WOW! I have never had such a huge and quick response to a new story. I'm almost afraid to write more. What if I can't make this story live up to your expectations? Well, I don't scare that easily though so let's see what happens. Thank you all for the great reviews and the faith you've put in my writing. Sorry this is so short but I wanted to post it quickly for you. I'm going to try to have another chapter up by Sunday night.

I hope no one thinks Hiei's the bad guy here, both he and Kurama had a part in their breakup. I'm going to be calling Kurama Shuuichi for a while. I think it will be less confusing since he doesn't know Kurama exists yet.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho. Full disclaimer in my profile.

REMEMBERING LOVE

PLEASE READ THIS! 'Missing' is a companion fic to this story and I think it should be read like it is chapter 2 of this story. It was written by dragonflyr and is posted by her with my full approval. It is just awesome. I hope everyone will read it and leave her a raving review. I can't thank her enough for the compliment to my work. This site won't let me put a link to it even though it is posted here so I'll have to get creative to get you there. You can look it up by name or author or try this:
http:(/)www(.)fanfiction(.)net/s/2970221/1/
Just take the ( ) off the / slash and off the. dots. I hope everyone finds it, if not let me know in a review and I'll email you the link.

Chapter 2 1/2

Flitting across the Makai desert, Hiei headed for Alaric. He had spent almost two hours with Yusuke talking about Kurama's breakdown and ultimate decision. The more he heard the angrier Hiei got, and the more hurt. Hurt that his former partner and lover hadn't trusted him enough to seek his help when he'd needed it most.

Hiei wasn't the only one that had been hurt though. Kurama had been so hurt he had been driven to do unthinkable things to himself.

FLASHBACK

After hearing Yusuke's words Hiei's heart pounded. "Kurama loved being a demon, he'd never want to forget that. What happened to Yoko? Did he have any say in this?"

Yusuke smiled at the concern he heard in Hiei's voice. "Don't worry, we made sure your Youko agreed to everything. You know how much they both grew to care for each other over the years. Yoko didn't want to see Shuuichi die nor did he want him to hurt anymore. They both agreed to have Shuuichi's memories suppressed and their demon powers bound. This would make Yoko dormant like when Shuuichi was a child. When Shuuichi dies Yoko will return to Makai with his powers restored but he too wanted his memories since his death as a Youko suppressed."

The pain in Hiei's heart grew. When had left Kurama it had hurt more than he would admit but Hiei had resigned himself that he would wait for Kurama's human life to end before being reunited with his lover as a demon. Now he had to face the reality that Kurama hadn't felt the same. That the Youko too had sunk so deep in depression that even when he returned to Makai he didn't want to remember his love for Hiei.

END FLASHBACK

Entering the castle at Alaric Hiei headed straight to Mukuro's office. Without knocking he kicked open the door. The demon lord looked up annoyed. "Where the hell have you been? I needed you on the western border this morning."

Red eyes glared at the demoness. "I don't work for you anymore. You broke our contract."

A brow rose over her one human eye as Mukuro walked around her desk to face him.. "How do you figure that?"

The fire demon stood his ground. "Our agreement clearly states that Kurama, Yukina and my extended Reikai Tantei family will always take priority over my duties here. You withheld messages that Kurama was in trouble and that Shiori had died. My fox needed me and you kept me from him. Consider this my resignation."

When Hiei turned and walked from the room Mukuro was right behind him. "You're not going anywhere Hiei. I'm not letting that human take my heir without a fight."

Removing his cloak Hiei threw it aside. "Fine, but when I walk out of here our affiliation is over."

Drawing his sword Hiei attacked his former boss.

Shuuichi was deep in thought as he walked home from work. For some reason his thoughts kept wandering back to the black cloaked man he had encountered a few days before. The pain he saw in the man's striking red eyes when the redhead denied knowing him had plagued Shuuichi since that day.

At night he had even dreamt about the haunted expression in the man's red eyes. In the morning he couldn't shake the feeling he had seen that expression before, like a fleeting memory that he couldn't hold onto in the light of day.

