I am so sorry! I started the move into my house and I had my computer packed away with all it's stuff. And well, to make a long story short, the disk I had this chapter saved on got lost in the shuffle. But I have finally unearthed it and will be able to finally post this chapter, I know it's something you've all been waiting for. I'd like to say thank you to those who reviewed. It really encourages me.

As for know, let's get on with the ending of this story! Here's the last and final installment of Inner Needs!

Inner Needs

Chapter Fifteen: Back Through the Well

Hiei stood, body hunched over. His body was still weak and he needed to use his katana like a crutch. While he hated using his prided weapon that way, he'd rather rely on his sword then ask for help. His eyes narrowed as he looked over the untainted landscape. In the middle of the clearing was a small wooden object, it open mouth gaping towards the sky.

"It looks like this adventure is finally over." Kurama came up from behind Hiei and placed a hand on the fire demon's shoulder.

Hiei looked up at the fox and grunted. It had three days since he had woken up in the small little hut. It seemed Inu Yasha's full demon brother's plan had backfired. Rather then killing Hiei, it actually gave him a new out look. He realized that his father had wanted him, wanted to take him in and raise him. He also realized that no matter what many others thought of him, he was not alone in life.

Shifting his weight, he moved the sword forward and followed it with staggering steps. As he was moving forward his toe suddenly caught something and he began to fall forward. Before he could make a sound there was a flash of red and something strong wrapped around his chest and stopped him from hitting the ground. Hiei quickly looked up and came face to face with the hanyou Inu Yasha. A groan caught in his throat. Now he was going to hear it. Through out all of this adventure, every time he showed weakness, the hanyou had been all over him, pointing out his flaw. And here was his last chance to get one last retort in before both demons jumped through the portal again. He heaved a sigh as he waited for it.

"Here."

Hiei blinked when the hanyou handed him the sword he was using as a crutch. Not sure what to do, the fire demon took it in a shaky hand and nodded a thank you. Kurama was suddenly at his side, helping him to his feet.

"Hiei, you must be careful, you're still not up to your normal strength." The fox scolded as he helped Hiei fit the katana under his arm in the crutch position again.

"Thanks Fox." He grumbled, going to take another step forward. He stopped and slowly looked over his shoulder at Inu Yasha. Pulling in a deep breath, he said something he never thought he would say before. "Thank you too…Inu Yasha."

The hanyou actually smiled back, his golden eyes lighting up. One fang stuck out from his crooked grin. It was then that Hiei knew it was going to happen.

"You're welcome short stuff." The hanyou chuckled. "Try not to be so weak next time we meet."

"Hn." Hiei muttered and wrapped his cloak tighter around his body.

But Kurama raised one brow, lids narrowing around his emerald orbs. It had taken a second, but what the half dog demon had said just rang through. He turned to Inu Yasha just in time for the rest of the group to show up. Shippo, the tiny kitsune, ran up Kurama's leg so that he was sitting on his shoulder. The young one had taken to Kurama the moment he found out he was also a fox demon. Kurama didn't mind though, he actually kind of enjoyed the young one fawning over him. The demon slayer and monk appeared with the ningen girl and elderly miko right behind them. The small feline demon Kilala rubbed up against Hiei's legs, mewling in a tiny voice. Like Shippo had been drawn to another of his own kind, the kitten was attracted by Hiei's control over fire. Kurama smiled slightly and turned back to Inu Yasha.

"Did you say next time we meet?" He asked.

"Yeah, you don't think I'd let short stuff take off without getting a chance at a real fight do yah?" Inu Yasha snapped, though his eyes showed he meant it as no threat. "And I can't fight him when he's in this shape. It would be beyond unfair."

"Hn." Hiei grunted trying to push the cute and cuddly feline away from with a weak hand. "I could beat you in this state you damn half breed."

"Feh." Inu Yasha crossed his own arms over his chest.

Kurama rolled his eyes. "And you two thought I was insane when I said you'd get along." He muttered.

"You must not listen to that half wit Inu Yasha." The old miko, Kaede, almost shouted the command. "You must not return to the feudal era."

