Author's Note: So far in this series of events, I've tried to keep Kurama's past intact as the way it was. Well, I'm going against my word, in order to correct my mistakes. In other words, I will be including a new original character of mine, so that this entire storyline has a point. Yes, it will be stretching our favorite kitsune's past, along with his arrival, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Right?

Night slowly ebbed away and the sun broke the horizon in the eastern hemisphere, illuminating the world with its warm light. The collective dewdrops sparkled in brilliance with the glimmer of sunlight behind them and it made the day seem magical.

Kurama hadn't slept a wink the entire rest of the night, and it showed. He wasn't his normal cheery self, as the smile had been washed clean from his face. Two large bags resided under his sullen, emerald eyes, and he was constantly yawning.

However, the first thing he did was clean up the mess of glass shards, collecting them carefully and throwing the shards into the waste bin, as well as the frame, which he had to place next to, instead of in.

Afterwards, he washed his hands and slumped downstairs to get a bite to eat. He was just glad it was a Saturday, and he didn't have school. Sleepily, he stuck his head in the fridge, and rummaged around for the carton of orange juice. When he finally got it and closed the door, he was surprised to find Hiei, standing in front of the table.

"Hiei?"

"Kurama…" his tone was light, but it was obvious that he was in a serious mood.

Putting the carton onto the counter, Kurama felt embarrassed at having Hiei see him in this state. He still had bed hair, extraordinarily bad today, and rubbed his eyes quickly.

Though they were married, it was still slightly hard for the two to express their affection as other couples. Occasionally, they would share a kiss, to a bed, but not lately.

"What happened last night?"

"Uh…" Kurama faltered. How did Hiei know? "N-nothing much… My mirror fell, and I spent all night cleaning it up…" It was only a partial lie. There was more truth to it then false action…

Hiei folded his arms across his chest. Obviously they were on two different levels here, and not just size-wise. He idly opened his clenched hand and revealed the small piece of parchment. "Reflections." He read aloud. "Don't suppose there's any connect there, do you?"

The kitsune's eyes widened. He knew that handwriting… "Wh-where did you get that?"

"It got delivered." It was now clear that Hiei was going to be stubborn and refuse to give any information on his own.

"B-by who…?" Please don't say it…please…

"You."

****

"Youko…it seems you are enjoying being tangible again…hm?" A tall figure stood in the darkness of a temple. Youko could be seen several feet from him inspecting himself. The figure wore a large cape and had a simplistic smirk on his face. His hair was long and a dark blue, with narrowed icy blue optics. Several spikes grew from his shoulders as well as folded wings from his back. It was obvious he was a Demon of high stature, by one look.

Youko inclined his head towards the other with a nod. "Seems to me that the tables have turned in this lifestyle. Heh, to think you were once the petite thief who always got himself into messes you couldn't get out of. Back in those days, you knew of your relevant place below me."

"Indeed…but do not forget that in that lifetime, I did your life saving." He tapped his chin with a finger, lightly and the smirk grew only slightly. "And, now…what can you do to compare yourself, a lowly thief, to the ruler of Jigoku, itself?" [1]

"Nothing, of course. Though I would not say "lowly" thief, Fusan." His tail swished back and forth and he looked about the temple with bemused interest. "I can steal anything. Whether it be an object of good taste," he flicked his wrist to show Fusan a large sapphire, which he disappeared when he spoke up again. "Or your life." He was suddenly gone from his current place, and stood behind Fusan with a dagger to the Youkai's throat.

Closling his eyes, and pushing the dagger away, Fusan remained sitting in his seat though cocked his head so that he could see the Youko when he chose to do so. "You seem, somewhat restless."

"If you were stuck in the space of inexistence for sixteen long years, only to be let out for two meager fights…you'd become restless as well. Considering the fact that only one of them was a true fighter…"

"Yes, but I gave you the night. Yesterday. Freed you of that bond, and now you are able to walk amongst the living as a whole."

Though, this did not seem to please Youko as he slammed a fist against the large frame of the throne-like chair in which Fusan sat on. "Only at nighttime however..."

"That will soon be changed, if only you have the patience."

"When a thief sees something he wants, he takes it. No matter what the cost. So I suspect, you start working faster…!" His tone had become that of the sadistic killer that he was, and he walked away. Tracing steps through the temple, awaiting the time when he could strike next.

Fusan allowed his head to rest in his palm, as he sighed with a small chuckle. "My, my Youko…you seemingly have not forgotten your temper… This is a test of wits, in which you must show me every skill you have. I will not allow the Ningenkai to go on in existence with no supervision of our kind."

The smile crept back to his features, and a chill ran through the temple causing it to look hazier than before. "It will not be permitted…"

****

Hiei eyed Kurama and folded his fingers about the paper, crossing his arms. "Kurama, if you know something tell me."

"I…" How can I tell him? After all that's happened…how can I?

"Reflections." Hiei started. "It's a word that is used when referring to the picture of oneself in which the beholder is staring at something that can hold their form in a reflecting manner. It was given to me…by your reflection, Kurama… Your Youko form."

The emerald optics of the kitsune fell to that of the floor as he traced it lightly with a foot. So Hiei had figured it out. That's how he used to work in the form of the silver fox. Using games of the mind as confusing tactics in order to maintain what he wanted to steal, or to kill his enemies.

Putting two fingers beneath the kitsune's chin, Hiei pulled it up so that he was looking at him. "Kurama…I realize, I haven't been around lately. And it's done nothing in the long run of becoming good---"

Kurama pulled away and headed from the kitchen to the staircase, with Hiei following him in silent bewilderment. After going up the second step, the kitsune raised his voice. "I've got things to do today…if you could show yourself out, I'd be appreciative. You know where the door is…"

For a moment, Hiei was unsure of what had taken place. He stood there, feet rooted to the ground mouth hanging open slightly. As the shutting of a door was heard and the lock being turned, Hiei turned away from the staircase, and walked towards the apartment's door. However, the slip of paper fell from his hand before he left.

There lay the small parchment, alone, in the middle of the floor…