When Hiei came to, he noticed two things very quickly.

One: he was no longer on the sky-scrapper.

Two: someone was crouched over him, kissing him.

Hiei opened his eyes, recognizing the scent. "Kurama." Hiei breathed.

Kurama didn't answer and the lips on his didn't stop. One of Kurama's hands was on his forehead, pressing against the seal that hid his jagan.

"Kurama!" Hiei said again as Kurama pressed his thumb into the eye, sending a shock of pain ricocheting through Hiei's head. He batted Kurama's hand aside and rolled the fox until it was Hiei holding him down. "What the hell are you doing, Kurama?" he growled.

There was that strange silence again. Kurama was just looking up at him. His lips were swollen.

His eyes were red.

"What's wrong with you?" Hiei demanded and when Kurama didn't answer again, he sighed and stood. "Whatever." Hiei was walking away. He was disoriented and was trying not to let it show. He didn't know where they were. All he saw were trees and only slowly, as he walked further did he realize where they were.

He had been there last not that long ago.

Just over the trees he could see the bureau of the dead.

This was the place where Kurama had taken him that time. The place he had first unsealed Hiei's jagan.

"What..." Hiei began and was cut off.

"We're just outside the castle." Kurama said as he approached Hiei from behind. The fire demon turned to him.

What was wrong with the fox? Why was he looking at Hiei like that?

Hiei regarded Kurama for a full minute and when the fox offered no further explanations, Hiei said, "Hn.", turned again and began to walk out of the clearing.

Only, he couldn't.

Something stopped him. It was invisible, but when he held out his hand and touched it, it felt warm. From behind him, Kurama explained, "It's a kekai, Koenma put it up as a favour to me."

"What is going on Kurama?" Hiei demanded, his hands curling into fists. Whatever was going through the fox's head, Hiei did not liked to be trapped. Especially when he couldn't use his third eye.

Kurama continued as though he hadn't noticed Hiei's outburst. He took a step forward and Hiei took a step back. He didn't like the look on Kurama's face. "I explained that if I were to do this, it would be better if you couldn't leave too soon. You're very fast, Hiei. I don't think I could keep up with you, even now."

"Kurama..." Hiei growled and pulled his sword from its sheath. The sound of metal was loud within the keikai. "Tell me what is going on. Now." The sword held the threat of disobeying the command.

Kurama's face was careful, like something that had been carefully placed back together, but having no glue, threatening to fall apart again at any time. "Yukina has been kidnapped." he said.

"What!?" Hiei roared, then turned to the keikai. "Let me out of here, Kurama!" He slashed at the barrier.

"Why?" Kurama said quietly and Hiei paused.

"You know why." Hiei said. His heart was pounding. Yukina...

"She is alive, Hiei. If I let you go, however, you will not be for much longer."

Hiei rounded on the fox, flitting to him until the steel of the blade lay against his throat. "Is that a threat, fox?" he whispered.

Of all the things Kurama could do, smiling was not what Hiei expected. "I don't need to threaten you, Hiei." he said and reached into his pocket.

"What is that?"

"Just a flower."

"With you it is never 'just a flower'."

Kurama just laughed.

...to be continued...