Part 4

Stanzas for Music

One sigh of thy sorrow, one look of thy love,

Shall turn me or fix, shall reward or reprove;

And the heartless may wonder at all I resign –

Thy lip shall reply, not to them, but to mine.

Botan sat stiffly on her oar as they flew towards Itsuki's home. She felt uncomfortable with her passenger. She knew him for a long time but still, she didn't expect to ferry her from the Next life to here so early.

"Ano, Hiei-kun, are you sure you really want to do this"

Hiei snorted in agreement.

Botan sighed. She remembered Koenma's first warning so clearly:

"Don't tell him who the agent was. He doesn't know that it's Itsuki."

She knew that Itsuki was once their enemy, having allied himself to the ex-ghostfighter Sensui. But because they offered them a pardon, he agreed to serve as a sort of "on-call" agent. They've only used him twice, but both of his missions were succesful. Botan surveyed the ground for the spiked Chinese roof of Itsuki's house. At last, she found it and directed her oar to zoom down at a breakneck speed. She felt Hiei's hands cling to her obi tighter. She smiled. Hiei still acted like a living being. A fall from any height wouldn't kill him anyway.

"Just drop him off on the room and come back to my palace immediately."

She put on her cat-like poker face as she dropped Hiei on the roof.

The fire demon felt something amiss, he raised his eyebrow and looked at her suspiciously. His look was so intense that the ferry girl's hands shook on her oar. But she said nothing, her fear for her own safety zipping her usually gabby mouth shut.

"C'mon, spit it out, what're you not telling me?"

Hiei's voice was so cold, it sent shivers to her spine.

"Don't scare her so, half-breed. After all, she did her job, didn't she?" a silky voice called from behind.

Botan turned to look at her savior, but it only fueled her anxiety. It was Itsuki, dressed in the same garb which he wore when they fought a two years ago. Her heart pounded in her chest, finally, the poor ferry girl gave in to her urge and hastily flew away.

Sumimasen Hiei.

She didn't even bother to look back. Let them figure out for themselves.

Hiei stared at Itsuki for some time. His brows knotted as he remembered their battle.

As if reading his mind, Itsuki smiled and nodded.

"Yes, we were fighting for different causes then. But this is a different time now," his voice was emotionless, and his eyes showed no feeling. Hiei couldn't read him at all. Itsuki brushed his hair away from his eyes. It has grown luxuriously long, so long that it went up to his waist. He swept it in front of his shoulders and held the mass of cerulean hair in his right hand. "Koenma asked me to catch Karasu for you. It seems like you don't trust me to get the job done."

Hiei surveyed the youkai. Was he taunting him, or just stating the fact? He recovered from his indecision when Kurama's scared eyes flashed into his mind. No. he wouldn't want his itoshii to experience that fear again. He'd make sure Karasu was dead. Really dead.

"The hell I don't trust you!" he said, loud enough so Itsuki could hear him from the other side of the roof. He walked towards him. He hated being this short. He only reached up to Itsuki's waist. He looked into Itsuki's silver-green eyes, daring him to challenge him. but the youkai was as emotionless as before.

"Well, I don't trust you either," Itsuki answered simply and turned around, not giving him an answer.

Hiei's temper flared as Itsuki completely ignored him. he wanted to kick that smug ego of his. He clenched his fists, wordlessly following Itsuki as they climbed down the ladder which led to the attic.

The attic was clean, so bare in fact, it didn't even look like one. Hiei surveyed the room as Itsuki drew a pentagram on the floor. The fire demon had no patience for ceremonial magi, and he felt bored watching the agent sprinkle golden dust on the floor and pray meaningless words to unknown gods. He was more of a man of action, and he didn't understand any of this.

When he finally realized that Itsuki wouldn't really need his help, he wandered off. Itsuki didn't stop him.

Hiei went downtairs. it was also bare. There were only a few furnitures, and these were the most basic – a sofa, two chairs, a table, and a few cabinets. There were no electric gadgets. Instead, candle holders were scattered all over to replace electic lamps. He didn't know that some people still lived like this in modern Japan. He touched the candle holder, intending to look at it closer.

But his eyes passed through it. he tried again.

But the candle holder stayed in its place. Hiei closed his eyes. Of course he couldn't touch them… he's dead. A fragile smile crossed his lips as he tried again.

