Chapter 7

Kurama's worst fear, worst nightmare had come true. Hiei was gone…forever.

He was in shock, numb. He had been sitting on his bed, huddled in a blanket, rocking and shivering since he woke a few hours ago, alone. He neither heard nor saw any of the concerned activities going on around him.

His mother had left two worried messages on his machine when he missed their twice-monthly date for Sunday brunch. Kurama never missed without calling. Concerned, she called Yusuke, who met her at the apartment. After banging and yelling at the door Yusuke let them in with his emergency key. When she saw the condition Kurama was in Shiori took her son in her arms and whispered soothing words in his ear.

Yusuke called Yukina who came right over. She gave him an herbal sedative that, surprisingly, Kurama had taught her to make only last month. The fox then slept the rest of that day and night in a dreamless sleep. He woke early the next morning to find his mother and friends keeping a constant vigil.

"Shuu-chan…" Shiori rushed to his side.

Holding up a hand to stop her, "I'm alright mother. I need to get ready for school." With that a very somber Kurama went to his treasure box and placed Hiei's tear gem inside then went into the bathroom to shower and change.

When he came out Yusuke tried talking to him. "Kurama, did Hiei…" he was abruptly cut off. "Hiei's gone, and he's not coming back." Kurama then picked up his schoolbooks and left everyone gaping after him. Yusuke looked questioningly at Shiori. "Give him time. He's still in shock" she replied sadly. Yusuke nodded "Don't worry Shiori-san, we'll all keep an eye out for him.

-

Somehow, Kurama managed to hold himself together for the last two weeks of the semester. Between studying for finals and work the fox was almost too busy to think about Hiei…almost. He now had a month off before the next semester of college. He even had a month off from work since he worked at the university bookstore and it would be closed till the new semester started.

After only one day though Kurama thought he would go insane. He had too much time to think and he didn't want to think. The only thing he could think about was Hiei. 'Where is he? Is he alright? Is he with someone else? Is he happy? Does he miss me?'

"DAMN YOU HIEI! Why did you do this to me? I thought you loved me!" Kurama angrily shouted to the empty room. 'Why does this hurt so much?'

Two hours later Kurama found himself in Koenma's office. The heir to the Reikai watched the fox, concerned at his total lack of emotion. "Send me on a mission Koenma. I've got a month off and nothing to do. I'll go nuts just sitting around." After selecting a paper from the stack on his desk Koenma looked up at Kurama, "Well there are two upper A class demons causing a commotion on the western border to the Ningenkai. I don't think it's bad enough to send the team…" Kurama cut him off. "Not the team! Don't want them. Just me." He snatched the paper from Koenma's hand, glanced down at it, then with, "This will do", he left. Koenma sat wondering if he should call Yusuke. 'No, with the mood Kurama's in right now he could send two S class demons running for cover.'

Over the next week Kurama went on three solo missions trying to forget Hiei, but it didn't work. He knew he had to talk to Hiei. He had to finally put an end to this. So for the second time in two lifetimes Kurama set off through the Makai hunting fire demon.

-

Kurama spent his first day in Makai wandering, with no real purpose other than to replenish his seed supply. He hadn't realized how much he missed being here. No matter how long he lived in the Ningenkai, Makai would always be his home. When he was here on missions for Reiki he didn't take time to enjoy the beauty of his old home. He did now. Sitting on the cliffs overlooking Mukuro's territory, he watched the sun set in his ningen form. Early the next morning he watched the sun rise in his demon form.

Today was the day he would find Hiei. The first time they would meet with his memories of the past intact. He was angry, hurt and even a little afraid at the idea of being face to face with his mate again. As usual, he had questions to which only that damn fire demon had answers. Standing and picking up his backpack, the Youko determinedly faced the new day. He thought for a moment 'Where would Hiei be?'. Then a wicked smile spread across his lips. He knew exactly where Hiei was. "I hope you're ready for me Hiei, because here I come."

The Youko followed his instincts as to where he was going. At first he didn't remember having been in this area before. Then like a flash it became all too familiar. The plants and flowers all seemed to recognize him, reaching out for a touch from his ki after a long absence. "Yes my lovelies, I'm back. Sorry to have been so long." He was amazed at how much things could change and yet stay the same, even after fifty years.

