Alright, I'm back in town and now it's time to wind this thing up. Yup that's right; this is the climatic ending you've all been waiting for. There will be an epilogue after this as well. But this is it kiddies, where all will be reveled and explained and probably just confuse you even more. Anyway, don't sue me if it's not a happy ending, I don't remember ever promising there would be one. In answer to one reviewer's question, Yusuke and Kuwabara are after Hiei in the 'nightmare' reality where he is trying to resurrect Kurama, understand now? Thanks to all my reviews and even those of you who read without reviewing. I'm glad you all have liked my story so much and I hope you like the ending as well. One final note before we begin the end here, if you like stories of Hiei going nuts you should check out Hikari Nanase's 'Broken'. It's an excellent story. I really enjoyed it. And now, the moment you have all been waiting for…ON WITH THE FIC!

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Hiei's determined strides slowed to a halt as he reached the top of the hill. Two tombstones sat silently side by side, one of the deepest black marble, the other of the purist white. Garnet orbs scanned the words on the black marker first, familiar words he had seen once before.

Minamino Suehiro

Devoted Husband

Loving Father

It took a moment before he could force himself to turn his gaze on the white stone, and even once he had he stared at it without really seeing the words for several moments. Finally, with a deep breath and clenched fists, he forced himself to discern the marker's message.

Minamino Shuichi

Loyal Friend

Loving Son

He will be dearly missed

"You have no idea," Hiei whispered bitterly upon seeing the last line. His fists clenched tighter still and his vision blurred. 'I should have come,' he thought suddenly, 'I should have been here for the wake…for the burial…I should have come.' He felt suddenly almost sickeningly remorseful for having hidden himself away in the Makai at the time. He hated that feeling. Only two people in the world could make him feel that; make him feel…sorry. Yukina and…

"Kurama," the word escaped him before he could stop it. Sorry wasn't the only thing either. Kurama made him feel such strange things. Warm, safe, loved and yet somehow cold, unwanted, and alone at times as well. Such a range of emotions, some he were familiar with and others that were completely alien to him. Most of all the fox made him feel as though his life had…meaning. After all, he had almost not come here, not tried to resurrect the redhead because of the consequences involved if he died in the process. He had never second guessed himself like that before. That was the power Kurama had. But the cold truth was, if Kurama was his meaning…what purpose did he have if the fox was gone? Yukina was safe, Mukuro didn't need him anymore. At least Kurama had his human family to live for if Hiei was gone.

"You ready?" Tejinashi's voice cut into his thoughts. Startled, Hiei nodded, looking at the demon uncertainly. The blue haired demon had never fully explained what he was going to do and Hiei was curious to find out.

"Stand back," Tejinashi advised. Hiei took a few steps back, never taking his eyes from his tall companion. Tejinashi laid his bag on the ground and raised both arms, murmuring something Hiei could neither hear nor understand. The ground began to shake, and Hiei himself was almost thrown off his feet. The earth cracked, a dark gaping fissure spreading over Kurama's grave, knocking the white marker onto its back. Light filled the crack, as if the very center of the Earth was glowing from its depths. A rumbling filled the air, louder and more terrible then any thunder. Tejinashi raised his chant to a shout and managed to raise his arms even higher. A vicious wind began to circle them, tearing at their clothes and threatening to pull both of them from the ground and up into the night sky.

"Tejinashi!" Hiei shouted above the chaos, beginning to seriously doubt that whatever the demonic wizard was doing was going as planned. The other ignored him and continued with the spell. The wind picked up even more as the ground shook hard enough to shatter bone and the rumbling in the air rose in pitch and volume. Then, when Hiei was certain that the spell had gone horribly awry and they would both be killed, something began to rise from the fissure. He watched in motionless amazement as a casket rose from the broken grave, hovering above the ground for a few moments before gracefully landing next to the fallen tombstone. Immediately all noise stopped, the wind died, and with a sharp snap the fissure closed.

(xxx)

Yusuke and Kuwabara stared dumbfounded as the hill visible from the cemetery gates, which had previously been the focus of a mini tornado, a small earthquake, and a light show that put Disney to shame, suddenly became still and silent, as if nothing had happened.

"Whoa," Kuwabara finally breathed in amazement, still staring fixedly at the hill.

"What was that?" Yusuke asked, equally awed.

"I don't know, but whatever the shrimp is doing up there is seriously whacked," Kuwabara stated in an almost dazed voice.

"What do you mean?" Yusuke asked, turning to look at his friend.

