deep down Hiei was beginning to realize this was going to be the last time. That Kurama had no plans to join him, even in the future.

Finally pulling back, Hiei said.

"You can still change your mind."

"It's already been made and you know the reasons why."

"I'll visit on weekends, when I can and of course on holidays."

Green eyes looked down and gave a slight nod in understanding.

"Tell Shori that I hope she feels better and give her my regards."

This time he couldn't see the green eyes, but again saw the slight nod of the head. He had thought about stopping by and telling her good bye, but how could he face her. Especially after he had just assumed…never mind, it didn't matter now.

"I guess I should get going." The blacked haired said, walking over to the dinning room table to get his things. Shouldering his pack, red eyes looked over one last time at the man sitting on the bed before he headed to the door of the red head's loft.

"Hiei." Kurama paused then looked up to make sure he'd stop. He had, with his hand on the knob. "Take care of yourself."

"I will." Hiei said and walked out the door. Closing the door behind him, the black haired paused and looked at it, lost in thought. He could still walk back in and beg the red head to come along, there was still time to walk in and say fine 'you win', but this chance was a dream come true. A dream that had been practically placed in his lap and he wanted it with all his being. He hadn't been doing all those things for nothing, he had worked hard to get where he's at. Brushing fingers lightly across the door, the once EMT whispered. "You take care of yourself as well." Before turning and walking away.

Back inside the loft, Kurama fell back on the bed with a heavy sigh. 'Two years…two years they'd been together.' Green eyes watered, but he refused to cry. At least Hiei wasn't dead, he had walked out on his own two feet and they had separated with both of their consent. So what was the point of crying? The red head rolled to his side, looking out over the piers and the tears that had been pooling gave way to gravity as he lay there, staring until the sun set.

Though as the last rays faded into the horizon…the phone rang.

a)a)a)a

Across town, a light was on, on the top floor of a well known office building. The rest of its occupations had already gone home hours ago, but two still remained to finish up a few last important matters.

Yuu Kaitou stepped into the office without knocking.

"What is it?" The man asked, looking up from his desk in irritation at the abrupt intrusion.

"Sir, we've just received the fax listing the new Emergency Service personnel for the resort and…" Yuu began to ramble.

"Let me see." Karasu said, cutting the young man off by holding out his hand, wanting to see for himself.

Taking the folder, the long black haired man pushed away from his desk and crossed his knees before flipping it open. Pondering the list, he gave a firm nod as he saw the first name on the roster, 'Jaganshi, Hiei-Captain.'

"So he accepted the offer." Karasu muttered, closing the file and sitting forward so he could hand it back.

Yuu took the folder. Opening it, he said. "So it says." He'd not dare look at the list until his boss asked or seen it first.

"Excellent." Karasu said, turning around in his chair. "How's the mother?" He then asked.

Yuu closed the folder and lowered his eyes. "I called the doctor like you asked and it seems things are not as well as they'd hoped."

"I'm sorry to hear that, maybe I should…" Karasu said softly, not turning around as he watched the night life.

"I've already sent flowers, is there something else you would like me to…" Yuu informed.

"No." Karasu said, cutting the man off as he turned back around. "No, I think this calls for a more…'personal' intervention." Stacking some folder to the side, he notice Yuu still standing there and said. "Oh, thank you Yuu, you may retire for the night." He waved his hand in a dismissal manner.

"Thank you sir." Yuu said and hurried out of the office.

When the door closed, Karasu turned back around to stare back out the window.

"My poor pet." He muttered, watching the headlights of traffic rush by. "Your world seems to be turned upside down at the moment. Let's see if I can help you turn it right side up."

End Chapter 7

Lyrics to the Song: Someday - By:Nickelback

Well, we've finally come full circle….

A big HUGE THANK YOU! goes to KyoHana for allowing me the use of her Haikus. I have plans to use a few more, so for now I humbly bow and say. "It is an honor to use such wonderful masterpieces." Though there is no way to ever repay her for being with me from the very beginning with her support of encouraging words and of course all her reviews. Any mistakes made in typing the Haikus are purely mine and mine alone.