A/N: Okay, there's no excuse for how long that took (well there is, actually, but I don't care). Sorry, folks...
I don't own YYH...
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Chapter 13: To be Lost
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"It was a while back; I was very young, still rather inexperienced. So naturally I joined with others like myself. At the time I thought them to be naïve and immature, but when I look back at it, they were the closest thing I ever had to friends in my—"
"Get to the damned chest!"
"You can be so insensitive, Hiei."
"I asked, didn't I?"
"All true, all true indeed. Anyway, then, it was our first—and last, indecently—heist. We had spent weeks preparing for it, and we got away with many invaluable things. But we were a bit careless, and the owners of the items pursued us, even caught glimpse of our faces. In the end, we decided all would be best if we split up and went our separate ways...."
"You still haven't told me about the fucking—"
"There were problems, however, dividing up what we had stolen. And in the end, we all agreed to burry everything in a select location and come back for it later when we decided."
"That's stupid. Why not just go back early and take it yourself?"
"Because we all had minds like yours, put four locks on the chest we buried, and then each took a key."
"Don't tell me you still have it...."
"Heh, well, I actually left it at the old den of mine. My first intentions were to stop by there and collect it, but I figured you'd prefer my saying it was to become... better acquainted with you."
"That certainly shows how well you know me."
"Yes, it does."
"Now, why is it so important to get to this chest before a certain time?"
"Because we decided on a specific date: tonight."
Hiei scoffed Kurama's response, then casually tilted his head to aim a mocking smirk at the redhead and said with amusement, "An awfully long time to wait, isn't it? By now, if they're not dead, they've become a lot more skilled and have already come back to take the chest and break the locks."
Kurama replied with a nod and a sad smile. At that Hiei felt a brief but sudden burst of pain in his chest, because somewhere inside him, Kurama truly trusted that they wouldn't have been so selfish, that they would have waited, and he obviously disagreed with it in his mind.
Kurama seemed to lose most every friend in some way. Old partners were lost, teammates killed, and sometimes they just went their separate ways. It was no wonder Hiei wanted to put a stop to this depressing cycle of goodbyes.
"Kurama," Hiei started abruptly, causing Kurama to turn his head in the smaller demon's direction. Hiei gaped at Kurama's curious expression for a brief moment and casually walked nearer to him until the two stood side by side. They shared a short glance and, instantly, Kurama detected the soft and simple 'I'm sorry' behind Hiei's stern expression. Kurama's love would have erupted into an astounding, passion filled, deep, wet dip kiss if Hiei hadn't already started walking away. The fox hurried to catch up, feeling a little disappointed at the missed opportunity, but still cheered by Hiei's, even if hardly detectable, show of concern.
"Look who's in a hurry all of the sudden," Kurama mocked, finally walking along side Hiei.
"If we don't get there on time then this whole trip was for nothing," Hiei grunted back indifferently, a scowl occupying his face.
"I wouldn't say that," the redhead chirped, "you're more important to me than they are."
"I better not let that go to my head." Hiei rolled his eyes at Kurama's failed attempt at making him feel 'special'. He didn't need that crap. He didn't need to be reassured of that sort of thing. He didn't need publicized affection. What he needed was to stop blushing. It was attracting Kurama like a shark to blood, approaching at an alarming rate, locked on its target, ready to strike.
"You're cute." And the kill.
Hiei shot a look at Kurama, one filled with annoyance and the simple message of: shut the help up or I'll harpoon you!
Kurama laughed silently to himself, and pressed forward, leaving an embarrassed Hiei to truck along behind him.
"DIE!" The two demons simultaneously looked to their left, to see none other than one of the passer-by whacko's they often saw passing by. He held no weapons, he had no claws, nothing that he could possibly hurt them with, but it appeared he wanted them to die. That was a shame.
"Excuse me, but do we know you?" Kurama asked politely, giving a quick wave to the demon standing across the field.
Hiei glared, knowing deep in the ruffles of his heart's lining that Kurama was doing this to piss him off.
"No. But I'd like to redirect ya in the proper redirection. The way yer goin' leads straight into Devil's Forest, and no one goes there 'cept murderers, victims, grave keepers and buzzards."
Kurama turned to Hiei, seemingly baffled.
"Didn't we just come from there?"
"I think so."
"I could have sworn we were heading away from the forest, though."
"Yeah. We must have taken a wrong turn."
"You know, now that you mention it, I wasn't really paying attention to where we were going."
"Neither was I."
"Hello? Are you kids lost?"
"Oh, sorry sir." Kurama quickly turned back to the man and nodded apologetically. "Yes. I'm afraid we are a bit lost. Do you think you could help us?"
"Of course!"
Hiei nudged his friend, then firmly pulled Kurama down to be at eye level by his hair, and whispered softly to him, quickly, "Don't trust him. He told us to die. He's lying."
"I'm sure he's just senile. There's nothing to worry about, Hiei."
"Senile? How is that any better?"
"You still need directions?" the man called again, looking at the two expectantly.
"Yes/No!" they both replied, earning a wide smile from the man.
"All right then. Where are ya tryin' ta get ta?"
"Angel's forest," the redhead hastily replied.
"Oh, yes. Then yer defiantly goin' the wrong way. Angel's Forest is across Shoulder Field."
Kurama thought for a moment, then turned to Hiei once again.
"That must have been the field I was attacked in. There appeared to be forests on either side of it, so all we need to do is head in the opposite of the direction we did before."
Hiei stared at his fox blankly.
"...I know where to go."
"Okay then, let's go."
The two slowly turned, and prepared to walk again.
"WAIT," the demon cried out to them, stopping them dead in their tracks. "Angel's Forest is even more dangerous than Devil's Forest! It be filled wit' a thick fog, and many bloodthirsty killers who wish to redeem their SOULS."
"We'll be fine," Kurama waved back at the man, as Hiei and he started off.
"If you're up to fighting some, that is," Hiei mumbled, after they had taken a few steps.
"I think I am," he answered, smiling.
Hiei smirked to himself; Kurama healed quickly. It only convinced him further how strong he was, but then of course, he had been attacked in the first place, that wasn't very encouraging.
"Hn. As long as I'm here to cover you back that it," Hiei added sarcastically.
"Yes." Kurama nodded at his friend.
The fire demon looked away, then took in a deep breath; it wasn't going be easy, saying goodbye again.
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A/N: Well, I was going to make this the last chapter, but then it would have taken even longer to get out, and I don't want that. I'm going to try and get things out more quickly though, I promise.
P.S.
And to "DEE":
Kurama & Hiei at this point are lovers & in love, Hiei just has a different way of showing it.
Only time will tell. LOL. Meh, I hate to see an ending go too far in the direction of sadsville, so no worries.
I'm 14, and very senile. It's just my strange sense of humour. No, no. No wedding- I mean, not yet. I'm sure Kurama & Hiei could... later.
Heh, I guess in this fanfic- unlike all my others which are love-filled to the point of brain melting- I tried to go for a more simple affection. It's there, it's strong, but it's shared so deeply, to the point where it doesn't quite need to be expressed. (LOL) (?)