"Don't you remember that hill, Urameshi?" Kuwabara asked, pointing. Yusuke turned and squinted at the hill, slightly harder to make out against the dark sky then it had been minutes earlier.

"Holy shit," Yusuke gasped when his brain finally made the connection. He straitened, staring in disbelief at the hilltop. "That's where Kurama's buried!"

(xxx)

Hiei remained frozen where he stood as Tejinashi approached the coffin. He watched motionlessly as the demon unceremoniously flipped the lid and began to riffle through his bag for the things required for the resurrection. From where he stood, Hiei couldn't see into the casket, but he couldn't move.

The smell of blood filled his nose as he continued to stare at the coffin. He felt himself wet and sticky with the crimson substance. He felt the color drain from his face, felt his skin go cold and clammy. And then, unbidden, the words he had grown to hate so much filled his ears.

"Your happiness is all I ever wanted."

Trembling, he fell to his knees. 'How many times can I apologize?' he thought desperately. 'What do I have to do to be forgiven?'

"You are forgiven, Hiei," a soft alto assured him. "The problem is you have yet to forgive yourself." Hiei jumped. He was still in the cemetery, still with Tejinashi, and yet he had heard the fox's voice as clear as if he was sitting right next to him. In fact…Hiei blinked in confusion. He could feel the redhead's presence next to him, he could even imagine that a hand was stroking lightly through his hair. He almost didn't dare to believe…

"Kurama?" he whispered, trying not to alert Tejinashi's attention to this rather private moment.

"It's alright, I'm here," came the reply. Hiei felt a strange warmth next to him and squinted at it. It wasn't a ghost…but a ghost of a ghost, a faint outline that he might have imagined but hoped with all his heart he didn't.

"What…?" Hiei began, but Kurama's nearly invisible hand gently covered his mouth to silence him.

"I'll explain later, I don't know how much time I have," Kurama replied, removing his hand. "Hiei…" he trailed off, staring at Hiei with shimmering eyes as he tried to organize his thoughts. "Hiei…this is dangerous…" he managed finally, his form shifting in and out of focus. "If something happened to you…"

"I know the risks and I don't care. I have to take the chance," Hiei interrupted.

"No, you don't have to," Kurama countered. "Hiei, you don't have to take responsibility for something that wasn't your fault."

"But it was my f—" Kurama's ever shifting and strangely tingling hand cut him off once more.

"Hiei, how many times do I have to say it?" Kurama's eyes took on a stern look as his voice changed to a lecture tone. "I did what I did of my own free will. The error was mine, and mine alone. If anything, I should be begging you for forgiveness." A look of pain suddenly crossed the fox's transparent features and he pulled the half-Koorime into a hug. It was a peculiar feeling to be hugged by something that wasn't solid. Hiei felt Kurama's arms around him, his head resting on the firm chest, the stray strands of soft crimson hair flowing over his shoulders, and yet he knew that if he leaned too far he would tumble right through the one holding him.

"Hiei," Kurama's choked voice dragged him from his thoughts. "I'm sorry for what I've put you through. I'm sorry for all the torment you've endured, for leaving you alone. If I'd have only stopped to think about the consequences of my actions…if I hadn't…But, I suppose love makes you do crazy things, ne?"

It took a long moment before Hiei trusted himself enough to reply without sobbing. "I won't be alone much longer," he said quietly, raising his arms in the best hug he could give to a creature who wasn't physically there.

"Hiei, I wish you would reconsider," Kurama sighed, pulling back enough to face the smaller demon, but Hiei stared back with an all too familiar air of stubbornness.

"You said yourself; love makes you do crazy things. Besides, you would do the same for me," Hiei answered simply. Kurama stared at him for a moment before suddenly smiling and shaking his head.

"You'll never change, will you?" he half chuckled, smiling warmly. Suddenly the smile faltered and Kurama adopted an apologetic look. "Time's up," he announced sadly. Hiei looked stricken, but Kurama smiled kindly at him. "If all goes well, we'll see each other again soon," he promised. The look faded from Hiei's features, replaced with determination.

"Yes, we will," he agreed curtly. Kurama smiled again before leaning down and taking the fire demon's chin in his hand. "Be careful," he whispered, gently locking lips with his dark love. The sensation was even stranger then being hugged. The kiss felt so warm and left the half-Koorime's lips tingling. Kurama's voice broke through his haze of momentary contentment and he opened his eyes to find Kurama's form slowly fading before his eyes.

