HPX 7

Ok, I'm kind of pissed at the moment. Here's the deal. Some jackass has the gall to send me a "review" and tell me, and I quote, "sorry, your summary is just bad." I respond, NO FUCKING SHIT! Y' damn well think! This was a first chapter review when there are six chapters up. There is no evidence to suggest that this person even read the first chapter. If they had they would have found that when I wrote that, I was in hate with this story. Had they read further, they would have found that I don't even know quite where this is going, therefore do not really have a decent summary or even plot to speak of. Tell me something. What idiot honestly expects a story entitled "Random HP xover that I refuse to name" or some nonsense of the type to be profound let alone have an earth-shattering summary? It may or may not be exceptional, but who would expect it? And honestly, for a twenty-word summary, I think my others are truly works of art, considering the word limit. Don't you think I would sense that "this a random piece of shit that I couldn't get out of my head so I wrote it down, and happened to post it because I was bored" was a bit bad. I know a bad summary when I see it. That is a bad summary. If I'm not in a mood to read a story with a bad summary, you know what I do? I don't bother with it. That's right. Profound notion isn't it. If a story sounds bad I don't read it. Amazing concept isn't it. You took the time to freaking review, at least say something about the story. Reviews are to tell people what you think of the story, not that they have an unattractive summary. I would appreciate a ' your summary is bad, but the story seems decent.' Or 'the summary sucks and the story matches it.' I know I have a bad summary. Thank you. Are you going to comment on my lovely chapter titles, too? And…

Well, I could go on like that for ages. But you guys want a story, not a rant, don't you. That kind of would have been a review response, but I doubt, they would get this far. The moral: I don't mind negative reviews as long as they are good nature and/or constructive. If it's obvious like 'the title 'I hate this story, you probably shouldn't read it' sucks,' don't tell me. I know. If it's 'I didn't like what you did with this chara' or 'maybe you should take this a different direction' or even, 'you spelled toya wrong' I will gladly thank you for your advice. I prefer those. It gives me something to live up to. Honesty is awesome, stupidity is punishable by death. Even soccergirl13's first review was better than the one mentioned above. At least she (I'm making assumptions) read it. Yaoi is a valid concern and bringing it up at least tells me what readers expect or want. Um, yeah, that was kind of still ranting. I'm done now.

Now, for some friendlier responses.

CHL: ok ok. Here you go. Don't explode. Just calm down.

Pan: You're smart. I was hoping that no one would notice that. Luckily, I don't think many did. Anyway, shhhh, don't tell. Honestly, though, I think Jin's class will turn up most interesting. I mean, think about it: Jin as a teacher. Hiei is bound to be a hard ass. Nothing exactly interesting planed, but confusing for the students.

Jadewolf: hey, that was one of my two, maybe three if you're picky, cliffies in history. So don't complain. I hate them too, so I don't do it often unless I'm in a particularly torturous mood. Sorry about the delay (esp after a cliffie) but I had a lot going on and I didn't feel like typing (you try typing flag routines till two in the morning for a week and then typing one of these babies up). Anyway, Kuro will be here shortly, but he's not big in this chap yet. Just hold on.

Kaaera: Thanks. That name sound familiar now, though it might have just been the examiner. Anyway, it works. You won't be offended if I don't change it, will you? It's OK if you don't know. It is kind of obvious if you want to put the effort into it, but I don't want people to. You're good. And yes, Kurama's class in quite different if I do say so my self.

Reina Bara: well, happy birthday to you. Your reviews aren't harsh. I like those kind. Believe it or not, they're different than the one I was talking about above. Thanks for pointing those out. I'm pretty sure Umbridge says both, but I could be wrong. I only have the first three books at my disposal for reference. You'll forgive me if I'm too lazy to change them at the moment? Anyway, I don't want you to stop. It helps, and I will eventually use it. And actually, I'm just as picky as you. Just lazy in this story. Thanks a lot for your help.

Thanks to all who reviewed (except that jackass). Now that I've rambled enough, on with the fic.

FYI: non-yaoi, non-shonen-ai, non-romance for that matter (see bio). I'm all into the fraternal relationships, so it might seem weird, but it's not meant that way. Take it as you list, but it isn't there. (once again, see bio.)

Alright! ENOUGH! Here's you story.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((begin chapter seven))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The entir hall followed the head master's gaze. It led them to the great double doors at the hall's end: the main entrance. A man–sort of—leaned on one of them looking deceptively small next to them. He pulled his foot away, no longer preventing the other door from closing, and pushed it lightly so that it clicked gently shut.

"I apologize," he called hoarsely (which only carried to the staff table because of the immense silence), bowing in the same polite fashion that Yukina had, "I was detained. Am I interrupting?"

