Disclaimer and warning applies to all chapters.

These eyes,
they're strongly covered in disguise
They're waiting on
the real time again
You'll see that no one knows for sure
For all of this
I'm better off without you
Do you regret so
Your loneliness?
The Early November, (I Want to Hear You Sad)

Deep Breath

Kurama's suspicion was definitely the reason he didn't just ditch class and meet Hiei outside, otherwise, he would have jumped at the chance and he would have been highly impressed the fire demon cared to show him something, something that could be personal. . . but then again, Yuusuke had had it. That was not a good thing.

Thoughts were very persistent in his mind, as was Hiei's pesky Jaganshi, or what he thought was the Jaganshi. The shade of Hiei's eyes did not go unnoticed as well. It was a dull red, rather than the glorious ruby he was used to.

It could be a mission, I'm being too cautious.

No, the voice inside his subconscious (he supposed) whispered, you're being responsible. Your instinct has never led you astray Kurama, don't fool yourself because of the affection you've received as of late.

Kurama blinked, mouth slightly agape.

Youko?

That was the second time in less than a week a mysterious voice that Kurama knew belonged to none other than the Youko spoke to him. But he still didn't have any answers toward it.

Strange, and when I question he doesn't respond again.

"You may all go now, but Shuuichi, could I speak with you?"

He had no idea the bell rang and he nearly missed the teacher addressing him. He caught enough of what he said to understand and nodded simply, packing up his books and walking past rushing teenagers happy for the weekend. When all of them left, only then did his teacher speak with a persistent tone to her icy voice.

"Shuuichi, I noticed you weren't paying attention, per usual. Is something wrong at home perhaps? Since you're always such a model student, you know." Her voice was calm, and not sugary sweet like all the other's deathly afraid of upsetting him. It's was refreshing in a sense. Although he hated people worming their way into his personal life, so what respect he found suddenly vanished.

"There's no trouble at home. Social life would be the proper excuse but I'll be fine, really." He smiled reassuringly, catching the faint traces of disbelief on her face. "If that's all then. . . "

"Well, not really. There's still the matter of what's wrong. I'd rather you like to explain. Getting it off your mind is the first step in feeling better, so I've read. And you're my top student so we can't be having that you know."

Kurama narrowed his eyes, his mouth immediately tightening. That was going much too far, and he would not dive into his personal vendetta when he knew nothing about the other. He straightened, steeling himself and turned. "I'm sorry, but those matters are closed for discussion. I'll be leaving now."

Fox, you better get out here, and soon because I've been waiting at least thirty minutes and I swear if any more Ningen's pass me, well, let's say I won't be responsible for my actions.

Gulping, Kurama picked up the pace, throwing open the door and not even flinching as the teacher's grating voice echoed through the halls for him to return. Kurama knew Hiei was definitely not bluffing, he sounded annoyed and irritated to the point where he would start picking off Ningen one by one if he so wished.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew Hiei wouldn't. But still, he didn't want to try the little demon. Pushing open the entrance doors, he scanned the area for Hiei's ki, finding him perched in a tree (surprise), scoffing and glaring at anything that passed his way. Normal enough behavior, he supposed.

Kurama grinned, looking right and left, before jumping up the branches, meeting narrowed dull ruby eyes. "I'm sorry Hiei, I was kept late." He caught a glimpse of a black box hidden behind the Jaganshi. "What's that?"

To Kurama's utter astonishment, Hiei smiled. It curled his lips, making him look (if possible) even younger. It wasn't full of malice, either. Kurama grew steadily suspicious.

"Makai ice cream."

"Ice cream?" Wrong mistake number one. Kurama stepped back, folding his arms over his narrow chest, frowning.

"Yes. Ice--sweet snow, actually. I thought I'd use your Ningen term. Is something wrong with that?" Hiei asked, uncontrolled venom lacing his words.

Shrugging, Kurama eyed the ground, finding the coast was clear and jumped down, perfectly landing so every strand of scarlet fell in place.

"Kurama?"

"Somethings different about you," he said solemnly.

Raising his eyebrows, Hiei telported down as well, glaring at the fox demon. "What do you mean? I brought us sweet snow!"

"That's not what I'm talking about. You've never said ice cream before nor have you smiled so openly."

An anger vein in the Forbidden Child's forehead seemed to explode at the same time he opened his mouth. "And what does that mean? I went to the Makai and brought us some, why do you think that's strange?"

"Forget it," Kurama replied uneasily. "This conversation never happened then. Let's just go, all right?"

Hiei nodded, frowning. "If you say so."

Putting on a fake smile, Kurama took the other's hand gently. "Let's go to my house."

"Right."

-

Something was most definitely wrong, and Kurama had the wheels in his head turning obsessively. When they got home, Hiei didn't go through the window per usual, he followed him using the door. His Hiei never used doors. Kurama, himself, didn't touch the contents in the box, no matter Hiei's obsessive begging.

Begging, another reason Kurama was now awfully suspicious of the demon. Hiei wouldn't beg for his life, let alone for him to eat some ice cream. When he refused with a little more vigor, Hiei glared and sulked. Sulked? Oh no, Hiei would rather claw his own eyes out than admit he even had the capacity to sulk.

And his usually beautiful Scarlet eyes. . . they were so dull, life less.