"Hiei, if death becomes a definite outcome to this, then I beg you to stop," Kurama's voice drifted over him like a gentle breeze. "Don't make the same mistake I did." Hiei stared at the empty space where Kurama had been moments before. He hadn't been a ghost, that was for sure…but then what was that? He had never experienced anything like that before.

"All set over there?" Tejinashi's voice almost startled him; he had forgotten the blue haired demon's presence entirely.

"Yes. Yes, I'm ready," Hiei said, more to assure himself then the demonic magician watching him. Slowly he got up and walked to where Tejinashi stood by the coffin. Somehow it didn't bother him as much as it had minutes prior, but he still didn't look inside.

"What do I do?" he asked, looking at Tejinashi questioningly.

"It's simple really," Tejinashi explained. "The spell does most of the work. All you have to do is place you hands on his chest, on either side of the heart." Hiei stared for a moment, speechless. He had been hoping he wouldn't have to look at the body, much less touch it. Tejinashi noted his reaction. "Are you alright with that?"

"Hn!" Hiei retorted, "A stupid question." To prove his was completely unaltered by the sight of the fox's body he turned and stared right into the casket. Almost immediately he felt himself break out in a cold sweat.

Due to his demon heritage, the body had not begun to decay yet, and in fact still had the faintest aroma of roses about it. The skin was pale and it was easy to tell just by looking at it that it must be ice cold. The hands were folded over the chest and the redhead was dressed in a respectful black suit. In truth, he looked for all the world to be merely asleep.

Hiei swallowed thickly. He felt himself begin to tremble again and fought desperately against it. It wouldn't be a body for long, it would be him again. He just had to keep telling himself that.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Tejinashi questioned.

"Just get on with it!" Hiei growled impatiently.

"Very well," Tejinashi nodded. "Place the heart in the middle of his chest. Wait for my command to place your hands there." Tejinashi busied himself with a variety of colored liquids in bottles while Hiei retrieved the heart form his pocket. He stared at it for a long moment before closing his eyes and inhaling deeply through his nose. Over, it was finally going to be over. He would have his fox back. He almost smiled at the thought. Almost.

He turned back to the body, prepaired to follow Tejinashi's orders, when he realized something. He would have to move Kurama's hands from their folded position before he could place the heart in the correct spot. The thought sent a shiver up his spine. Grimacing, he reached his free hand into the coffin and gently took hold of Kurama's left wrist, the one on top. He was repulsed by how cold the skin was, but managed to hold it back as he placed the hand by the fox's side and proceeded to do the same to the right. With that gruesome task out of the way, he placed the crystal heart in the center of the chest and waited.

With the spell book propped opened on the casket's opened lid, Tejinashi began to chant in an ancient tongue, sprinkling the contents of his many bottles on and around Kurama as he spoke. Kurama's pale skin began to glow, faintly at first and then brighter until it was almost blinding. The wind was picking up again, buffeting them from every side.

"Now!" Tejinashi's voice broke the chant for an instant to shout at Hiei. Hiei hesitated for a moment; Kurama's parting words ringing in his ears. With one final deep breath Hiei leaned forward and placed his hands on either side of the heart on Kurama's chest.

The breath was instantly sucked out of him and his first instinct was to pull away, but he forced himself to remain where he was. He felt the power being drained from him, stolen from him. Every instinct cried out in outrage that he was allowing it to be taken, but he clamped down on it, a growl escaping his lips. 'It's for Kurama,' he shouted at himself, trying to justify his actions to his rebelling instincts.

He suddenly cried out in pain as his right arm throbbed. The dragon, it was taking the dragon! The creature's enraged roar filled his ears as the bandages were burned away in a blast of black fire. Another cry of pain escaped his lips as the dragon was literally ripped from his arm. Blood flowed from the torn skin and severed nerves burned with white hot pain. He doubted if he'd ever get proper use of his arm back as he blinked spots from his eyes, fighting desperately to stay conscious.

"Hiei!" a voice behind him made him turn his head. Hiei almost groaned at the sight. 'Not now!' he growled inwardly. Of all times why did those two have to show up now?

Behind him stood Yusuke and Kuwabara, both staring with opened mouths at the sci-fi movie reminiscent scene before them.

"Shorty, what the hell are you doing!" Kuwabara shouted, a look of utter terror and bewilderment on his face.

Hiei opened his mouth to shout back at the both of them, but was interrupted as another scream of pain ripped past his vocal cords. The last of his abilities were being torn from him now, and it felt as if someone had physically reached a hand into his chest. Tears fell from his eyes as his knees gave way and he was forced to lean on the coffin. 'Just a little longer,' he willed himself to stay conscious. 'Just a little bit longer.'

