Standard disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho

Chapter 8

Story… Dreams… 'Thoughts'

As Koenma faced his friends he silently prayed he was doing the right thing. By telling them what was to come he hoped the damage could be kept to a minimum. Unfortunately he feared Kurama would be hurt no matter how hard Hiei tried to protect him.

"So Hiei, I'm guessing you came to me after the memories started to surface. I knew the location of his soul when you asked, I think you did too. I didn't want to tell you until I had more information. Yes, you are the reincarnation of the Chimera known as Kuronue."

In his heart Kurama knew what Koenma was going to say, but actually hearing it was still a shock. His hand reached for Hiei's as all eyes turned to him. Quietly he reassured them. "I'm alright, please go on."

Koenma continued. "Reincarnation is something I think we all understand. To explain the current situation I will need to go back to the beginning of time. There are many gods and goddesses who oversee the three worlds. In the beginning, each deity created rules and boundaries by which we all live. The goddess of love created some of the most complicated. One of her rules is, everyone has a soul mate. Upset by the thought that soul mates could be separated by death, she created conditions by which lovers could be reunited, even after death. In Kuronue's case, those conditions have been met."

Stunned, Kurama was almost afraid to speak. "Are you saying Kuro could come back from the dead?"

"Yes, I believe he can, but it's complicated. The reincarnated soul must find its soul mate again. Then, on the two hundredth anniversary of the death, if both lovers wish it, they can be reunited. To my knowledge it's never happened before. Humans don't live two hundred years and demons don't usually love in the manner the goddess intended when making the rules."

Yusuke hadn't quite grasped the seriousness of the situation. "Wow, this is great. I told you eighteen years ago that you two were soul mates. You found each other across time, two worlds and now transcending two deaths."

Hiei had been very quiet as Kurama gripped his hand and learned of the possible return of his old lover. After listening to Koenma he knew there had to be more. "What aren't you telling us? It can't be that simple."

This was the part Koenma had been dreading. "You're right, it's not that simple. The soul can only have one host. For Kuronue to return, Hiei must die."

"NO!" Kurama cried out as he pulled away from Hiei and jumped up. "What kind of a sick bitch would think of something so cruel! To offer me back the love of my youth I must give up the love of my life!"

Hiei raced to his mate and tried to comfort him but was pushed away. "No Hiei! You don't understand! I would give anything to see Kuro again! He was viciously taken from me and I didn't even get to say goodbye! Now I get the chance but to do so I would have to lose you! It's not fair!"

Hiei grabbed Kurama just as he collapsed to the floor in tears. Holding his fox, he glared at Koenma who was hiding behind Yusuke. "How long do we have?"

"Three days." With that Koenma and Yusuke left the lovers alone to face what was to come.

xxxxx

It was the middle of the night and Hiei still held a restless Kurama as he slept. Somehow, he managed to get the nearly hysterical fox to the bed. He then held him and rocked him while offering soothing words to try to calm him. His fox had cried off and on well into the night occasionally muttering almost incoherently at the unfairness of the situation.

Hiei would not sleep tonight. He wanted to be there should his mate need him and he didn't think he could handle dreaming of him with Kuronue right now. He also had a lot to think about. He promised Kurama he would never leave him, but would he be happier with his old lover? Would he be safe in Kuronue's care?

Kurama stirred again holding tight to the fire demon and murmuring in his sleep, his dreams troubled. Hiei removed the ward over the Jagon and offered his mate soothing dreams to quiet him so he could sleep in peace.

As dawn approached Hiei knew he had to make a choice. Let Kurama make a decision that could haunt him the rest of his life or make it for him. Koenma said both lovers had to wish it for Kuronue to return but that meant forcing Kurama to accept his decision. Hiei had dominance in their marriage, Kurama would accept it. The question was could he do it?