"No, professor, you're just in time." Dumbledore replied.

Kurama was perhaps the most shocked of the crowd of starers watching the newcomer make his wayto the staff table. The color was gone from his face. His whole body trembled. His breathing came in short heavy gasps. Yuusuke and Hiei, the closest youkai to him, could almost feel his quickened, nervous heartbeat pulse in their own chests.

/I'm not seeing this. It's impossible./

"K'" the dead sound escaped his lips. He could say no more.

"This, students," Dumbledore addressed the group, "is your history professor for the year."

The man stood in front of the students—except, he wasn't a man, not quite. He had the general appearance of a man. He was tall and pale—he was Snapeish in that sense—and had long, sleek, black hair pulled into a high pony-tail that still managed to brush his hips. His steal-grey eyes ((does anyone know what color eyes Kuro really does have? I've heard blue, purple, grey and everything in between. And I can't tell by watching the movie. Umm… let's see…)) His steal-grey eyes sparkled with the mischief and playfulness of the Weasley twins but behind the sparkle was a cold malice, wisdom, and command that could rule the world some day… maybe even had. That cruelty made him seem less human, but what blew all illusion of being human were the two pointed ears adorned with several earrings each and the large, black, bat-like wings protruding from his back. They fluttered as he bowed again, this time, in greeting.

"I'd like you all to welcome, Professor Victor Levi Kuronue."

((((((((((((border))))))))))

Kurama, despite the fact that he new it already, gasped at the name. It was as if that name solidified the whole thing, made it real; sealed him in this eternal nightmare that was determined to haunt him. He wanted to wake up. This was just another insane shadow of the past that played cruelly with him in the night. He wanted it to go away. He didn't want his past anymore. He wished it would go away; leave him alone. Leave him alone in the hell he'd created for himself and stop twisting it; making it worse. Hadn't he suffered enough on his own?

/I don't want to be here. Let me go! I just want to wake up/

Suddenly, he realized that his eyes were closed. Opening them, he found himself staring up at the canopy of an old-fashioned western bed. /it was a dream, but how did I get here/

His eyes and the sides of his face felt wet. He reached up to wipe it away. A trail of water ran from his eyes to wet part of his hair. /Tears./ he realized.

He now noticed Hiei silently observing him from a chair by the bed, a book set in his lap. He didn't seem to notice that his friend had been crying in his sleep. /He's ignoring it. He's probably used to it by now./

Kurama quickly brushed the tears away and took a deep breath. He knew that Hiei had an explanation for this; the small fire youkai didn't seem concerned at their surroundings. Hiei was jut waiting until his friend was ready.

The Fox tested the ground by sitting up slowly. Hiei didn't stop him; he hadn't been seriously injured. That was good. He didn't feel injured. That was reassuring.

"So," he began softly, not looking at Hiei, "What happened?"

"The simple answer?"

"What other answer is there?"

"The one only you would know."

"Then tell me what you know."

"Basically: You freaked out when you saw Kuronue."

/So it wasn't a dream. We're at this freak school and so is Kuronue./

"What do you remember?" Hiei asked uncharacteristically gently.

Kurama stared blankly ahead; still somewhat in shock. "Just the headmaster introducing him." he all but whispered.

"Black-out." Hiei mumbled to himself.

"What?" Kurama finally turned to look at him.

"Black-out." Hiei repeated, audibly this time, "You still 'conscious' when I brought you here." Hiei clarified, "We said you weren't feeling well." he explained before Kurama could ask. "Botan made something up about some 'jet-lag.'" he sounded out the word as if it were a joke.

"You know jet-lag is real, right?"

"Whatever."

They sat in silence for a moment, each processing what he had learned. ((minus the existence of jet-lag))

"Are you OK?" Hiei finally asked, uncomfortable with the question.

"I don't know." Kurama stated simply.

"Is it really him?"

Kurama snapped to attention. The idea hadn't occurred to him. "I really don't know."

"Maybe you should find out."

Kurama was silent.

"You should talk to him." Hiei suggested.

"Why?"

"You're going to be here with him for nine months. You need to be able to work around him and find out who he is. If it is Kuronue, you need to work it out, whatever happened between you two. In order to do that, you have to talk to him."

Kurama hugged his knees to his chest and rested his face in them.

"I can't." came his muffled reply.

Hiei'd expected this. He sighed. He'd really wanted to leave this to Kurama; let him work it out on his own. That was really the best way to do things. But Kurama couldn't do this on his own—or wouldn't.

"If I may ask, what did happen between you two?"

There was a pause. "I killed him." Kurama answered flatly.

Hiei was taken aback. For all of the hero worship Kuronue received from the Fox and what he knew of the thieves' relationship, he found such a notion inconceivable.

"I don't believe that."