The following day when Mr. Urameshi had shown up in the bookstore to buy his latest manga Shuuichi had been suspicious but, not wanting to bother his customer, had written it off to coincidence. Thinking that he should have asked about the man the redhead almost missed the black cloaked figure sitting in the grass, leaning against the tree in front of his apartment building.

His steps faltered as he realized that the man's eyes were closed and he wasn't sure if he was sleeping or unconscious. Shuuichi hesitated before taking a step closer. He jumped when red eyes popped open suddenly. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you might need help."

As the red eyes regarded him Shuuichi caught the barest hint of a smile. "I'm glad I got to see you K… Shuuichi. I wanted to… apologize… for upsetting you the other day. It's just that… you remind me of someone I used to know."

Shuuichi gave him a warm smile. "No please, I believe it was me that upset you. I got the impression that this Kurama you spoke of was someone very special to you."

Hiei couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful redhead. "Yes, he was, but apparently he's gone now."

Shuuichi's smile faded. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Concerned that the man hadn't risen or even moved Shuuichi looked him over suspiciously. Looking down at his hands laying limp in the grass Shuuichi gasped when he saw blood running down the fingers of his left hand. Quickly he moved to kneel in the grass. "You're bleeding! Where are you hurt?"

Looking briefly at his bloody hand Hiei gave a weak shrug. "It's nothing you need to worry about."

There was obvious concern in Shuuichi's green eyes. "Unless you can prove that to me I'm calling an ambulance."

When the redhead would have turned away Hiei grabbed his arm. "No! I… um… don't like hospitals. I'll be fine."

Shuuichi blushed slightly at the odd tingly feeling where Hiei held his arm. "At least let me call someone for you. I can't just leave you here bleeding."

The red eyes that looked back at him held such sadness it pulled at Shuuichi's heart. "Mr. Urameshi gave me his card once. I might still have it somewhere if you don't have anyone else to call."

Hiei just nodded. Reluctantly Hiei released the arm he held and rose to follow the redhead. Inside Shuuichi had Hiei sit in one of the kitchen chairs while he looked for Yusuke's card. Several minutes later he returned frustrated. "I'm sorry, I can't seem to find it."

Green eyes widened in amazement when Hiei quietly rattled off a number. Realizing it was a phone number Shuuichi quickly picked up the phone and dialed before handing the phone to Hiei.

Shuuichi was shocked at the rude tone his guest used when he spoke to the person at the other end of the line. "Put Yusuke on woman!"

Hiei flinched away from the earpiece as Keiko yelled loud enough for even Shuuichi to hear. "YUSUKE! Hiei's on the phone!"

When Hiei was able to bring the phone back to his ear Shuuichi could only hear Hiei's side of the conversation.

"You know I hate these nin… contraptions!"

"I'm at Ku… Shuuichi's."

"Hn!"

"I will not!"

"I don't give a damn Detective! I'm reclaiming what is rightfully mine!"

"Hn!"

Hiei's gaze had been locked on Shuuichi's as he spoke so the redhead jumped when the phone was shoved at him. "He wants to talk to you."

Warily he took the phone. "This is Shuuichi."

After hearing the black cloaked man's end of the conversation he was surprised when the voice that greeted him was calm and friendly. "Hey Shuuichi, it's Yusuke. I understand you've met my old buddy. Is he in one piece or is he wounded as usual?"

Shuuichi was unable to keep the apprehension from his voice. "He's bleeding Mr. Urameshi and he won't let me call an ambulance. I didn't know who else to call. When I realized he knew you and that you were a policeman I looked for the card you gave me but I couldn't find it. He knew your number though."

Yusuke laughed. "Whoa, slow down. First off I've asked you before to call me Yusuke. Whatever you do don't call an ambulance he… um… doesn't have any insurance. He heals pretty fast, just slap a Band-Aid on him or something. Oh and where the hell did you get the idea I'm a policeman?"

Shuuichi wasn't pleased with any of the answers Yusuke gave him. "He called you detective, I thought that meant you were a policeman. Please Yusuke, can't you come and get him? He really needs more than a Band-Aid."

