A/N: Since I've been having seriously long periods of not updating, I've decided that the best way to make up for that—aside from updating, that is—is to personally apologize to everyone who reviews... so you know what that means! Reviewer replies! (Sorry if I missed anyone...)

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Raging Pheonix – I heard somewhere that talking to yourself was a sign of genius. That's a good sign. Except for me... I don't even talk to other people. :sweat:

CuriousDreamWeaver – Speaking of cute, I've always been a sucker for winking emoticons. So how could I possibly go that long without updating? I hope it's an okay chapter... :more sweating:

Kooriya Yui – Stalling is half the fun. Well, actually, more than half in this fanfic. The whole thing's stalling. So I guess stalling keeps true to the plot, somehow.

Shadow Priestess – 'Kawaii', 'amusing', 'tis'—you've caught my attention. 'Tis' is one of the best words ever slurred together, I tell you. And 'there're'...

If-I-see-you-in-my-dream - :pokes: Confusion is pumped fully into every chapter, which means that deep, deep confusion is getting across in some sort of psychic, magical transfer. That's so awesome. And cuteness is always a plus.

Soul of Rain – Aww. The love! It really means a lot to know people enjoy this. That makes it so much more worth writing.

Light – WAH! I updated, I updated! But I think it might be too late. It did take a really long time. I'm sorry for any craziness my story might have caused. Send the bill to my parents for any damages...

KitsuneAkai13 – Ha-ha-ha! Kurama did say the wedding wouldn't make sense if Hiei weren't there... now, what are the essential components of a wedding? Not much, eh? BWA. COUGH. Yeah, and who knows what they were eating. I never tread too far down the path of food. I don't know why, but I don't like to write about people eating. Maybe I just want all the food for myself. Hm.

Animefreak54 – Kurama is very skilled. Tee-hee... Ah, the power of plants.

TrenchcoatMan - I was supposed to end this fanfic five chapters ago. Blah. I'm getting to it, though, slowly but surely.

SlightlyInsane – I updated! And the next should come sooner. I'm going to get back on top of this. Heheh...

Ryuu Ide Mizishi – Stupid chest! It keeps not wanting to work itself into my plot. It's really getting bothersome. It used to have such a nice meaning to it, now it's just going to seem like something I pulled out of nowhere...

Crystal-chan – I try. :smile: My next fanfic should be funnier, though. Since this fanfic is my version of depression.

Lyn/Lin – They're still in the Makai, but I sent them to some secluded little Kurama-den place for stalling purposes, since I was too lazy to reveal that damned chest in that chapter, lol. Re-reading would do no good, though... since none of my fanfics really make any sense either way. :cries:

Deathangelofdarkness – There's more! (Obviously...) I don't think I could ever write a sequel to this. I mean, what the heck could I do? ...Hmm. I could have another secret chest! And have the fanfic be twice as long! YES. I'm liking this idea...

Yoko's Babby - ...Okay!

RaineKitsune – Calling me a bitch would only be the truth. :sweat: I can't yell at someone for telling the truth... (but being a bitch, maybe I can?) And I talk and am friends with MANY people who use substandard grammar, so that doesn't bother me (unless you just stick random apostrophes where they don't belong... like "wan't"... that makes me mad). BUT, the lame reasons Kurama & Hiei aren't a couple will get you up there. :smiles: I doubt I could take it seriously, coming from you... although... hmm. We'll have to see. CONFUSION. It's all confusion I tell you!

A/N: :feeble laughter about chapter title:

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Chapter Twelve: To be Distracted.

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"Hurry up, Hiei, we don't have much time," Kurama called, looking over his shoulder at the poor demon lagging a few steps behind him.

"Since when isn't there time? You're the one who keeps putting it off!"

"I couldn't walk..."

"What about that last detour, then?"

"I have a better question: why are you walking so slowly?"

Kurama waited for Hiei, who gradually made his way over in a cautious, rabbit-like trot, as though he might run away at the slightest noise.

"Are you upset?" Kurama persisted, offering his companion an expression filled with concern, as he inched a bit closer.

"No," Hiei answered hastily, jetting a sharp look at Kurama.

Kurama didn't look the least satisfied with Hiei's response, and only replied with a penetrating stare of his own. The two held their looks for a long moment, until Kurama finally cracked.

"Fine. Just don't wait too long to tell me, or I might not be around to hear it." Kurama laughed faintly and turned from Hiei, then continued forward out of the forest surrounding.

Damn fox, Hiei mused, staring at his friend as he slowly moved away.

"Hiei, you promised to come with me, and I doubt standing there will be any more exciting."

The fire demon looked up from his thoughts and sheepishly caught up to Kurama again.

The two pressed onward in silence for a while: Hiei blindly following Kurama, and Kurama masking his thoughtful expression as he pondered what was troubling his dearest demon. He had a hint of an idea, but it was nothing he believed could affect Hiei this much. Maybe he was just tired.

"I'm sorry I kept you up so late," Kurama apologized in a soft voice, turning to give Hiei a sorry smile. "It wasn't that strenuous, though, was it? If you need to rest, I suppose I could carry you," he continued sarcastically, hoping for some sort of reply.

There was none.

Kurama focused his eyes back on the path ahead, then with a sigh, placed his hands in the pockets of his overcoat in defeat.

Hiei didn't mean to be so cold, but he didn't feel like talking. Kurama had done so much to him, and it was too sudden. It hadn't all registered, and he knew he needed time before it would all set in.

Of course, it was becoming apparent that there was no time.

"Kurama, why did you do that...?" Hiei finally spoke, and looked away as he did, finding himself oddly embarrassed.

"And I'm supposed to know what you're referring to?" Kurama retorted in a less than polite, nearly annoyed tone.

"Why did you drag me over there and use your precious chest-finding time to toy with me?"

"Because you're cute," Kurama snapped quickly. "Why? Didn't you have fun spending time with the one you lo—"

"Fun wouldn't be the word."

Kurama sighed softly to relieve his previous anxiety, then approached Hiei, putting on a friendly smile.

"I understand..." Kurama whispered affectionately, placing a gentle kiss on the fire demon's flushed cheek.

"I hate not being able to kill you," Hiei quietly growled, as he folded his arms and looked to the ground in an embarrassed stance.

"And I love not being able to hate you..."

"Well, I love being able to publicly embarrass you."

"But I'm not embarrassed about loving you, even publicly."

"This conversation's odd...."

"I agree."

The two of them both universally shared a common smirk, together (A/N: ...I just wanted to do that. Ignore half those words). And soon went back to their walk.

"We're never going to make it," Kurama sighed sarcastically, shaking his head in defeat.

"You get too distracted."

"You get just as distracted as I do."

"But I don't encourage it."

"Distraction can be good every once in a while."

"You're the one that's complaining!"

"Stop, you're distracting me."

"From what, exactly?"

"My train of thought," Kurama sighed, turning to smile at his love. "Really, I think it would be best if we stopped talking—or arguing, rather—until I know exactly where we're going."

Hiei nodded, seeming to be only slightly annoyed, and more so thinking of ways to silently pester the fox. Sometimes Kurama just asked for trouble...

Kurama quickly turned his head to the smaller youkai and gave a warning look—Hiei swatted all plans then.

Hiei supposed it was time to stop putting it off and get to that chest, even though he wasn't particularly interested in it. He just wanted to figure out a way to convince Kurama to live in the Makai. But first things come first.

It was time to deal with that chest...

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A/N: ...Ha-ha. I'm doing it on purpose now. It's the new theme of the story: not finding that chest. Eh... heh. I promise, next chapter I'll reveal it.