Here we go! Chapter 9! ^_^ I didn't know where I was going with this story for the longest time…Thanks for your reviews! I am open to any suggestions. They are greatly appreciated (and REALLY needed ^.~;;). So R&R, and I'll TRY to get the next chapter up.

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Hiei stared helplessly up at the wall of rock that jutted out behind him. "DAMN!" He screeched, hitting his fists off the surface. The part under his fists broke and crumbled, but the obstacle in front of him remained intact.

While Hiei's tantrum raged, Youko hopped carelessly from tree to tree toward his cornered prey. He called a few vines to prevent the little fire demon's escape from all sides except the one he was coming from. The icy wind blew at his hair, and the frozen coating on the trees threatened to trip him, but he chose his steps carefully and advanced nonetheless.

As he approached Hiei, a familiar grin spread across his face. "I have you, my little fire demon," he said. Vines snapped like demon ropes around his ankles, as if itching to get at their victim.

Hiei stopped pounding on the wall and turned slowly to face his nemesis. His fingers clenched with fury and his eyes were dangerously narrowed.

"You bloody frickin' coward," he hissed. "You knew that wall was there."

"I wouldn't call it cowardice," Youko chided. "I would prefer to say…I planned ahead."

"Call it what you wish, but to me you are still nothing but a damn coward." As he spoke, Hiei scanned the forest for any sign of Aura. Although he wouldn't admit it even to himself, he desperately needed help. And anything the Ice Apparition had to offer was good enough for the time being.

Youko caught his gaze. "Looking for the little girl, eh?"

"What would I need her for? It's not like she can do anything to help me."

"You look as if you would pay blood and jewels for any scrap of assistance thrown at your feet."

"Feh. Shows what you know." Hiei suddenly jumped up and thrusted his feet back against the wall, propelling himself at a quite considerable speed toward his ex-comrade.

Youko had just enough time to take a single step back before the demon's spiky hair was embedded in his chest. "OOOF!" The kitsune staggered backwards, glaring murder out of pained eyes. Hiei took advantage of the moment of weakness to pull his sword out of its pocket in space and time, unsheathe it, and hold it to Youko's throat.

"Now who's in charge of the situation?" Hiei announced, drawing a thin line of blood from the fox's neck.

"It seems you are." Kurama's other form looked down at the blade, eyes judging the size and strength of the steel. His yellow eyes met the ruby ones as he looked up at Hiei. "But things are not always what they seem." A long thorned tendril broke out of the stone behind the pair. Hiei let out a sharp yell and dove out of the way, letting the vine whiz harmlessly past him. He stood up and once again held the sword to his "friend's" throat.

"It seems you're losing your touch. Just a few weeks ago you'd have had my head."

"Ah, but I have not 'lost my touch', as you say. I wasn't aiming for you. Had I gotten you, it would have just been an added bonus." A long clawed finger waved to the valley behind the fire demon. "Look there, and see my true target."

Dread already tugging at his heart, Hiei spun around. A small section of the forest lay in ruin where the plant had struck. Trees were bent over and cracked in half, and swirling debris blew through the newly made clearing. Hiei's eyes strained, trying to catch a glimpse of what had been hit.

Slowly the dust settled. But suddenly Hiei wished it hadn't.

There, among the rubble, a small scrap of a blue gown fluttered in the cold.

"Aura…" He whispered, barely able to choke the words past the knot in his throat. The blade fell from his fingers. Shock was all that could describe what he felt. Shock, and sorrow.

Youko scooped the blade up off the ground, and in a flash it was against Hiei's throat.

"I knew that would make you let your guard down," he hissed into his ear. "You and that wretched girl. Once upon a time, no one could tame you. Now look at yourself! A heap of lovesick idiocy, trying to pass itself off as a demon. Do you see what she has done to you?!"

Hiei couldn't speak. As much as he had denied it along the hard, rocky journey called life, Aura was the one who meant something to him. The ONLY one.

"You see it, don't you. You see what you've become. But now that obstacle has gone, and you are free to be as you once were."

"You're wrong."

"What?!" Youko drew the sword closer to it's destination. "Say it again, and your head will roll."

"Kill me if you wish. But even if you decide to spare me, I can never again be what I was. Once the spring has come, no winter ice can stand against it. I leave it in your hands."

"You will regret that decision," the kitsune said icily. He raised the weapon high. "Goodbye, Hiei. May you find your "love" in hell." And with that the sword whistled through the air.

Hiei closed his eyes. Aura, if what he said is true, I WILL meet you, God willing.

But the blow never came.