Yes, well, first off, this has nothing to do with my story, rather it's a sort of analysis of a story I read, "Paradise 6." Anybody who has read that wonderful story but was still left with questions may appreciate this. Anyone who's never read it will probably not understand what the hell I'm talking about, so do feel free to scroll on down.

All righty then, I read "Paradise 6," felt depressed and thoughtful and such for awhile, but then I got to some thinking (I have a bit of the philosopher in me.) And you know, it's really not as sad as it appears to be…

First things first, if anyone of us had paid enough attention to a very minor detail (though I really doubt a single person did; I didn't even catch it until after I read the story and was submerged in thought), in the first chapter, they'd have gotten a rough message of what was to happen in the end. The summary asks, "can love shatter time like a glass?", correct? Well, at the end of the poem in the first chapter, it says something like, "Time is the one glass that cannot be broken." Thus, I believe the authoress dropped a hint that no one caught.

Secondly, I read a lot of reviews for that story where the reviewers lamented that it'd have been better if Hiei had just stayed dead. I, however, believe this is what Hiei would have wanted. Also in the first chapter- right after the poem, actually- she wrote (in Hiei's point of view, I think) something like, "I beg you Kurama, break me in two." Jaganshi, Kurosasei- two halves to Hiei's soul.

Also, there were some who complained that with this story, it's as though "Let's Fly as the Birds Do" never happened. Quite the contrary, actually. Remember that it was Kurama who pitied Kurosasei, because a good portion of the latter's memories were fake, never happened. Everyone in their little group still remembered. Everything the two went through, even the pressure from Kurama's mother and all their friends to break it off, proved how devoted they were to each other. This was also proved in "Paradise 6." Hiei stated that he would never kill or die for love, yet gave up his air to save Kurama (yes, he was dying anyhow, but disregard that- I think he'd have done the same even if he wasn't dying.) And then later on Kurama had to learn to let go, to say goodbye, (oh gods, that "I-want-to-cry" feeling is coming…) because of his love for Hiei (this is better explained below.)

And now we come to the subject of Kurama, Jaganshi, and Kurosasei:

Okay, Kurama loved Jaganshi Hiei, which is why the presence of Kurosasei Hiei torments him so; Kurosasei stands as a reminder of the lost Hiei, proof that he has been revised into a very different person (hell, a different species) now. However, Kurama was the one who allowed the Kurosasei to be created, to benefit the real Hiei in the afterlife. Anyways, it's quite evident that he loves Jaganshi Hiei. And so he tries to love Kurosasei Hiei, but finds that this is only because he's reminded of the real Hiei. And he realizes that he doesn't love this shadow Hiei like he did real Hiei. But shadow and real are the same, kind of… at least, they branch off from the same soul. And, because he loved real Hiei, he steps aside so that shadow Hiei may have the opportunity to find someone who can love him for just being him, and not for being real Hiei's shadow. However, I really think that he and Kurosasei still maintained something rather unique betwixt them, even if in the end they were no longer in a romantic relationship-- kind of like what Jaganshi Hiei and Kurama have in the show. That really strong bond, the type that stands apart from a normal friendship. It's something stronger, even if it's not romantic, you know?

But don't despair, those who mourn Jaganshi Hiei. He's not really gone. He wasn't completely erased from existence. Recall that incident when Kurosasei referred to Kurama as "Miracle Minamino"? There was no way he could have known that name, as that happened before he came into being. This suggests that Hiei (original, Jaganshi) is still out there somewhere. Yes, his soul may have been revised to accommodate Kurosasei, but I find it hard to believe that that means Hiei himself was wiped out of existence. His essence is still out there, hanging out on some level of existence.

So, what I am thinking, is that though a false (or "shadow" if you will- it's a little unfair to refer to him as "false"; he does have his own existence, his own memories, albeit they're made up) Hiei was born, the true Hiei still exists in some form somewhere, and that perhaps somehow, at some point in time, his and Kurama's essences may find each other.

I conversed with the authoress on this matter, and she confirmed these theories. I shall supply a quote of what she said regarding this last paragraph:

"I believe you are my only reader who has gotten this right. That is exactly what I was trying to convey in my story. You're right. Jaganshi Hiei does exist, but in a metaphysical sense. That is to say, he does not exist within the story per se, but he does exist in the "air" of my stoy so to speak. I hope that makes sense."

