Chapter Six

Kurama sat at his desk yawning as he turned another page in the thick book he was studying from. He had been studying hard like this ever since he'd resumed his training with Tomoyo. Kurama found that throwing himself into his studies helped ease the longing to be with his mate.

The nights were the hardest for them both. They had grown used to sleeping next to one another and missed the warmth of the other beside them. Hiei would contact Kurama telepathically each night after climbing into bed. Their nightly telepathic conversations helped ease their longing for one another. Still, it did not take the place of being physically together.

Kurama yawned once again, this time hard enough to break his concentration. "You're still awake?" Hiei asked him telepathically. Kurama smiled softly and closed his eyes. "I couldn't get to sleep so I decided to study a while longer," Kurama replied. "What about you?" he asked. "Another one of Mukuro's damn parties," Hiei informed his mate. Kurama smiled, knowing how much Hiei loathed formal functions. "You got through it," Kurama pointed out. "Barely," Hiei remarked. "I wish you had been there with me, it would have been tolerable," he said. Kurama sighed. "I wish I were with you too Darkfire. At the moment I'm all too ready to just call it quits and come home," he said. Hiei could feel the longing and the loneliness emanating from his mate. It mirrored his own so closely that he could barely tell what he was feeling from what his mate was feeling.

"Fox, it would be foolish to quit now after all the hard work you've done. Your training isn't that much longer. We'll be together soon," Hiei said, sending encouragement and soothing through his side of their bond. Kurama had to admit that Hiei was right. He had been studying harder than he would have ever thought he could have just to speed his training along a bit. It was working and in a few weeks he could be ready for the final test to become a healer. Warmth and appreciation flooded from Kurama's side of their bond like a warm hug and a gentle kiss. "Thank you Darkfire, I really needed you to say that," he said. "Get some sleep Fox," Hiei responded. Kurama smiled and rose from his chair.

He extinguished the lamp weed on his desk and changed for bed. With a yawn Kurama climbed beneath the sheets and clutched the extra pillow on his bed close to him. "I love you," Kurama sent softly. He felt a brush of warmth from Hiei's side of their bond, like a loving kiss. "I love you too Fox. Good night," he responded. "Goodnight Darkfire," Kurama replied as he drifted off to sleep.

At last the day came when Kurama had formally finished his training and began preparation for his final exam. He studied even harder then, enlisting the help of his sister and father to prepare for his exam. Even Hiei had chipped in to help, quizzing Kurama when asked and distracting the yoko and helping him relax when needed.

Kurama took his exam, carefully answering each question asked of him. It seemed to go on for an eternity when in fact it only took two hours. He paced anxiously outside of the doors of the examination room awaiting his results. His tail swished to and fro in an obvious nervousness. Tomoyo gently touched his arm, stopping his pacing. "Kurama, you have completed your training far sooner than any one of my other students. That alone is an accomplishment. I have no doubt that you have passed this final test," she said. Kurama smiled gently at her in silent thanks. Finally, the doors opened and one of the examiners exited the room. Kurama's heart seemed to stop in his chest for that one brief moment. The examiner smiled and held out his hand. "Congratulations Kurama, you passed," he said.

Relief flooded through the silver haired yoko. He shook the examiner's hand and thanked him. Tomoyo hugged him, then gently ushered him out of the healer's temple. "Now that you're a full fledged healer, are you going to stay or are you going where you will do more good?" Tomoyo asked as they headed toward the gates of the temple. Kurama sighed and looked around him. After the many years of exile and longing to return to his childhood home and complete his training to become a healer, he had finally done it. It felt strange. During all his years of exile he'd dreamed of returning home, now that he was back it no longer felt like home.

"I don't think I'm going to stay," Kurama said softly. "I miss my mate and I should be at his side where I belong," Tomoyo smiled. " I knew you would say that. A warrior like your mate would do good to have a healer at his side. It would be a waste for you to remain here, not to mention your marriage may not survive it," Tomoyo said. "Just visit as often as you can. I'm getting old and I can't travel like I used to," she added. Kurama smiled. "I will," he assured her. "You know, with you and Sata both studying under me these past few years she may finish her training soon as well. The two of you studying together even though you're both on different levels has benefited you and her as well," Tomoyo noted. "You will send word when she nears the end of her training won't you?" Kurama asked. "Of course. Now go on. Your family awaits you," she replied.

