A/N: It's official: ...I'm a liar. This update wasn't that long! I mean, as soon as I say something... sigh. You can't take me seriously, folks. ::sweat:: And speaking of 'you can't seriously', here's chapter 8! :D

Chapter Eight: To be Loved

When they pop into mind, it's hard to imagine that they weren't there just a moment ago. It seems like they're always there, whether or not you're paying attention.... They always watch over you, and follow you wherever you go, even if you don't know it. The memories of old friends often die, but they can never rest knowing you've forgotten.

"A little further ahead is a place I used to live in. Well, on occasion. It's one of many," Kurama said, leading Hiei through a maze of demonic plants, seeming to go nowhere.

"You certainly picked an inviting spot... half these plants want to eat me."

"They just think you look tasty; little do they know you're actually rather bitter."

"Shut up!"

"See..." Kurama turned his head back for a moment to deliver a smug little smirk to Hiei, then continued walking. "But bitter things can be delicious," he added, laughing a little.

"And swords can make slits in fox's throats," Hiei mumbled to himself angrily, lowering his glance and staring at the back of Kurama's legs in front of him. Of course it didn't take long for Hiei to realize that they weren't moving, so he stopped and looked up to find himself standing in front of a small cave, surrounded by many of those hungry looking plants.

"I never had too many visitors here, so excuse its small size... But you're welcome to sleep outside if you feel too cramped," Kurama said kindly, looking to Hiei affectionately.

"And get eaten by plants? How kind of you to think of me," Hiei retorted, folding his arms over his chest and averting his eyes from Kurama.

The youko noted Hiei's embarrassed expression. He was being sarcastic too, more than usual. The past couple of days seemed to be sinking in....

"No worries. These are my plants. If they eat you, it's only because I wanted them to," Kurama explained, still looking cheerful as ever.

Hiei glared at his silver-haired companion.

"So you're telling me that you could have me killed at anytime?" Hiei asked, feeling a little unnerved by the idea.

"...Yes..." Kurama answered hesitantly, after a short moment of thought.

Hiei heaved a heavy sigh and shook his head in disapproval of himself. If he didn't trust Kurama he'd be pretty bothered. In fact...the whole predicament was a little odd. Hiei had been blindly following Kurama for days! What was the fox up to? Weren't they looking for some sort of chest, not Kurama's old den!?

"What are we doing here?" Hiei sighed, feeling himself slowly being lowered into the mental state he liked to call: not caring anymore.

"Well, I made sure we arrived here early... Sorry, I wanted to spend a little time with you here, is all."

Hiei gawked at Kurama expressionlessly. His eye twitched a little as he became annoyed. Hiei didn't quite understand it, but Kurama was making him very angry for some reason. Maybe it was the fact that he was in his demon form and Hiei felt threatened, maybe it was because he hadn't gotten enough sleep, or maybe, just maybe, it was because Hiei was actually sinking into the mind state: denial.

"Spend time with me? What do you think you've been doing for the past seven chapters!? Baking cookies!?"

"...I did bake cookies, but that was before I entered the demon world. Want some?"

Hiei went back to staring at his friend.

"Fine," Hiei surrendered, taking a seat on the grass.

Kurama chuckled a bit and took a seat next to Hiei, then inched himself as close as he could. Hiei closed his eyes in an attempt to block out Kurama's inviting smile, but Kurama only responded by moving closer. Hiei fidgeted a little as his friend came nearer. He didn't like this game. So he quickly opened his eyes and turned to the youko.

"Kurama, sto—"

But Kurama swallowed the rest of Hiei's sentence as he devoured Hiei's lips in a vigorously hungry kiss, one Hiei didn't know exactly how to react to. He always seemed to be off guard when Kurama kissed him.

Hiei's failure to react worried Kurama a little and he soon pulled away. Kurama looked up at Hiei then, and his features returned to that of his human appearance.

Hiei's expression gave off no clue as to what he might be feeling, so Kurama looked away. A blush crept over his face as he realized Hiei was still staring at him, and with a sigh Kurama closed his eyes and cleared his throat.

"Sorry..." Kurama said softly, fidgeting a little. He felt his face become hotter... Out of all the kisses he'd ever stolen off the half koorime this was the one Kurama really wanted. It wasn't friendly or a joke. It was... what he felt. Hiei wasn't around to hug or to tease anymore; he was gone. And of course, Kurama missed him.

When he didn't have the chance to hold him, he found himself most wanting to. When all his friends were gone, when Hiei was gone... he didn't have anyone to give a genuine smile to. He never realized how much emotion he could chare with Hiei and no one else. Hiei was the only one who really knew who he was, and who could still trust him even with that.

"Are you able to walk yet?" Hiei finally said, gesturing toward Kurama's legs.

"I should be..." Kurama whispered, averting his eyes to the ground in an embarrassed manner.

"Then we'll head off again in the morning?" Hiei asked, turning his head away.

Kurama cracked a small smile and a muttered a simple, "yeah," then slowly slid his arms around the smaller demon beside him. Hiei wrapped his arm around Kurama's shoulders, and in return held him very firmly.

Of course with all Kurama's green bodyguards around no one could hurt them, but even when no one could get to the fox, Hiei still felt that need to protect him.

To be heartbroken is still to be hurt....

That was a bit short, eh? Oh well... at least it didn't take too long, right? Anyway, I'm in the process of writing a special birthday fanfic for a good friend of mine, so I apologize for any more late updates... But hey, if anyone likes Gravitation, they might be interested in it. So yay! Please review!