I don't own the characters

Chapter 10

After another mind boggling love making with Hiei, Kagome was finding it difficult to sleep in the den. Carefully she slipped from the bed hoping not to wake Hiei and dressed in the sports bra and yoga pants she had with her. Careful not to make a sound she made her way to the garden and over to the catalogs they had discovered earlier. Hoping up into one of the overgrown trees and settled into the bole. A lamp weed was brought to her by one of her vines and she began to read the careful scrawl. The author of the catalog was very thorough with how to care for plant and even harvest each of the plants in the garden, of which there were over two hundred species. Hopping down Kagome stood in the center of the garden and spoke.

"It is a pleasure to meet all of you. Forgive me for not knowing proper decorum to care for you where you are, but I do not wish to disturb the care you received from the female who cared for you last. But if I may I would take your seeds to plant anew in a garden where I will love and care for your seedlings."

A rustle moved through the garden and she smiled. She began at one side and carefully collected the seeds they offered in another bowl crafted of her thin vines. As she went the plants also gifted her of their fruits and vegetables in season. She accepted each with a smile and a gentle word. "Thanks."

Hiei watched her from the doorway. He hadn't been asleep when she left the bed and had followed her to observe. Youko had done much the same at nights when he was restless, often spending the nights tending his garden or just looking out at the growing plants in the starlight. Hiei shook his head and walked back to what was the cooking room and collected some baskets and earthenware bowls, then he took them to her. "Can't sleep?"

The silver vixen lost in her task didn't hear him approach. Kagome jumped. "Oh, Hiei! You startled me." she laughed softly and then her face fell in worry, "did I wake you?"

Hiei offered her the baskets and the bowls he had brought, "no, I don't sleep when outside of Alaric in the Makai. Besides, I only require an hour or two unless I have summoned the dragon and must hibernate to regain strength. Eventually you will find that an hour or two is sufficient for you as well. Right now you sleep longer because your human mentality says you need it. Here I thought these might assist you. I know only a little of plants, but the names of a few and that this, this and those make a adequate meal when paired with a Makai elk-bison in a stew."

He pointed to a oddly shaped squash that was deep red and a tuber that was bluish green with white flecks and a small pile of fruits that reminded Kagome of a strawberry in shape but a blackberry in color it smelled like a pepper. "Well, I might know a little more about medicinal herbs than you, but without the catalog we found and I read, I would know about the same. So I guess we learn together. This is a Ruby Squash and it has a mild buttery taste when slowly cooked and seasoned with sea salt." she read. Kagome flipped a couple pages, "Ah, this one," she pointed to the tuber, "Is Makai garlic, pungent with a slightly bitter bite. Can be dried and used as a seasoning rather than fresh, if the bite is too strong. These here are called Pucker peppers, spicy and sour, also can be dried to increase the heat. All of the plants that are edible also have cooking tips and uses. I think whoever wrote this manuscript cared very much for Youko."

"Hn, perhaps, let's gather up these vegetables and fruits and get some rest." Hiei shrugged as he gathered everything up into a basket while Kagome collected her seeds into an earthenware bowl. His thoughts drifted to Youko and he shook his head slightly to shake the worry creeping in. Something didn't feel right...The look in Youko's eyes before, he'd been too angry to see it then, but now looking back- was it fear? The memory of the encounter came unbidden and he considered his thoughts at the time.

Hiei glared at the floor, his thoughts dark with anger. "Why are you here." It wasn't what he wanted to say seeing Youko, being so close to Youko after so long. There was something off about the silver kitsune standing before him, something that was wrong. His proud shoulders were slumped and his ears drooped. But his eyes bespoke of something Hiei had never seen, never wanted to see.

There was a tone in Youko's voice, too subtle with Hiei's anger and hurt to see it. It blinded him to what Youko's eyes were saying and his tone was exposing. "To apologize. In a week there is a chance I won't be myself anymore, and I wanted a chance to tell you that I regret leaving you, I regret not making you mine, back then. I regret sneaking out that night and leaving you. Please forgive me Dragon. I found her and we can be happy again Hiei, like before."

What had he missed? What had he meant by a chance he wouldn't be himself? Youko spoke of things being as they were, but he didn't believe it. His eyes said as much. He was saying goodbye. In case whatever he was doing failed...Oh god. "Kagome we have to go back. Now. Tonight." he reached out for the mental connection he had with Kurama and found nothing. It hadn't been blocked off. It was more like it had never been. The only way to end that connection through the Jagan is if I break it or if they are dead...He didn't wait the week? Dread coiled in his belly and he gritted his teeth against the sudden pain in his chest at the idea that either of them were- Did I cause it? Did Youko take my leaving as rejection and kill them both?! Would he go so far?

Leaving tonight? What happened to training? Wait, he looks kind of pale...Kagome dusted off her hands on her pants and stood up picking up the basket and the bowl. Hiei's actions were concerning. "Hiei did something happen?" Her blue eyes studied him as he grew grimmer. "What's the matter?"

