Chapter 13

Where is this fog coming from, nothing but fog for as far as the eye can see. Wait, what is this? I have a conscious thought. Does this mean I am alive? Yet, I can not feel my body…is this what death is then? I am confused… nothing making sense, why can I not remember anything? Okay, let us start with something simple. Name…that is a good place to start…think…what was the last thing you remembered…what was it? Someone yelled something…think…something like…Kur…Kurama. Was that it? It sounds like it could be a name, is that my name? Who said it and why? My head hurts…well that means I have a head, right. Think, I need to think, now what was the last thing you remember, the last thing you did? A short black haired person standing in front of me, who is this, is he friend or foe. Ha…the fog is clearing, now maybe things will come into focus. A hallway, why am I standing in a hallway? Where do these doors lead? Well, may as well try this one. What is this, ah yes, arms and legs, well now, I do now feel whole in a way. Let us see what is behind door number one, shall we. Who is this…a boy… a red headed boy? Why does he look familiar and why do I feel like I need to know who he is.

"It is about time you came in?" The boy said.

"What do you mean, do I know you?"

"I have many things to show you and after I do, I want you to go to the other door and see the person behind it."

"Uh…what do you have to show me?

"Come." The red head motioned for him to come over and sit in front of him.

"Now see what all we have been through." The red head said and placed his hands on either side of my head. I screamed. Flashes of memory…is this my life…'flashing before my eyes?'

"We will become one"

a)a)a)a

Hiei jerked awake. 'Damn it, I feel asleep…idiot.' He cursed himself, looking out the window at the full moon with thoughts and emotions filling his mind. Youko would have been out tonight. He was such a fool, he should've known something wasn't right when Youko didn't remember conversations and things he had done with Kurama. Had he been trying to ignore it, thinking the fox was teasing him. He admits to being sexually distracted with the silver yoko, but he thought he was helping Kurama deal with his demon and ningen sides. Kurama always stopped himself when it came to him having anything to do with his demon side, always letting his ningen side stop him. Hiei had wanted him to accept his demon side. Nothing mattered now, he could think about everything that happened and everything he did wrong for the rest of his life. It would not make up for what he did and what happened. The main thing now was to get the red head in his arms to wake up and to wake up normal. Hell, if Kurama woke up and decided he didn't want a relationship or even a friendship with him because of what he'd done, well then fine, he could live with that. It would break him, but he could go back and take over his duties for Mukuro and move on, knowing the red head was alive and hopefully happy.

Hiei readjusted the limp body in his arms. He had moved to the wall next to the window, placing the red head between his legs, leaning against his chest. The others had come in and out almost all night, each telling him to go and take a break. He declined, but ate the food that was brought and even got Kurama to take a sip of broth, but he'd not let go, only long enough to remove his cloak and move to the window.

He looked to the red head when he felt him move. Hope crossed his face as he watched the red head move his head back and forth. "Kurama, come on now, time to wake up." He said softly, running his hand through the red, silver highlighted hair.

Kurama gasped and his eyes shot open. He went to sit up, but Hiei held him, brushing his hair and reassuring him.

Have I been captured? Why can I not move? Who has me and why? My head… Am I being tortured?

"You can not wake yet, you must go to the other room." He heard a voice. Then everything went blank.

Kurama's form went limp and Hiei sighed. 'Well, that was something at least.' He thought, kissing the top of the red head's head before going back to looking out the window.

Dawn rose to find them in the same position. Hiei had refused to fall back asleep incase Kurama showed signs of waking again, but there had been nothing.

Yusuke had come in and told him that he needed to leave. He'd been away from Keiko to long and needed to get back to the restaurant. Hiei understood and agreed to have the raven haired notified if there was any change. Kuwabara came in awhile later and said he had to go and get some homework done for class and that he would stop by soon. Again the fire demon said he understood and would inform him of any change.

Yukina came in with breakfast and finally convinced him to go and get cleaned up. He was tired and would not argue with his sister, so he reluctantly went to take a shower and get some air, on the condition that she came and got him if there was even a hint of movement from the red head.

a)a)a)a

The hallway again…what did the voice say…ah yes, I needed to go into the other door. The one door is gone, just a blank wall now. Let's see what is behind door number two.

Opening the door there is a form laying on a bear skin rug. This form has silver hair, furry ears and a…tail? Why do I feel like I should know this person as well? Like the other one, I feel a connection, but why.

"You came." The silver yoko said.

"I was told to."

"I no longer wish to live this life. Come…I will give you all I can. I will not be able to give you all my powers, but enough to do what you need. Enjoy my memories and always remember where you came from and how you came to be."

I move to sit in front of him and he places his hands on either sides of my face. Long forgotten images, powers, people, knowledge from thousands of years flood my mind. Too much, can not process it… Help…me…help…me…HIEI!" That name…they will help me with this…HIEI…can he hear me…can he see me…I open my mouth and try to scream.

"HIEI!"

He heard his name echo across the porch. Running back inside, he ran to the room and saw the red head sitting up, clutching his head, his eyes wide with fear. Yukina was sitting back, looking like she'd been bitten.

"What happened?" He growled. Seeing the fear in his sister's face, he tried to stay calm as he made his way over and tried to comfort the fox.

"I was just wiping the sweat off his face and neck. He moaned and whispered your name, but then he just sat up and screamed." She said, regaining her composer and scooting back.

"Sorry." He whispered and gave her a glance, she nodded.

