Chapter Four: A Glimpse

As Yusuke was fighting for his life in the chamber of Suzaku, Hiei, Kurama, and Kuwabara were still trying to reach him in time. Finally clearing a path to the door, they rushed inside just as Yusuke unleashed his final blow. A bright light filled the room.

Once they could see again, Kuwabara rushed to the aid of Yusuke, who was lying in the middle of the floor. After a quick inspection by Kurama, Kuwabara gave his friend his own Spirit Energy to keep him alive. Meanwhile, Hiei examined the ruins for any sign that Suzaku was still alive. He heard a low moan. Spotting a dark shape by the edge, he walked over to see what it was. Nearing it, Hiei could tell that it was the girl they'd seen earlier, the one with the familiar ki. He knelt by her side to examine her face, visible now that the veil had been torn away. Unlike Kurama, he recognized her instantly.

"Kurama!" Hiei said harshly. "Come here."

Something in his friend's voice made Kurama look up. Seeing Hiei on the floor by the girl, he hurried over.

Himeko slowly came to. She had a pounding headache. Well, that's what happens when you get thrown into a wall, she thought grimly. Opening her eyes, she saw a dark shape bending over her. As she focused on whoever it was, she heard a familiar voice calling, "Kurama! Come here."

"Hiei?" she asked weakly. He looked down at her, his face unreadable. Glancing past him, she saw Kurama. He quickly knelt as well. "How's my favorite fox doing?" Himeko inquired softly.

"…Himeko?" Kurama asked hesitantly.

"The one and only." Himeko gasped in pain as she struggled to sit up.

"You're hurt."

"Always good at stating the obvious, eh Hiei?"

"Hn."

"Here, Himeko—let me help," said Kurama. Draping one of her arms across his shoulders, he steadied her as she tried to stand.

"Hey guys, come on!" They turned at the sound of Kuwabara's voice. "Wait, uh, who's that?"

"An old friend," answered Kurama.

"That's me," said Himeko tiredly.

"Well, just as long as she's not another Saint Beast or somethin'. Let's go!"

So, with Kuwabara carrying Yusuke, Kurama supporting Himeko, and Hiei walking beside them, the five left Maze Castle to return home.

IIIIIIII
(Three Days Later, at Kuwabara's House)

"Is Yusuke ever going to wake up?" asked Himeko.

"He should soon. His injuries were much more severe than yours," Kurama answered.

"Well, while we wait, let's hear yourstory, Himeko," Kuwabara said.

"My story…" Himeko shook her head. "No, not now. This is neither the time nor the place, and besides, Yusuke deserves to hear it as well."

"Aw, come on! Kurama and the shrimp already know!"

"Hn. Idiot. Don't speak of things you know nothing about," said Hiei.

Himeko ducked her head to keep from laughing. Kuwabara was staring daggers at Hiei, who deliberately ignored him.

Distracted, they didn't realize that Yusuke had woken up. Kurama was the first to notice. "Welcome back, Yusuke. You've slept for three days."

"Three days!"

"Yeah. Don't worry, though. Your mom knows you're okay, and the school's been closed until the damage caused by the zombies is fixed," Kuwabara told Yusuke.

And what about Keiko and Botan?" Yusuke demanded.

As if on cue, the room falls dead silent.

"Come on, Kuwabara, I'm not playing around!" yelled Yusuke, jumping up and grabbing him by the collar.

The door opened, and who should walk in but Keiko and Botan. Kuwabara burst out laughing. "You should have seen your face!" Yusuke just glared furiously at him.

Some time later, Himeko looked out the window and stood up, realizing that the sun had already begun to set. "I'm going to head out. I'll catch up with you guys later, alright?"

"Thank you for your help, Himeko," said Botan. "Koenma was so pleased that he'd found you."

"Found me?" Himeko snorted. "As if he did anything to find me. For being such a small person, he sure has a big ego."

"Yes, well…" Botan gave an embarrassed look.

"Tell him to contact me if he wants assistance," said Himeko as she walked out.

Strolling down the street, the Tigress had a great deal to think about. Mainly what to do, now that Suzaku was gone. After all, it's not like I can return to the city. Besides, there's nothing there left for me. Pondering, she didn't notice that she had gained a shadow until he stopped in front of her.

"Hm? Oh, hello Hiei," she said.

"Why didn't you tell the idiot?"

Himeko was used to him being blunt. "Kuwabara? He didn't need to know. None of them do—it's not important now."

"Perhaps you should tell them the truth."

"Oh, really? You, encouraging the truth. What is this world coming to?" Himeko asked, a smile on her face. "But no. I'll let them wonder a bit longer."

"So you do plan to tell them."

"Eventually, maybe. Not for a while. I myself need time to sort it out, and make sense of what I will do now……now that Suzaku's gone."

"Hn. You could always kill the oaf."

Himeko stifled a laugh. "Was that…humor, Hiei?"

"Hn. It was just an idea." The little fire-demon jumped back into the trees.

Himeko sighed. Well, what did I expect? she asked herself. No, Hiei never was one for being chatty.

"He's right, you know."

She turned at the sound of his voice. "Kurama! How long have you been there?"

"Long enough." Walking over, he stopped and looked at her, amusement glinting in his eyes.

"Do you mean to say that you were eavesdropping, Kurama? How could you?"

"Indeed. I suppose it's in my nature…" He looked off into the distance with a wistful expression on his face, turning back with a small grin only at a muffled laugh from the Tigress.

"You've changed," she remarked softly after calming herself down. "And I don't mean just growing your hair out. It's that human woman, isn't it? Shiori? I'd heard about the stolen artifacts. There were rumors that Youko Kurama had been seen again." Himeko smiled slightly. "Of course, I knew they were true."

"Yes, you were the first to find me," Kurama said.

"I was the only one looking."

"Because you felt guilty?"

"I thought you knew me better, Kurama. We've already straightened this out."

"Have we? I didn't get much of a chance to speak with you last time I saw you. You ran off as soon as that monster was killed."

"I had to." Himeko looked down. "Hiei would have come after me, you know that."

"Not necessarily. I believe he would have left you alone, once he realized that Yukina had not been in danger. But in spite of that, you left and hid with Suzaku."

"No, I wasn't—" Himeko stopped herself. "Alright, maybe I was hiding. But I did need training. With the Saint Beast being the only other apparition known for controlling lightning, it wasn't like I had a choice."

Kurama shook his head. "Stubborn, as always. You never change."

"Demons don't change, Kurama."

"And yet you said that I have." It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

"That's different. I suppose 'change' wasn't exactly the word I wanted. You…well, those weren't ordinary circumstances. 'Priorities', I believe you called it. You'd gained priorities. It's not the same thing—I can still see glimpses of the Youko in you. Besides, you're not exactly the average demon."

"You're not making much sense."

"Do I ever?"

"No," he said, and they both laughed. "But Hiei was right. I think you should tell them."

"Tell them what? That I was a thief, a hired assassin for an assortment of demons, and that I then ran away rather than face what I'd done? You said it yourself—I was hiding."

"From what? Or is it who?"

"You already know that answer. Look, I have to go." She started walking away. "We'll talk again, I promise. It's not like Koenma's going to let me off the hook this time, so I'll see you around."

Kurama stood there, watching her go. You were wrong, Himeko, he thought. Demons can change.

A/N: How is it? I know there was too much talking and too little action, but I needed to set the stage for events to come. So click the little purple Review button in the corner, and let me know what you thought.