Who you used to be has little to do with who you are.

Chapter twelve Being

Kurama came out of the healing early. Skye sensed something wrong, something strange about his breathing. She entered his mind, using it to try and see what was wrong, but all she could tell was that something wasn't as it should be.

"Hiei, there's something strange with his breathing…" Kurama's breath bubbled away and did not return. "Hiei! I'm going to connect my mind to yours, anchor yourself here." He hesitated. "Now!" she snapped.

Kurama was dying.

She found his mind, and connected to it, following his spirit as it fell to Reikai. He had no guide. When a spirit had a lot to make up for, Botan or one of her colleagues came to tell it if, and how, a spirit could redeem itself.

But Kurama had already done so, he was allowed to go unchallenged into the Spirit World. Skye, connected to his mind, was able to follow him, and found him in a garden, sleeping.

She shook him, waking him, and he stood quickly and looked around. Reikai was so….bright. So lacking any sense of hopelessness, except for the desperation in Skye.

"You have to come with me." she said serenely, seeming unbothered by the fact that, were it not for her connection with Hiei, they would both be dead. "It is not yet your time."

"I have lived a full life, and so much more. Please, let me stay." He answered, in the same calm tones that seemed to be his natural voice. The wise cast to his words, if they hadn't always been there, might have convinced her.

"Perhaps, but it is still not time for you to come here yet." she replied. "Wait until lives do not depend on it. Would you leave Hiei to go to Hell, because he couldn't bear to be alive long enough to redeem himself?"

"I'm not coming back."

"Well," she said lightly, "Then neither am I." Kurama sighed, and eyed her askance.

"Why do you care?" he asked frankly. "Why does it matter to you?"

"Because I don't want to see you die. And I know someone would be very sad if I let you go." She wasn't talking about Hiei. "Have you had the chance to tell your mother, or your step brother, or your step-father what you are? Have you graduated High School? Have you fallen in love? At least wait a while."

"You really wouldn't stay here if I wouldn't come."

"Bet me." she dared him. Skye took a knife from the sheath at her belt, and flicked it towards the bond, visible in Reikai, that connected her to Hiei, and life. She started to cut through the thick, strong bond. Kurama paled visibly.

"Don't do that!" he yelped, unnerved that someone would lay down their life to stay with him. Wait, what? To stay with me? Why would she want to do that? Does she even know what she's doing?

"I'm not leaving you alone in this place."

"I'll come." he retorted ruefully. "But put away the dagger." Skye rolled her eyes, and grabbed his wrist. Hiei, bring us back, please. She felt the line connecting her to Hiei drawing back up, pulling Kurama and herself back to life.

She felt sudden resistance from Kurama. Looking back, she saw that he was falling back, he had slipped. She saw him fall, and told Hiei to wait. "Where are you going!" she screeched.

"There is someone I have to see first."

"What! You can't go. What if you can't find your way out again? I'm not letting you…" she trailed off, as he was so obviously ignoring her. "Fine, but I'm coming with you."

They dropped back down to the 'ground', and walked slowly. Kurama was savoring the scent of a flower, one that he didn't see. She could hear him wondering what it was, and if it would grow in a living world.

"It's called Athena's Eye. Athena was the goddess of war and wisdom. The flower is black and white, but beautiful in it's lack of real color. Its scent has a anesthetic effect. It will put you to sleep, if you remain near it too long. I imagine that here it would be stronger." she informed him, knowing he still wasn't listening.

"I wonder, where is Koronue?" he asked after a moment spent in silence. This place was beginning to grow on Skye, she wondered if she really wanted to leave. What about my patients? My work? I cannot stay, my life isn't over yet.

Kurama sighed. "I don't think I can find him," he finally said, resigned. "But…I really don't want to leave this place. Don't you see why?" She had to admit, she did, but he still needed to return.

Hiei, talk to him!

What?

He doesn't want to come back! He wants to stay here, and personally, I can see why, may he never hear me say that. I need your help.

You want the help of a murderer? he replied mockingly, feigning shock.

You're toying with his life here, she reminded him grimly. Can You really afford to mess with me right now? I don't want him to die, either.

You have feelings for him.

No! I… I don't, I am a Miko, it's not allowed. Are you going to help me, or not?

Tell him I said I'd come to Reikai personally and haul his out of there if he doesn't go with you. Whether I'd come back, or not. Hiei added darkly. She nodded grimly, though he could not see it.

"Kurama, Hiei has a message for you. And it's not 'I'll miss you', or 'I'll come for you soon'." Skye relayed, shaking her head in distaste at his rough language. She relayed the message.

"Tell him I'm coming. Just let me try and find Koronue." he answered with resignation. She passed on the message, feeling relief wash through Hiei's mind, and shuddering at what he must have been thinking, the kind of fear he must have had.

They passed a spirit, whistling happily as she gardened. Her yellow robes, for she still wore them, told them both she had died as an apprentice Miko. "Excuse me, can you tell me your name?" Skye asked the shade.

"Brightfire. Apprentice Brightfire. Can I help you?" the yellow robed apprentice asked. Skye was sure she heard apprehension, and it occurred to her than any friend Kurama had had as a bandit could not be much good. He would not be in this lovely place.

"Can you tell me where I might find the bandit Koronue?" he winced, knowing how bad 'bandit' sounded here.

"A bandit? He won't be here. Not on this side of Reikai." she snorted, returning to her gardening.

"Kurama, it's time to go." Skye finally told him gently. She touched his shoulder, and asked Hiei to bring them back again. The resistance was there, just as it had been, but she held her charge tight.

They came back with relief into the living realms.