Author's Note: Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween. Sugar, yay! Sorry it's taken so long to update. I've had major writer's block on this chapter, and that almost never happens to me. Well, I'm going to try my best. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

Kurama woke up slowly, rising to consciousness like a swimmer rising through deep water. He opened his eyes blearily, wincing at the red haze of pain that greeted him. Something was…different. It was like a veil had been drawn across his mind. What was wrong? Suddenly, it dawned on him.

He couldn't remember anything.

The fox fought down panic as he struggled to sort through his lost memories. Did he know his name? Yes, it was Kurama. He remembered his past life as the infamous thief Yoko, and being shot by the hunter, but after that…

Nothing.

Wait. He did remember one thing. A girl. A girl with midnight hair and violet eyes. Her name was K'Ray, wasn't it? Yes. He had loved her, and she had loved him, but then…she had been taken from him. But by who? He couldn't remember!

Sitting up, Kurama flinched as his many wounds burned with pain. His black and silver clothes were stained with blood, and his muscles began to spasm when he tried to stand. Lying back down, he stared up at the cold night sky above him.

What was he going to do?

Matsuji smiled cunningly. Everything was working out exactly as he had planned. He looked over to his left, where a girl stood. She had long blond hair and icy blue eyes.

"Do you remember your role, Ren?" he asked. Red tossed her hair impudently, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. The more important thing is, when do I get my money?"

"All in good time, my dear, all in good time." Matsuji smoothly erected a portal that led to a place a little ways away from Kurama's area. "Do your part and I'll do mine."

Ren huffed before stepping through the portal. Matsuji leaned back in his throne, his eyes dancing with amusement as he watched the unfolding events in a large scrying mirror.

"This will be very interesting."

Kurama bolted upright when he heard someone come running through the bushes towards him. He turned to see a blond girl, about his age, look around wildly until she noticed him. A look of relief came over her as she darted to his side. Kneeling down, she smiled happily.

"Oh, Kurama, thank goodness you're all right!" she exclaimed. Kurama frowned, studying the girl.

"Do I know you?" he asked. The girl looked surprised.

"Of course you do! My name is Ren. I've known you for years, ever since you became human."

"Human?" Kurama repeated. He vaguely recalled becoming human, a long time before, but it was hazy and indistinct. If only he could remember what had happened after that!

"Yes! Thank Inari that Hiei didn't find you before I did," Ren simpered. She took Kurama's hand, her face a mask of relief.

This is too easy, she thought, smirking.

"Hiei?"

"Don't you remember? He's the one that stole K'Ray from you."

"The first thing we need to do is get provisions."

"Provisions? Are you mad? And whose money are we going to spend?"

"Yours, baka. I didn't exactly get an allowance all those years in Matsuji's prison. And besides, you owe me."

"Owe you? And how am I in your debt, baka onna?"

"Don't call me that. If I hadn't come, you would have never known Kurama was in danger and you wouldn't be able to save him, now would you?"

Hiei crossed his arms, glaring murder at K'Ray. He hated this girl! She fought with him every step of the way, about every little thing. And she was stubborn, too! As stubborn as that stupid fox. No wonder those two had fallen in love…

"Hello? Hiei?" K'Ray asked, waving her hand in front of his face. "I'll say this again; I can hear every word you're thinking. So please, either put up some words or stop thinking altogether!"

Hiei glowered at her, but brought up some wards as asked. K'Ray smiled.

"Thanks," she said. She walked forward a bit, a little unsteady. Pointing north, she said, "There's a nondescript town a few miles that way. We can get some food and maybe some news about Matsuji's whereabouts."

"Matsuji?" Hiei asked gruffly. "Why?"

"Because," K'Ray replied, "he did this on purpose. Despite what he told me, he never aimed to kill Kurama." The Ryokun's voice shook as she continued. "He probably ambushed him and took him away. Now, the best scenario is that Kurama isn't hurt too badly and he's just bound up, captured but unharmed. The worst case is that he's been gravely injured and is suffering at that-that-demon's hands. Or, maybe, he got away. We can only hope."