"Hiei!" Yusuke's voice broke through the haze of pain Hiei had suddenly been swallowed by. "Get away from that thing!"

Hiei ignored the shout, gritting his teeth and pushing harder against the motionless chest his hands rested on. He nearly blacked out as the final thread of power he possessed was yanked from him. Almost simultaneously the Crystal Heart began to glow. It was engulfed in crimson light and sank slowly into the fox's chest. Hiei held his breath for a moment, waiting…

Emerald eyes flew opened and Hiei's arms rose with the chest below them as the newly resurrected fox gave a great gasp. A genuine smile spread across Hiei's lips and he nearly laughed. He had done it, he had really done it. Kurama was alive!

Hiei's victory was short-lived, however. Another scream tore past his lips as a strange, unbearable pain swelled in his chest. He had kept contact to long. With no more power to drain the spell was taking life! Hiei tried to pull back but found that the spell had anchored him down and he was now too weak to break free. Fear froze his heart and he panicked, trying desperately to yank himself free.

"He's stuck!" Yusuke cried as he watched his friend struggle, unable to help due to the wall of swirling wind circling Hiei, the blue haired demon, and the coffin.

"His life is fading fast!" Kuwabara shouted over the wind, watching in disbelief. They had been sent here to capture Hiei, possibly even kill him, and here he had brought Kurama back to life. He hadn't been crazy after all. Despite their constant fights, Kuwabara had still always considered them friends on some level. Now he felt like crying at having ever doubted what his instincts had told him about Hiei. He had known from the start he couldn't have just gone insane like Koenma had said, but he had been talked into the idea and felt ashamed for it.

Yusuke suddenly raised his hand, index finger glowing. Kuwabara looked up sharply, staring in shock at the ex-spirit detective beside him.

"What are you doing!" he demanded.

"If I can land a blast right next to Hiei, maybe it'll be enough to knock him away from there," Yusuke explained as he aimed carefully, trying to adjust for the wind. Kuwabara had a distinctly bad feeling about that idea.

"Don't miss, Urameshi," he warned, turning his gaze back to the still struggling Hiei.

"I never miss," Yusuke replied a lot more cocky then he felt, firing the shot.

The next instant happened in slow motion for the two boys watching. Hiei gave one final yank backwards and managed to free himself. As he stumbled back, however, the blast from Yusuke hit the wall of air and spiraled out of control. Both Yusuke and Kuwabara tried to shout warnings, but it was too late. The blast rocketed recklessly through the air, passing through Hiei's unsteady body in an instant. It hit the wall of air a second time and was torpedoed strait up, soaring into the sky until it was lost among the stars.

Hiei stood, stunned. There was a dull ache in his abdomen and for a moment, all he did was stand there, blinking awkwardly. The spell having been completed, the wind died and a stillness overtook the hill top. No one moved or made any sound. All eyes were on Hiei.

Kurama lay in the casket, staring at the night sky above him. When he had first sorted out his surroundings, Hiei was there, but he was gone now. In fact, he couldn't see or even hear anyone. It was unsettling how eerily quiet everything had become. A sense of foreboding settled uncomfortably in the pit of his stomach an he sat up slowly. His joints were stiff and it hurt to move, but he managed to sit up.

When he was able to take in his surroundings, what little color he had regained drained from his face. He was aware of an unfamiliar presence behind him and he could see Yusuke and Kuwabara standing some ways away. Both of them looked shocked and as if they were about to be sick. Yusuke was on the verge of tears and his body trembled so intensely it was a wonder he was still standing.

But all of this was just background information that centuries of thieving had taught Kurama to take in all at once. His main focus was the figure standing just before him. There was Hiei, horribly pale and looking shocked. On hand clutch at a gaping wound just below his chest, the other was limp and bloody. He locked eyes with Kurama for a moment before a thin stream of blood broke free of his lips and he collapsed.

"Hiei!" Kurama cried, horrified. He scrambled out of the coffin and fell in a crumbled heap on the ground with none of his normal grace. His muscles were weak and useless, he couldn't walk and probably wouldn't be able to without pain for months at least. But none of that mattered now. If he couldn't walk he would crawl. Half dragging himself across the grass he somehow managed to make it to Hiei's side.

"Hiei!" Kurama grabbed the half-Koorime and flipped him onto his back. Garnet eyes that somewhat lacked their normal brightness sought out emerald. Hiei smiled through the blood.

