Hiei returned to Mukuro's fortress after confirming that the block or—pocket dimension had not moved. He could not get too close to it, but with his jagan, he was able to discover the number of demons inside of it. Most of them were A-Class demons, save for two of them who were S-Class. He recognized none of them, but hardly mattered. They're strong.

That gave the fire demon a thrill of excitement. Besides the Demon World Tournament, fighting had crawled to an almost stand still. That did not mean that the lower classes didn't bicker and war amongst themselves but finding a strong enough opponent to test Hiei had to be exclusively reserved for the tournament.

That was no longer true. Hiei wanted them both for himself, but he had no doubt the detective would selfishly want at least one of them. He supposed he would oblige, if the detective could manage to keep up. But, of that, he had no doubt. Yusuke's power was what caused Hiei to admire and even rely on him partially. That wouldn't change any time soon.

When the bloodshed started, he'd have to push the demon as far away from Aurora as he could manage. He couldn't know how strong her barrier was until it had been tested. Even then, it would be stupid to take the risk. He smirked, Irritating girl. Knowing her she'll find some way to endanger herself regardless of the precautions taken. Kurama will have to stay with her. She courted accidents the way he courted war.

"You're in a mood." Mukuro said from behind him. He felt her approach, but the landscape of Demon World kept his attention. "What's captured your attention, I wonder?"

"Mukuro," Hiei finally put his eyes on her, after allowing for the sound of her steps to cease. "If you have something to say, say it."

She folded her hands behind her back, stepping closer. "I'm curious, Hiei. What is it you find so fascinating? Potential, perhaps?"

"What makes you think I was even thinking about her?" Hiei snapped venomously.

"Because I never said you were." She responded simply, making Hiei curse himself for walking right into her trap. Women and their games. She chuckled, "I didn't even say what girl. But, of course, it's Eris' heir."

Hiei didn't respond, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. Mukuro liked to dawdle sometimes, but Hiei was not the one to stand beating around the bush for long. For her, he usually made an exception.

Mukuro gave him a slow smile, "Do you even know?"

Hiei narrowed his eyes as she spoke, she was just coming upon her reason for approaching him. Something about the glee in her eyes, told him he wouldn't like it.

Mukuro's knowing, gleeful tone put Hiei on edge. "Before you rush to her side—as I'm sure you want to do—"

Hiei growled in irritation at the assumption.

"You should let me remind you of something you seem to have forgotten."

Hiei stilled. Behind her glee, there was a hint of concern there. That unnerved him. "What?"

()()()

I did not, under any circumstances, touch my jealousy at all in the days that followed. Nope. Not me.

I decided to write it off as being under acute duress. A lot can happen under that apparently.

"How strong is your barrier anyway?" Kuwabara asked me as Kurama randomly pulled a rose out of his hair and flicked it into a long, green whip. It didn't look like any regular looking rose either, although I'm told it totally is. Kuwabara eyed that whip suspiciously. I don't blame the guy. I'm a little surprised Kurama just keeps it on him like that. But—Hey! That's probably why he smells like roses.

Mystery solved.

"That is what we're here to find out," Kurama commented with a slight raise of his eyebrows. "Don't worry. I don't believe I'll be able to crack it, but just in case, you should stay towards the center."

I scoffed in disbelief, "Don't know why you're telling me that," I pointed a thumb over to the tough guy, "Kuwabara's the one over here panicking. I'm cool."

"It's not that I doubt you," Kuwabara said gruffly, "or distrust Kurama. It's just that, you know, none of us have actually seen you in action."

I took both of my hands and threw them at Kurama, "He's seen me. He spies on Hiei and I all the time."

Kurama's expression wrinkled slightly, "A strange choice of words, but, yes, I have seen her train. You have nothing to fear, Kuwabara. Rest assured."

Kuwabara looked doubtful but made no other comment, striding away to give the two of us some space. I watched him retreat and then put my smirk on Kurama. He wore an orange jacket lined with blue, jeans, and white t-shirt. It was so odd seeing him dressing like us regular folks.

"Is there something you find amusing, Aurora?" Kurama paced around me in a circle, that whip of his in his right hand, furthest from me.

"Nothing, just, I didn't know you could go casual." I said with an impressed nod. "You look good."

"Flattery…are you trying to distract me?" Kurama asked, ever the sweet one.