"Don't you know where Matsuji's hideout is?"

"He's moved by now, I'm sure of it." K'Ray turned back, giving Hiei a weak smile. "Thank you for helping, Hiei." Hiei rolled his eyes as he walked past her.

"Baka onna, I'm not helping you; I'm only doing this for that kitsune."

K'Ray huffed exasperatingly. "Well, excuse me, Mr. Heart-Of-Gold. I didn't know you were so generous."

When Hiei didn't reply, K'Ray grinned mischievously. She hadn't had this much fun annoying someone since she had first met Kurama.

Kurama. How could she have let this happen? He had been taken from her again. "Please be all right," she whispered. "I can't live without you."

"Hiei stole K'Ray from me? Who is this Hiei?" Kurama asked. Ren sighed dramatically, running a hand through her hair.

"He's a horrible fire demon, to be sure! He's killed so many innocent people, and he's always wanted K'Ray for himself. One day, while you were gone, he came and stole her! It was heartbreaking!" she sighed sadly.

Kurama was very confused. Hiei? The name seemed so familiar, but ever time he tried to grasp its meaning, it eluded him. But he did remember K'Ray, and the pain he had felt when she had been taken. If this Hiei was the culprit, he would hunt him down and save his lost love.

"Can you help me find him? This Hiei?" Kurama asked. Ren smiled.

"Of course," she said slyly. Everything was going exactly as planned. As long as Kurama's memory was gone, Matsuji could lead him wherever he wished.

"Thank you." Kurama leaned back, breathing heavily, but with new determination.

He would kill Hiei and save K'Ray.

"Hey doll, wanna get to know me?"

"Back off, you idiot." K'Ray shoved past the demon that was blocking her way, Hiei silently following. They had been searching the town high and low, but had yet to find a decent place to buy supplies.

Hiei rolled his eyes as he walked by the demon. K'Ray had been marked ever since she had set foot in this town. Obviously, a Ryokun was a very fine catch. In a way, Hiei felt bad for her. She must have put up with this for most of her life.

"Hey baby-"

"Shut up." K'Ray made to walk past this newest pervert, but the wolf demon would have none of it. Quick as a snake, he grabbed K'Ray's wrist, pulling her into an alley.

Hiei immediately pulled out his katana. This was bound to happen sooner or later. With a growl of annoyance he flitted into the alley behind K'Ray's captor. The demon had her backed up against a wall. He wasn't trying anything, not yet. For now he was just enjoying her furious attempts to escape.

"Let me go, you baka!" K'Ray snapped. She kicked him, hard, but he still wouldn't let go.

That is, until he felt the icy blade of Hiei's katana against his neck.

"I believe she said to let her go," Hiei said ominously. Ever the coward, the demon instantly released K'Ray before rushing off. Hiei sheathed his blade contemptuously.

"What a waste of time," he snarled. K'Ray looked at the wolf demon's fleeing form, a smile gracing her lips. Suddenly, she ran over, pulling Hiei into a quick hug.

Hiei tensed reflexively. He had never been hugged before. K'Ray pulled away quickly, blushing.

"Sorry," she apologized. "Other than Kurama, I've never had a friend who would protect me like that." Hiei frowned.

"We're friends?" he asked. K'Ray shrugged.

"I would hope so," she replied. "We're going to have to get along if we're going to save Kurama." Turning, the girl went back down the alley. "Come on, we have to go find him!"

Hiei followed her out. Friends? Well, he still didn't like her. She was stubborn and annoying. But an ally would be welcome…

Friends it was, then.

To Be Continued…

Author's Note: Well, there ya go. The seventh chapter is finished! What a new dilemma. Kurama thinks Hiei is an enemy? Uh oh. I smell trouble. Hehehe… well, please, please, please review! It would mean a lot. Thanks everyone!