"I can't reach Kurama or Youko through telepathy." Hiei dug into his pocket for his little used communicator and flipped it open. Koenma answer the damn com. Koenma's solemn face appeared in the mirror and Hiei's heart plummeted at the grim look he got. It was in the eyes looking back at him. His hope crumbled at the sight. Oh god...

"Hello Hiei." Koenma's tone was heavy. "What can I do for you?"

The Reikai king didn't even try to smile in greeting and Hiei glared back trying to force down his panic. "Don't bullshit me, you know why I have called." Hiei snapped. His eyes studied the expression of the other man in the mirror screen. The droop of his shoulders and the weight of sorrow in his eyes...Oh god...no...

"I do." Koenma agreed after a thick pause. "You sensed something and you want me to confirm or deny it. Kurama asked me to preform a separation for he and Youko. It didn't go as well as I hoped. Kurama isn't-" Koenma took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he seemed to gather his words.

Hiei didn't want to hear them. "I-enough Koenma. I understand. I will return for the services." Hiei stated his voice flat. Oh god...not Youko...not Kurama...not again "I take it that there is nothing that can be done for them? Nothing you can do?"

Koenma looked mournful "I did everything I could, Hiei. What services? There isn't a funeral or anything."

No funeral...Hiei felt a flash of fury arch up his spine and coil low in his belly. He was your friend...have you no honor? "You will not honor his passing?"

Koenma blinked. Hiei looked angrily back and Koenma's face softened. "Oh, he didn't die Hiei. There is no need to do so. Wait, who are you asking about?"

"Do you take me for a fool? Your expression tells me something uncorrectable has happened and with the topic of conversation it is obvious who I am-"

Koenma raised his eyebrow "Youko is alive and well Hiei."

Hiei rolled his eyes at the implied tone. "Of course he is, he didn't fully die the last time. Kurama, tell me how is Kurama?!" Koenma knew something and Hiei pushed down the relief hiding it with frustration. God-fucking-dammit just tell me

Koenma's grin fell, "He is, or rather Shuuichi is just fine. Yusuke took him home and is taking good care of him. Speaking of which, you should know your pursuit of Yusuke is over."

Hiei tried to fight the smirk that tried to creep on to his lips making them quirk, "So Kurama finally caught him did he?"

Koenma slapped his hand down on the desk. "You knew? Stupid question, you have the Jagan, of course you knew. Were you trying to push them together by acting interested in Yusuke?" Koenma slumped back in his chair. "I thought you were going to kill Kurama for taking him."

Hiei frowned "Koenma, I take insult at that. Yusuke is a powerful youkai and his power is attractive. I would not have objected had he chosen me. Koenma, your begging face is annoying just ask."

Koenma twiddled his thumbs, looking uncomfortable "were you and Youko really lovers Hiei?"

"A very long time ago." Hiei replied softer than he meant to.

"This is very important Hiei and I am asking you this because I see you as much my friend, do you want to see Youko again? If you say no I will banish him and you will never have to see or hear from him again."

"Banishment?" No! I-need to see him "Wouldn't Kurama be upset at his banishment? You are not making sense, Koenma." Hiei growled into the communicator.

Koenma sighed, "It's complicated Hiei. Yes or no?"

Hiei reached behind him and took Kagome's hand as she softly offered her support. "I have need to speak with him, where is he?" Koenma gaped as his eyes landed on the vixen.

"Hiei, is that?" he spluttered. "I thought Youko was at the old temple!"

"Good evening Koenma sama." Kagome greeted. She offered him a smile and then Hiei turned her face to his and kissed her, while the Reikai king gasped.

Hiei snapped the lid shut and tucked the communicator back in his pocket. He chuckled. "That was worth it. And we know where Youko is. Get some sleep lover, we will go see him tomorrow."

Kagome took his hand and gave it a squeeze, "Hiei what happens if tomorrow Youko wants me back?" Her blue eyes searched his eyes for the answer. Will you walk away? Hiei, I think I am coming to care for you but I-

"I won't give you up. He will either accept that I am with you and join us, or we will fight there is no other way. I don't forsee him being against joining us however. Prepare yourself for that."

"Will you let him back in?" Kagome asked softly. "I know he hurt you..."

Hiei grit his teeth, "As he has to die for you to be, I see no alternitive to what must happen. It would be foolish to reject him for what has to be. Yes, I was hurt, but before I had no reason to him leaving me. Now I understand. Kagome, if you are able, when you go back prepare me for this outcome. I will take it much better if I know."

"A letter. Write a letter to yourself and when I am leaving I will give it to you. You can tell your younger self the truth and that way you can believe it. It would be better that way don't you think?" Kagome suggested as she followed him back to bed.

"Hn, perhaps. Sleep Kagome, tomorrow will be emotional."