I should say yes, but I'm not. He's just too attractive for his own good. If anything, I'm the one distracted. I say nothing instead, focusing on the pool of energy at my core. I burrow into it, shake it awake and make it spread out. I unclasp my hands and open my eyes, holding my arms straight out. I sit in a translucent sphere made of gold, every other color slithering here or there, but gold is the main character in this story. I feel coolness on the pads of each of my fingers, a stark contrast to the slight warmth at my center.

I float in the middle of it as it hovers only a foot off the ground.

Kurama catches my gaze and gives me a nod of approval, and then begins to circle me again, eyes narrowed in fierce concentration. I understand now why everyone calls him a fox. Two reasons.

The first is how he immediately turns into a predator, so quickly I almost forget we're just practicing here. His eyes are ever watchful, looking for chinks in my armor to exploit, no doubt. His bangs hide the slight darkening of his eyes and I think they save me a little. Hiei could be scary. But when Kurama was scary he looked like a ruthless son-of-a-bitch, like you don't want to fuck with him on any day.

Also, Kurama is hot. Like he's super hot when he's in predator mode. Or I have a problem. No need to dwell anymore on that.

We didn't speak, but I felt like he was icing me out for a reason. I lost sight of him as he tracked behind me, but I didn't turn. I was confident. Well…I was until I saw Kurama flip his 'don't fuck with me switch.'

Suddenly, I hear a crackling and I turn, barrier intact. Kurama is a lot further back than I remember, which meant the barrier pushed him back.

He stands still for a moment and then charges forward, green eyes looking like a couple of kill lasers. I'm about to run when I remember…I'm in a barrier. I give myself a nervous laugh.

His whip flashes around in a frenzy, snapping at my barrier like it's an animal. As the whip is thrown back with just as much vigor as it's attacked, Kurama increases his speed and ferocity, somehow managing to dodge the whip rebounding and then attacking in the next second. He jumps then, sailing over me, and I watch as the whips strikes at my face…only to be stopped by the barrier. He lands on the other side and turns, striking out again and again. Now he circles me quickly, the snaps coming so fast I can't keep up with his hands. For minutes, the snapping of the whip is the only sound I hear, crowding in on me.

I flinch at the most surprising strikes, the ones he aimed near my feet and then the ones he had to leap to execute. It's almost like he's noiselessly growling at me, his eyes hard and cold. Treacherous.

"Increase its size." Kurama demands icily, his voice startling me. His voice comes from nowhere. I attempt to find him but the strike from behind me gives me a hint.

I do as I'm told, blocking out the assaults surrounding me. I take a deep breath, whispering to that warmth, and I coax it out, increasing its girth in all directions. I push it out until it's at least fifty feet in every direction. I open my eyes and rise higher off the ground, so my barrier isn't digging into the ground and creating craters everywhere. Kyoko can change the barrier's shape into a semi-sphere. With me, it's sphere or bust.

The snaps from his whips are still audible, but they don't feel like they're yelling directly into my eardrums. He increases his speed, circling, jumping. He continues at this for what feels like minutes and I'm relieved when he finally pulls himself to a stop, eyes giving the barrier a final cursory glance.

I await his verdict eagerly, but it doesn't come, instead, he rolls up his whip and turns to Kuwabara, motioning him forward. I can't hear them talking, but I see Kuwabara give a stiff nod. Kurama steps back, and good ole Kuwabara holds out his right hand, a burst of yellow energy forming there and shaping itself into a sword.

"Aurora," Kurama calls to me, "Increase its size once more."

I do what I'm told, surprised I don't feel a single bit of strain as I do it. I add on five more feet…and then ten more.

Kurama nods and Kuwabara runs straight for me, his sword at the ready.

I'm not sure what's happening until he slices downward and hacks through my barrier.

The surprise distracts me enough that I actually drop the whole damn thing and plummet towards the earth. I was going to stop myself before I hit, but Kurama's red hair flashes from his space. I know he's come to catch me and I'm not entirely surprised when his hands cup my thighs, holding me as if I weighed nothing. I place my hands on his shoulders and look down at him with raised eyebrows. The way he looks at me from this position is…distracting. When people with long eyelashes look up at you, the look always does look a bit more intense than it should. I'm not sure why I'm so surprised. "You really should have warned me he could do that."