"I'll go get Genkai." She said and quickly hurried out.

"Kurama, can you hear me?" Hiei asked, pulling the red head's hands away for his head so he could look at the man's face, trying to see any signs of awareness.

'What the hell?' Hiei thought. His eyes, they're the bright green he's use to seeing, but there was now gold in them, a dark gold circle, like someone had taken a marker and drew a neat circle, just around the irises. This and the silver highlights in the hair, if this was permanent, then they were going to take some getting use to.

The eyes looked to him and the fear that was in them, made the fire demon's heart sink.

He went to hold the red head and found the body stiff and unmoving.

Genkai came rushing in, Yukina right behind her. "What happened?"

They each told her what had happened and when.

"Hiei, I think now would be a good time to try and read his mind." She said.

"What?" He looked to her.

"He's stuck…you need to bring him back. Think of him as being locked in a room. He needs someone to open the door and guide him out. You are the one who can do that. He called for you, so he trusts you." Genkai said.

"Okay, okay…I get it." Hiei said, removing the ward over his jagan and sitting in front of Kurama. His eye glowed and he closed his others before placing his hands on either side of red head's face.

Kurama jerked and tried to pull back, but Genkai had moved behind him to stop him from moving.

"Kurama, Kurama can you hear me?" Hiei said, finding himself standing in a hallway of some sort. Wait, wasn't this what Yusuke said, what Kurama said his mind was like. He didn't see any doors though. Making his way down the hall, he saw a form sitting with his knees pulled up to his chest, his head was down and was that…crying… he heard.

"Kurama." He said again as he knelt down and waited for the figure to look at him.

Those green, with gold trim, eyes looked up at him, they were red and swollen from crying.

"Hiei?" The voice was soft and he coughed as a sop escaped his lips.

"Let's get out of here." Hiei said, holding out his hand for the red head to take.

"We can't." Kurama said.

"Why?" Hiei wondered, leaving is hand out and motioning for him to take it.

"There are no doors and no exit." The voice was still soft and sad.

"I know a way out." Hiei said again motioning for his hand to be taken.

"Okay." Kurama muttered, taking the offered hand and standing. Together they walked back the way Hiei had come.

Hiei's eyes opened and his jagan closed, his head swayed as the room came back into focus. He still had his hands on either side of Kurama's face and he looked to see the mixed eyes looking at him.

"Kurama?"

"Hiei."

"Welcome back."

"What happened?"

"Long story, how do you feel?

"Confused."

"Well, that's a start." Hiei said removing his hands and letting a soft smile come to his face.

"We have a lot of talking to do, but first you need to eat." Genkai told them and nodded to Yukina, who took the tray and left. After a few minutes she came back with some more food. Kurama ate in silence and felt everyone's eyes on him as he finished.

"Now it's time to talk." Genkai said. "How do you feel?"

"I…I feel fine, tired and really confused, but fine." He said.

"Can you talk to Shuiichi or Youko?" She asked, watching his facial expressions.

Kurama closed his eyes then gasped. "There is…there is no doors, what…where are they?" His voice started rising with fear, his eyes opening wide in shock.

"Calm." Genkai said. "You merged with them and now you are Kurama."

"What." Kurama whispered, his hand going to his chest, it hurt. 'What the hell.'

"I know this is confusing, but think, what memories do you have?" She said, keeping her voice calm and reassuring.

"I remember everything, nothing has changed." The red head said. "They are just no longer there." He then said softly, looking to the floor and feeling alone. He was so use to having their voices in his head, now there was only silence.

"Get some rest and try not to get to upset." She said. "Hiei can fill you in on things, but rest. I'm going to do some more research, Hiei." She waited until he looked at her. "I'll let the others know he's awake. Don't pressure him. He's going to be confused for awhile. Have patience." With that, she got up and followed Yukina out the door.

Hiei glared at her as she made her remarks, but didn't say anything. When she left, he moved over to hold Kurama and was caught off guard when the red head pulled away.

"What are you doing?" Kurama asked as he pulled away.

"I wanted to hold you." He said.

"You do not care for that." Kurama said.

"I don't mind." Hiei shrugged.

"You do not have to do something just to please me." The red head stated firmly.

"I'm not doing it to please you." Hiei voice growled. "I'm starting to like it." He whispered.

"Really?" The red head's eyebrows went up.

"Really, now come here." Hiei said opening his arms. Kurama fell into them and the red head sighed, wrapping his arms around the smaller figure then smiled into the fire demon's chest as he felt his hair being brushed. Sleep soon claimed him.

End Chapter 13

Lyrics to the song: Numb – by: Linkin Park

I'm tired of being what you want me to be. Feeling so faithless lost under the surface. Don't know what you're expecting of me. Put under the pressure, of walking in your shoes. (caught under the undertow, just caught under the undertow) Every step I take is another mistake to you.

(Course)

I've become so numb I can't feel you there. I've become so tired, so much more aware. I've becoming this all I want to do. Is be more like me and be less like you.

Can't you see that you're smothering me. Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control. Cause everything that you thought I would be, has fallen apart right in front of you. (caught under the undertow, just caught under the undertow) Every step that I take is another mistake to you (caught under the undertow, just caught under the undertow) and every second I waste is more than I can take.

And I know…I may end up falling…but I know…you were just like me with someone disappointed in you.

I've become so numb, I can't feel you there. Is everything what you want me to be.