So, I hope this does something for someone. If anyone wants me to go more in-depth on this, let me know; I'll be happy to go as far into it as I can, if you want.

Well now, here's the last chapter (you will notice from the datebelow that I have had this story completed for a while- for some time I lackedany program that would accept, otherwise this story would have debuted here a long time ago). Wow. Many thanks to those who come by and review for practically ever chapter- it's always nice to know that I've accumulated another group of people who know my author name and read my stuff Before I go on with the last chapter, I do have an announcement to make.

This was not an original intention, but after requests from multiple persons and much thought on my account, I am writing a sequal to this story. It will take place around 15 or 16 years after the events of this story, and shall be dubbed Jagamino (a name created by Rikou and Takashi to describe themselves). I've been trying to start it for months now, but have recently actually written out a short scene for it, and I do hope to produce something solid by Christmas. I hope that those who have enjoyed this story will read the sequal when I start publishing it.

The Wrong Turns & Detours of Love
Chapter 36
April 15, 2005

He stretched out amidst the grass, taking a deep, relaxing breath. A blade of grass went up his nose, causing him to sneeze, making him laugh like a child afterward. He looked up and observed a perplexed pair of eyes watching him. "What?" he asked.

Hiei stared at him a moment, eyebrow quirked, and then turned away. "Nothing," he replied, trying to conceal his amusement. He found Kurama's behavior odd, though not at all displeasing. Recently, his Fox had fallen into some sort of blissful state that apparently could not be broken. He no longer acted so reserved as he had while in life; his behavior now was much more playful and carefree. Hiei kind of liked it- it reminded him of the way Kurama could act during some of their more private moments; not a bad thing at all.

A butterfly, the same pastel hue as fresh butter, fluttered by them, coming to land on one of Hiei's knees and flexed its wings. He watched it; the soft yellow coloring made him think of how the sky sometimes appeared at dawn. Hiei watched it a moment or two as it went on its way, before refocusing his attention on the lovely redheaded creature who lay beside him. "You've been rather peaceful lately," he commented absently.

Kurama yawned, a long, lazy sort of yawn, momentarily resembling a cat. "I have?" Hiei nodded. "Hm. I suppose you're right. I'm not sure why, but I've been feeling rather…" he shrugged. "Light, I suppose. As though I've been cleansed of every negative thought and feeling." He smiled. "Does that make any sense?"

Hiei believed it might. Taking into consideration how much of Kurama's Ningen life had revolved around his mother, Hiei wondered if this meant that perhaps she'd begun to move on. Kurama appeared much less tense, less worrisome, and less guilty, than he had been when he first joined Hiei. He was glad the Fox seemed to have coped so quickly, unlike Hiei himself. After a discussion with Kuronue, they had both decided it best not to tell Kurama about the in-between, about contact with the Living World…at least, not for some while.

Speaking of… "Where had that winged headache gone to?" he inquired.

"He told me that, should you ask, I was to inform you he's off to see your mother." Kurama said this with a sly, suggestive tone to his voice.

"What!" Hiei growled. And then he saw the smile threatening to conquer Kurama's face. He frowned. "An ill-based joke, Fox," he said bluntly. "You should have to pay for that." He crawled over and pinned Kurama to the grass.

The Fox gave a little growl of retaliation, but offered no struggle. Rather, he contorted his body to give Hiei better access. The fire demon fiddled with the buttons of the shirt Kurama was clad in, making him shiver while he ran his fingers over the skin beneath. He freed his lover of the shirt, tossing it aside to lie among the grass, pristine white contrasting with lush green. He bent his head to kiss the dusky-pinkish nipples, licking them, suckling them, biting them affectionately.

Kurama uttered a soft, feverish moan, arching himself, hoping for more pressure. Hiei trailed down the redhead's torso, leaving love bites here and there. He tugged at the waist-band of Kurama's pants, the Fox wriggling about to aid him in his task.

The pants came loose; Kurama lay beneath him, fully revealed. Hiei rubbed a cheek against the red silk that grew down there, and then began to tease the Fox's shaft. He gave a smug smile of satisfaction when he felt Kurama writhing form his touch, and began to strip himself.