Kurama and Hiei blinked. Even the remainder of the Inu Yasha party seemed startled by the very idea. Miroku fiddled slightly with the beads that warded his strange power. Kagome appeared instantly torn apart, while Shippo grabbed a handful of Kurama's shirt and Kilala hid under the folds of Hiei's cloak. But Sango placed hands on her hips and glared at the old, one eyed woman.

"What do you mean they can't come back?" She snapped. "There are friends and they've already been here once. It's not like we have some huge secret to keep."

"Because they do not belong here." Kaede tried to explain to the roaring demon slayer. "Kagome is only allowed through because she is a reincarnate of my sister and guardian of the Shikon no Tama. But any others from that time should not be allowed to pass through the well. No one has any idea how this can effect the future. They should not return."

"I agree." A familiar, yet young and oddly scratchy voice spoke from behind them.

Hiei flinched hunching over slightly on his sword. There was no way. This is what Hiei had been fearing, what he was afraid was going to happen. There was no way he could have been watching. This was not good news for Kurama, who at the moment looked ready to be sick. His face had gone pale and sweat was breaking out on his brow. Hiei grunted and turned around to face the toddler king in his teenage form.

"Koenma, now this is an unpleasant surprise." He muttered, leaning a bit more heavily on his sword. "What the hell are you doing here? You fall down the well as well?"

Koenma ignored the fire demon's prod and walked over to the shivering kitsune. His brown eyes were dark and narrowed, but one couldn't tell from what emotion. His mouth formed around the pacifier.

"Kurama, this was a large mess up." The ruler spoke in a stern voice. "I should really revoke your probation and return you to that Rekai prison to finish your original sentence. You broke your contract with the Rekai world which should make it void."

There was a sudden flash and the sound of metal scraping. Before anyone could notice Hiei had removed his sword from the sheath and placed the tip against Koenma's throat. He was on one knee, arm shaking in the weakness that still poured through his body.

"If you take him back Koenma, you might as well void my contract too." His voice was cold as steel even though his body was weak. "I will not let you take the fox back, he has done nothing wrong."

Koenma closed his eyes gently. Raising a hand, he pushed Hiei's sword away form his throat easily. The fire demon growled as the sudden redirection of his sword's weight tossed him to the side and he landed hard on his shoulder. Koenma blinked only slightly at how weak the small fiery half Koorime really was.

"Let me finish Hiei or I just might take you up on that offer." Koenma didn't remove his eyes from Kurama's bowed head, even when the fire demon growled from his spots. "Kurama, I should bring you in, but seeing as what happened here wasn't your fault, I'm willing to let it slide. But you have to promise me to never return to this time. You could endanger the entire stream of time. Only those meant to pass through the well should. You must remember that."

Kurama nodded, but kept his head lowered. Miroku moved over to Sango's side and leaned over.

"Is he some kind of powerful demon?" The monk asked, waving a finger at the new comer that had so easily tossed aside Hiei, who even in weakness appeared powerful.

"He's no demon you moron." Kaede stepped between the two and swatted at Miroku. "His name is Koenma and he is the soon to King Yami, ruler of the Spirit world. Normally he's the one that handles all the business because the King truly doesn't want to be bothered by it. He is no demon for you to worry about."

Koenma looked over at the trio and nodded as though to confirm the old woman's story. "And Hiei and Kurama were prisoners of mine that were given probation for helping my new spirit detective, Yusuke. But they were also told they had to follow strict rules. No thievery, and no killing, and they must do what I ask them to do."

"And he's trapped us in another realm refusing to allow us to return home." Hiei grunted from where he stood leaning against his sword once more. "He's turned us into his personal demon slaves."

"I saved your life Hiei." Koenma snapped back. "If it weren't for me you'd have another 997 years left of warded jail time. So I'd shut it if I were you."

Hiei only growled. The only time anyone dared talk like that to him was when he was too weak to fight back. He could only imagine the things the red headed oaf had said to him when he passed out during the finals of the tournament. He hated the weakness but also knew there was nothing more he could do to fight back.

"Hn." He muttered, turning away from the bitter toddler. "Aren't you an asshole today."

"Having to time jump to scold two demons I had to beg my father to release early under my watch tends to make one cranky." Koenma's eye twitched slightly. "Now, if you two promise to never return here, I will let this whole thing go."

Hiei was prepared to fight. This whole time jumping thing could be a way to free him from the complications that sometimes came with the Ningen world. But he was stopped suddenly by Kurama's soft voice.