"I imagined you would have remembered." Kurama said playfully, "My mistake."

His grip loosens, and I slip through his hands, his fingers brushing up my thighs, and he steadies me by the waist, my feet on safe ground. "Thanks for the save."

"No thanks needed." He tells me, hands still on my waist. "I wanted you to be a little unprepared for Kuwabara's strike, so you wouldn't have time to strengthen your barrier."

I nod my head, "I get that." And then I feel I have to tell him, "Oh, I'm good by the way. You can let me go."

He tilts his head to the side in question, "I'm sorry, but I don't get your meaning."

I look around, and then take my hands off his shoulders, "It's just that you've still got me."

Kurama gave me a slightly deprecating laugh, "My apologies. You hadn't let go either, so I was slightly confused."

True that. Still, there's something weird about the way he says it. But, Kurama's always been weird.

I shrug, "That's my bad. It's just that, you know, Kurama…"

"Yes?" Kurama sure knew how to piss people off, talking to them like he'd like nothing more than to hear the sound of their voice. What a jerk.

I wrinkle my nose and side eye him, "You're kind of attractive when you're in full on predator mode. Like distractingly so. It's crazy."

Kurama chuckles , clearly amused, but he doesn't disagree. So conceited. "Predator mode?"

"Yep. That's what I said." I give it more thought, biting my lip. "I probably should have said fox-mode, huh? Also, don't get all offended on me, I also gave you a really nice compliment in there somewhere."

"I heard it, only it was a little overshadowed by the slight." He said teasingly.

"Kurama don't act like I won't compliment you and then slight you in the next sentence." I say with a wild wave of my hand. "It's how I function."

Kurama gave me a deep chuckle, my chuckle. "I know. Admittedly, I've missed that."

"I haven't stopped." I say, trying to get a better look at his expression, but I can't quite read him. That's a lie, though. Maybe in the rush to get away, I stopped acting like we were friends. I wouldn't do that anymore. "If I have though, I'm sorry." I whacked him in the arm, "you don't have to worry about that anymore though. I swear."

"Good." Kurama looked down at me with a soft smile, it was like having the sun return after rain. "Should we join Kuwabara?"

I nod, and let him lead the way.

()()()

"Where the heck are those chicks, anyway?" Yusuke had his hands propped up on his waist as he glared down the dark street, lit only by the glow of store fronts and street lamps. Even the mumbled voices of angsty and tipsy young adults couldn't drown him out. "If we don't get in line together, we may not get in at all."

"Sheesh, Urameshi, you're more excited about this than you were about the Zombie Island Special Edition release." Kuwabara leaned against the side of the building, near the front a line was beginning to form. "Honestly though, wasn't this their idea?"

Kurama had listened to the two of them complain for the last ten minutes, and although he felt no need to voice his concerns, the waiting was starting to worry him as well. Worry his patience, that is. His expression remained a mask of politeness, maintaining it was child's play—second nature really.

"Yeah, but it's not every day we do something like this. Keiko focuses way too much on school to ever go out, but for some reason she was excited about this," Yusuke said, and then more jovially, "Of course, I'm excited to see how hot she'll look."

"Tch. You're so immature, Urameshi." Kuwabara grumbled, but Kurama could detect a hint of red in his cheeks as he undoubtedly thought of Yukina. "I'm just looking forward to spending some time with my love."

I suspected as much. Kurama chuckled.

The care they showed for their significant others was something Kurama had admired for quite some time. It was a distinct reminder that although the three of them were similar, they were also leagues apart. Their significant others existed as infallible pillars that gave them insurmountable strength. Without those pillars, Kurama doubted the two of them would ever be the same. When he first began his human life, Kurama had never thought to seek something similar for himself. However, after spending so much time around these two, he began to wonder. He rolled it around in his mind, before he dismissed the idea. It would lead to nothing but trouble. Someone like him, a demon living in a human body, would have extreme difficulties finding someone to share his world with. Not to mention, the difficulties of learning to trust them with everything he was, the way Yusuke does with Keiko.

No. It was best forgotten. Still, it nagged at him, so he toyed with the idea further and began to look at the women who showed interest in him more closely. It was also the same issue.

Pretty, but something was missing. Intelligent, but something was missing. Something was always missing, something he'd have to see before he could name it and even then, he wasn't sure he'd have the desired words for it.