"Believe what you will." Kurama answered him coldly.

"I don't believe that you believe that."

"Need I repeat myself?"

"No." Hiei sighed, "Why don't you tell me what happened?"

"Kurama lifted his head and mulled over the idea. "Alright," he agreed. "It was about 200 years ago… I think. We'd just pulled off a heist, a good one. We were about to get away with it, but his pendant broke. I never knew why, but he always had it with him. He loved that thing. It broke and fell, and he went after it, but was caught in a trap. He was badly injured…" Kurama trailed off. Tears began to wet his eyes. He hugged his knees and buried his face in them once more.

"And…" Hiei urged him on. In those few incidences that he felt guilty, he often found a confession helped. If Kurama didn't finish this now, he probably never would. He knew Kurama would never get over this by himself. The cards had to be out.

"And… I left him."

/It makes sense./ Hiei couldn't help but think/If Kuronue was that badly injured, neither of them would have gotten away with so much as their lives, let alone what they'd gone for./ That wouldn't help though.

"That doesn't mean you killed him."

"He was my first, only, and best friend; the first person who cared whether I live or died. To anyone else, I wasn't even significant enough to be hated." Kurama turned to Hiei, tears streaming unchecked down his face. "And I left him to DIE! I heard his cries, felt his pain, and did nothing. Then I left, sold the loot, and moved on to another region; all without a second thought. We were partners, friends, brothers. He trusted me—counted on me—and I betrayed him!"

"Then he was a stupid friend." Hiei glared coldly at the Fox.

"What? How dare you say that!"

"If he was that badly injured, there was no way both of you were going to get out of there alive. If he was just counting on you to try to save him and forfeit your own life for nothing, then he was a jackass. Any real friend would have wanted you to leave."

Kurama started at this statement. Kuronue had told him to leave, hadn't he?

"He did." Kurama said softly, turning away from Hiei.

"What do you mean?"

"He told me to leave."

"There you go. He knew that both of you would die if you tried to help him. Kurama, he would have died no matter what you did. He didn't want you to go down with him."

Kurama hung his head. "Maybe."

"You don't think he sees it that way. You know it's true but you're still afraid that he holds it against you. That's why you don't want to talk to him.

"Remember when Yakumo's man impersonated Kuronue?"

Kurama nodded.

"I wasn't there when you fought. I don't know what happened then. What I do know is that, through that experience, you found some sort of peace. I don't understand how or why, but you did. You confronted that part of your past and were able to work through it. You were pretty messed up for a while, but you came through it more secure in your self and more sure of what had happened that day

"You've been shaken again. You need to face him; know what happens. If you don't, you'll never be sure of your self again. You have to get past this, you have to talk to him."

Ater a while, Kurama nodded slowly.

"Good." Hiei got up. He poured a cup of tea and came back. Sitting down next to Kurama on the bed, he handed the tea to him. Kurama took it with less trembling hands.

Hiei carefully put an arm around Kurama's shoulders. He was new to the gesture and a bit unsure of it, but he felt that Kurama needed it and he was not going to hug the Fox. (/The things I do for people./--Hiei)

Kurama was surprised by the gesture from Hiei but accepted it.

"Do you think you'll be OK?" Hiei asked, still uncomfortable with this roll.

Kurama nodded.

"Alright. Drink that and get some rest. I'll find him and tell him that you want to talk to talk to him in the morning. You think you'll be ready by then?"

"Tonight."

"Hn?"

"Tonight." Kurama repeated, "I can't start classes in this state and more time isn't going isn't going to do anything. I want to see him tonight."

"And I want you to have time to calm down. I'll get him in an Hour, OK?"

"Alright."

"Good. Finish your tea and I'll give you some space, 'kay?" /Which am I, his nurse or his mother/

Kurama nodded and took another sip of his tea.

Hiei got up and left the room.

In the hall, he kept careful watch from a post just outside of the door. His jagan glowed faintly behind the ward, holding barriers up around the room. He'd probably just ripped his friend's soul wide open. He didn't ant anyone to take advantage of that. He'd check out security later. For now, he created his own.

Now, he settled in for an hour's wait.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((end chapter seven))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Sorry for the delay. I had a lot going on. Still do, but I can get to a computer now. I had two band camps. The first one, I didn't want to do anything after, and the second, I still didn't want to do anything. As I have mentioned to some people, I was typing flag routines until any time between twelve and two in the morning and was not any mood to do any more typing. I told you all, I'm worse at typing than a cat with four broken legs (that was sick, but it's true. No using cats to type your fics, guys.).

Neways, that's that. Be gone with thee… well, review first, but after that, be gone. I shall return in approximately two weeks. Until then, have a nice day (well, several).

Liebe sie von,

Doomschneider.

08-10-05