Disclaimer: I don't own YYH.

Thanks to my reviewers:

sara-chan10- I feel bad for Kurama, too.

Shorty14- Thanks…but the bowing is a little much :-) Actually, makes me feel special. Thanks a lot, I'm really glad you appreciate my work. Just don't throw me into your room! –hides—

A Life of Rules is No Fun- You're right, it is sad…and they all probably will need therapy…

Kitsune No Youkai- Thanks! Here's the update!

Bluespark- I know, that's why I put them in. I wanted to show another side of Hiei. And yes, Kuronue is there, too!

Lachwen- Glad you like it! Here's the update!

KayHiei- Yes, poor Kurama. And about Hiei…well, you may still get your wish…

(Note: This story, as well as ALL my work, is strictly non-yaoi. I don't like it, so I don't write it. Thank you.)

Hello, and Happy New Year! This is my first update of 2005! Sorry it took so long. I'm glad everyone likes this story so far. Enjoy the next chapter, and please review!

…………………

Something strange was taking place in the Minamino household.

Suuichi Minamino had always gotten up early every morning. He would shower, dress, and eat breakfast in a matter of minutes. Then it was off to school.

He was always the first one there, being the perfect student he was. In class, he was the first to raise his hand, even when he wasn't sure of an answer, which was very rare.

He always had his homework in on time, always got the best grades, always made sure his schedule was timed perfectly so that he made all his club meetings, and always finished his household chores, and always made time enough to meet up with the rest of the Tentai to plan the next mission.

But lately, changes were taking place.

The alarm buzzed, but went unheard until the last possible minute. The school bell chimed possible lateness to the clatter of running feet. The usual hand in the classroom remained low. The homework was unfinished, the answers to tests forgotten, the schedule in chaos, the chores undone.

The teachers could find no explanation for this sudden change in Suuichi's behavior. Neither could his mother, who couldn't connect with her son anymore.

But this behavior was shared by two other teens of the same town, though it was not as pronounced. Yusuke Urameshi slacked off and cut class more then usual, and not even the harassment of Keiko would stop him. Kazuma Kuwabara allowed his already undesirable appearance to dwindle, and found himself not really caring about who took over who's turf.

The three teammates barely met anymore, whether for a trip to the movies or training sessions. When they did see each other, a slight nod of the head was their greeting.

When on missions for Koenma, they put everything aside and just did their job, with no care in the world as to whether or not they died. Missions were finished quickly, and no mercy was shown.

It was never noticed that Kurama was always the one who escaped near death unscathed, or came out of battle as the one with the least injuries. For it was never Kurama's time to die, even though he wished his life would simply end.

On occasion Kurama would talk to himself, pretending that he was talking to Hiei, the only person he could ever really talk to about anything. The fire demon would be there, listening, and, unbeknownst to the fox, would talk back.

Hiei watched over him night and day. His heart was sickened by the state his friend had fallen into. If only he knew. If only, just once, they could talk face to face. If only he could tell Kurama everything, tell him not to despair, tell him that he was always there for him.

But all he could do was watch over his best friend, leap in the way of an oncoming attack and take the hit, protecting Kurama from the dangers of enemies, the way Kara had protected him all those years.

Many years passed in the Kingdom, though it was a mere four months in Ningenkai. Kara, acting on Kyota's behalf, checked in on Hiei from time to time.

The ruler of the Kingdom had recovered easily after a bit of rest. The bondage of Hiei to Kurama had drained him, like the bondage of all guardians did.

While he rested, Kara reported back to him the successes of Hiei.

"He seems to be doing very well," she said after four ningen months had gone by. "Even though he is still hurting inside. I doubt that guilty wound inside him will ever heal."

"As do I," Kyota replied. "But the time of his final challenge is fast approaching. He must be prepared to face it."

"Final challenge?" Kara questioned.

"After another four month's time in Ningenkai, it will be revealed," Kyota said. "For now, be patient."

Another four months went by. The remaining members of the Tentai began to come to terms with Hiei's death. Their lifestyles slowly improved, their teachers ceased to worry, and they came back from their missions with the happiness of being alive. The wounds in their hearts were covered. Even so, they weren't about to heal.

One night, while Hiei watched Kurama's sleeping form, Kara appeared. "Kyota wants to see you," she told him.

"Why?" he asked.

"I can't say. Come on, hurry up! We haven't got all night!" she said. Grabbing a surprised Hiei by the wrist, they were pulled through space and into Kyota's office.

"What the heck do you want with me now?!" Hiei snapped as soon as they arrived. "You're the one who practically shoved me out the door! Am I not doing my job right or something?!"

"Not at all," Kyota laughed. "Actually you're here because you're doing your job perfectly."

Kara used Hiei's confusion to make him sit down in the comfy armchair that appeared. Another appeared for herself, and she sat down as well.

"You're here because it's time for your final challenge," Kyota said.

"My final...what the heck are you talking about?! You gave me the challenge eight months ago!"

"That was only the preliminary, the first step of a bigger mission."

"What?!"

"Just calm down, and I'll explain everything."

Hiei folded his arms against his chest. His eyes grew wide as Kyota explained the final ordeal.