"Well, damn, it's about time!" Yusuke shouted, rolling his sleeves up, "What took so long? You guys have trouble putting your faces on?"

Kurama could hear a loud smack and Keiko shout, "Oh, shut up, Yusuke!"

Typical, but charming. Kurama mused just as he turned to the sound of heels thundering toward him. He knew who it was before she made contact, but he couldn't help the warm, almost surprised smile he gave as she smacked his arm

"Boo!" Aurora shouted, biting her lip at her apparent cleverness. Her hazel eyes were liquid jewels in this light, not that they were any different in the light of day. "Did I scare you?"

"Oh, my," Kurama said, watching as her eyes narrowed at his feigned surprise, "You did give me quite a fright."

She screwed her mouth up with a frown before hitting him again, and he didn't try to stop the laugh from escaping. "Shut up, Kurama. No one likes a liar."

No, he didn't quite have the words. "My apologies."

()()()

Kurama watched as Aurora danced between groups for the majority of the night. Her school friends were a bit more reluctant to dance than Botan, Keiko, Yukina and Shizuru, so Aurora obviously preferred their company. That didn't stop her from returning to Tohru to take pictures and sing along to music.

"Kurama, I thought Hiei was coming?" Yusuke asked, grabbing Kurama's attention. "Didn't Aurora invite him? She said he was coming."

Kurama turned back to Yusuke and Kuwabara before him, "I have no idea. It's strange that he said he would come, but it doesn't appear he will."

Yusuke snorted, "I wonder what happened. Maybe the love birds had a fight."

"Dumb be dumb, Urameshi." Kuwabara growled, pointing a stern finger at him, much to Kurama's amusement. "They're not love birds. I don't know what's going on, but it's not that…besides didn't—" Kuwabara stopped talking, his eyes flashing up to Kurama before they returned to his glass of orange juice. "Anyway, he wouldn't like this anyway. He'd just sulk the whole time."

Kurama noticed his hesitation, of course, but didn't address it. There was no need.

Kurama. Hiei's voice popped into the Fox demon's mind.

There you are. We were beginning to worry. Kurama told him with amused lilting to his tone.

Kurama didn't have to see him to know he was rolling his eyes. Don't be ridiculous, Kurama. Tell that detective and the fool to come to the roof. Don't take forever.

Should I invite Aurora? Kurama asked. He knew it involved her, whatever this was.

No. Hiei responded simply.

With that, the connection disappeared. Kurama glanced toward the dance floor once more, watching as Aurora wrapped her arms around Keiko's shoulders as the two danced together.

"Hiei's returned," Kurama said lowly to the two before him, "He's on the roof waiting for us."

"Speak of the devil." Yusuke said, finishing his drink before standing to his feet. "Let's not keep the fire breather waiting."

()()()

Touma and Daniel held a very wasted Daichi between them. He had made out with a random girl for ten minutes before Momo found him, slapped him and stormed off with tears in her eyes. Tohru had apologized profusely to me before she followed after her. Karin had a similar reaction, only she had told him, and I quote, "I always knew you were a piece of shit, but I like to ignore the obvious. Lose my number, will you?"

Now free of his two loves, Daichi chose to get fall-out drunk, vomit on the girl he'd made out with and faint. He also made a grab for some random girl's breasts when he woke up and her boyfriend gave him a well-deserved warning shot.

Touma drew his brow together, "Sorry about all this Aurora. We'll see you at school, okay?"

Daniel just shook his head. He was absolutely furious, but his face was cold as he held onto his friend. A bit of vomit was speckled on his dark pants.

"Okay." I tell him as they make their way to the exit, knowing full well our little group would be separated for quite some time. I was thankful all this drama had happened when I chose to go to the restroom. "Text me when you get home, alright?"

He nodded and they left.

Shizuru stood beside me, one hand holding her drink, the other in her pocket, "You just surround yourself with trouble, don't you?"

I took a deep breath, "That's what people tell me. I should have known something like this would happen, but apparently I'm oblivious."

"Understatement of the year." Shizuru shot me a smile, "Come on. The guys are back finally."

"Where did they go?" I asked, letting her lead me over to the booths. I had seen them get up to leave, but they were gone for at least ten minutes.

