Kurama said his goodbye to the girl of his dreams calmly and cheerfully. Then, as soon as she walked out of sight, he rushed to the Gate with ultimate speed, sweat creeping down his temple, fear crouching up his stomach, angst blocking his muscles. Still he could speed up when he took sight of the palace that resembled something like a bug with countless legs.

A dark room was where he stopped; Mukuro's figure stood there; her ki was wavering as if she was about to attack him; but she did not move, although Kurama was still prepared for anything.

But the woman turned around and waved him to follow. "He's in here." she announced.

Kurama stood next to the bed, examining the sleeping figure covered safely into the blankets and soft pillows.

"It happened because of his koorime blood." Mukuro said from behind.

The fox demon turned to look at her. "If I'm right, koorimes sleep until the kiss of true love."

"Right." a flash shot through the woman's healthy eye. "And you also know what causes them so sleep away like this."

The green eyes turned suddenly away; Kurama's voice got slightly sour as he answered.

"You don't assume that I am his true love, do you?"

"Let's just try it."

"Let's just not."

"Do you want him to die so eagerly?"

"You seem to be mad over something, Mukuro."

"If he dies, it will be much easier for you; there won't be anyone you should feel guilty for because you left him alone for your girl."

"Is it because your kiss wasn't successful?"

"I don't have to kiss him to know I'm not the one who should. In contrast with someone who's just afraid of getting…"

"Look, I knew he was there. I also felt his ki waver and fade. I still don't think…"

"Your human girl; is she capable of anything?"

"She's a normal human…"

"Aren't you afraid something might happen to her? Like you worry for your mother?"

"Get off them, I don't tell you twice."

"You know that I don't give a damn to your mother, so I won't tire myself. The rest is up to you."

Kurama watched the woman leave the room, rage building up inside him. But he could moderate himself. And he was more worried for the sleeping jaganshi. Somehow it was strange that this curse that ruled among the snow princesses reached him, who looked and acted in ways far from the silent, good-hearted koorimes.

This grudge served as one of the main reasons for them to live separated, not knowing love. This grudge made them fear from anything like that; it made it a crime to try to live differently.

"Koorimes have a heart as sensible as a small flower." Kurama noted almost soundlessly while he sank down to be closer to the sleeping figure. "If it breaks, they fall asleep, escaping from the pain. It's really strange that it happened to you. You've been so tough in your whole life; you've never even felt anything. You know, now I wonder if I did right. Meeting you, joining you. At that time, I swore to make you feel. It was because I felt you can do it, and I didn't understand why you were so immune against everything. You've certainly not become like that to defend yourself from this weakness you inherited from your mother. I'm not even sure if you knew of it even. Honestly, I didn't care, I just knew you can feel and I waned to show it to you. It might be a mistake… I should have known; I did know it, and I still made you go through this. I'm sorry. I wish you get your kiss of true love before it's too late. I'm not the one to give it to you."

Despite his words, the fox demon leaned forward and placed a gentle, warm kiss on the jaganshi's lips. A few moments passed as he watched the unmoving face, slight disappointment building up into a sigh.

"Maybe you thought I'd be the one. That's a normal reaction of a loner personality who suddenly gets more attention that generally, you know. You don't know, but it doesn't matter. I really hope that your true one realizes it before you sleep away forever. You have about one day, as far as I know. I can't do anything but to think of you. I cannot stay by your side. Not since you left with Mukuro on that day, after your battle with her. Before that, maybe, bust just maybe, something could have happened. I could as well be the one to kiss you alive today. But it did not happen, and it's okay as it is. It hurts me a little, I don't know if it is as terrible as it was for you yesterday, but it's over now. I've stepped through my daydreams about you. Even if I know you thought about me during your long-wished trainings with Mukuro, your choice decided our fate, and we can never be the same as before. I guess you understand it. If not, then you will. As soon as you wake up from your current nightmares. If you wake up, of course."

Kurama stood up.

"Good luck, Hiei." He said quietly before he left the room.

Hmmmmm... I wonder if it should really be MukuroHiei? Should I put in a turning point where Kurama's Youko part gives word to his own desires...? Or should Kuwabara-kun as the Prince/Hero step into the story instead? (this was my beloved Kucchan's idea XP) Or someone else? Hmmmmm... a difficult choice...