Once again, standard discalimers apply

a/n: For those of you who didn't read the author note in the last chpater, this is not a new chapter!!! This is the original version of the story, reposted because I'm sentimental andI didn't want it to feel bad if I just threw it away. So just be nice to it and read it and tell me which version you like better.

Life or Death

Yukina laughed quietly, and Hiei permitted himself a small smile. Despite Kuwabara's presence, he couldn't have felt more content. With Kurama on his left and Yukina on his right, he had everything he cared about within reach should he lift his hand to touch them. Botan and Keiko were ahead of them, flinging taunts and jeers at the hapless Yusuke sandwiched between them. It was one of the few days they were all free to meet together, and the cheerful atmosphere was enough to affect even the stoic fire demon.

"Kurama-kun, may I speak with you?" Yukina asked demurely, slowing her pace so that she lagged behind the others.

The redhead smiled and nodded, then drifted to join the tiny ice maiden. Hiei glances sidelong at them, wondering what they were talking about. Crimson eyes wide, Yukina looked earnest and excited; Kurama remained his calm self, though his features glowed. Hiei itched to know what their conversation was about, but- though he suspected it had something to do with him- he looked forward and continued walking.

Just as Hiei's curiosity reached its peak, Kurama and Yukina rejoined the group, both smiling contentedly. The kitsune glanced down at him, his head cocked slightly in amusement.

The group split up shortly after; each had to take a different road home from the intersection they had stopped at. Yukina waved goodbye, glancing shyly at Hiei, and headed toward Genkai's temple. Kuwabara hurried to join her. Kurama turned the opposite direction and began walking home with a clandestine beckoning gesture to Hiei. Glancing around, Botan pulled out her oar and took to the sky; Yusuke grumbled a goodbye as Keiko dragged him off to their apartment.

A large eighteen-wheeler came thundering up the road, the lone vehicle on the deserted street. Hiei stared apprehensively at it, a sudden ominous premonition filling him with dread. No sooner had Hiei acknowledged his feeling than the truck swerved sideways, its front tire blown. Tottering on one side, it skidded straight toward the sidewalk. Both Yukina and Kurama, on either side of Hiei, froze. Neither had enough time to get out the way.

Hiei was paralyzed with an emotion he recognized as fear. He could only watch as the eighteen-wheeler careened toward him- him and the two people he cared for most. He knew he was fast enough to dodge the semi, but not fast enough to save both Kurama and Yukina.

Only one of them.

Left or right.

Koibito or sister.

But, how could he chose?

Time slowed, but, perversely, so did he. Every detail of the semi jumped out at him- the chipped paint, the dingy cables, the horrified driver straining to right his vehicle. Somewhere among the jumble of thoughts and emotions, he heard Yukina gasp and turned toward her, but stopped as he felt Kurama's youki fluctuate behind him.

Hayaku, Hiei.

Kurama?
The kitsune's mental voice was eternally calm, though Hiei could feel the sadness behind his words. Save her. Don't worry about me.

Iie, Kurama! Hiei cried. Panic threatened to overwhelm him; if he hesitated any longer, he would be unable to save either of them. Kurama-

Yukina is your sister. Go! Hiei felt his koibito's smile wash over him, warm and reassuring. Aishiteru…

With a last burst of youki, Kurama urged Hiei forward. The fire demon sped toward his sister, wrapping his arms around her and racing forward as fast as he could. He felt air rush past him as the eighteen-wheeler passed, then came the sickening thud as it hit Kurama's body.

Less than a second had passed in time.

Hiei dropped to his knees, a terrified Yukina still in his arms. Tremors ran through his entire body, immobilizing him.

Kurama's youki had disappeared.

Kuwabara rushed over, taking Yukina from him and raining worried queries at her until he finally shook her out of her daze. With a cry, she hurried over to where Kurama lay crumpled on the ground. Hiei shook his head, knowing there was nothing she could do.

Chikuso, Kurama, he thought. Damn you!

His vision blurred and a single black orb dropped to the ground. He stared at it blankly, then realized it was a hiruseki. His hiruseki.

"Oi! The driver's still alive!" Kuwabara called, tugging at the door to the rig. "The damned door won't open!"

Anger rose up in Hiei, deep and black. He rose unsteadily to his feet and lurched toward the eighteen-wheeler, his right arm engulfed in flames. His eyes blazed murderously; even Kuwabara hesitated before grabbing his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" the tall ningen asked somewhat hesitantly. "Hiei!"

The koorime shoved him away and took another step toward the truck driver, who was now only half conscious. He wrenched the door open, nearly pulling it off its hinges, and held out his right hand. "Jao Ensatsu Kokury-"

Something grabbed his left arm and dragged him backwards, interrupting his deadly attack.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Yusuke shouted, shaking the fire demon violently, as if attempting to shake sense back into him.

Hiei merely scowled and jerked his arm away, but couldn't loosen the dark-haired boy's iron grip. "Hanasee," he growled darkly. "Ima."

Yusuke shook his head. "Iie. Not until-"

"Yusuke!"

Both turned in the direction of the cry to see Keiko kneeling beside Kurama's prone form, her hands covering her face. Yukina mirrored her posture, both girls' bodies shaking with the tears they were trying to hold back.

His features softening, Yusuke turned back to Hiei. "Gomen nasai, Hiei. I know how much Kurama meant to you."

"Hanasee," the fire demon repeated.

Yusuke studied Hiei for a moment before loosening his grip on the koorime's arm. Hiei turned, knowing that only Yusuke would release him with the knowledge of what he planned to do, and unleashed his Kokuryuha on the rig. The Dragon devoured it before the driver had time to scream.