Yusuke hesitated before replying. "I'd really appreciate it if you kept him Shuuichi. I can't bring him here, he and my wife really don't get along with each other. I'm sure you'll do fine patching him up. I'll check in to see how things are going."

Before he could respond Yusuke hung up. Shuuichi looked at the phone in shock before hanging it up. He looked at Hiei and shrugged. "I guess you're staying here for now. Maybe you should take your cloak off so we can get you cleaned up."

Hiei hid his smile and silently thanked Yusuke. Reaching up to remove his cloak he watched Shuuichi as he began wetting a kitchen towel. "Shuuichi, go get the first aid kit from the closet."

Green eyes lit up at the suggestion. So much had happened in the last half hour Shuuichi didn't stop to question how this stranger knew where the first aid kit was. When he reentered the kitchen he gasped. "Please let me take you to the hospital. Those wounds need stitches not Band-Aids."

There was a large gash along Hiei's upper left arm and another across his chest. There were also several burns across his arms and torso. "It'll be fine. Just put the kit on the table and get that towel you were wetting."

Shuuichi remained silent as he did as Hiei told him. Returning with the towel Hiei took it and began cleaning his wounds. Shuuichi rinsed it several times before getting up the courage to clean the wounds Hiei couldn't reach. When they finished cleaning the wounds he opened the first aid kit and began rummaging through it, pulling out bandages and several jars of creams.

Hiei smiled. "The pink cream is for cuts and the blue one is for burns."

Again the redhead didn't question Hiei's knowledge just followed his instructions. Taking out clean cotton swabs he put the pink cream on the gashes and the blue one on the burns. Once that was done he carefully bandaged each wound.

Hiei watched enthralled as his fox gently tended his wounds. Hiei blushed when green eyes smiled up from where Shuuichi knelt beside him. "I had my doubts but I think you'll live."

Hiei openly smiled back at the beautiful creature beside him. "I didn't doubt you for a moment."

This time Shuuichi blushed. Embarrassed he rose and cleaned up the mess they had made. "Are you hungry? I was going to fix chicken for dinner. There's enough for two."

Hiei sighed contentedly. "Chicken sounds good."

As he fixed dinner Shuuichi was very aware of the red eyes watching him. For some reason it made him feel both nervous and good at the same time. It also felt good to cook for someone other than himself. This was the first time he had fixed dinner for anyone since his mother died.

Something dawned on him and Shuuichi turned to his guest. "I just realized, I still don't know your name."

The red eyes that met his looked nervous. "It's Hiei."

Shuuichi regarded him a moment before turning back to the stove. "Hiei, that's the name you used in the bookstore, the one you thought I should know. Do I really look that much like your friend Kurama?"

Hiei released the breath he hadn't realized he held. Deep down he hoped that his name would spark a memory in his fox. He tried to hide his disappointment as he answered. "Yes and no. It's hard to explain."

Looking at Hiei, Shuuichi saw the sadness in the red eyes again before it was disguised. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you again."

Hiei shook his head with a smile. "Don't worry, like you said, I'll live."

Shuuichi smiled. "Good, because dinner's ready."

Plates were filled and the two sat at the table. Unsure what to say to each other they talked little as they ate. After Shuuichi cleaned the kitchen the two flipped through the channels on the TV a while occasionally stopping to watch a show.

At ten o'clock the redhead rose from the sofa. "I don't have a spare bedroom but the sofa's pretty comfy. I've fallen asleep on it a few times myself. I'll be right back."

A moment later he returned and placed a blanket and pillow on the sofa. "Goodnight Hiei, sleep well."

Shuuichi was prevented from turning away when a warm hand reached for his. Shyly he turned to look at Hiei. "Shuuichi, thank you for taking care of me today. It means more to me than you could possibly know."

Hiei's heart skipped a beat when the beautiful smile he received lit up his love's green eyes. "I'm glad I could help Hiei. Besides, you looked like you could use a friend."

When Shuuichi left the room Hiei lay down on the sofa and buried his face in the soft feather pillow he had used so many times in the past. Savoring the lingering scent of roses on his pillow it was a long time before Hiei slept.