Disclaimer: I don't own 'em.

I hope you guys like this chapter! It's a little longer, but not as long as the first five. I'm so evil. I'll leave it at that. Don't forget to Respond! I got the best response today, and it made me write this right away, so if it's amazing, I'll post ASAP.

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Chapter 7: Memories

Kurama ran down the hallway, full speed. He was searching for the door that Keiko had told him to find. "There." He threw the door open, and raced down the stairs. Down, down, down. He felt Hiei's ki as he grew closer to the weak youkai. "I can't fail him now, after all we've been through."

~*~~~*~

~*~Three Months Earlier~*~

*Kurama, I'm wet. Very wet. It is raining very very hard outside. Now, if you don't open your window in five seconds, I will break the glass and cut your throat with a shard.* Hiei glared at Kurama, as he stood, laughing, at Hiei's form in the rain. Kurama couldn't help it, the rain was slipping off the small demon's body like a waterfall, and Hiei looked so upset. His eyes were squinting, and it almost looked like he was crying, because the rain was falling all over him. He had a newspaper over his head, in attempts to keep the rain off his head, but in his jumping, it had shredded and was not helping at all. Poor Hiei looked pitiful. Laughing, Kurama finally opened the window, and allowed the demon in.

*I'm sorry, I've just never seen anything quite so amusing.* Kurama gasped, attempting to stifle a laugh. Hiei looked daggers at the kitsune, ending the choked giggles that had been escaping through his clenched teeth. Kurama, near tears, took one final deep breath and regained his composure. *Where do you wish to sleep?*

Hiei looked at the youko, trying to decide whether he was cold or not. He needed new clothes, but was not going to ask for Kurama's clothes. They always looked ridiculous on him, and he preferred when Kurama was forcing the clothes onto him. He would definitely make a choice easier, if Kurama would give him some clothes. So, he stood by the window, dripping from all parts of his body, staring at Kurama. Kurama blinked a few times, confused as to what Hiei wanted. Then he realized, water was getting all over his floor.

*Oh my goodness!!! Here! Take these and get in the bathroom! Put your clothes in the bathtub and come back! I'll never get these water marks out!* Pushing a now smirking Hiei out of his room, Kurama gently berated himself for not remembering that Hiei was wet. The demon had told him merely seconds ago, but the sight of Hiei made Kurama's mind go blank.

When Hiei came back, the pants that Kurama had given him were rolled up four times, making giant doughnut looking shapes at his poor feet. The neckline of the shirt Kurama had given him was down near his chest, and the "short sleeves" were reaching his elbows. Again, to Kurama, Hiei looked adorably ridiculous. It took the control of every muscle in Kurama's body not to burst out laughing, at this pitiful sight. Hiei knew exactly what Kurama was thinking, but did not care. He was freezing and wanted to sleep. *I'll take the bed.* he told the kitsune, who was running a brush through his scarlet locks and smoothing down his forest green flannel pajamas.

*I don't want to go to the hallway closet, to get the blankets. Do you mind if I stay with you, in bed?* Kurama innocently asked Hiei.

*Just don't touch me or anything.* Hiei replied, burrowing himself under Kurama's covers. Kurama took his place next to Hiei, and, careful not to make any physical contact with the fire demon, rolled over and fell asleep.

Halfway through the night, Kurama was awakened with the sensation of a body leaving his bed. Opening his eyes a little, he could make out an amber sky, through his now open window. The storm had passed on, and so had Hiei. He could feel the youkai's ki leaving. Kurama, disappointed that his bed-mate had left before it was anywhere near morning, rolled over and fell back asleep. He would work it all out in the morning.

It was that morning, that Kurama had found what Hiei had left. A small note in a small, precise hand, thanked him for his room and actually apologized for leaving so abruptly. Kurama stared at the note in disbelief. "Why did he even bother?" he asked himself, as he deposited the note in his junk drawer, among ripped papers, erasers, and Hiei's picture. Kurama took place near his window, gazing out through his tree and down the street. He could dimly feel Hiei's ki as he approached, and Kurama grew excited. Kurama suddenly realized that Hiei still had his clothes on. "Now what was so important, that Hiei left my house looking like that?" he asked himself, as Hiei's ki grew stronger by the minute.

Kurama was laughing by the time Hiei got in the window. *Why did you leave my house in that ridiculous get-up?*

*My clothes were not dry. Besides, I wanted this.* And with that, Hiei placed a small glass rose in Kurama's hand. Kurama stared at it in disbelief. "What is wrong with him?" Kurama quickly looked up at Hiei. He opened his mouth to speak, but words would not come. He looked back at the rose. It was a mixture of red and green glass, with a green vine snaking it's way up the thorny stalk, and ending at the flower, open and bursting with intricate red petals. It was exquisite.

Once again, Kurama looked at Hiei who now looked very proud of himself. *Happy birthday, Kitsune.* Hiei stated matter-of-factly. Kurama simply gaped. "He remembered?" He thought, unable to voice his wonder. Hiei turned and went to Kurama's bathroom to change into his own clothes. When he returned, Kurama had moved to his desk, but was still unable to speak or move his hand. Hiei smiled to himself, congratulated himself on a job well done, and jumped out the window. Kurama gaped.