"It worked…" he whispered, trailing off as a coughing fit brought a fresh wave of blood to his mouth.

"Shhh," Kurama shushed him, his voice trembling. "Don't talk." Hiei of course, ignored the order.

"You…said before…you'd explain," Hiei choked. He needed to know, if he was dying then he needed to know the truth of the past few days before he could ever find peace.

"Hiei…" Tears splashed down his pale cheeks as Kurama gently moved Hiei's head to lie in his lap.

"Oh gods…" Yusuke collapsed to his knees, tears staining his own cheeks. "What have I done?"

"Please…Kurama…I…I need…to know," Hiei's voice was now barely a whisper and each breath was a rasping wheeze that was painful to listen to.

Kurama nodded, more tears cascading down his face. "You were right…when you guessed that the crystal heart was a crystallized soul," Kurama began, trying to steady his voice as much as possible. "Somehow, you were able to contact me with the Jagan. But…But you were doing it subconsciously…or else the Jagan was doing it itself, because at first you could only reach me when you slept. I…I…" Kurama's voice cracked and he stopped, looking away. Hiei reach a hand up and entwined his fingers with Kurama's, giving him a gentle squeeze to prompt him to continue. Kurama took a steadying breath before doing so.

"I didn't realize what was happening at first, I didn't even remember the…the crystal heart. It wasn't until the third visit that I realized what was happening. I didn't want to confuse you any more then you already were, so I kept up the charade. I…," here he paused and laughed slightly, "I even imitated Yusuke." The small smile that had formed on the fox's face faded as he continued his story. "Once I had figured out what was happening, I was able to contact you through the Jagan even when you were awake. It took a lot of energy, but I even managed to reach you without pulling you into the crystal this last time."

Hiei gave a slight chuckle that immediately blossomed into a bloody cough. "All this time…I thought I'd lost you…and you were…literally in the palm of my hand." He looked up at Kurama, eyes shinning with something Kurama couldn't remember ever having seen there before…gratitude. "All the times…after you realized…It was like…you were trying to…teach me something new each time. I…should have…known then."

"Hiei, please, don't talk anymore. Save your energy," Kurama pleaded. This time Hiei really did laugh, earning him two fresh streaks of crimson to decorate his chin.

"My energy? Kurama…I don't…have any energy…anymore. It belongs…to you." Kurama suddenly looked horrified. A burning sensation on his arm that he hadn't noticed before made him pull the sleeve up. There, on his right forearm, was singed the black dragon that was absent from Hiei's battered limb.

"No…" Kurama whispered. He had harbored some hope that maybe, maybe Hiei might be able to heal himself enough to survive until they could get help, but if he had no energy…

"It's yours now…use it…wisely," Hiei murmured, staring at the dragon on Kurama's arm.

"I don't want it!" Kurama cried. He felt helpless. Hiei was dying and he couldn't stop it, he couldn't save him. "I don't want the dragon! I want you!" Kurama collapsed, sobbing into Hiei's chest. He was completely overwhelmed. He couldn't do anything and he was grief-stricken and frustrated and angry at everything, including himself. He was acting childish and he knew it, but he didn't care. He'd never acted childish before, even when he was a child, didn't he deserve to act that way at least once in his life?

"It figures…fate wouldn't be kind enough…to grant us both life," Hiei stated calmly, watching the night sky above him.

"Lucky for you, fate isn't the deciding factor here." A new voice made them all turn to see Koenma floating in his toddler form several feet above the ground.

"Koenma!' Yusuke cried, regaining his feet and watching the young ruler descend to the ground eagerly. "Do something! Save him!" Koenma gave him a glare that clearly said 'what do you think I'm doing?' before turning his attention to Hiei.

"Hiei, I hope you'll accept my most sincere apologies for ever suspecting you in this mess. I've been in contact with Mukuro and when she told me about the Crystal Heart…" Hiei growled and Koenma quickly cut his sentence short. Clearing his throat, he began again. "I'm sorry. You've always been a loyal team member and I had no right to lay the blame on you like that." Taking a step forward, he removed his pacifier. "Kurama, if you'd be kind enough to step back. Nice to see you by the way."

Kurama obediently got off of Hiei and watched as the pacifier glowed golden, the bright aura spreading over Hiei's body. The wound caused by the spirit gun closed and the cuts on his arm vanished, though not even Koenma's healing powers could fix the damaged nerves.

"About damn time," Hiei mumbled as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. "You talk…too…damn…much."