If he's a ghost, then the material world and he exist in different frequencies. That much he understands. He remembered Yusuke's story about his time in this plane. He wondered if he could also float? He tried, envisioning himself off the ground. Effortlessly, he did float. But he felt nothing different. In fact, he couldn't feel his body at all.

He floated back to the floor. His physical senses were gone now. He couldn't feel cold, nor heat. And he realized that the pounding heart in his chest was no more but a manifestation of his memory. He was scared, and his mind remembered what being scared felt. And this sweat on his forehead, this isn't really real. He's dead, he's a ghost. And only now was he beginning to comprehend what that means.

Alone, he couldn't help Kurama. He needed Itsuki. He'd have to depend on him.

He was about to go back to the youkai upstairs when he felt another presence coming towards him. he turned, and a giant man, almost seven foot high blocked his vision. It was Sensui.

Yusuke didn't know where to begin. Dumbfounded, he watched Kurama as the youko talked with the dead body.

Kurama sat Hiei on the bed's headboard and was trying to persuade him to eat the porridge which yusuke gave him.

"Kurama," Yusuke began to say as he touched his friend on the shoulders. But Kurama gave no indication that he heard him. His whole attention was focused on the koorime. Kurama finally gave up and placed the porridge on the table beside his bed. Then he lay down beside Hiei and embraced his waist. Yusuke heard a sigh escape from his lips.

The human boy looked into Kurama's eyes as the emerald orbs looked past him. they were so dull, so lifeless, that he couldn't even see his reflection on it.

"Kurama?" he called again. But there was no answer, as if he wasn't even there. Then he heard a car pull down the garage. What the?

Hurriedly, he ran to the windows. He confirmed his worst fear as the familiar red hood of the Tanaka's car.

Shit!

He ran downstairs and heaved the sofa to the door. Then he closed the shutters and all the windows. His mind and heart was racing as he plan what to do next. He couldn't think of any. He rushed upstairs again and grabbed Kurama's shoulders.

"Kurama, wake up!" he whispered, trying to shake the youko out of his daze. He might as well be trying to talk to a doll. He was so nervous now. He could hear the senior Tanaka's voice as he shouted for Shuichi to open up. Well, they'd just have to wait since Shuichi won't be opening up for some time.

One thing for sure, he couldn't let them see Kurama like this. He looked at the windows, inspecting it. the steel bars were only wide enough to let one person in. this must be what Hiei used to get in.

Sumimasen Shiori-san. With the force of ten humans, he punched the window sill. The whole structure separated from the wall but he caught it before it could fall noisily outside. Carefully, he put it beside the open wall. Then he turned to Kurama. He hasn't moved.

"Kurama," Yusuke whispered into his friend's ears. "Trust me, I wouldn't take Hiei away from you, but we'd have to get out of here for a while. You'd have to let him go or we wouldn't fit into the bars," he explained.

"Yusuke?" for a while, Kurama looked at him, but only for a moment. He slid back into his dream state, but his hold on the koorime's waist loosened.

Yusuke slung Kurama's hand unto his shoulder and supported the weak boy with his left hand. Then he picked up Hiei's dead body with his right and maneuvered him to the same position as Kurama was in his left. Now he felt balanced. Hope he could manage to flit through the tree tops as he often saw the pair do so often. Being caught by the Tanakas didn't come into his plans. By God, what would he tell them?

"No, your son's not human in spirit so you really can't call him gay. A relationship like this is well accepted in Makai anyway. Makai, oh, that's the other world. His boyfriend's our friend and that is an eye sticking out of his forehead. I'm just gonna take them to my master Genkai, she's an old lady who kicks butt like hell. And no, you're not going crazy."

With all his might, he leapt out into the tree. Luckily, there were a whole row of trees lining the street, so even if it was only late afternoon, there was a lot of cover for them. He only prayed that Kurama would remain content just holding Hiei's hand like that and not do anything else.

Hiei eyed the tall spirit cautiously. His body tensed as he went on guard. But the spitrit smiled and raised his palm up, in an action which could be clearly read as "don't worry."

"Why're you still here?" Hiei asked Sensui. He thought that they could only stay on earth for a specified time. But he's been here for what, two years? Sensui's spirit wavered, like a television signal weakening. It faded for a moment before regaining enough strength to reappear. Sensui didn't speak, only smiled. It flew up and passed through the ceiling.

Does he want me to follow him?

