Chapter 8

He woke slowly. At first he thought he was still dreaming. He could feel Yoko, but that wasn't possible. 'He hates me. He wouldn't come back here…would he?' Almost dreading what he would find, he turned sad eyes toward the familiar ki of his mate. The Youko stood looking out at the Makai sunset, just as he had so many times in the past. His back was to Hiei as he spoke sadly. "So, you're finally awake." Hiei was unable to speak. He couldn't believe his eyes. He was so beautiful in all his silver splendor. 'He's really here. Probably to kill me. Well, so be it. I won't fight him. I won't hurt him ever again.'

The Youko couldn't turn around, couldn't face Hiei…not yet. He had to get control of his racing heart. He was so hurt and angry he didn't know if he wanted to fight or cry.

"Yoko…" Hiei finally found his voice.

The fox responded in and angry tone. "Yoko is dead, remember? Shuuichi is a lie. That just leaves Kurama."

Sitting against the trunk of their tree, too dizzy to stand, Hiei hung his head. "Kurama then. Whatever you came to do, just get it over with."

This finally made the fox turn. "You think I'm here to kill you? Maybe I will , but not before you finish filling in the blanks. I can't help but think there is more to the past than you showed me."

"Don't you hate me enough Kurama!" Hiei shouted. "Fine, but sit down. Looking up at you from here hurts my head." Kurama glared at him before sitting against the far wall. "And for pity's sake be quiet so I can get this over quickly." Glaring again the fox just nodded.

"The horned demon we fought that day in the clearing was Shinza. He was my partner." Kurama's eyes widened in hurt surprise but he stayed silent. "We did two heists together. Wolfman's fortress and Luther's Castle."

Unable to control his anger Kurama shouted "Those were MY jobs!"

"I know. You scouted and planned them and I stopped you from going. They were too dangerous. I didn't want you hurt. So I found Shinza to do them with me. At first I thought it would be alright, you were safe, that was all that mattered. Then after, I felt so guilty, I had lied to you, betrayed you. I told Shinza there would be no more heists, it was over. He got mad and wanted to get even with me. He didn't think he couldn't beat me in a fight, but unfortunately he did know my weakness…you. He got the drop on me when I went into town to get some wine for our anniversary. When I came to, that black haired bitch was trying to…"

Again Kurama couldn't contain himself. "Did you and that BITCH…?"

"NO! I had just flipped her off me when you came in. She took advantage of the new position and acted her part for your benefit. Almost before you were out the door I had her by the throat and she confessed that we were set up by Shinza. Then I snapped her neck and went after you. Only I found him first. You know the rest." Once again Hiei hung his head awaiting Kurama's next move.

Kurama stood and turned to the dark Makai forest, but he saw nothing. His mind was trying to absorb all Hiei had told him. "So let me get this straight. You betrayed me with a new partner. Lied to me by doing my jobs without me. Nearly got me killed. Suppressed my memory rather than face me honestly. Left me as if I meant nothing to you. Then deceived me again fifty years later by hiding the truth from me. Did I miss anything Hiei!" He was nearly hysterical when he finished.

"No, you got the events right, but missed one major detail. My motive was to protect you Kurama. To save you the pain those memories would cause. I hurt you and didn't ever want to hurt you again. But how dare you say you meant nothing to me Kurama! You were my heart, my soul, my world! I loved you!" A tear slipped down his face as he whispered. "I still do. I always will."

"Not long ago I would have given anything to hear you say those words Hiei. I'm not sure they matter anymore. How can I ever trust you again?" Kurama sank to the floor and cried for his lost love.

Hiei felt his heart breaking at the soft sound of his beloved's tears. Slowly he moved closer to Kurama. Tentatively he reached out to comfort his fox. At first Kurama was too lost to his sorrow to feel the gentle hands that tried to soothe him. When he did he pulled away pleading, "No… no…please no".

Hiei pulled back slightly, eyes wide, then moved closer encircling the sad fox in his arms. Kurama kept trying to pull away but the fire demon wouldn't allow it. Finally giving in, Kurama tucked his face into Hiei's neck and cried. Hiei held him till his tears stopped and Kurama slept in his arms. All night the fire demon held his love close. Running gentle fingers through his long silver mane and soothing hands down his back and placing soft kisses on his hair and face. He spoke softly of his love and sorrow.

The night was long and Hiei spent it thinking about the future. Did he have a future with Kurama? For the first time he thought he might. He had let Kurama go before and it had broken both their hearts. Hiei was a fighter and it was time to fight for his mate's love.

-

In the morning Kurama slowly became aware of the warm arms surrounding him and the soft lips caressing him. His shattered heart wanted so much to surrender to the love he felt, but he couldn't. Firmly, he pulled away from Hiei's embrace. The fire demon released him. Hiding his smirk Hiei thought 'you can run my fox, but you will be mine soon, I won't ever let you go again'.

The Youko prepared to leave and for once it was Hiei who had questions. "What happens now Fox?"

Looking sadly at Hiei he answered, "Like you said, I'm a fox, so I'll go to back to the Ningenkai to lick my wounds for a while, then go on with my life."

Nodding Hiei asked "And me Kurama? Will I have a place in your life?"

Kurama looked close to tears again. When he finally answered, his voice was full of emotion. "I don't know Hiei. I need some time, okay?"

Hiei took the fox by the chin making him meet his eyes. "Alright Fox, but know this, you're still my mate and I don't intend to lose you again."

Kurama pulled away almost angry now. "Am I your mate Hiei? I'm not so sure. Yoko was your mate and he's dead. Besides, before he died you had your mark erased from his neck. In the Ningenkai that's called a divorce."

Puzzled, Hiei asked "What's a divorce?"

Kurama spoke with more calm than he felt. "When two people stop loving each other or don't want to be married anymore their marriage can be broken."

Hiei growled, "Our marriage is not broken! A bit bruised perhaps but not broken. Remember, Koorime mate for life Kurama, no divorce! We haven't stopped loving each other either. As for my marking you, that's easily remedied."

Hiei reached for the fox who jumped back almost falling from the entrance to the tree house. Hiei flitted quickly to Kurama, preventing his fall. "NO! Don't touch me!" The startled fox yelled and pulled away. "Hiei, no! I'm not ready for this, please!" The fire demon slowly backed off.

"Alright Kurama. I'll let you leave…for now, but with or without my mark, you are my mate. The only way you will ever break our marriage is if you kill me."

Then he let his troubled mate leave. As always, he followed, guarding his fox from a distance, till he left Makai.