She just shrugged, "Who knows? I'm sure they'll tell us eventually."

Eventually. Which reminded me, Hiei had actually told me he'd show up…eventually. He didn't have to, of course, that was his decision. I can't help, but feel a small tinge of disappointment though.

I smack that feeling down with both hands. It's not like I wasn't having a good time either, in fact, I was having the best time. Except for that little mishap with my school friends, everything was perfect. Shoot, even the music was fantastic. Throughout the night, several of my favorite songs were playing. A surprising amount of them were actually American. It was odd, because I was pretty sure you could request songs at this club, they didn't just play a random set.

I ignored that childish disappointment, pushed it in the corner, deciding not to touch it for the rest of the night. If I'm lucky, I won't touch it for the rest of my life. But, I'm not that lucky. Oddly, before meeting Kurama, I thought I was that lucky. Everything that has ever happened to me proved that point. Not anymore though.

Not only has the foxy red head ruined my entire life, but he's gone and fucked up my luck as well. Go figure.

Shizuru steps up on a raised area, secured by metal railings. She passes two large circular booths before stopping at ours. It seated all of our friends comfortably. Mostly because it was almost 270 degrees.

Yusuke and Kurama guarded the ends of the booth, the girls and Kuwabara sandwiched inside. Kuwabara was making himself busy by amusing Yukina with goofy tellings of his love. Kurama wore a polite smile beside the boy, but paid them little attention. Botan and Keiko chatted and pointed at the pair, while Yusuke snorted with laughter until his girlfriend reached over and bopped him on the noggin.

"Our friends." Shizuru said dryly, scouting past Yusuke and Keiko to sit between Botan and Yukina. I was going to follow until Kurama gestured me forward.

"Here, I've saved you a seat." Kurama oh-so graciously told me. He tilted his pretty head to the side, and I roll my eyes.

"Of course, you did." I say, joining him anyway. I sat down beside him, thankful he'd given me the end. I love the end. "So, what did you troublemakers get up to when you left? Scam on some unsuspecting ladies?"

Kurama considered this, assuming the thinker pose. "I do that so often, it's hard to recall."

I hit his arm, smiling. "Yeah, yeah. Don't give me any lip. What were you doing?"

The mischievous gleam in his eye wavered a moment. My eyes narrowed at the look. "Kurama, you okay?"

He blinked, sweet politeness flooding back onto his face. "Yes, why do you ask?"

"Because you don't look alright." I said sternly, I lean forward. "If something's wrong with you, you'd tell me, right?"

His smile was soft, keeping to the corner of his mouth only. "Why do you assume I'm not alright? I assure you this is just my expression. Unless, of course, you find issue with my natural face."

You're avoiding the question. I glance over to the rest of the group, preoccupied. "Kurama, I—"

"Listen," His hand appears on my shoulder, his lips at my ear shocking me into silence. "do you hear that?"

I side-eye him and his obvious avoidance. One look at his gaze tells me he doesn't want to talk about it. I relent, closing my eyes and reopening them. "Hear what?"

With a smile, thankful I left that subject alone, he put an elegant finger against his lips.

I rolled my eyes hard, so much they hurt a little. But I did as I was told, the jerk.

Give me your love. Give me your love. Give me your love…

I stilled as Mariah Carey's voice coaxed my eyes out of my head.

Boy your love's so good, I don't want to let go

And although I should, I can't leave you alone, 'cause you're so disarming

I'm caught up in the midst of you, and I cannot resist

I turned to the red-head, disbelief as plain as billboard on my face. "You didn't."

He said nothing, only wore a bemused expression.

I pushed his arm, grinning hard. "You know this is my jam!"

Kurama tapped his finger against his chin, looking innocently away, "Is it? I had no earthly—"

Did he call in? His pretend innocence confirms this and I can't help myself.

I give him a hug, and squeeze him, roses and all. "Fine. I'll drop it, but you owe me."

He reciprocates the embrace, a hand soft against my lower back. "I've come to owe you quite a bit."

"Yeah, well, I'm a loan shark, you should have known better."

"Indeed." He shrugged, chuckling, "Don't you want to sing along?"

I don't need to be told twice. I sing along alright. So much that I manage to convince the girls to sing with me and Yusuke makes us all laugh by trying to do the rapping part for me. He does a pretty good Jay-Z.

