Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry that it took so long to update. Well, here's the next chapter. Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed. It means a lot! On with the story!
Hiei sat, still as stone. He watched Kurama's still figure. It had been three days since they had brought him to Genkai's temple, and though he was still alive, he wasn't getting better. The fox hadn't moved since they had laid him down on a palette.
Hiei hadn't moved from Kurama's side.
'Why aren't you getting better?' Hiei asked the sleeping fox. Kurama was so pale and weak looking that it pained Hiei to gaze at his face. 'Why aren't you waking up?'
Yukina had healed all of Kurama's wounds. He was perfectly fine, but something was preventing him from waking up. So Hiei had kept a stoic vigil over his friend, hoping against hope that he would stir.
Hiei hesitated. He had thought of using the Jagan to find the problem numerous times, but a strange reluctance had stopped him. He didn't have the right to invade Kurama's mind.
Suddenly, Kurama cried out in his sleep. Hiei started violently, nearly falling over backwards. He leaned forward, ignoring the cramps in his back.
'Kurama?' he said. 'Kurama, wake up!'
Kurama broke out in a pale sweat. Something was hurting him, but from the inside.
'I'm sorry, Kurama,' Hiei apologized. He tore off his bandanna, and, without hesitation, began to search Kurama's mind.
Everything was a fog. Painful memories bombarded Hiei from every side, nearly overwhelming the fire demon. He drove ahead, sparing Kurama as much pain as he could. The deeper he went into the fox's consciences, the more intense the guilt and regret became.
Suddenly, Hiei found it. Kurama's very soul was entwined about something, something dark and steeped in evil. The poor fox was pouring everything he had into keeping the thing caught. His soul was beginning to fade from the effort.
'Kurama!' Hiei called. He saw the fox's soul fluctuate.
'Hiei?' A faltering voice, weak and strained with exhaustion, came floating to him.
'Let him go, Kurama! Let him go!'
Hiei knew what Kurama had caught. It was Hitoro, a very angry Hitoro. The assassin's soul could not leave Kurama's body simply because the fox was keeping him there.
'No!' Kurama replied. 'I should have died! If I had, he would have died too. But I'm alive, and that means so is he! I let him go, he'll return to his body and kill others. I can't let that happen!'
'You'll kill yourself by keeping him here!' Hiei was frantic. There was a pause, one filled with grim determination.
'I know.'
Hiei jerked back to reality, forced from Kurama's mind. He stared in shock at the fox, who was even paler than before. Suddenly, he stood up, his face alight with anger and guilt.
'I won't let you die to save us,' he told the sleeping fox. 'You tried that once, but it won't happen again.' With one last look at Kurama, he walked from the room.
'I will kill Hitoro.'
Yusuke opened his door to see Hiei there. The demon pushed his way in, turning to face the detective.
'What is it, Hiei?' Yusuke asked. 'How's Kurama?' Hiei's face darkened.
'Hitoro isn't dead,' he replied. 'By saving Kurama, we also saved that baka assassin.' Yusuke looked confused, so Hiei continued. 'Kurama hasn't woken up because he's using all his energy to keep Hitoro trapped in his mind.' He paused. 'It's killing Kurama. If we don't find Hitoro's body and kill it, soon, that fox will die.'
'So what are we gonna do?' Yusuke asked. He was still a little bewildered, but the thought of Kurama willing to give up his life to keep them safe was more than enough of a reason to follow Hiei.
'We're going to find Hitoro's body,' Hiei stated. 'We'll destroy it, therefore killing the assassin's soul. That will set Kurama free.' He looked away, concern shadowing his crimson eyes. 'But we don't have much time. Even now, Kurama is dying from the effort. We have to kill Hitoro before sundown tomorrow. That's how long Kurama can stay alive.'
'All right,' Yusuke said. He punched the air. 'Let's go!'
Hiei turned and darted out the door, Yusuke close behind. Both of them knew where they were going.
The factory.
To be continued…
Author's Note: Well, how'd ya like that? Did you think the story would end after that park fight? Nope! There's only a couple more chapters (I think,) so it won't be too long. I hope you've enjoyed it so far! Please review! Until next time!