As he would pass it first, the Youko went to the den he had shared with his mate on rainy nights. He really didn't expect to find the fire demon there but thought it was better to start this trip down memory lane slowly. His heart already ached and all he had seen were his plants. He found the den right away. Judging from the plant growth all around the entrance the fire demon hadn't been there in some time. Using his ki he parted the vines and slowly entered the small enclosure. The youko stopped just inside, then fell to his knees. Everything was just has they had left it fifty years ago. A lantern hung on the wall, a few tarnished treasures from various heists littered the small cave. Neatly folded in the corner were the mat and blanket they had slept on, where they had made love countless times. The fox covered his face with his hands. 'I will not cry!' Rising he quickly left the den closing the vines behind him.

Within minutes he was passing the stream where they had bathed and gotten their water. Then he saw it. The tree where they had lived, loved, fought and laughed. For a moment the fox seemed frozen, unable to take the next step. Was he up there? Masking his ki he slowly moved to he base of the tree. Jumping from branch to branch the Youko made his way toward the structure hidden high in the branches. As he got closer he could see what appeared to be recent repairs to the old tree house. He paused taking a deep breath to calm himself before going in.

Then he saw him. Hiei was sprawled out on the floor, unconscious. He looked like he had taken on an army single-handed and the fox wasn't so sure he had won. Hesitantly, he moved closer. Hiei's clothes were torn, and he was bruised and bleeding. 'I have to help him, if he dies I'll never get my answers.' The Youko thought that excuse sounded as good as any. Gathering what he would need, the fox began cleaning and bandaging the fire demon's wounds. Then he sat down and waited for his wounded mate to wake up.

-

It was done. Kurama had his memories back. Hiei slowly leaned over his sleeping fox and kissed him goodbye for the last time. "I'm sorry my fox. I will always love you." Then he was gone, running through the Ningenkai toward Makai. Tear gems falling unnoticed from his eyes as he went.

When exhaustion finally overtook him and he slowed Hiei was deep in the forest of Makai. It took him a few moments to realize where he was. Wondering how he could have come to be here, he turned to leave. Unable to take the steps that would take him away from the all too familiar surroundings he turned back. Moving towards the den, it's entrance was covered by thick vines. The plants, sensing the familiar ki of their master's mate, parted willingly at his probing hands. He didn't enter, only peeked in to see everything exactly as it was when he left with Yoko all those years ago. Moving away the plants closed again over the opening. He then made his way past the stream to their tree. He paused, looking up at his old home. He had not been here since taking Yoko away that last time. Back then, he knew it would hurt too much to be in their home alone. For some reason though it felt oddly comforting to him now. Within seconds he had landed at the entrance to the old tree house. Time and the elements had taken their toll. Anything they had left behind was now gone or destroyed. Slowly he set about clearing away the debris. When he was done he sat on the floor, leaned against the trunk of the tree and slept.

-

Hiei spent several days doing repairs on the tree house, making it habitable again. He was careful not to harm any of Yoko's precious plants. 'Hn. Like he'll ever know.' Inside however he couldn't bring himself to bring anything into the home he had once shared with his mate. This would always be the Youko's domain and even sleeping on the bare floor felt like he was trespassing. He couldn't make himself leave though. He could feel his fox all around him, in the plants, at the stream, even in the barren structure. So he stayed. It was a pleasant agony though. All those wonderful memories of life with his mate slapped him in the face at every turn. And so his days melted one into another. Working or fighting himself into exhaustion, then sleeping until his dreams overwhelmed him. Then he would flit off to fight another battle.

-

That was how the fox had come to find him beaten on the floor. He had taken on a gang of demons that traveled too close to their home. It wasn't easy, as his wounded body could testify to, but he had won. Hiei hurt all over but he felt tender hands easing his pain and dressing his wounds. He knew he must be dreaming, he had made it to the tree house before collapsing and he was alone. He tried to see the owner of the caring hands in his dream but finally succumbed to the darkness.