Once it ends, a song I don't know plays and I look over to Yusuke. "Did anyone see Hiei, by the way?"

"Yeah," Kuwabara answered with a snort. "The little jerk's here."

"Where is he?" I ask, "He too good to join us?"

Kurama chuckled, "Actually, he's waiting for us to leave. He has some news on Demon World he wants to discuss with us, but he agreed to wait. You know Hiei hates things like this."

I nod, "Yeah, no kidding." Still, it's weird that he didn't pop in to tell me that. At the very least, he did pop in to talk to the guys. I was right there. What? He didn't want to see me?

And by 'us', I don't think I'm included.

I push that away. "I wonder what he found." Information on Hydra probably, information you'd think he'd want to tell me.

Even though I try to fight it, the disappointment sort of pulls me down from my night-high. I don't drink, but once it's past nine and I'm out and about, I don't need it. Nighttime energizes me. I think that's the case for a lot of people my age. That doesn't help me now, until I hear another song.

This one is slower, still upbeat though. I watch as the crazy dancing ceases and people lull away. Pairs make it to the floor. Kuwabara quickly invites Yukina to dance, which prompts Keiko to nudge Yusuke. He agrees after a forceful conversation.

I know this song. I love it too.

Don't forget about us.

"You did it again," I tell Kurama, my cheeks warm with my happiness. "I love this song."

He admits nothing, "Would you like to dance?"

Looking at him now, all sincere and shit, I'm thrown. I'm not sure if I deserve his friendship, but I never want to lose it. I know that. "Yeah, let's go."

I jump out of my seat and let him lead me down the stairs and onto the floor. Something about Kurama, probably his inner fox, makes people sort of get out of the way as he moves. I suppose it's like going into a gallery and having to keep behind that security wire, you know you can't touch anything. You want to, of course. But, you don't because you don't want security to smack you on the head.

Once we find ourselves to the middle, Mariah Carey is taking me to another plane of existence. I don't remember saying how much I love this song, but…somehow he knows. I suppose I did at some point and he just remembered. That's what friends do, they remember.

Kurama's smooth hands slid around mine and directed them to clasp around his neck. Because of our height difference, I had to step so close our chests were practically smushed together. My fingers kept wanting to comb through his silky locks once his tresses decided to tickle my hands. This created a chorus of giggling from both of us, him, of course amused. Me, slightly petulant.

After securing my hands, he moved his hands to my waist, encouraging me closer. "If we're careful, we won't step on each other's toes."

"We?" I lean back to shoot him a look, "I'm careful."

He looks to the side, smiling like he knew a secret. "Of course, you are."

Urgh! I can't have anything! I laugh, deciding to hate him quietly. Very maturely.

I lay my head on his shoulder, let him lead me. I giggled into his chest as that familiar scent snuck into my senses making me all dizzy.

"What is it?" Kurama's voice is soft, so soft it almost blends with the song.

"You…still smell like roses." I say, getting another whiff, just for old time's sake.

"I didn't know I stopped."

"I guess I just didn't smell it for a while…up close, so I forgot." I say pulling my arms tighter around his shoulders. I pull away from his chest, to stare at his face. "It's still nice though."

"Hm." He mused, eyes hooded in this strange dim light. I manage to fuck around and forget who I was dealing with. Dude was still a lady killer, crush or no crush.

I laugh at my psycho thoughts. Why are you so pretty?

"You're laughing."

"I am." I say as it shakes my voice, "You're too damn pretty for you own good, you know? If I was anyone else, I'd be a mess right now."

"Is that so?" Kurama tilts his head to the side, feigning innocence. That devil!

"Don't pretend you don't know!" I warn him.

"You misunderstand me." Kurama begins, a hint of teasing in his voice. "I am fully aware of the affect I have on women…and men."

I burst out laughing, burying my head in his chest. "Finally, you admit it!"

He gives me this throwaway shrug that I can feel move through my own body. "It would be remiss of me, not to sometimes use it to my advantage."

"All these years with you and finally! You say it aloud." I am literally floating. "Best day ever."

Kurama chuckled warmly, "I'm glad it pleases you…however, I almost feel challenged…"

I pull my head back and raise my left eyebrow at him, "In what way?"