Without a moment's hesitation, Kurama opened his legs to welcome the intrusion of Hiei's form. He shivered and uttered a soft cry as the other pushed inside him; he wrapped his arms around the Koorime and clung to him, enjoying the feel of his warmth. "Oooh…" he moaned, closing his eyes. "Hiei, more…"

Hiei's rhythm increased at the Fox's request, but only slightly, keeping Kurama's earlier comment of bad taste in mind. He listened while the begging persisted, progressively growing more desperate. Finally, he decided Kurama had learned his lesson well enough, and let desire take over. "Uhn…" Kurama grunted, biting Hiei's earlobe. "Harder," he said, voice husky. Hiei complied. "Ohh… Hiei…" The Fox ground his hips into Hiei's, whimpering from the pressure building up in his lower region. "Hiei… I love you…"

Their hands wandered over each other's bodies, caressing familiar flesh (or un-flesh, as Kuronue would have pointed out, given they weren't living). Their lips sucked on each others, savoring the taste of the other. Hiei's rhythm grew clumsy as he peaked, slamming himself in and out of Kurama, making the Fox scream his pleasure. Hiei convulsed, shouted his love for Kurama as he emptied himself, coming to lie sprawled out atop his lover.

Kurama keened, kissed the top of Hiei's head. "Hiei…" he said hoarsely. "…I'm so close…" He grabbed Hiei's hand and guided it downward, to a painfully swollen erection in much need of attention. "Please," he panted.

Hiei understood, and proceeded to pump his Fox for all he was worth, bathing his face and neck and chest in affectionate little kisses while he did. Kurama's panting increased as he came closer to release; he shrieked and arched violently, shooting out hot streams of white seed. He fell back to the ground, beckoning Hiei to join him.

The breeze picked up, chilling their sweaty bodies. Hiei wiped his hands on the grass, crawled over next to Kurama, and draped his cloak over the two of them as a blanket. He uttered a soft sigh as he snuggled against the Fox. This was one of the things he'd missed in particular. "I love you," he murmured.

Said Fox offered a drowsy reply, resting his head in Hiei's soft ebony spikes. After a few minutes of this cuddling, the latter dozed off.

Kurama repositioned himself so that Hiei's head rested in his lap. The same butterfly from earlier came and landed on the Koorime's nose. Kurama observed this, trying to keep from laughing and possibly waking Hiei.

It would appear, he mused, that the chance of a happy ending needn't be confined solely to Earth.

Would you guys find it ironic, that it took me roughly nine months to write out this story, rough draft and edited draft and typed draft all included? Isn't that funny?

I suppose it only makes sense that I'd be attracted to a well-written mpreg, that I would write an mpreg. I recall this one incident when I was 10 or 11, when I was in California. I was riding around in San Diego or a nearby city with my mother and grandmother, and I forget what they were talking about, but I asked them, when gay couples have babies, which one's the dad and which one's the mom? It's funny-- I knew that children were created through sex-- my parents never fed me that stork-cabbage-patch-whatever crap-- and I knew about sex and sexual reproduction and all that stuff… yet for some reason, I thought that gay couples could biologically have children together. I don't know why, but that's what I thought.

So there you have it, a possible explanation for the mpreg thing. What do you think?

So I wrote an attempt to an mpreg, and I didn't like it, and I didn't complete it. It was crap. So I wrote a second attempt, which was slightly better (in that one I featured Kuronue coming to Kurama in a dream to wake him up when he was in labor, but that was the only time he was in that version…), but I thought it was too similar to the first one, so I dropped it too. Then I realized that they sucked because there wasn't enough plot to it, save Kurama being pregnant. But that was it. There had to be more, you know? And that's when I got the idea of killing Hiei… I guess I'm rather cruel, but hey, at least this time I managed to stay with it, and generate a semi-decent plot, huh?

And that is the story of the origin of "The Wrong Turns & Detours of Love," my first published story. I hope you guys enjoyed it. Feel free to drop me a review or contact me or whatever to let me know what you thought of it. Hopefully, this is just the first of stories to come in the future. Later.

- thoth moon