Memoir

Summary: Sequel to "Forgotten." "Time really does change everything, doesn't it? Hard to believe I'm the same person." Hiei/OC.

Author's notes: Yeah, I wasn't able to write earlier because I got the migraine from hell. Lasted for days. Sucks like a vacuum. Uh huh. But I'm better now. Well, I bet everyone's anxious for Hiei's return. So why don't I just respond to my wonderful reviewers.

-X-1fallen angel1-X-: Who killed Itaka will probably remain a mystery for a while. Thanks for showing interest. Keep reviewing and I'll keep updating.

mysadeyes: I know, it is exciting, isn't it? Well, you waited long enough, I suppose. Glad you're enjoying the fic. I hope you like the rest just as much!

Kurayamihikari: Thanks; it's great to know that you like my work. Wow, everyone is really excited about him coming back…. Hmm. I hope you like the updates!

DarkArcheangel: Actually, now I have SIXTY-SEVEN reviews! Exciting! The little boy's killer will be revealed! But not yet. As to why the yokai killed Itaka, I'll have to let the story tell. It will all be clear eventually. Keep reading and reviewing!

ImParanoid: Thicken it does. But that's the point, right? I promise, I'm writing just a quickly as I can to get to when we see Hiei again. Can't wait to hear what you think!

Sakura Jazmine: Glad to hear you like the story. Hiei and Akiko will see each other again soon, so don't worry. Keep reading and reviewing!

Bec: Aww… that's so nice of you to say. Thanks for liking the story. I hope the rest doesn't disappoint.

sillylittlenothing: Yay for getting logged in again. Sorry about the chapter length again. The whole thing with Yusuke missing a date wasn't actually a big part of the story…. You know how when things get hectic, people forget stuff? That's all that went on there. Anyway, I'm sure you'll get more answers soon. Just keep reading!

BlueWater26: Yes, yes, Hiei comes back in this chapter. Stimulants are bad for you! (Not that I can talk… I'm a caffeine addict….) Thanks for being so understanding of the whole short chapters thing. I hope you enjoy the fic.

AnonymousHieiFan101: Nice to hear from you again. Glad you liked "Forgotten." I don't intend to stop writing anytime soon, so you don't have to worry about that. I hope you like this fic, too.

MikoHatome: It's exciting, isn't it? Thanks for reviewing. I hope you like the rest.

The Shadows Hide All: Don't we all? Yes, yes he IS coming back. Isn't it wonderful? Thanks for the review.

ToCOrNot: Thanks for your wonderful compliments. Can't wait to see what you think of the rest.

brezzybrez: Glad to hear you're so interested in the story. I'll try to speed the updates.

EvilTwinKae: Tense, yes, that's a word for it. Hiei will indeed be appearing in this chapter. Thanks for waiting for the reviews.

Jingenji: Thanks, glad 'twas good. As to whether or not the yokai murderer was Hiei… can't answer. But you'll find out, I promise.

You're wonderful, all of you.

Part Nine: Found by the Light

Akiko had hated to leave Keiko's without telling her what was going on, but after the vision that Akiko had just seen, there was no other choice. She was no sooner out the door than her fingers were rapidly punching the numbers on her cell phone.

A groggy voice sounded from the other end of the line. "'Lo?"

"Kurama? It's Akiko."

The voice suddenly became more alert. "Akiko? What's going on?"

"Call Yusuke and Kuwabara. I need to talk to all three of you."

"But—"

"It's really important. Will you call them?"

"Sure."

"Great. I'll meet you guys at the park in twenty minutes, okay?"

"Fine. See you then."

"Alright, so I wanna know whose brilliant idea it was to have us meet out here at such an insane hour," Yusuke grumbled, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Sorry," Akiko said. "But this really couldn't wait."

"Yeah, Urameshi," Kuwabara said. "Kurama said this was important."

"Okay, okay, sheesh," Yusuke said.

Kurama gave Akiko a curious glance. She sighed, knowing that she'd have to tell the guys why she had so rudely interrupted their sleep.