With a sad smile Kurama gave his teacher a gentle hug, knowing it would be quite sometime before he would see her again. "I'll write to you," Kurama promised. Tomoyo smiled. "I'd like that," the elder yoko said as she reached into her pocket and held out something that glinted in the fading sunlight. Kurama took it from her hand, staring at the object in fascination. It was a medallion, one that all healers of the Makai no matter where they are from wore. Kurama slowly slipped it around his neck, letting it rest against the tear gem pendant he always wore. "It was a pleasure having you as my student Kurama," Tomoyo said then turned and quickly headed back into the temple.

Kurama stood for a moment, looking thoughtfully at the door his former teacher had gone through. He sighed with relief and a smile slowly adorned his handsome face. "It's finally over," he thought with joy. He fingered the medallion, then went through the gates and fastened his cloak against the chill of the oncoming night. Fall would be ending soon and winter would begin. As Kurama made his way down the main streets of his village he knew that if he could not stay much longer unless he wanted to be stuck away from Hiei the entire winter. After being away from his mate so long that was the last thing Kurama wanted.

His parents' home was quiet as he approached. He opened the door to find his parents his sister and his three best friends sitting in the living room. They watched with anxious eyes as he shut the door behind him and stepped further into the room. Kurama did not say a word. Instead he unfastened his cloak revealing the amulet he now wore, marking him as a healer. For a brief moment no one moved, then all at once they rushed to him and embraced him.

A celebration had begun then. Sata, Sakuya, Sakura, Sachi and Ruia had spent a good part of the day preparing a huge feast for Kurama. They ate and drank to their heart's content, then danced and celebrated well into the night.

Kurama climbed into bed weary beyond measure that night. Still he was happy. He had completed his training he had begun so many years ago and was now a full fledged healer. Soon, he would be back with his mate where he belonged. Years of mere visitations and lonely nights would soon be over. Kurama decided to leave the next morning. He longed to be back at Hiei's side again. He just hoped that the odd start to their marriage would only make the foundation stronger.

It was well into the night when Kurama finally arrived at Mukuro's palace. Using his skills he'd used when he was a thief he slipped past the guards into his quarters. He slipped out of his clothing and changed forms as he padded over to his wardrobe. He smiled at the red haired, green eyed reflection in the mirror as he pulled a light robe from the wardrobe. Kurama put the robe on, quickly tying the belt around his waist as he made his way to the door that joined Hiei's room with his. A soft moan on the other side of the door quickly caught his sensitive ears. The faint scent of arousal reached Kurama's delicate nose.

Kurama was glad he had not lit any of the lamps in his room as he slowly opened the door and slipped into Hiei's room. The scent grew stronger and he could see movement upon the bed, even in the darkness of the late hour. Silently he padded closer as another moan slipped from Hiei's lips. It was a sound Kurama knew too well, the sound of pleasure.

The startled puzzlement Kurama had been feeling upon his arrival quickly turned to amusement. Hiei was moaning and writhing in his sleep, completely unaware that Kurama was in the room. Kurama slipped out of his robe and carefully slid under the covers. Despite the pitch blackness underneath the bedcovers Kurama found Hiei's arousal easily. He gave a gentle kiss to the hardening member before slipping it into his mouth and pleasuring his mate.

Hiei's eyes flew open as a louder moan fell from his lips. Soon he was panting hard as he felt his body sing with pleasure. The realization that he was no longer dreaming broke him out of his daze. However it was too late, his body had reached the peak of it's pleasure and he was reaching his climax. Before long he was spent and fought back a moan as he felt a warm tongue gently cleaning the tip of his manhood. A moment later a warm body slid against his own and soon Kurama's head emerged from under the near stifling environment under the covers.

The yoko gave his mate a long, loving kiss. "I take it you missed me," Kurama teased once he had broken the kiss. Hiei grinned and slid his hands sensually down the yoko's spine. "You have no idea," the fire apparition murmured huskily before capturing Kurama's lips in a deep passionate kiss. "Welcome home Fox," Hiei said once they'd broken for air. "It's good to be home," Kurama replied. The yoko then showed his mate how good it was to be home for the rest of the night.