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The rose that Hiei had given Kurama still had a place in Kurama's room. It was delicately placed out of sight, so the youko could have it all to himself. He didn't have to look at it anymore, from staring at it for hours on end, Kurama had every petal committed to memory. The rose was in his desk. Not in the junk drawer, but rather his school drawer. It was in a clear glass box, with protective stiffing underneath it. Whenever Kurama went to do his homework, the rose was there, greeting him cheerily. Kurama loved that rose.

They never spoke of his birthday, or what Hiei had given Kurama after that brief gift exchange. It was simply a reminder to Kurama how much he loved the demon, and a gesture, for Hiei, to let Kurama know that he did care. It brought the two closer than they'd ever been, and they never even discussed what had happened. It simply was.

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Kurama finally reached the bottom of the stairs. He looked around the basement, and heard distinct yelling from Yusuke, and the sound of bodies being thrashed against each other. He followed the sounds, until he came to a clearing. Yusuke was fighting a really wicked looking monster, as Kuwabara was crouched over Hiei, pushing life and spirit energy into Hiei's small body. Kurama stopped, for a moment, before rushing to Hiei's side. Dropping his body beside Hiei's, he commanded Kuwabara to help Yusuke fight whatever it was they were fighting. He would take over the job of trying to save Hiei's quickly departing life.

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~*~Two Years Ago~*~

A demon was following him, he was now sure. A strong demon. Kurama did not know who this demon was, but he knew it was following him. He quickened his pace. He could feel the strong ki approaching steadily, much faster than he could walk. Or, for that matter, run. He glanced behind himself, but could not see what was approaching. He readied himself, and pulled out his rose, to summon the Rose Whip, if need be. The ki was on top of him now, but he could still not see the owner. He was stumped, how could the demon be concealing himself so well?

And why was he not attacking?

Kurama began whistling a popular tune as he slowed his pace to a stroll and began fingering his rose. He was prepared for battle now, so there was no reason to be uptight and nervous. With his free hand, he smoothed down his hair and clothes, presenting himself perfectly, as always.

He began to get closer to his house, so he switched direction, and began walking away from it again. He did not want to lead any demons to his home. His mother was sick, and the last thing he needed was to bring a demon home to kill her. The ki stopped for a moment, but then followed him again, biding his time. Kurama stopped.

*Oh, just come out!* He yelled into the air. He heard a soft landing behind him. Whirling, he gasped, startled. Regaining composure, he summoned the rose whip, ready for action. His opponent stood in front of him, barely reaching his shoulders, but seemingly not afraid. Kurama was waiting for some signal, some idea that this demon was going to attack. He got none. The demon simply stood there. *Well? What do you want?* Kurama asked patiently.

*You are Yoko Kurama?* the demon inquired.

*Yes, that is my name. Who asks?*

The demon simply stared at him. *The famed thief?* Kurama nodded. The demon snorted *You look like a child.*

*So do you! Who are you?* Kurama asked, growing agitated.

*I have a proposition for you. Come into an alliance with me. We have some artifacts to steal, and we believe that you will be of great aid.* the demon replied, dispassionately. Kurama stared at the small, beautiful demon. He had never been so angry at a stranger before. He was being completely out-of-character. "Is it because he's a demon and I don't trust him, or is it the way he looks at me with those eyes, that makes me want to melt?" Kurama thought to himself.

*Who's asking?* Kurama asked once again, determined to find out the name of this demon.

*I am Hiei.*

~*~~~*~

Kurama frantically pumped his energy into Hiei's form. He was sobbing uncontrollably, and had almost completely shut out the rest of the world, even though a gruesome battle was taking place behind him. Neither Yusuke nor Kuwabara could seem to inflict any damage onto Arami, yet they were receiving some pretty horrible wounds.

Kurama ignored it all. He just kept giving his life and soul to Hiei, in hopes of reviving the poor small demon. But the wound had punctured his heart. Hiei would not survive, as Kurama knew. Slowly, Kurama turned. He gracefully pulled his rose out from behind his head, and summoned the Rose Whip. He called Yusuke and Kuwabara off, who rushed to Hiei's side, in hoped of aiding him further. Kurama turned to the monster.

*You, you worthless monster. You took my soul mate away from me. I don't allow anyone or anything to take anything from me. Ever. Now, you get to pay. Never in my entire life have I been as angry as I am right now, and you will bear the brunt of everything. Say your prayers.* Kurama emphasized the last sentence, feeling a little silly, but fuming with anger. He was hurt, alone, desperate, and no longer cared if he lived or died. There was no way Hiei could be saved, so why should Kurama survive. Arami stared at Kurama, during his speech, dumbstruck.

Kurama attacked, full force.

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What can I say? I love cliff hangers, and I love not giving the reader what they want. It makes them beg for more! So, I decided what better than to throw in a bunch of flashbacks, that don't further the plot, but rather make the reader all fuzzy? I know I'm evil, just bear with! It's gonna get real good real fast!