(Standard disclaimer: I don't own YYH or its characters; they are the sole property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Shonen Jump Comics Weekly, Studio Pierrot and Fuji Television)
Type in italics indicates a 'flashback sequence.
It had been a fine summer's day, that Saturday; wisps of clouds, mere gossamer strands of white spun across a sky of crystal azure, and the sun, golden, as it spread its warmth upon the fresh green earth. Yet the four former members of the Reikai Tantei were unaware of any of this, having spent the better part of the day huddled within the darkness of the movie house.
It was Kurama's idea. He'd heard the advertisement for the special showing of the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy on the radio, and immediately seized upon the opportunity it presented…the opportunity for them all to be together once more.
After all, they hadn't seen each other since the Makai Tournament, almost two years ago: each of them busy with their own lives. Hiei had chosen to stay in Makai as Mukuro's heir-apparent. Yusuke was currently running his own small raman shop, saving to provide a better life for himself and Keiko. They'd announced their engagement in the Spring.
Kuwabara would be starting college in September, planning to major in computer science, but for now, he spent the majority of his time at Genkai's temple, helping with the upkeep of the place and spending as much time as possible with Yukina, much to Hiei's chagrin. Kurama was spending his summer working for his soon-to-be step-father, just as he had the previous year. He'd return to begin his second year in college in the Fall as well.
He'd managed to convince them all to come; even the recalcitrant little fire demon had agreed to return to the world he hated, albeit reluctantly – and only after Kurama had bribed him with the promise of 'sweet snow' following the mini-movie marathon. At least, let the fox think that had been his only reason for coming back.
Hiei had come to Kurama's window the night before, after a quick visit to Genkai's to see Yukina, making sure his sister remained safe and well. The idiot had been there, of course, and they'd traded insults, Hiei scowling at his nemesis the entire time before finally taking his leave, but not until Yukina had wrung from him his promise that he'd not be a stranger but would visit on a regular basis, his duties permitting, of course. It was a promise he hadn't wanted to make, but she was his imouto, and he could deny her nothing.
Kurama was waiting when Hiei finally arrived at the half-youko's home, and they talked well into the early hours of the morning before giving into sleep. It wasn't until that moment that Hiei realized how much he'd missed his former fighting partner… no, he amended, not just a partner, but a friend… my best friend. Kurama, for his part, was elated that the hiyoukai had come. Though he'd chosen to remain in the Ningenkai (for love of Shiori), he had to admit, he'd been lonely without his little fire demon (for so he'd come to think of Hiei, after admitting, if only to himself, that he was in love with the youkai).
When, at last, they'd exhausted themselves and their voices were still, Hiei had wanted to spend the remaining hours of the night where he'd spent so many before, on the windowsill, but Kurama wouldn't hear of it. He insisted the small Koorime take the bed, while he pulled the futon from his closet, set it up and at last, settled down for a few hours of rest.
The next morning, after breakfast and a brief visit with Shiori, the two set out for the movie house, where they'd agreed to meet Yusuke and Kuwabara.
After greeting each other and getting their tickets, the four had settled into their seats and spent the day watching the trilogy. None of them spoke much, either before the movies began or once they'd ended and the four boys made their way to the ice cream parlor, opting instead just to enjoy being together again. Even then, they'd done nothing more than order their treats, eating them in comfortable silence.
It was only on the walk home that it had begun to feel like 'old times'. Yusuke and Kuwabara, as usual, had begun arguing, this time over some baseball game they'd watched on television the previous evening. Kurama favored them with an indulgent look, eyebrows raised and a small smile gracing his full lips, as he walked beside his diminutive, crimson-eyed friend; neither he nor Hiei speaking, each content just to be in the other's presence.
They'd just entered the park, Yusuke and Kuwabara several yards ahead and still arguing, when Kurama suddenly froze. With a movement that rivaled the speed of the fire demon at his side, he reached out, grabbing Hiei and shoving the hiyoukai to the ground behind him, effectively shielding the smaller body with his own.
"Ku…RA…" the rest of the angry exclamation died in his throat as Hiei looked up, ruby eyes widening in shock as the half dozen demons that hadn't been there a moment ago, attacked; one pulling a sword from where he'd just embedded it deep within the kitsune's chest. The look in those eyes quickly changed to anger as he watched the red-headed fox sink to his knees. In an instant, Hiei was on his feet, katana blurring in a stroke, ending the demon's life before he'd even realized he'd been struck. Placing himself between the fox and the remaining assailants, Hiei prepared to defend his wounded friend, his mind vaguely registering the fact that Kurama had somehow sensed them when he had not.
"Rei Gun!"
"Spirit Sword!"
…..echoed in the night sky as Yusuke and Kuwabara ran to join the fray. With an ease borne of familiarity, the three ex-Reikai Tantei made short work of the assassination squad. All, save one, now lay dead at the feet of the four young men; the last now held firmly against a tree by the small, enraged fire demon, a blood soaked katana held firmly at his throat.
"Makoto," Hiei hissed, recognizing his would-be assassin. "What is this? Who sent you? And why?"
The demon stared coolly back at the small figure; his yellow eyes betraying no fear, an evil grin spreading slowly across his pale green features.
"I have failed," was all he said.
"Meaning?" Hiei pressed the katana into his throat, a thin line of blood welling up against the light skin.
"Mukuro had no right to make something like you her heir," he answered calmly. "That honor belonged to my lord, Kirin, and no other."
"Kirin put you up to this?"
"No," Makoto shook his head, the blade at his throat drawing more blood. "He had no knowledge of my plan. Your death was to be my gift to him, along with the kingdom that should have been his."
"Hn," was the only response before Hiei withdrew his sword from the assassin's throat, only to plunge it into his heart a moment later. Quickly he pulled it out, turning his back as the body slid softly to the ground, and strode back to where Kurama now lay, propped up against Kuwabara's strong chest, his bloody hand covering the mortal wound. Yusuke stood nearby, running a hand through his dark hair, peat dark eyes desperately trying to deny the truth that lay before him.
"Fox," Hiei softly called as he knelt beside the wounded boy and took Kurama's hand in his. Looking up, blood-red eyes met the small, dark eyes of Kuwabara. The carrot-topped young man shook his head once in response to the unasked question.
"Hiei?" The hiyoukai started at the sound of the soft voice.
"I'm here, Fox," he replied, gently squeezing the slender hand in his.
"Hiei…Kaasan?" Emerald eyes, shining in the darkness, looked over at the small demon.
"Don't worry…. I'll look out for her, I promise."
"Arigatou, Hiei," Kurama smiled at his friend, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Suddenly, he began to chuckle softly; the sound startling the three ex-Reikai Tantei.
"Fox," Hiei questioned gently, "what is it? What's so funny?"
"Not 'funny'," the kitsune shook his head, that soft smile still gracing his beautiful face. "Ironic."
"What is?"
"That it takes my death to give me the courage, at last, to tell you something I've wanted to tell you for so long."
"Kurama... baka kitsune…. what the hell are you talking about?" Raggedly spoken, the words tumbled out, and Hiei drew a quivering breath as he looked at his friend, wanting to deny what he saw there.
Slipping his hand from the little demon's grasp and reaching up, Kurama tenderly caressed the handsome, child-like features of his love.
"Ai shiteru, Hiei," he whispered as the Koorime placed his tiny hand atop that of the fox, pressing the palm against his cheek.
Once more, Kurama smiled, viridian eyes locked on ruby, as he took a final breath, releasing it slowly as his eyes closed forever more.
