A/N: Sorry the chapters are turning out so short, the story just seems to want to be written this way.

Chapter Four

"That wasn't entirely necessary, Hiei. You could have just said you wanted to go back to sleep."

"Hn," Hiei grunted. "What did they want?"

"Mostly to know if we were both alright."

"And if we were going to jail, no doubt."

"Well, yes."

"Have you disillusioned Koenma on that point?"

"Well, we didn't talk very much after you went to sleep. It makes me tired too." Kurama was polite enough to phrase what had happened as went to sleep as opposed to passed out. "We have an official hearing tomorrow; the disillusioning will have to take place then."

"And how do we go about that?" Kurama was silent. "Come on, fox. You're the one who actually cares about that sort of thing."

"It's only our word that protects us now," Kurama said slowly. "We'll have to hope Koenma is feeling lenient."

"Hn. He'll feel lenient or he'll feel pain," Hiei muttered, moving over to stare out the window.

Kurama watched him in silence. He opened his mouth to speak once, but apparently decided better of it. Hiei leaned against the windowsill, staring out over Spirit World. After a long silence, Kurama got up and moved to stand behind him. Gently but without explanation he began running his fingers through Hiei's hair, feeling his scalp.

"What in hell are you doing, Kurama?" Hiei asked, without much heat.

"Checking for injury. My head is hurting. Why didn't you tell me about this?" Kurama asked, finding and fingering a large bruise.

Hiei hissed and pulled away. "None of your damn business."

"It is now, Hiei."

Hiei scowled. "I have to inform you of every injury I take? You didn't say anything about your twisted ankle, you just let me limp."

"My apologies, I didn't think of it. Perhaps we had better get into the habit of telling each other when we're injured, even if it's insignificant."

"Hn."

There was another silence, more strained than the last. "What do you want to know, fox?" Hiei finally asked dully.

Kurama's hands hovered over Hiei's shoulders, debating; then he set them down gently. "Did we ever talk about this?"

"About..."

"The Kiss of Life."

"Not that I can recall."

"Nor can I."

"Well, then I guess we didn't."

"Then..."

Hiei reached up with his right hand and touched the hand on his shoulder. "Because I didn't know what I'd do without you. And because I'm occasionally quite stupid."

Kurama paused, unsure how to take his answer. "Do you regret it, then?"

Hiei paused before answering. "No. Though it's been truly annoying having to share your breath so far, I'd be much more annoyed to have you dead."

Kurama's mouth quirked like he had almost smiled. "Well, thank you... I think."

They stood in renewed silence. Hiei's face had an uncomfortable look on it, but Kurama couldn't see it. After a moment, Hiei reached up and placed his other hand on top of Kurama's, leaning back against him slightly. Kurama smiled gently; he slid his hands forward, gently embracing Hiei. Hiei's expression cleared. Gradually he let his eyes drift shut, and Kurama's smile widened. In tune with Hiei's body as he now was, he was able to catch Hiei the exact moment he fell back into sleep and carry him back to the couch.