Kurushimi: I have decided to continue this fic, due to time for it and kind requests and compliments to do so. I hope you enjoy, I'm kind of improvising though. I don't own any of this, as I forgot to put in the first chapter. Oops. Well, enjoy!

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Chapter Two: Broken Ties

Glancing out the window, Yukina thought she had seen a shadow darting out of sight. Not a shadow, more like a guiding light. That's what she had always seen Hiei as, a role model, a guidance, a reason to be happy, "I should go speak with Kazuma," she spoke softly to herself, "He'll know what to do," The Ice Maiden brushed her aqua bangs out of her face and exited the room. Upon entering the hallway, Yukina was approached by her night's host.

"Good morning, Yukina," Kurama greeted gently, as always, "I do hope you had a good night's rest. By the way, Yusuke called just a while ago, he wanted to know if you wanted to join us for a group get together in an hour or so. Are you up to it?" the Yoko asked calmly. He knew Hiei's disappearance had greatly bothered the ice apparition, so he never spoke much of it, unless Yukina began the discussion.

The two demons stepped out of the car in front of the local café. They were greeted by the rest of the group: Yusuke, Kuwabara, Keiko, and Botan. Entering the café, a breeze of enticing smells brushed across the group. As they settled into their seats at a table, Yusuke spoke up first, "Anyone heard anything interesting lately? Hear from anyone, or, anything?" he quieted down, feeling a bit awkward, not to mention Keiko's elbow drove into his ribs.

Kurama looked uncomfortably toward Yukina, hoping she hadn't received the intended message Yusuke had implied just moments before. Finally, a waiter approached the table, easing the tension for the time being.

While waiting for their lunches, Botan had begun to carry a conversation on the Tantei's success as of late, being careful not to mention a certain fire apparition, "Remember in the Dark Tournament when you all defeated the Toguro Team!" Botan exclaimed out of the blue, "Remember the match between Bui and Hi-" the ferry girl slapped her hand over her mouth.

For a moment, the entire group seemed to completely freeze, but Yukina spoke up, "It's ok, you don't have to dance around the topic for me, I don't really mind. I just always saw him as a brother figure, since I never knew mine," her ruby eyes welled up with tears, and she bowed her head to hide the impending emotion.

Kuwabara chose this point to voice his opinion, "That's it!" he bellowed, causing every person in the building to stare at him, "I'm so sick of everyone talking about this! He chose to leave! He obviously doesn't care about us! So why do we have to care about him?!" the carrot top screamed at the top of his lungs.

Pausing only for a moment, Yukina burst into tears, and ran out of the café, face buried in her hands. Surprisingly enough, Kurama was the first to spring out of his chair and sprint after the Ice Maiden. After a minute or two, the fox had caught up to Yukina, "Yukina!" he called, stopping beside the collapsed apparition.

On her knees, Yukina looked up from her sobbing, "Kurama, why did he say that?" she managed to get out through gasps, "Why doesn't he like Hiei?" she again began to cry.

Wrapping his arms around the girl, Kurama got to his knees as well, "He and Hiei have never seen eye to eye, mind the pun. They just have very different beliefs," the red head explained. Arising from the cement and grass ridden ground, he assisted Yukina in doing the same, "Why don't we head back, if you want, you can stay outside, I'll tell you if Kuwabara is still inside."

Nodding in agreement, Yukina followed after Kurama, walking casually back to the restaurant, "Thank you, Kurama. You have been so nice to me lately. Hiei was always the same way," she smiled at her company.

Flashing his dazzling smile, Kurama laughed a bit, "He has always thought very highly of you, Yukina," he looked down, "As have I. Now, you wait here," he instructed at the door of the café. Striding inside, Kurama saw Kuwabara had left, leaving Botan, Yusuke, and Keiko alone at the table, "I see we have lost someone," he stated plainly.

Keiko nodded slowly, "He said he never wanted to talk to Yukina again. Not after how she overreacted. I think he's ridiculous," Keiko's eyes welled up with tears. Yusuke leaned over to hug the distraught woman.

Nodding in reply, Kurama turned to leave, "I'll be leaving as well then," he began, kicking at the tile with his tennis shoe, "I'll have Yukina with me as well, saying as she can't stay with Kuwabara's family. If one of you could get her belongings," he paused, "Never mind, I'll get them," with that, the Yoko sulked out of the café sorrowfully.

Upon exiting the building, Kurama confronted Yukina, "I'm sorry," he began, looking away for a moment, "He said he never wanted to speak to you again," the youkai eked out finally. The Ice Maiden let out a weak whimper, then leaned against Kurama, who simply held her to his chest.

On the roof of the building, a solemn shadow watched as the entire scene played out before him, "Very interesting," Hiei muttered to himself, "A turn of events, for the better."

After the drive home, Kurama lead Yukina to her room, informing her she could stay as long as she pleased, and could enter and leave the home at her will, "Now, you can get some rest, I know it's been a long day. I'm going to go get your belongings, alright?" the Yoko explained kindly. He strode out of the room, a kind feeling in his wake.

"Thank you so very much, Kurama," he heard Yukina whisper as he left. Blushing slightly, he continued out the door and to his car. After the lonely drive to the Kuwabara residence, Kurama requested kindly for Shizuru to retrieve the said items. Leaving the seemingly haunted apartment complex, the youkai felt a nagging sympathy for Yukina. So much had happened; Hiei's leaving had left her almost empty, and now Kuwabara's rage toward her, the Yoko bowed his head as he parked his transportation in the driveway, only to be confronted by a familiar shadow.

"Who goes there?" Kurama called out, no traces of fright in his voice. He stepped forward, only to come face to face with his visitor, "Hiei?" the red head gaped, "When did you get here?" Kurama looked about the leaf scattered cement, trying to spot Yukina, if she were outside.

"Hn," Hiei replied, "I've been here long enough. What did that ox do to Yukina?" the black clad man demanded, "How did he hurt her? And better yet, why does he toy with my flesh and blood?" the shorter youkai kept a cool tone, and a stiff posture, his feet seemingly fixed in the grass on which he stood, "Are you going to answer me, kitsune?"

Kurama's bright green eyes dulled a bit, "You saw that whole thing, didn't you?" he replied with his own inquiry. Removing the keys from his car, Kurama stood to face Hiei, "They got into an argument, about," he paused, "About an incident, and Kuwabara yelled, which greatly upset Yukina. Afterwards, I learned he had requested never to speak to her again. I'm allowing her to stay in my residence, so if you wish to visit her-"

"No," Hiei retorted sharply, "You can take care of her, I trust you," and in a split second, Hiei was gone again.

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Kurushimi: That's all I've got for now, I'm still trying to find a new direction for this as I go along. This was planned as a one-shot fic, but I'm going forward. Again, reviews with suggestions, constructive criticism (even flames, as long as they are helpful), stuff like that are very welcome and appreciated.

Sesshoumaru: I don't know why I'm here, but review.