A/N: Finally! I have another screen. I didn't think I was going to make it… but I did, and I planned out this whole chapter on paper, so I am hoping that this one will be a good, long chapter.

Last Time: Etaila felt a familiar pull and is searching for it.

By the time Etaila left her apartment, it was five-thirty, and the pull at her mind wasn't letting up in the slightest. Why did it have to start before the sun, on my day off. She thought bitterly to herself, pulling her beige coat around herself. The weather was unusually cold this morning, matching the demon's mood perfectly.

It wasn't the constant pull that was making her so upset, however. Etaila pulled the ends of her hair. Why can't I remember this call! It sounded so familiar it hurt her, her own heart calling out to it in response. She followed her instincts and was now walking down a gritty sidewalk, seeing her grandmother's temple in the distance. She didn't know exactly how she knew it was there, but she was certain that whatever this call is coming from, it was there.

Etaila shook her head. There had to be some reason that she didn't remember what this… this thing. As she tried to look back before three years ago, she found that she actually couldn't remember anything. Her grey eyes unfocused at she reached the bottom of the temple steps. I can't… remember. It was an odd feeling; it was as if she had amnesia. As if her life didn't start until she began going to school. Fear shot through her, and she practically flew up the stairs. Whatever it was that was calling her, it would surely be the reason to why she couldn't remember her life.

As she ran up the stone steps, Etaila vaguely felt another power source, as well as the feeling that someone was watching her. She stopped at the top and spun around, expecting to see someone. She wanted to search for that too, but she was too wrapped around finding the first one. When she turned around to the entrance of her grandmother's home, she noticed a glint of glass in the corner of her eye. The sun was now visible, and Etaila walked up to what caught her eye, studying it curiously.

It was a necklace.

It was simple; it was a thin silver chain, and on it was a small, tear-shaped pendant. It was crystal clear and round, and looked as if it were hollow. Etaila stared at it for a while. It appeared to be the cause of her trouble, and she couldn't help but laugh. It's only a necklace. She thought to herself, but even her thought was uncertain. Why would such a simple piece of jewelry call out to her? Maybe it belongs to me. She thought, reaching out to grab it. It was hanging off the mantel of the temple's doorway, so she had to reach up to grab it. When she did, everything she had forgotten— her brother, her powers, her childhood— they all flew at her, causing a sharp pain in the font of her head. Wh-what's happening… Was her last thought as she hit the temple floor, the pendent in her grasp turning black, and two strips of color swirled around each other; violet and crimson.

It's been three years. Three years… without her. Hiei perched himself on a tree not too far away from the temple. He watched as Etaila grabbed her necklace and fall to the ground. Hiei sighed to himself, letting his tired eyes close. I should never have taken that necklace, he thought to himself, feeling an odd mix of denial and regret. He recalled on old memories as her leaned against the trunk of the tree, opening his eyes.

When he entered her room three years ago, he had no intention of taking anything. In a way, he felt guilty; not that he'd ever admit it. And for some reason, the urge to see the demon once more before leaving was too strong to ignore. When he pushed open the door, he was surprised that instead of seeing Etaila sleeping, he found nothing but the huge sweater the demon wore. That, and her necklace lying innocently against the molding of the wall. He stared at it for a while, before picking it up. The jewel hummed pleasantly, and he could feel remnants of Etaila's ki within it. Without thinking, he snapped it on, letting it rest next to the tear gem he always wore. He looked at the room once more before leaving without looking back.

As the years passed by, things started to get weird. Every once in a while Hiei would suddenly remember a memory that wasn't his own. He knew thoughts that he didn't think, emotions he didn't feel. All of Etaila's past. What was also different was the jewel itself. It turned black, but now instead of the violet color swimming with the ebony, there was a deep, crimson color, only slightly brighter than his own blood red eyes.

So for the past three years he has thought of nothing but the red-haired demon. There were countless dreams, memories of her whole life, right up to the end, when she ripped the necklace of her neck and threw it away from her. All of her memories were taking their toll on him, and now that she had her pendant back, all of her thoughts fled his mind. A whisper of a smile crossed his features, and his eyes drifted closed as he finally slept with a quiet mind.