"We will never return Koenma, you have my word." The fox whispered, the shame could be heard in his tone. "It was a mistake for us to be here in the first place. It was my mistake. I'll make sure that nothing happens like this again. Please accept my apology and promise."

Koenma sighed, hating the sound of the once powerful kitsune's voice now so meek and tamed. He walked over and placed a hand on the water-rotted wood of the well back to the modern era. His fingers rubbed over the fraying wood, the weakest spots splintering beneath his touch. Pulling away form the magic well, he turned back to the others.

"Both are accepted." He said to the fox who had seemed to visibly relax since he first appeared. "But you must get through that well now. You must leave this place and forget that you were here, forget about coming back."

Kurama nodded and took a step up to the well. He placed his hand on the edge and turned to peer over his shoulder. There he saw Hiei leaning heavily on his sword as he made his way up towards the well. His face was creased downward in a deep frown. It was obvious he didn't like the deal that Kurama had made in order to ensure their freedom. But it was the way things had to be. He looked up at the band of mismatched travelers.

"I'm sorry to all of you as well." He told them. "I could have gotten you all killed. You all went out of your way to save me and you've never even met me. I'm sorry for the inconvenience and will be out of your hair soon. I just wanted to thank you and apologize."

Sango stepped forward, a small smile on her face. "Kurama, you have nothing to apologize for." She told him. "We were just doing what we do best. Saving people that are tied up with the jewel. It's like our life."

Kurama had to return the smile with a half one of his own. Of course they were going to say something like that. This whole time they were treating him like he was some kind of dear friend when he had nearly gotten them all killed. His emerald orbs shook as though they would fill with tears, but the great kitsune thief never cried. Instead he nodded his head and pretended that it wasn't bothering him.

"Yeah!" Kagome piped up, her over-cheery disposition causing Hiei to wince slightly. How could anyone be that happy? But despite Hiei's hate, the young girl continued. "I jump back forth between the times, why can't they Sir Koenma?"

"Oh please," Hiei grunted. "Don't call him sir. That's a fake form. He's really a diaper wearing toddler."

Koenma's brows lowered in anger. "Hiei, you're really testing my patience." A small vein began throbbing in his forehead. "Kagome, fate had destined you to be the only one allowed to jump time. Kurama and Hiei, you have already been here too long. You must return to your own world, and immediately."

Hiei joined Kurama, leaning heavily on the wooden well. He raised her crimson orbs to gaze at Kurama before turning to look at others, who had taken him in and cared for him during his weak states.

"It seems this is all done." Hiei winced suddenly, a hand going to the wounds on his chest. In his weak state, his body had yet to be able to heal the near fatal wounds. His neck and wrist were bandaged where Sesshomaru had used his poison claws, though due to his cloak and mufara they remained hidden.

"Hiei you're still weak." Kurama said, leaning down and helping Hiei by supporting his weight.

"Yes, and traveling through the well make you worse." Koenma suddenly informed them. "Don't expect to be conscious when you hit the other side."

Hiei growled and squinted at the Rekai ruler. "Now you tell me." He muttered. His hand went to his sword and removed it from the place under his arm and slipped it back into its spot at his waist. In a quick move, more like a blur, he stood atop one of the ledges of the well. He moved his eyes from one person to another in the clearing. Kagome and Sango seemed upset, as though they were losing good friends. Miroku smiled in a sad way. Both Inu Yasha and Kaede seemed indifferent, but it was obvious that Inu Yasha was trying to avoid the situation at hand. That meant he cared more then he was letting on. Hiei grunted.

"Let's go Fox." He spoke in a tone that was dull and cold, his normal tone. "If I'm going to hibernate, I want to get this over with."

Inu Yasha blinked, golden eyes open wide. He finally joined the conversation that had been going on around him this whole time.

"Hibernate?" He repeated. "Don't you mean faint?"

"Hn." Hiei grunted. "I don't faint."

And with that Hiei jumped into the well. Kurama turned, deciding staying to say good bye would not be a good thing. His ningen body had formed bonds and attachments that he was not able to sever as easily as Hiei. With a small wave and nod, he easily leapt over the edge and into the well.

Kagome and Sango ran over to the edge and looked down. They were sure they saw a flash of crimson locks streaked with silver in the unseen darkness of the bottom of the well.