It was safe to say Kurama would definitely alert Yuusuke tomorrow morning. He had other plans anyway, he wanted to check on Keiko, since she was there now almost full time when she wasn't at school. And he wanted to make copies of some of the pictures in the old photo album Keiko had stumbled upon.

Glancing at his appearance in the mirror, he almost dropped the text book his was currently clutching. He had no appearance. Or rather, he did, but it was blurry, fading almost. His eyes widened, and this time he did drop the book. It smashed his right foot, but he paid no mind to the pain.

"Wh. . . what in the world?"

He closed his eyes and he saw a perfect image of himself, nothing distorted about it.

-

Kurama opened his eyes slowly, acutely aware of the birds making a noisy song outside of his window. He shifted, turned and rolled for a few minutes, trying to catch the last grasps of sleep to no avail. He squinted at the ray of sunlight fluttering through, brushing stray red tendrils away from his mouth. He checked the clock and found he had an hour and a half before school, but if he wanted to see Yuusuke, he'd have to get up earlier.

He dressed quickly, throwing on his uniform and grabbing his day bag before hurrying off to the kitchen and got a muffin his mother had backed a day before.

When he left, he found the clouds blocking the sun, and smiled. He was never one for hot weather, and he certainly despised not being able to see properly in fear of being blinded by the huge yellow ball in the sky.

As he walked to Yuusuke's apartment, he nibbled on the muffin, dropping it when someone hastily collided with him. He glared, looking up into apologetic black eyes. His muffin lay on the pavement, delicious but most uneatable now. He sighed loudly.

"Sorry Kurama! Didn't see you there eheh. Are you looking for Yuusuke by any chance?" Kuwabara asked in a small, grating voice. Kurama nodded and the orange haired boy grinned. "Just left, and totally pissed him off. Be careful."

Kurama smiled. "Thank you Kuwabara, I'll take that into consideration. Good bye, I'll see you this afternoon, I suppose, for the meeting?"

Nodding, Kuwabara waved and started walking forward. "Yeah, sure. See you then."

Resuming his mission, currently muffin-less, Kurama had a harder time finding beauty in his surrounding without a grain of food. He thought of making a plant and sicing it on Kuwabara but shook his head, that would take too long and his time these days were very limited.

He reached the spirit detective's apartment, knocking twice and blinking when a furious Yuusuke answered the door, glaring heatedly at him.

"Hey Kurama. What's up?" he gritted out through clenched teeth.

"Um, well, I need to ask you a question, and I always thought I'd see Keiko."

"Ah. Well, c'mon in then. She's still ranting about stuff since the dumbass left. He just had to bring up all the stupid things I've done to upset her and now she's making me promise not to fight anymore. Crazy eh?"

"Er, yes, that is quite troublesome."

He was led to the newly clean couch, and sat down. "So you want something, tea maybe?"

"I suppose not, I'm fine at the moment."

Yuusuke sat down as well, throwing his arms up in a exasperated sigh, leaning his head back. Kurama noticed the dark bags under his eyes, lines that should not have been there.

"Well, what did you wanna ask me?"

Blinking, Kurama smiled. "I was a bit curious if a demon was reported in this area, perhaps?"

Pursing his lips together, Yuusuke put his palm under his chin. "Hmm, I think Koenma did say something, but he said he'd send the tape tonight, lazy bastard. What kinda demon, we would have sensed it anyway?"

Folding his hands and biting his lip, Kurama spoke softly. "A shape shifter maybe?"

"Yuusuke, I heard voices, who's here? You didn't tell me company was coming this early, I hope you're prepared to make breakfast for them, because I'm not. Kuwabara was enough! Oh Kurama-san, hello!"

Keiko was at the door way, leaning on a frame and smiling at him. Kurama gave a curt nod, standing and straightening himself. "Hello to you to Keiko-chan, how're you feeling, better maybe?"

The brunette nodded happily. "Yes Kurama. I feel much better, do you want some tea?"

"You didn't offer me tea," Yuusuke sulked from his position on the couch.

Chuckling when Keiko shot him a dirty look, he politely declined. "No, I'm fine. I should go now, just came to see how you were doing. I'll be back tonight."

"All right then, see you then Kurama."

"Don't let the door hit you on the way out," Yuusuke hissed.

"YUUSUKE!" Keiko shrieked.

"I mean, see ya later Kurama!" He smiled uncomfortably, making feverish noises. Kurama blinked at him, hiding a smile.

"See you."

He left, but he still had an unsettling feeling in his stomach, mind in complete conflict on whether to tell them about the mirror or not. He could have just been seeing things.

Yes, that was it.

But still, he couldn't just say that and expect himself to believe it. Your image doesn't just disappear when you look at yourself. He didn't want Keiko to worry, or Yuusuke for that matter so he couldn't explain his situation. The boy had plenty to stress about as it was.

He sighed, combing his fingers in his hair as he made his way to school, checking his watch constantly. He still had time, an hour at least but he simply sat on a bench and closed his eyes.

A little nap wouldn't hurt.

Phew long chapter. I know there's not much romance, and I'm sorry. I promise more love soon, but you know. It's Hiei.

Well, I shouldn't make excuses, but I will. Heehee, the new Harry Potter book came out, and I could actually afford it. So, that's where all my time went. Very very sorry! I hope everyone likes the little plot I've cooked up. It's cooking now! I'll try to get the next chapter out faster as well.

Thanks reviewers! You all made me feel so very special. Brought a tear to my eye even! Such love.