The wind howled a chilling breeze, causing the trees' leaves to rustle. Through the darkness almost nothing could be seen. With no moon within the sky, the grounds had become a dull, barren city. A lone figure, stood within the top of a tree. His arms crossed, and black cape fluttering behind him.

Walking along the empty streets of town, another existed. His hands dug deep within his pockets, red hair blowing back into his face, and silence was his only companion. Kurama looked to the treetops but saw nothing. He smiled to himself before continuing down the sidewalk.

Returning to the haven of the ground, Hiei's eyes shot in Kurama's direction. 'What are you doing out here so late?' Hiei thought to himself as he watched the Fox Demon.

Turning a corner, Kurama walked into the bar, his head bowed.

Having followed his fellow Demon and watched him enter the bar from a hidden distance. Raising an eyebrow at the action, Hiei paused before walking over to the closed door. Hanging around it for a moment or two, it took Hiei some time before he decided to enter as well.

The whole building was dark, save the few flashing lights that highlighted the dance floor. It was crammed full of Demons and it was almost impossible for Hiei to take one step without getting stepped on. Kurama stood behind the bar serving drinks, not noticing Hiei.

A few drunks pointed to the redheaded Demon and whistled jeeringly. It seemed that a few beers could really damage their ego [either that or they thought Kurama looked like a girl]. A few smirked dumbly and motioned for Kurama to say 'come join' them.

Sinking to his cowered shoulders, Kurama continued to pour drinks, trying to ignore the drunks. It hadn't been the first time he had gotten whistled at if not worse at his job.

Calmly, Hiei walked over to the group of bloody bastards, and held his fist in their faces. Although he had to stretch rather high and get on his tippy toes. "Look here assholes, cause you're certainly not Demons, if you continue your improper behavior I may be forced to inflict some permanent damage." He dealt all present a glare that would stop almost ANYONE in their tracks, and walked over to the bar where he set himself in the seat in front of Kurama.

Rubbing the counter with a rag hastily, Kurama didn't look up from his work. "Oh, Hiei, didn't see you come in. When'd you get here?"

"Don't be naive. You've known I've been here since the moment I set foot in this crap hole."

"Crap hole as it may be, this is where I work for money. Have to get through school you know. And I can't just keep depending upon my mother for everything." 

"Yeah, whatever." Hiei had consulted to staring down at the wooden pane of the bar and had begun to trace his finger over it.

Placing his hand upon Hiei's, Kurama pulled it off the counter. "So, I've compiled my problems…What about you?"

Glaring at Kurama, he answered in his cold monotonous voice, "I don't have any. What are you getting at?"

"Don't lie, Hiei." Kurama said with a half smile. "I've known you longer than anyone and over the years I've learned to read your body language rather than listen to what you say."

"If you must know then, it's Yukina."

"What about her? Is it the fact that if Yukina marries Kuwabara, you'll be his brother-in-law?" Kurama teased playfully.

Truth be told, the thought never passed Hiei's mind, and with the mentioning of it he shuddered. "No you baka! It's just that…"

"I know, I know…You're upset that you can't tell her that you're her brother." The answer was plain and simple. And Kurama's claim of knowing Hiei better than anyone else had been held to its word.

Blushing slightly, Hiei snapped at Kurama. "No, that's not it!" He sunk in his seat.

After laughing to himself, Kurama smiled. "Alright, we'll change the subject. I've decided that I'm going to stay around here until I can make sure that my mother will be fine for the rest of her life. What about you? Planning to go off training and disappear for a few months? You have to warn me this time." He frowned. "I nearly went nuts searching for you last time."

"You don't have to worry about me."

As the activity of the Demons in the bar began to slow down, noise levels sank, and the clock in the corner stuck the hour of 1:00 AM, Kurama sighed. "Well, my shifts over." Taking the rag from his shoulder he placed it on a shelf beneath the counter and stepped out beside Hiei. He paused before the question found itself. "Did…did, you want to come home with me? I have to study but company would be appreciated."

Hiei thought for a moment, trying to find an excuse on why he couldn't, but then he realized…that a part of him wanted to go with Kurama. "Fine. There isn't anything else to do and, I would enjoy not seeing that bastard again today."

"Kuwabara, you mean." Kurama smiled with the consent of Hiei, his eyes almost lit up with excitement.

Leading Hiei from the bar to his small apartment, Kurama nodded when they reached the door. "My mother is probably sleeping so we must be quiet."

Hiei shrugged, but took heed of Kurama's words. The two entered the house and as soon as the front door was shut, Kurama was almost pushing Hiei into his room.

He walked silently to his room upstairs, and then rushed through the door, grabbing a small stuffed toy fox off the bed and tossing it out of sight. His room was neat and tidy, with a bunch of books and notes on his desk. There was a painting of a snow white fox on the left side of wall and a painting of a large black dragon on the right. He had a big four-poster bed, with tiny little foxes on the covers. Kurama, for once blushed at the state of his room, with all the fox stuff around him. "Heh...welcome to my room."