"A moment ago," Kurama's voice came out of nowhere, deeper as he came closer to my ear. I actually stopped breathing, "I believe you said if you were anyone else…you would be a mess being this close to me. Does that mean you're immune?"

Well, I guess not, ass wipe.

I couldn't quite get my thoughts together. I had half a mind to give him a two-piece punch, but I was saved by his laugh.

I pulled away and wacked him anyway, "You can't be doing that to me, you should know better! That's dangerous, Kurama. Jesus."

Kurama continued to laugh, but stifled it the moment I made to pull away, "Forgive me, Aurora. You wouldn't want to bruise my ego, now would you?"

I shrugged, letting him pull me close again, "Well, I guess not. But you know what you do. Weren't you calling me out the other day for flirting with you?"

Kurama paused for a moment, "You mean at Genkai's temple?"

I nodded.

"Actually, I was referring to the way you flirt with Hiei." Kurama told me, now smirking, "It's very different from the way you flirt with me."

I leaned back to give him a frown, "First of all, I used to flirt with you. Past tense. But, now, I'm mature and can control myself."

"Of course." Kurama cut in and I wanted to beat him.

"Second of all," I tugged one hand down from his neck and poked him in the chest with it, "I do not flirt with Hiei. That's just how we communicate."

"So, you're saying you have no feelings for him?" Kurama asked plainly.

"I..." I looked around and then came closer to Kurama so I can whisper. "Before I answer that, where is he?"

Kurama gave a cursory look around the room as we swayed like a couple of spies undercover. "I believe he has gone to the roof, and unless he's using his jagan, he should not be able to hear you."

"Cool." I nod, and then crack my neck. "To answer your question, I thought I didn't…until he started talking about that woman. I have never wanted to hate a stranger as much as I hate her, so, hell, I guess I feel something." Weird, I couldn't admit this to anyone else, but he asks and he gets it.

Kurama nodded his head, face blank. "You're referring to Mukuro?"

I glare at him. He gives me a sheepish smile, expression lightening immediately. "Forgive me. I won't say her name again, but you realize…there's nothing romantic between the two of them."

I threw a hand up, "I mean, I figured that out after he flipped out and grabbed me."

"He grabbed you?"

"He was livid." I laugh, and then shake my head, "But I was so relieved…And, yeah, I know that's messed up." What is with me always wanting what's bad for me?

But, honestly though, would you really want candy, if it didn't rot your teeth?

Wait…

"I wonder why," Kurama mused, "You wouldn't be the first person to make assumptions about the two of them. It's funny. I remember making an inquiry myself and he barely gave me a reaction, only said no."

"Well, I don't need to think about that." I grimaced, pressing my lips into a line.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't plan to do anything about these feelings, if they're that. For all I know, this is my mind's crazy way of coping. No. The best thing for me to do is to stamp it out." I nod, when Kurama shoots me a questioning look, "That's the way to deal with these things, Kurama. You let them die—kill them, if you have to."

Kurama's voice gave me very little in the way of insight into how he felt about my words, but by his face, I could tell he disagreed with me. A lot of people did though, so that was unsurprising. "Do you handle all of your feelings this way?"

"All feelings? No. I prefer avoidance for the rest. Romantic feelings? Oh, yes. It's the only way to live." I'd burst apart if I didn't. I know that.

"I see." He seemed to sigh, "And nothing could change your mind?"

"Nope. Besides, all these things end. Once the fun part's over—the flirting, there's nothing left but the explosion. The devastation destroys whole towns, Kurama, wipes out everything in sight. There's no point in pursuing a ticking time bomb. But we all do it, but I am one of the few who knows how to get away before it's too late, before everything's ruined." I think that perhaps I sound a little crazy as I say this, but Kurama's eyes portray understanding, like perhaps he too felt this way at some point. Or it's something else entirely. Kurama always did love to hide from me. "And it is…always."

"Hmm…Once, in my former life, I lived as you described." Kurama told me in this strangely serious, soft tone. "My relationships never went beyond what I required and once I achieved my desired end…I fled. I moved on. I never lived to regret it. I still don't."

I wrapped my arms back around his neck, "I sense a however coming."

Kurama chuckled, and I was almost glad I still found it sounded like music to me. Maybe I didn't have some big crush on him anymore, but we were still friends. We were still close. "However, that could not be so in my current life. Beyond friendships, I have had very little serious relationships."

