I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho

Chapter 5

Yusuke knocked twice on the apartment door before letting himself in with the key Kurama had given him in case of an emergency. Grinning widely, he knocked briefly on the bedroom door before poking his head into the room. "Rise and shine you two. No time for romance now. We have dreams to decipher."

Two guilty faces with slightly swollen lips snapped in his direction. 'Aw, they were kissing. Damn, a couple of more minutes and I might have caught them in a really compromising position.' Then he made a hasty retreat before he got roasted for teasing them.

"Hiei, you take the shower first while I make your hot chocolate." Kurama went into the kitchen where Yusuke was raiding his pantry. When Hiei came out Kurama handed him a mug of coco, lightly allowing their fingers to caress before returning to his room to shower and change. When he came back Hiei was at the window drinking his hot chocolate while Yusuke sat at the table eating cereal. He quickly made a large omelet with cheese and lots of veggies the way Hiei liked it. Giving half to Hiei, he split the remaining half with Yusuke.

Yusuke looked up, "Okay Kurama, tell us about these dreams."

"Well, there's not a lot to tell. I don't remember any of the details, just these overwhelming feelings. They always start calm, even happy, then get passionate and exciting. Then it's like my heart stops. All the wonderful feelings are gone, I feel betrayed and hurt. Then comes the pain and everything seems red. Blood maybe. Then emptiness, an overwhelming felling of sadness, loss and fear. I always waken then, trembling violently. I think the fear is because I'm so very alone."

The fox made this whole speech without looking at his friends. Only Yusuke saw the startled, wide-eyed expression on Hiei's face at what Kurama had said before it was gone.

Kurama thought for a moment, 'Should I tell them I feel Hiei in these dreams?' Embarrassed, he decided not to. He began clearing away the dishes.

"I saw you talking to Genkai last night. Did she have any answers for you?" Yusuke was watching Hiei intently.

"She thinks the dreams are a repressed memory trying to resurface" Kurama replied as he did the dishes. He didn't see the large sweat drop slide down Hiei's brow to be lost in the ward on his jagon, but Yusuke did.

Kurama silently wondered what kind of repressed memory he could be having that involved Hiei. So did Yusuke.

When he rose to leave Yusuke cornered Hiei before he could escape. "We need to talk. Meet me later in the park." Hiei nodded then told Kurama he had to go. Taking pity on the hurt expression in the fox's eyes he told Kurama he would be back later.

With his friends gone Kurama tackled his homework. He had gotten really behind in his studies due to his lack of sleep. After last night though he figured he would be caught up with his homework by the end of the day.

Hiei spent part of his day at Genkai's. He visited awhile with Yukina then took Genki aside to talk to her about Kurama. Some memories were repressed for a reason. Could remembering them now hurt Kurama? Maybe they should stay repressed. What was causing them to come out now? Unfortunately the old psychic didn't have many answers.

Later, Hiei sat high in a tree in the park, lightly sleeping while he waited for Yusuke. He jumped down as he felt the spirit detective approach.

"Okay Hiei. Spill it. Tell me what is really happening in Kurama's dreams, and don't try to say you don't know because I already saw it on your face this morning."

Choosing his words carefully, Hiei decided to trust Yusuke with at least part of the truth. "Kurama and I knew each other once, a long time ago. We were…partners, Yoko and I. The pattern of the feelings in his dreams follow the course of events from our past. In the end something went wrong. His trust was betrayed and he was nearly killed, because of me. The Youko was hurt both physically and emotionally. I took away his pain by repressing his memories. Now something is causing the memories I had repressed to come out. If his memories return he's going to be hurt and he's going to hate me, as he should. I don't know what to do Yusuke."

"Wow. That's a tough one. Tell Kurama the truth and risk loosing him, or force the memories back and continue betraying him. Did you talk to Genkai this morning?"

"Yeah. Of course she thinks Kurama has the right to his memories even if they hurt him. I don't want him hurt anymore Yusuke!" Hiei's fists were clench in anger.

"Well Hiei, I think the person who needs to decide is Kurama. I've got a question but I don't want you to fry me for it. Were you and Yoko lovers back then?"

Hiei's silence was all the answer Yusuke needed. "This is so cool. You two found each other through time, across worlds and even transcending death. That must make you soul mates or something."

"Hn. Some soul mate I am. All I ever do is hurt him." With that Hiei was gone.

'Just wait my little friend, maybe you don't understand, soul mates are forever.'

Kurama, having finished his homework, decided to take a nap. He hoped, after the dreamless sleep of last night, he would have the same now. It was not to be. The nightmare was the worst one yet. The images were still unclear but the feelings were very clear. Clearest of all was how they related to Hiei. He had loved Hiei. He had been betrayed by Hiei. He had lost Hiei. Kurama woke with a start, trembling in fear as always. He now knew what he feared, losing Hiei. Not Hiei of the past but the Hiei that was entering his window right now.

Seeing his fox's condition Hiei went to him quickly. "Kurama, are you alright?" He tried to comfort the worried looking fox but was abruptly pushed away.

"No Hiei, I'm not! Why are you in my dreams? Were we lovers? Why did you hurt me? Why did you leave me? Why are you here now? Why can't I remember?" Kurama was nearly hysterical with all the questions running through his mind. As before the best way for Hiei to quiet his upset fox was to grab him by the scruff and kiss the daylights out of him.

It only took seconds for Kurama to calm, then he wrapped his arms around the Koorime, kissing him back, releasing all his pent up frustrations. When they parted, both were breathless and aroused. "Hiei…"

Hiei raised a finger to Kurama's lips silencing him. "Wait Fox. I need to be sure this is really what you want. The answers to your questions will hurt you, will hurt us. Just understand, when your memories return, I'll be gone."

Kurama was holding Hiei tightly, tears shining brightly in his eye. "Why does it have to be like that? Hiei, if we were in love… are in love… surely we can get through this?"

The fire demon watched as emotions played across his loves face, but he didn't answer. "It'll be alright Hiei, we can do this together… but I have to know."

Pain sliced through Hiei's heart, he knew this was the last time he would hold his fox. He wanted to freeze time, for this one moment to last forever. "Alright Kurama, I'll release your memories, but not until tomorrow. Please, my fox, let tonight be ours?"

Kurama smiled beautifully up at his love. "Yes Hiei, but not just tonight. This is just our first night together again." With that he leaned up to kiss his beloved fire demon.