When Etaila finally gained consciousness, the sun was fully up, and she could feel it's rays beating down on her back. What the hell happened? She thought to herself, feeling a heachache coming on. She slowly stood up, brushing off her coat before looking at the necklace in her hand. She held it up to her face, watching the silver chain reflect the sun, and watched the black filled jewel with a fond smile on her face. My necklace… I thought I lost it, but now… Now she remembered everything. She remembered that someone took her necklace, before leaving for three years. Hiei. She didn't want to see him again. And since he had the necklace-

He must be here. I can't see him.

Now that her mind was set, she promptly started walking down the stairs. As she walked down the steps, she clasped the necklace back on. She suddenly felt whole again; she had forgotten so much, including her powers. She lived like a human for so long, that she forgot that she was even a demon. It's like realizing that I've been somebody when I was really someone else. The thought gave her chills, but overall she didn't feel angry with anyone. Rather, she felt relieved. After all of this time, she finally had her powers back. With every step she took she could feel the small jewel bounce lightly on her collar, as well as feel its own power settle comfortably in her mind. Yet there was another, newer feeling… Etaila frowned as she turned onto her street. It was as if someone else left a piece of them behind. How would Hiei be able to do that? And why? The thoughts were confusing, but she dropped the subject. It was too late to change anything anyway.

She was just about to enter her apartment when she heard a male voice call out to her. When she turned she saw Adrian running up to her, his hair untamed and a big smile on his face. His eyes were a warm brown, and they shined down at her. Etaila smiled back.

"Hey Adrian. Come on up, I was thinking of making lunch, if Yukina doesn't mind." It sounded like a good plan. She wasn't so sure, however, when Adrian looked at her with a funny expression. "What?" Adrian's smile returned, yet now he looked amused.

"What time is it, Etail'?" The question was simple. Etaila frowned. What time is it? She shook her head at her friend as they walked up to her apartment door. Adrian kept on smiling.

"It's about eight-thirty."

"Is it now?" Etaila sounded genuinely shocked, and Adrian laughed, a wholesome sound that made Etaila smile. It's great to hear someone laugh so freely. I wonder how Hiei- She squashed her thoughts immediately and feebly apologized to Adrian as she opened the door. Yukina appeared to still be sleeping. I guess I'll make breakfast instead. Etaila thought to herself as she pulled off her coat and shoes. She heard rustling next to her and took Adrian's coat once he removed it. Once she put their coats and shoes in the closet, she turned to her guest.

"Why don't you wake up Yukina as I prepare breakfast?" Adrian nodded. He made a gesture to her.

"I like your necklace. How do you get the red and purple swirls to move like that?" Etaila froze. Red? Calmly, as to not startle Adrian, she removed the necklace and saw for herself that there were, indeed, a violet and a red swirl in the depths of the ebony filling the hollow pendant. It's more of a crimson color; kind of like- She looked to Adrian, who was staring at the necklace in wonder. He's human, he's human…

"… I'm not sure how, it's an optical illusion, I think." Lucky for her, Adrian bought it and walked into Yukina's room, intending to wake her up. Once he was out of sight, Etaila took the necklace back off, watching the swirls as they moved about. It looked normal enough to her; her necklace always had her violet flames, and when dormant, they stayed in her pendant as wisps of smoke. The only difference is the new wisp of smoke, moving gently against the other. Kind of like it 'cares' for my own flame… Would that mean that Hiei cares for her? She shook her head, trying to erase her own thoughts.

"Must make breakfast…"

By the time she laid all the food on the table, it was already nine, and Yukina and Adrian were no where to be found. Etaila felt that she should be smirking, but she couldn't bring herself to do so. Not because she didn't want to; she loved teasing those two every chance she got. She quickly placed three plates on the table before walking up to Yukina's door. Etaila knocked softly. No answer. When she knocked again she opened the door a crack and peered inside.

In the middle of Yukina's bed were Yukina and Adrian, and both of them were sleeping soundly with Yukina's head under Adrian's chin. Etaila smiled a little smile before shutting the door. I guess I'll be having my breakfast alone, she thought to herself, feeling a bit empty. She entered the living room and stopped, staring at the table she set up for breakfast. She was hungry, but she really didn't want to eat. The more she thought about her two best friends sleeping peacefully together, the more her appetite was lost. Well, it's not like pancakes aren't good cold, she thought with a smile. She walked back into the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee.