Hiei collapsed, bracing himself on his arms. His anger had deserted him with the Dragon, allowing the cold darkness of despair to envelop him.

Damn you.

Gray filled his awareness, overtaking every sense with its drab and dreary emptiness. All sensation fled its presence like rain clouds in the face of the sun. He existed that way for a time; how long, he wasn't sure, for the grayness had muddle his thoughts as much as his world.

A slight breeze whisked by him, ruffling his hair and bringing perception back into his reality. Light shone through the gray, a single beam that played over his features with all the wild abandon of a child.

Youko.

The voice rang out, clear and resounding in contrast to the dullness of his world. Its strength empowered him, granting him the means to reply, but no other faculties. Hai, Inari-sama?

Do you know where you are?

Iie, but I know the state I am in. I assume this is your realm?

That is correct, the fox god replied, amusement evident in his sultry voice. I have brought you here to give you a choice. Your selfless act was… unanticipated. You've clung to your ningen life for so long, I never expected you to sacrifice it so easily.

He paused, a pang of muted fear striking him as he replayed the scene in his mind. I couldn't allow anything to happen to Hiei. He would never have been able to choose between us, and then all three of us would have died. At least this way, the two of them survived. I have no regrets.

None at all? The fox god asked idly. Hmm… Then you wouldn't wish to return to your life.

He surpressed the urge to question Inari eagerly, his past dealings with the god making him suspicious. Inari did nothing that was not to his advantage. What do you mean?

Aa, are you mistrustful of me now, Youko?

Of course. You've never approved of my ningen existence. Why would you willingly permit me to return to it?

I'm simply rewarding your heroic deed.

Still dubious, he remained silent until the fox god spoke again.

You're of more use to me in the Ningenkai, Inari explained coolly. You cannot pass for a ningen in your youkai form. That would impair your dealings with the other reikai tantei and their friends. You are a good source of information, Youko, though I am loath to admit it.

Hearing the god's words, he finally allowed himself to hope. You will return me to my former life? What about the Reikai?

They have no part in this. You are my creature, and I control your fate.

That is quite reassuring, he replied dryly.

Are you willing to accept my offer or not?

Hai. But, there is something you are concealing from me. Even when it suits your purposes, you give nothing for free.

Inari laughed, and he could imagine the fox god's tails twitching. You know me well, Youko, though I'm not sure whether I should be amused or annoyed. Ee, there will be a price. I cannot heal your body; the ningen medium is beyond my dominion. You must bear your injuries alone.

The small glimmer of hope flamed into a raging fire. I will pay your price.

Fine. Do not waste this chance, Kurama.

I won't. Arigato gozaimasu, Inari-sama.

Hiei watched the others file out of the room, oddly numb. The sudare slid shut, and still he stared after them; it was as if he had fallen under an emotionless spell, a spell that would break the moment he returned his gaze to his koibito's lifeless body.

Kurama…

His peace shattered like glass, an almost audible sound. The koorime looked down to see black hiruseki littering the floor; each one clinking softly as it struck the ground, the only sound in the room. Each teargem spawned another until the space in front of him was nearly covered by them. He let their glistening blackness engulf him; even they were more comforting than the sight that waited just behind him.

He knew he couldn't avoid it forever. Soon, his tears would abate and the darkness would steal their luster. Their dull surfaces would cease to captivate him and his eyes would wander, seeking color as if to drink it in and revitalize him. They would come to rest on Kurama's still form, so pale and even more pallid in the moonlight, and then the tears would commence once more.

Drawing in a deep breath, Hiei turned. Yukina and Genkai had cleaned and bandaged Kurama's wounds as best they could, but not even they could conceal the scrapes and lacerations that covered the right side of Kurama's face. His beautiful red hair, once so vibrant and silky, was tangled and matted with blood. The truck had thrown him into the air, and he had skidded several feet before finally coming to a stop. His clothes were ripped and torn; his shirt had been removed, revealing even more wounds that marred Kurama's ashen skin.

Hiei reached out, his hand hovering centimeters above the kitsune's cheek, but was unable to bring himself to touch his koibito. Death would have already stolen the warmth from Kurama's skin, just as the darkness had stolen the shimmer from his hiruseki. He had no wish to remember his last contact with his koibito as such.

But, he ached to hold the kitsune in his arms one last time, to feel his lips against his. He heard the outer door slide open; Yusuke was leaving to inform Shiori. She would be here soon, which meant he had precious little time left with his koibito. The fire demon leaned down, feeling hot tears filling his eyes again, and pressed his lips to Kurama's.

Tears spilled over at the feel of the kitsune's cold, unresponsive mouth. Hiei poured his youki into Kurama's body in a desperate attempt to claim one last kiss. To his astonishment, the kitsune's flesh warmed as it absorbed the offered youki. Hiei pulled away, staring wide-eyed as Kurama's chest rose and fell, imperceptibly at first, then gaining strength and speed. His eyelids fluttered open, and foggy green eyes fixed on the startled koorime.

"Kurama?" Hiei whispered incredulously.

The kitsune stirred, then hissed in pain. "Don't cry," he said hoarsely, attempting a smile. "I'm still here."

Hiei remained unmoving until Kurama slid one hand over to lightly touch the fire demon's arm. Their contact knocked him out of his daze and he pitched forward, wrapping his arms around the kitsune's waist and burying his face in his hair. More tears came, but he didn't mind. His koibito had returned, and that was all that mattered.

owari

a/n: Sucked, didn't it? Questions, comments, concerns? Send them to your friendly neighborhood review machine! Just click that little button on the bottom of you screen and drop me a note!