When Kurama woke it was morning.

He groaned at the sting in his chest and looked down to see his shirt had been removed and fresh bandages covered him.

"Alive, Fox?" A voice said.

It took Kurama a moment to find the owner of those words. "Hiei." he said.

The little demon stood just beside the bed, gazing down with his hands crossed over his chest. The jagan was open and wide. Kurama turned away from him and closed his eyes.

"My mother..." he began.

"What about her?"

"She....saw me..."

"So?"

Kurama said nothing. He was staring at his hands. "She saw me kill the demon. She saw that I..."

"Hn." Hiei said.

"What can I do, Hiei? She looked at me like....a monster....a..."

"Demon." Hiei provided.

"Yes." was the soft reply. Kurama turned and peered out the window of the room. At least he had saved her. At least he had done that much. He could no longer stay here. He was free. He could disgard this life and run home, never look back. Free.

Why did that word sound so empty?

Perhaps because "free" sounded so close to "alone".

Kurama covered his face, his green eyes filling with tears.

Hiei sneered, "You are a demon." Kurama said nothing. It was true. "But...you are wrong."

"About what?" It was then that there was a knock at the door. Kurama looked questioning up at Hiei, but the fire demon had turned away and was securing the bandana around his jagan. "Hiei....who...."

The door opened and Kurama's mother entered. In her hand she carried two plates sizzling with breakfast. She set one down and paused at the look Kurama was giving her. Then, to Kurama's wonder, she smiled. "How are you feeling?"

"Feeling?" Kurama said, not knowing what to say.

She reached out and touched his forehead. "Your fever is gone. Your friend is very nice to have watched over you when you fell ill. You really should have told me at the restaurant you were sick, Shuiichi."

"Mother...I..."

Hiei interuppted and Kurama couldn't believe what he was saying. "He didn't want to worry you, Ms. Minamino."

She smiled and tussled his hair. "My dear son." she said. "You would do something like that, but next time, tell me. Please."

Hiei was grinning and it wasn't even a total sneer. "Yes, 'Shuiichi', next time, do tell."

What else could Kurama say? "Yes, mother."

She smiled and Kurama smiled back, utterly and totally confused.

When she had left, he turned to Hiei. "Hn." The Jiganshi said. "I helped her forget a few things."

"Oh."

"What is with that look. Did you want her to know?"

"I...no..." Kurama said and looked away. "But..." But part of him had hoped she had. He couldn't have it both ways. To have his mother's love, he would always have to hide away a piece of himself. "She must have been very....terrified." He said, and thought, She must have been horrified, disgusted, revolted.

Hiei's head tilted. "She is not what I expected." he said.

"Hiei?"

Hiei turned to him and his almond eyes narrowed. "For a human, she is..." He stopped himself.

Kurama smiled.

Hiei was staring at him. Kurama stared back. Hiei broke the stillness first. He leaned forward and captured Kurama's mouth. The Fox let him. This was just a way to thank the Jiganshi for what he had obviously done. His mother wouldn't know yet, perhaps never, but Hiei's faint compliments spoke volumes of what had occured. It gave him hope.

So Kurama opened his mouth to the demon, let his arms hold him closer. So he let Hiei run his fingers through his hair and use his tongue to do wicked things. So he let himself moan as the kiss deepened and Hiei's sharp teeth found his tongue and bit down. So he let Hiei draw on his mouth as one dying of thirst.

Hiei hadn't come to terms with his new taste for youko blood. That is why he held on for so long, his chest heaving. The small whimpers coming from his throat were only false desire.

So they both lied.

The kiss continued.

The masks they both wore were still in place, but something had shifted.

Perhaps another day just what would be given a name.

But not yet.

FIN

'the end'

Author's Note: To those of you wondering, this story will continue. The next story/ies will focus on Hiei's jagan and the youko-blood addiction delema. More stuff too, just have to think it up! Hope you enjoyed the story!

Author's Plea: Please Review!

Author's Final Word on the Matter: Thank you very much! :)