Hiei ordered his spirit to fly through the ceilings too. It was as if he was vapor, he rose and rose and found himself standing in front of a glowing Itsuki. His eyes were closed and the pentagram was emitting an eerie yellow light. beside him, guarded the spirit of Sensui. Sensui's spirit also glowed with this light.

Hiei thought that it was only an illusion, but suddenly, wings sprouted on Sensui's back. Beautiful luminous wings…

It enveloped them both, Sensui and Itsuki, in a protective veil of soft light. Hiei watched transfixed at the spell-working. But that soft light gradually became brighter until it became too bright that Hiei had to avert his eyes. When he opened them, Sensui had gone. Only Itsuki was left in the pentagram's center.

He opened his eyes and slowly stood up. A faint smile grazed his face. Hiei was distracted, only now did he see the youkai smile, and, it reminded him of Kurama's smile as his kitsune tried to comfort him in his dying moment. The smile was a smile of sadness and loss. Inspite of himself, Hiei felt compassion for him.

"Did you see him?" Itsuki's soft voice broke his reverie. Hiei nodded. The tired youkai sighed heavily. "He comes when I travel the realms, but I could do it only for a while before I get too tired. But I feel him close to me…"

Hiei walked closer to better look at Itsuki. He was breathing heavily, and his hair was drenched with sweat.

"Sensui's an angel now?" he asked.

"I don't know if he's that. But he's my Spirit Guide. Only now have we been together, after two years."

Hiei nodded.

Two years, two lonely years.

Hiei felt Itsuki's sadness permeate his spirit, does this ability come with being dead? He looked into Itsuki's eyes uncertainly. He saw weariness there. Would Kurama be this hurt too? He doesn't want Kurama to feel this sad. He died not only so Kurama might live, but also that he might enjoy life. But he doubted if Itsuki was enjoying life, he was only existing. There was no trace of joy in those silver eyes.

"I discovered something that might help us. Karasu's also a shadow like me. He used the paths to travel from the other life back to here. Ordinarily, he would be immaterial, like you," Itsuki passed his hands through Hiei to make his point. "But he managed to get another body for himself, to live again."

"What?" Hiei couldn't understand what Itsuki was implying.

"It means that he's not only taking over the unfortunate host's body, but killing the spirit as well."

Soul death.

That rang through Hiei's ears, sending dread up his heart. He couldn't grasp that. no more life, just nothingness?

"No more life, in this world nor next. No more chance of being born again, nor meeting your loved ones again. It's truly the greatest evil. Many are affected, not only the host, but also the souls who are tied to his destiny."

"What do you mean?"

"We do not live our lives alone Hiei. Souls gravitate to each other, and some souls travel the same path together again and again. That's why we have what we call Twin Souls, Twin Flames, Soul mates, Soul Friends. When we meet a stranger down the street, and feel an instant affinity towards him. most probably, you were destined to know each other."

Like me and Kurama…Hiei thought sadly.

"But in Soul death, the soul is removed together with all his future destiny with the other souls who have traveled with him since forever. The other souls feel this, but few understand. They only know that something is missing in their lives. Soul Mates are most affected for they would never be able to find each other again.

"The half who is left would only feel a hanging embrace throughout his lives and for all eternity.

"This is the enemy Kurama made. You're lucky he was weak when you fought each other that he didn't kill you." His sarcastic silky laugh filled the room. Hiei, who was beginning to like the man, instantly felt cheated. He didn't like his sense of humor.

"Yukiiiiiiina! Yukiiiiina!" Kuwabara's voice rang throughout the temple. It was a long train ride, but he'd wilingly make this sacrifice for his friends! He shouted Yukina's name over and over until he was hoarse, but still, Yukina didn't come.

Maybe she's sleeping!

With a lighthearted flutter, he skipped gaily towards the main temple.

"Yukiiiiiina!" he shouted again when he was within earshot. But instead of Yukina's ringing laughter, he was greeted with a flying boot…

"What the? Who dare treat me with such disrespect!"

"Quiet!"

"GenkaiOBasan!"

The old teacher looked sternly at him.

A cold wave hit Kuwabara's kneck….

"Yukina! What happened to my Snowbunny!"

Another boot square in the mouth. Now that he has a pair, Kuwabara finally decided to shut up.

Just for the sake of a peaceful and serene temple, Genkai took Kuwabara inside. Yukina lay sleeping on a futon, her gentle face mixed with distress…

"What happened, Genkai?"

