Well, hullo all my sweet-lings.

Be prepaired for major sadness here.

Major sadness.

Bring the tissues, you might need them.

Maybe…

After hours of running, Hiei and Kurama had finally picked up on Shiori's scent.

Unfortunately, they were feeling the beginnings of exhaustion.

They both sucked it up, though.

They knew where their priorities lay.

Shiori was on the earth, somewhere east of them.

So east they ran.

"Scream, earthling, scream…SCREAM!"

The mad-eyed stranger prodded the writhing woman.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Scream damn it!

Growling with distaste, he raised a slender hand high and clenched it tightly.

It shook then opened.

And it gained momentum, as it fell for the woman's face. A resounding smack echoed throughout the chamber and Shiori winced and fell to the ground.

Licking his lips, the abuser sighed and tossed back his hair.

Long captivating strands of white caught in the dimly shadowed area.

And…for one instant, he seemed sane. That instant was ruined though, with a harsh twisted smile.

The smile itself is a promise of what was to come…

He 'tsk'ed the woman and said, "Now, darling…you forgot to scream."

And he stepped forward.

Yawning widely, Kurama blinks a few times. The sun was rising…

How long had he been asleep?

Shaking scarlet locks, he turns to Hiei, opening his mouth to ask.

"Only a few minutes."

Kurama was floored.

Since when had he been able to be read so easily?

Blushing, Kurama shifts his weight with a sigh.

Hiei stood, Kurama could not only see this, but he sensed it.

"Isn't it about time we set off?"

It was a good, sensible question…

But then, why did it hurt so much?

Why did he just want to quit, there and then.

They had been looking for this 'eastern cave' for a week now…

When did he loose faith?

…hope?

And they ran and ran.

Physical exhaustion no longer seemed the limit.

The limit was no longer reachable.

That limit, was Shiori.

And nothing, it seemed, could stop them.

Them, of course, being Kurama and himself.

Something pricked at his nose, tugging, begging an entrance to knowledge.

Shiori.

"Kurama!" His voice sounded odd. It was a mixture of shock and shame.

Shock because he had thought the human dead, for days now.

Shame, for knowing he hadn't been trying his hardest.

"Kurama, she's here!"

As expected, Hiei saw the calculating nod.

And then Hiei was no longer partnered up with Kurama a.k.a Shuichi Minamio, he was standing before one of the greatest Youko ever.

Not physically, of course.

Kurama was still there, green eyes concentrating, looking, searching…And they brightened.

A cave.

As they entered the biggest cavern in the cave, Kurama and Hiei both noted a bloodied mangled mass in the corner, a cell, some foodstuffs and a man, who was standing before a mirror.

He was of medium build and held scissors in his left hand.

On the ground under him were clippings.

Clippings of hair, which had been, too long and had seen little light.

"Where…is she?"

A hitch, though slight, was detected from Kurama's speech.

And he flushed.

The man turned, showing his 'guests' his new look.

He looked mad.

And not angry mad either…

Golden eyes swerved.

Back-and-forth.

Back-and-forth.

"Heheh…you'll never find her in time K-k-kurama!"

He stuttered in mock fear and grinned, lips which so resembled Kurama's own, lifted at an insane angle.

Growls and shouted words were all he received.

He 'tsk'ed a familiar tsk and made a lunge for the two 'guests'.

Fast, fast, fast…FAST!

He cackled and grinned, moving at a speed beyond even Hieis'.

Oh this was fun.

Claws outstretched, slashing, crushing both of them.

Lips touched, caressed them.

He was forcing them to use their powers.

Thorne whips lashed out towards him while a steely sword dipped towards his head.

It was truly hell.

Hell.

No…

This, no…

Something struck his chest.

Actually, two things…

A sword hilt was all that could be seen. The rest of the sword's body, he assumed, was sticking out of his shoulder blade.

It was so close, but fortunately for him, Hiei's aim was off, which would have bought him just enough time to kill the both of them.

Unfortunately for him, Kurama's whip was wrapped around his entire chest, constricting his breath, breaking the flesh.

"Where is she?"

And this time, there was no catch.

No accidental slip of tongue.

The stranger coughed out a few high-pitched giggles, blood dribbling from his lips.

"Don't..don't you see?" He paused a moment before continuing.

"There she is, Kurama…" He shook his head in the direction of the 'bloodied and mangled mass' a smirk lazily stretching across his lips.

"Who are you?" Hiei asked, voice dripping with venom.

"A-and you know what, Kurama..?" His voice was growing fainter, more distant, as his life poured out of his shaking form.

"I'm ha-happy that I-i" he had to breathe a few deep breaths before continuing… "I'm glad that I could die along with my Mother." The insane man's voice grew stronger and stronger.

"I, Kurama, am you."

And his body sunk.

He was dead.

And so was Shiori.

Before she had died, though, she had seen what her 'son' truly was.

Was she ashamed of him?

Or…afraid?

He…he would never know…

Gasping back his sobs, he stumbled for Hiei, whom had remained silent after his question.

Arms fell heavily about the smaller man's shoulders and he cried out brokenly.

Not only had he seen his mother die, he had ignored her and he had inadvertently done it.

He killed Shiori.

"SHIORII!!"

Sowwy, my loved ones.

Thank you to the regulars, the ones who post.

I actually just wrote this in one sitting.

I was beginning to think I had writers block.

It kinda just stumbled out…

I'm not sure how many chapters there are going to be but I can assure you that this 'fic is still going on.

Thanks and sowwy…ja!