Since when did I care if I had someone else in my life? She thought suddenly, pouring water into the coffee appliance. All that Etaila has thought of was training and school. Ever since she was seventeen. Now she's twenty, and suddenly she wants a boyfriend? A soft vibration was her response, and Etaila's hand flew to her charm. Was it because Hiei was so close now? But… Hiei hates me… she thought sadly to herself, watching as her white coffee mug was being filled.

That really couldn't be the total truth, though. He did take her necklace, and there must be a reason behind that. I thought he didn't want to see me again. Her brows furrowed. He told her that he never wanted to see her again, and yet he takes her most precious possession. For three years. She fixed her coffee and walked back into the living room, sitting on her couch. With a sigh, she leaned back and crossed her legs, taking a sip of the cream and sugar filled coffee. And he wore the necklace. That must mean something. She put down her mug onto the table in front of the couch and held out her hand. She focused on her palm, and within seconds her violet flame appeared, flickering brilliantly. Etaila smiled. So she still can work her magic. She closed her hand, successfully snuffing the fire out. She opened her hand again, this time focusing on the crimson flame. Wonder if it'll work… She focused once more on her palm, and a deep crimson flame appeared, the tip flickering slowly, as if it were swaying. Etaila looked at it curiously, reaching her other hand out to it. When the tips of her fingers brushed the side, the flame shivered. Etaila pulled her hand away, frowning. How on earth could fire shiver? She touched it once more, this time her fingers went through it. The flame's color brightened, and it shivered again. She removed her hand once more, confused. It was Hiei's flame; his powers formed it. Does that mean it's connected to him?

Curious. Etaila thought to herself. Very curious. Suddenly she stood up.

I haven't seen Kurama in a while…

Hiei woke up with a groan. I slept in a tree again. He thought angrily to himself, standing. His back was stiff from leaning awkwardly against the bark. Kurama's not going to be happy. He thought to himself, if only to fill his mind with one thought. Kurama was expecting him, and he never got to his home. Hiei sighed before leaping off the tree and walking toward Kurama's home. It wasn't where it used to be; Kurama had left his mother's home and decided to live with Yusuke, who lived in a townhouse closer to their university.

Hiei didn't like all the change that had gone on in the past few years. Not only has Yukina left the temple, but she was also living with her. Hiei didn't see Etaila very well, but he could tell that she cut her hair, and she held herself more confidently. She looked so different and similar at the same time. Hiei shook his head sharply as he strode over to Kurama's home. Without her necklace, he felt strangely hollowed out. But that's what he wanted, wasn't it? I want to be independent again. Having all of her thoughts made him think that he was never alone. Disturbing. Hiei was so subdued that he almost passed his friend. He nearly jumped out of his skin when Kurama grabbed his shoulders. When he turned to the redhead, he glowered.

"Don't touch me." Kurama's eyes widened in surprise before composing himself.

"Nice to see you too," he replied dryly, beckoning his old friend into his home. When Hiei stepped in, he noticed right away that the house looked split. It was clean on one side, and disorganized on the other. I'm surprised Kurama hasn't decided to take control of the house yet. Hiei thought randomly.

"May I stay here for a little while, fox?" Hiei asked lightly. Kurama looked at him warily, taking in his form. There was something wrong here. Something very wrong.

"You were supposed to be here yesterday."

"I was delayed."

"By what? You don't know where Yukina lives."

Silence.

Kurama searched his friend's tired face. Oh yes, something was terribly wrong. Kurama shrugged.

"You may stay here for as long as you need. You can sleep in my room. Why don't you take off your shoes and we can talk a little." It sounded like a question, but Hiei knew that Kurama was being serious. They were going to talk. Hiei sighed to himself, and as he bent over to remove his shoes, he missed the widened gaze of his friend.

I wonder if I'm really looking at Hiei, or some clone. It was a ridiculous thought, but this was the first time he has ever heard Hiei make some kind of distressed and worn out sound.

Something is definitely wrong.

End of Chapter 11-

A/N: So there you have it. It actually took me a while to finish, and I didn't know where to end, so I just ended it with Kurama. You didn't think I forgot him, did you? He might be important in this story. As for Yukina and Adrian, they were only sleeping, nothing else, I swear ;;;. Hiei is a bit OOC, but hopefully everything will make sense in the next chapter, which may be coming sooner than you think. Whoooo knooows… o.o