"She's ill, can't you see it? You fool…"

"My Yukina-hime!"

Oi! Genkai could only massage her tired temples as Kuwabara continued whimpering like a puppy. She would've felt pity for him, only if he weren't shedding mucous as well as tears. Pathetic and gross. Why couldn't her little sweet caretaker choose a better tomodachi than this oaf?

She continued watching the big ape.

But Yukina already had so much difficulty in her short life. A slave for so many years by a demented billionaire… losing her twin… forced to live with evil monsters…

No wonder Kuwabara looked handsome to her…

Genkai basaan looked gently at the boy who looked worriedly at Yukina.

At least his heart isn't as ugly as his face. As the proverb goes, you can't judge a book by its covers…

Another call rang throughout the temple. She recognized it immediately, coming from her only-but-not-favorite pupil.

Can't an old lady be left in peace?

"NANI! IS THAT WHO I THINK HE IS?"Kuwabara shouted shrilly causing the others to frown and glare at him. Aside from Kurama, everybody gave him a painful stab, one way or the other. They didn't stop until they made sure that he couldn't whimper for his life.

"So. Hiei is dead…," Genkai whispered.

"It was all sudden. Karasu… he attacked Kurama, just after our mission yesterday. He was still weak, and he haven't recovered his ki… and Hiei, he somehow came to his rescue, but…" Yusuke choked, "Karasu got him, instead…"

Genkai nodded as she finally understood why Yukina suddenly collapsed. It was the link of twins. The pain, did she feel it? Did she know her twin has died? Or did Hiei's death unwittingly took her spirit as well? Worry bothered her heart as she wondered if Yukina would recover, or if their gentle baby Yukina would even be the same after this.

"Genkai, what should we do about Kurama?"

Sadly, the old lady looked at Kurama who was still lost in himself. The poor youko lovingly caressed Hiei's unruly hair, while crooning loving words to the dead youkai's ears.

"There's nothing we could do… he's perfectly healthy…"

"HEALTHY! He's going crazy and you say he's healthy!" Yusuke shouted at his master. But Genkai stared at him impassively. Yusuke, his breathing labored, clutched at his chest. His heart was racing wildly, as if it wanted to g away. Away from all this… nothing could hurt him more than seeing his friend hurt…

"What he's suffering from Yusuke is remembrance… would you like me to erase Hiei from his mind?"

"N-no…"

"Yusuke, for so long, Kurama has loved no one. Only as a human did he learn to truly love. First, love for his mother Shiori, and later Hiei. Both loves are different, and both had changed him immensely…

"In his heart he knew Shiori will die. But Hiei…"

"Hiei could live forever…," Yusuke finished the sentence.

The group decided that it would be best if they take turns watching Kurama and Yukina. They placed them in different rooms, for practical reasons. First, they were unsure of the youko's sanity, and second, it would be bad if Yukina suddenly woke up and see her lost twin dead before her eyes.

That night, it was Genkai's shift to watch Kurama, and Kuwabara, Yukina.

It would be a fateful choice.

Pain, an all-consuming never ending pain. It was as if he swam in a river of heartache and he was drowning, but why was he still alive? He wanted to die!

Kurama tightened his grip on the koorime's body, unwilling to admit that it was really all that remains of his koibito. Just this husk.

Tears threatened to fall, but he couldn't weep anymore. He didn't have any strength left for that even.

He just wanted everything to end.

Hiei's body was beginning to stiffen, even with fresh infusions of Kurama's chi, it was all he could do. Soon, the natural course of nature would take over no matter how much he tried to stop it. Inevitable.

Hiei would finally, disappear from him.

Iie. Inari, naze ka? Is this hell? Is this your punishment for my crimes when I was still a wild youko? First, Kuronue, then him. would you always take away those I love, and leave me here, alone? Why? Haven't I paid enough?

He gazed lovingly at the soft features of his koibito's face. It was as if Hiei was only asleep. Kurama caressed the line of Hiei's cheeks, half-wondering where the fire, the warmth has gone.

You said you'd always be there for me, Hiei. Then why'd you die on me?

It was when Shiori was sick. He was despondent, sulking like an abandoned kit in his room. the window curtains wavered in a rush of cold incoming air.

That was when you came again.

He was surprised when he realized who his visitor was. It was Hiei, the youkai he spared. It was with a snort that Hiei said his true intentions. Not a fight, but a mission. If he would like to steal a relic from Reikai. A mirror which would grant any wish.