"They're gone." Kagome whispered sounding defeated. "They're really gone."

"Yeah." But Sango flashed a smile that said she didn't believe it. "But I have a feeling that's not the last we've seen of them."

Kagome smiled back. She knew the demon slayer was right. They turned back to the others and nodded. "Well what are we waiting for?" She snapped. "We have our own adventure to get back to!"

The group slowly walked away from the well, leaving Koenma standing alone by the well. His narrow brown eyes looked down into the darkness. He had the sinking feeling in his heart that the others were right. He knew those two demons better then they knew themselves. They would be back the first chance they got, with the first reason. And Koenma hoped it was a good one or they'd be seeing jail time again.

Kurama couldn't remember his first trip through the well, but this trip was something he'd remember forever. This gel like liquid pushed against him, bubbles floating around him. He narrowed his eyes and saw the limp form of Hiei floating in the liquid just above him. A red substance floated thick in the gel around him. Kurama gasped when he realized that it was blood. Hiei's wounds had opened in his weak state. Kicking with his legs, Kurama swam towards his partner in the thick liquid.

When he reached him, Kurama pulled Hiei's small frame close. Before he knew what was happening, his feet were placed lightly on the ground and the gel seemed to melt away, giving way to the darkness of the bottom of a well. Looking up, he saw a roof over their heads. His emerald orbs then moved down and landed on Hiei who was firmly held against his chest. The wound had begun to bleed once again, though it wasn't bad enough for worry. Glancing up, Kurama noticed the makeshift ladder that hung down to the bottom of the well. The ningen Kagome must have put it there to give her an easier time climbing in and out of the well on her journeys home. Trying to sort the smaller demon's weight in his arms, Kurama's furrowed as he tried to think of a way to climb the ladder and not disturb Hiei's wounds.

He slung Hiei over his shoulder and moved to climb the ladder, using his head and shoulder to pinch the fire demon gently into place. But he had only gotten up one step when the unconscious body began to slip from his hold.

"Damn." He muttered, jumping from the ladder and landing softly, fixing a tighter hold on Hiei. "How the hell am I going to do this?"

"You could start by letting me climb up on my own." Came the weary voice of Hiei as he turned his head to glare crimson daggers at the kitsune. "Can you put me down? I feel ridiculous with you carrying me like this."

Kurama quickly set the fire demon on his own two feet. Hiei gave a 'hn' of approval before turning to the ladder and climbing out of the well on his own. The kitsune was right behind him, easily scaling the length of the rickety ladder and placing his own two feet on the solid ground of the shrine. The two demons just stood there, looking down at the well. It stared back at them, an open mouth ready to swallow them back up if they chose to jump back in.

"Do you think we'll ever see any of them again?" Kurama asked, surprised by the sadness he felt at asking his own question.

"Not if Koenma has anything to do with it." Hiei answered. Though he didn't show it, Kurama knew that Hiei wished to go back as well. In that feudal era they weren't outcasts as they were here. They fit in with all the other demons and creatures of folk lore.

"Maybe someday we can find a reason to be allowed back." The kitsune whispered, turning to walk away from the enchanted well before he really did begin to debate jumping back in.

"Maybe…" Hiei let his thought trail off before he too turned and followed in Kurama's steps.

The well just stood, beckoning them back in voice that no one could hear. But deep in their hearts, Hiei and Kurama longed to return. And somewhere, down deep inside, they knew they would.

Holy shit, I finished it. Finally, after two long years the story has come to its conclusion! I know that I promised a sequel, but it may take some time for that to be born. I'm actually working on two different stories as we speak. You see, I like to work on two stories at time, so that I don't get bored with one. (I tend to do that from time to time). I'll write one chapter in one story and then switch over to the other. I try not to let one story Bogart my attention, unless it's gotten to a really good and crucial part.

Anyway, look for my other stories. Under My Skin is already under way, and I have another story in the making, an AU (or alternate universe) story that takes place in the old west. Strange I know but I think you'll like it. It's not really my normal style but I feel it will be great none-the-less. I don't have a title yet but it should come soon and then I'll place it an AN in Under My Skin. So be on the look out!

But please, review and let me know what you think about this story, and its final conclusion!

Darkest Angst