Wow... that seemed like a long time. Sorry!

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Chapter Five: To be Strong

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"Does it hurt?"

"No, not much, anyway... OH!"

"Damn it... As much as I think we should leave, you're in no condition to walk."

"No, Hiei. We need to go soon... now!"

"What's the rush!?"

"They..."

Kurama closed his mouth, averting his eyes to gaze at the ground below him.

"Well I'm not going to carry you," Hiei said, mentally finishing Kurama's sentence for him.

He'd said it once, or maybe twice already. They might get to it first. Hiei assumed there would be competition for this thing Kurama had no interest in. Why look for it at all? He didn't want it, and he didn't seem to want anyone else to. But Hiei figured that wasn't it, since Kurama offered it to him. Puzzling...

"I wasn't asking you to. I'll get there on my own."

Hiei sighed and shook his head. Kurama could be all too stubborn sometimes.

"Alright, fine. You figure out a way to do that.... I'll be down at the river," Hiei said, giving Kurama a halfway sarcastic look as he started off.

Well, the trip had been mostly a waste. Kurama couldn't really move, and they most likely weren't going to "get there in time". The only good thing about it was the visiting Hiei got to do with his friend. But under the circumstances it would have been better it never happened at all. Maybe...

Hiei looked to the ground, suddenly feeling guilty again. If this truly hadn't happened... it might have turned out that the two never saw each other again. Hiei kept putting off going to see Kurama. It wasn't that he didn't want to of course... he just didn't really want to admit he was gone in the first place.

Hiei did have an idea about what to do, but, to put it simply, he was afraid to ask. He would probably word it wrong and mess up everything.

And Kurama would never go for it...

Hiei then heard footsteps, coming from behind him. He wouldn't have thought this strange seeing as that's where Kurama was, but Kurama had a broken foot and ankle... hmm.

"Are you ready to go, Hiei?" came Kurama's voice.

Hiei quickly turned his head to find, well of course, Kurama, standing up straight and without a bruise in sight.

"Interesting solution," Hiei commented, taking a few steps toward Kurama.

Kurama chuckled in reply, running his fingers through the length of his long silver hair.

"This comes in handy during an emergency..."

"If you ask me you should just stay in that form," Hiei scoffed, as the two began to walk and gather their things.

"I'd hate to see the look on my mother's face," Kurama laughed sarcastically, picking up his bag and throwing it over his shoulder.

Hiei looked away from his friend, a very thoughtful look on his face. Kurama became a little worried at this. Hiei had been acting strange lately, not much of course, but he was still curious about what was going on in that mind of his.

"Mmm, Hiei?" Kurama started. Hiei looked over attentively. "Is there something on your mind?"

"No," Hiei answered hesitantly, turning to Kurama and giving him his don't pursue this topic any further look.

Kurama nodded, accepting his answer. He didn't believe it of course, but he accepted nonetheless.

"Heh, this body feels so different. I feel much more... powerful," Kurama stated, attempting to get off the subject of thoughts and emotions by bringing up Hiei's number one, irresistible topic: POWER! BWA HA HA!

"Like I said, just stay that way," Hiei repeated, nodding his head as if to agree to his own statement.

And Hiei was only half sarcastic. Something about Kurama in his Youko form made Hiei feel a little more comfortable. Sure, it was still Kurama, but such a gentle look in the eyes of such a powerful demon was... more comfortable. Yes.

"I don't see why I would. Strength and power don't much matter to me... But I still like you, Hiei. Don't be mistaken!" Kurama chuckled, smiling affectionately at his friend.

"Hn... So, fox, where are we going?"

"We're going north."

"Oh, okay," Hiei replied mockingly in an annoyed tone. "You're very sarcastic today, aren't you?"

"...I'm... sorry...?" Kurama said, raising his eyebrow in question.

"I'm going to kill you."

Kurama shook his head in amusement. He loved to hear Hiei joke. Even if what he was saying wasn't funny... just his tone of voice was nearly enough to leave Kurama in stitches for weeks. So wrong, but so funny...

"One day, Hiei. One day..." Kurama mumbled as he delicately draped his arm around the smaller demon's shoulders and gently held him closer as they walked.

Hiei again looked away. He wanted to have Kurama nearer. He wanted at least one of the people he cared most about to be close by enough to keep watch over. Why couldn't Kurama stay in the Makai? His demon form was much stronger anyhow! He could walk around freely... he wouldn't have to lie anymore. He could be closer....

"One day," Hiei mimicked, sliding his arms around Kurama's waist....

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Yugijouoh's Prediction of Readers First Response to this Chapter: WTF!? That was short! And it didn't even make sense! It wasn't funny or fluffy or heartfelt or anything! Why did I just waste my time reading THAT!?

And I'll now answer that...

X.X I'm going to be GONE (not for very long, but until Saturday). So I figured that I better get a chapter out before then. It was going to be longer, of course... but there's simply no time! XD ... I apologize.

Please review anyway... but don't hurt me. ::sweat::