Kurama knew that the mirror would ask a very high price for that wish, but obviously, Hiei didn't. the half-koorime thought that it the Mirror of Utter Dark was just some kind of Reikai magical bauble, a toy. Such naiveté.

But he went with the group, just so he could save his mother. Hiei seldom talked anymore, just giving him brief glances and maybe, wondering why he was so down. But he couldn't tell it to him. Who were they to each other, only enemies, and demons seldom make any lasting relationships, even friendships. He gave a slight smile.

It was Yusuke who helped him then. Shiori was saved and he, in debt, had no choice but help Reikai in subduing his group. Like Judas, he turned over his group to be sentenced in Reikai.

But you were still too hot for them to handle weren't you?

Kurama smiled at the remembrance. Koenma couldn't keep Hiei in a prison, not even with all the wards they put on him. so to save face, they just offered Hiei a spirit detective job. Deviously. They put him in the same division as mine, probably planning that we kill each other.

Yet you had no hatred for me when you returned, only forgiveness that I betrayed you for a reason…

They met in a darkened alley way. He was all alone, and afraid for his life. Hiei had with him a katana. And he was still weak for giving up half his life for his okaasan.

You said we'd be working together. And you didn't want to work with the two ningens, only with me. I, your betrayer.

But you understood. You said were partners now, and that we'd guard each other's back. And maybe we'd survive all this… mistake.

A smile crept into Kurama's lips.

You were such a hardhearted cur. I knew then that you had developed tender feelings for me, but wouldn't even admit it to yourself, or maybe you were so used to your pain that you didn't know love even when it hit you in the face.

They danced their courtship in an almost laughable way, two demons unused to love, but now that they have found it, were naught to give it up.

His heart raced wildly as if it wanted to escape from all of this.

No… you're not really dead, you naughty demon! You're just playing that stupid trick on me! And if you don't wake up, I'm going to kill you.

Then reality:

Why didn't you take me with you koibito?

Then illusion:

You are just kidding, open your eyes koibito…

"Kurama… Kurama… snap out of it! Please…"

Hiei…?

For a moment bliss engulfed him, but only for a moment. The pain claimed him again. He embraced Hiei's cold body.

"Kitsune, c'mon… wake up… that's not me anymore…" Hiei crooned lovingly. Kurama furrowed his brows, confused why the voice did not come from Hiei's lips, but from a void somewhere beyond.

"Hiei!" he called, softly at first, then louder.

Genkai's eyebrow lifted a bit, but she made no move towards Kurama. Silently, she watched his tense body, waiting… sensing…

"Hiei…" Kurama murmured as his body relaxed again.

In his mind's eye, he saw his beloved smiling at him, and reaching out to him.

"You stupid fox. What do you think you're doing?"

"Hiei, you heartless bastard! How dare you question me!" he screamed, but it was only in his thoughts. His spirit lover laughed, and kissed him anyway, even as he snarled and spitted like a slighted cat. Gentle hands rubbed concentric circles on his back, until finally, he calmed down and the tears rolled silently down his cheeks. "Damn you Hiei," he whispered. "It should've been me…"

"Shh, koibito, don't cry… I hate to see you like this…"

"What do you expect me to do? Dance with joy! Praise heavens because you're gone!"

Hiei didn't bother to answer his ravings, instead, he gave Kurama a last, long kiss.

"Kurama… I don't want you to be with me yet."

"Nani! You heartless…"

A firm fingertip silenced his lips.

"If I see you up there fox. Our reunion's not going to be happy."

"Hiei… I just want to be with you, please, koibito… you don't understand how much I miss you…"

"And do you think I don't miss you, fox?"

Kurama sniffed then shook his head.

"Fox, listen to me. You are not going to throw away your life. It's not only yours now. I gave up my life for that prize and you're not gonna waste it, are you?"

"No… of course… no, itoshii…"

"Good. Now promise me, no matter what, you'll live."

"I promise…" Kurama whispered, then more resolutely, "I'll live…"

Fresh tears rolled down Kurama's cheeks. He averted his face so Hiei would not see his weakness. He felt Hiei's arms around him again, but he did not move to embrace him. If he did, he wouldn't be able to let go, nor to keep his promise.

"Kurama, itoshii, koibito… ai shiteru… and for a while, good bye…"

To Be Continued