"Man...that was terrible..." Kurama slumped his way back from the long day of school. It seemed like it had been eons instead of the seven hours it truly was. Sighing, Kurama slung his bag over his shoulder and looked to the sky. "Gee, sun set early today. It's only 4:00 PM and it seems more like 7:00... Maybe there's a storm?"

Many of Kurama's classmates ran by him, all talking amongst themselves, but their conversations were unheard by the Kitsune Akuma.

'Was it Hiei that I saw earlier today? But...if it was...then...how, how could Kuronue have been there? I...I saw him die.' The thoughts pounded within Kurama's mind, as he walked the familiar route. Soon his house was in view and he could see his mother waiting for him outside.

"Welcome home, Suiichi." She waved and smiled in the similar manner she always did.

"Mother, it's good to see you're out of bed. Feeling better?" He smiled and chuckled to himself with the usage of his human name.

"Yes, much better." Putting an arm around her son, the two entered the apartment.

"That's good to hear."

As Kurama's mother sat down she began to talk to Suiichi about his day at school.

**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**

Hiei sat with his legs crossed, arms folded across his chest, and his katana remained between his arms. His eyes were closed, and he did not speak. Directly across from where he sat, Kuronue stood in a similar fashion. Head bowed, and arms crossed, he stared at the floor with his empty eyes.

"What is our means of attack, tonight?"

"There are no plans for our means of attack. Like I said before, I work alone. If I am to do this, it is to be done by myself."

"You must know though, that I would be very helpful in overcoming Kurama. You see, I happen to have had some personal dealings with the Youko..." His eyes narrowed, "It was he I died for after all. Thought he could do everything himself as well, shame I had to pay for it though."

Raising an eyebrow at Kuronue, Hiei decided to disregard the matter. "Just be ready in an hour."

**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**

After Kurama had told his daily telling of the school day his mother had retired to her bedroom. For it was late and Kurama had told her that rest was a part of recovery's best medicine. As he walked around the house turning lights off and making sure everything was tidy before he left for his work shift, he saw Hiei's gem again.

"Maybe I should return this before I go to work..." Kurama thought to himself, "It still surprises me that Hiei would lose it..."

Locking his apartment door behind him, Kurama headed along the familiar path to the bar. In his usual manner, he walked with his hands within his pockets, and head slightly lowered. He could feel the gem bounce in his pant pocket as he walked.

Suddenly, two shadows appeared, bounced, and were gone. Kurama looked up abruptly. "Hiei?"