"Okay, this might be a bit hard to believe--" Akiko began.

"So what else is new?" Yusuke said.

The girl ignored him. "But I saw Itaka's killer. I saw his face."

"Are you sure?" Kurama questioned.

"Positive."

Yusuke looked worried. "Did he try to attack you?"

"No, well," Akiko sighed, "I didn't see him in person."

"What does that mean?"

"Itaka showed him to me," she said. "He took me into his memory, I guess. To the day he died. I saw the whole scene through his eyes, and I got a clear glimpse of his killer's face."

"Did he look familiar?" Yusuke said seriously. "Like anyone we might know?"

Akiko shook her head. "It wasn't anyone I recognized. Doesn't mean that you guys haven't met him before."

"Well, this is good news," Kurama said. "If we know what the killer looks like, we can find him."

"He won't be in the human world," Akiko said gravely. "He was too strong. He wouldn't have stayed here."

"Well, we'll just have to go to Makai, then," Yusuke said.

"I'm going with you," Akiko said sternly.

All three men gave the same reply. "WHAT?"

"You heard me," she said, resolute as ever. "Itaka has been talking to me. There must be some reason for that."

"It was probably just because he knew you'd be able to find us," Yusuke said.

"If he was looking for you, why didn't he just appear to one of you?" Akiko retaliated.

No one had an answer for that.

"See?" Akiko said. "There's a reason that I've been the one seeing him. He wants me to be the one that helps him."

"Even so, Akiko," Kurama said, trying to be the voice of reason, "Makai is a dangerous place. You'd be much safer if—"

"I don't give a crap where I'd be safer!" Akiko said furiously. "I'm going with you and that's that."

Kuwabara, who had been quiet for some time finally spoke. "I think we should just let her come."

Kurama and Yusuke both were stunned. "How can you say that?" Yusuke shouted.

"Cause she's going to whether we want her to or not," Kuwabara said simply. "Just like I did when we fought the Saint Beasts. Might as well just let her come."

The other two men pondered this for a few minutes.

"There's really no convincing you otherwise, is there?" Kurama said, with a weary smile.

Akiko shook her head.

"Well, I guess you're goin' to Makai, then," Yusuke sighed. "C'mon, let's go find a portal."

Traveling to Makai would be much easier than traveling to Tierra des Ángeles had been, Akiko determined, when the group found a portal within an hour of deciding to leave. Yusuke and Kurama led the way, as they knew the lay of the land the best.

"Things haven't really changed much," Yusuke mused as the group ambled through a forest.

They walked for what seemed like miles without coming across anyone or anything.

And it was beginning to get a bit disconcerting, really.

"We should have met something by now," Kurama said, preparing to draw his rose whip. "And the fact that we haven't yet makes me thing that we've stumbled into a trap."

"And so you have," a guttural voice replied.

Within seconds Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama had all moved into fighting stances and a horde of yokai stepped out of the shadows, surrounding the four of them.

"Well, this isn't good," Yusuke said.

"You shouldn't have come into our master's territory," the guttural voice said. "He does not like trespassers."

Several of the yokai were preparing to strike; Akiko closed her eyes, preparing for the worst to happen, and it surely appeared that the worst would happen.

Until another voice, a familiar voice, spoke up.

"Wait. I know these four. Let them go."

Gradually, the yokai circling Akiko, Kurama, Kuwabara and Yusuke backed away from them and returned to the shadows.

Yusuke's voice sounded next to Akiko. "No way…."

Slowly, Akiko opened her eyes and looked towards the voice that had saved them.

And she nearly fainted at what she saw.

Barely visible in the shadows but clearly watching the four of them was someone Akiko had not seen for three years.

It was Hiei.

Author's notes: Okay, so he wasn't in a whole lot of the chapter, but at least he was in it! Anyway, he'll be a main player in the rest of the fic. That said, what did everyone think? Hm? I'm sorry again for taking so long to update. Migraines suck. Really. Well, that's all for now, I think. Can't wait to see what everyone thinks. Read and review, my dears!