"Have you had any you regretted?"

"Only one," He says sounding both bitter and strangely nostalgic at the same time. "And it still haunts me, because I know I could have done more to prevent its degrading. I want to try to do more, but I realize it cannot be…all things considered."

I shook my head at him, and I feel him, I do. We're one and the same. "I'm sorry, Kurama. I am. Whoever this bitch is—can I call her a bitch?"

Kurama looked like he was trying very hard to hold in a laugh, "I would prefer it, if you didn't."

"Still feel her, do you?" I ask flippantly, shaking my head like a disappointed parent. "For shame, Kurama. What's wrong with you?" You are literally the bomb. Why are you worried about these chicken-heads?

He took a deep breath, measuring out his thoughts. "Yes. I have a habit of holding on to things I care for. And, of course, I've learned I'm a bit of a glutton for punishment."

I grimace. Poor dude. "Jesus." But I can't say he sounds too crazy, I'm the same way. Not too long ago, I forced myself to inhale Kurama's amazing scent to the point of causing myself pain. I laugh thinking back on that, not sure why I thought it was such a death sentence to me. Things were different then, though.

"Fine. But, whoever she is, she doesn't deserve you. And, I'm not a violent person, but I would totally kick her ass, for you—I would—don't laugh!" I hit his shoulder, "what is she some powerful demon lord shouting orders and taking names?"

"No, she is not." Kurama tells me sagely, "But you would like her, you have much in common."

I blinked hard at him, disbelief loud in my tone. "Then, you know, I'd probably hate her. I couldn't be friends with me."

He laughed again, and I was more than happy to hear it.

()()()

The day after, I finally see Hiei. Not that I was looking forward to it or anything.

Even though the pep in my step told me I was.

After the club, the girls all crashed at my place and the boys had a secret meeting, I knew either Kurama or Kuwabara would tell me about later.

For some odd reason, I had this weird feeling that Hiei wouldn't. Regardless, I made it to our private place at eleven for training. He was early as always, almost making me feel late. I wasn't, of course.

He barely greets me as I set my bag aside and jog towards him.

"Hey, Darkness, what's up?" I say, big smile on my face. His eyes slide over me before he falls into a fighting position wordlessly.

Okay….

One thing was for sure: He wasn't playing around anymore. Hiei was a man on a mission, and I wasn't that sure I wanted to deal with this today.

He'd always been serious, but occasionally he had a little fun with me. There is a difference now though. He used to almost look forward to pinning me to the grass, but now he just knocks me down and darts away—far away. It was like he had touched something toxic. He really knew how to make a girl feel good, didn't he?

After the eighteenth time, he sucks his teeth, aggravated for some unearthly reason. "What happened to you when I was away? Did you not make any progress?"

I didn't? Hell, I thought I was doing pretty damn good.

"Nothing happened. I trained with Kurama and Kuwabara like you told me to." I say uncertainty and irritation trying to find dominance in my words. Irritation managed to get the upper hand. "Did something happen to you?"

I attempt to watch my tone, because if I'm not careful I could throw us both into a fight. Neither of us were in the mood for that though, it would probably end badly.

Hiei's expression was cold annoyance. Kurama and the guys should have warned me he'd be acting like this when he got back. "Your progress has halted. You haven't been able to land a single hit on me since we began."

True, but you also have been very weird yourself about letting me touch you.

"If you can't manage one hit, you don't deserve to come with us. That's all there is to it." Hiei's eyes held no tease, only resolution, only obstinance. "You have seven days to convince me you're strong enough. Seven days to prove you're more than just a liability."

Under normal circumstances, Hiei's words wouldn't have mattered to me. This tone of voice was weird though. It was almost as if he was trying to hurt me. Of course, I'm not all that sure what I did to deserve this attitude.

What's wrong with you? I think, but nod anyway. It's for the best, even if I'm not sure it's feasible. "Seven days? Fine. I'll hit you." He's been being a dick all morning. He deserves a kick in the ass. "I look forward to it."

Author's Note: Guys! I am back again. Absolutely love all favorites, follows and reviews. They are the absolute best!

I'm really getting into naming these chapters. The next one will be called: Comeuppance. A fitting title.

The lyrics in this fic come from Mariah Carey's Don't Forget About Us and Heartbreaker. I do not own them.