A/N: Oh my, it's been a very, very long time, hasn't it? Well, let's just say that there was a lot of work to be done, and exams…And now that it's pretty much summer, the updates should be coming more quickly. Unless I get severe writer's block, or, or…well, let's not bore you…Let the chapter begin!

Disclaimer: Same as ever. Nothing owned from Yu Yu Hakusho, or Harry Potter.

SPOILERS (maybe)

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"Blah" Talking

Blah Thinking

Blah Telepathic

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Last time:

"From here on, we must be cautious." Snape warned. "Once we leave the cover of the forest, we are on the Dark Lord's property.

Everyone nodded, and following Snape, they stepped out of the fringes of the forest, into the huge yard of the Riddle House.

What greeted them left each person speechless.

It was a maze.

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The sight of the towering hedges left signs of awe on each of their faces. Their gazes traveled the huge green expanse that was the maze.

Harry gaped at the walls in front of him. "This is just like the task in the Triwizard Tournament. I wonder what's inside of this one…"

Nobody answered, but the looks on their faces were enough. Expressions ranged from disbelief to slight, unmasked terror, and even nonchalance in the case of Yusuke. There was the normal, expressionless mask on Hiei's face, and…disturbance?

I don't like this. Kurama thought grimly. Whoever these people really are…they are more skilled than whatever we've encountered so far.

What makes you say that? Yusuke inquired.

My ki…it cannot easily manipulate these plants. There is a cloak around it…slight resistance, and I do not wish to try and push past just yet.

Hn. It may alarm them to our presence, if it is not already known.

Exactly. So for now…I'll leave it.

"Everyone." Kurama said quietly. "It is getting late. We will stay another night, at the edge of the forest, and proceed early."

"Aw…come on man. We're finally here. I'm ready to go kick some ass!"

Kurama's eyes darkened a shade before he answered, smiling lightly. "Yusuke…we have just discussed the reason of exactly why we cannot do something that draws attention to ourselves. Also, others might not share your consuming need to go tramping through unfriendly, unknown yards in the dead of the night."

Yusuke grinned. "Chill, foxy boy. I'm just saying that we should check it out, in case there's something we need to prepare for."

"That may be a good idea. However, the others are tired, and we all need to get rest if we plan to depart before the sun rises."

Shrugging, Yusuke followed the others back to the forest.

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"Alright. Now that we've all eaten our fill, it's time for rest. Get to sleep immediately. We don't know when our next chance may be. Don't worry about the watches tonight…we'll take care of it."

"But you need sleep too." Objected Harry. "And besides, the past couple of days has gotten us used to taking watches."

Kurama looked amused. "Well, if that's what you want, we'll include you as well."

The boy-who-lived nodded, and turned to his companions.

Smiling, Kurama turned to Snape and Draco. "And you two? Would you like to take part? We have more than enough people already, and it would be perfectly understandable if you wanted to get some rest after leading us all this way."

Draco grinned faintly. "Then we'll see you tomorrow morning?"

"We will wake you," Kurama promised.

The pair turned, and began making themselves comfortable.

Kurama…why do you treat them like little kids? What do you mean we have more than enough to keep watch?

Hn. Shut up, detective. The fox is growing too soft.

Kurama chuckled softly at Hiei's grunted reply, while Yusuke merely looked bewildered.

Never mind, Yusuke. We have no need for another watch, and they've done well leading us here.

Sure…Yusuke answered slowly, still seeming slightly confused.

"Now." Kurama strode towards the fringes of the clearing. "Mind if I take the first watch?"

Yusuke waved him forwards, and plopped to the ground with both his arms draped backwards over a log. Hiei smirked, then jumped into the branches of a nearby tree.

Smiling to himself, Kurama began pacing along the perimeter of the clearing, attentive for any signs of danger. His sharp eyes alternated from flicking between the other members of camp and the darkness of the forest, watching.

Finally, after approximately two hours of walking and watching, the kitsune stopped under the tree that the fire youkai occupied.

Hiei? Kurama reached out with his mind, prodding gently.

I'm awake, Hiei replied. Go. I'll take this one.

My pleasure. The former thief smiled. Have an uneventful watch.

Hn.

Kurama lowered himself so he was propped up against the large tree. Closing his eyes, he could not help but wonder what lay inside the maze. They would face whatever terrors in there…the next morning…

It seemed that just as he began to doze off, Kurama heard Hiei's curt voice penetrate the previous silence.

"Where do you think you're going, ningens?"

At that, Kurama fully awoke. Ningens? Going? He glanced around the camp, and, as Hiei had said, spotted Harry, Ron, and Hermione near the edges of the clearing. Where are they trying to sneak off to? Obviously, it didn't work. Quickly, he feigned sleep again, smiling slightly. Let's see how Hiei's communication skills have improved.

There was a long silence, finally interrupted by a cold "Well?"

The three glanced shamefacedly at each other, then lowered their gazes, still quiet.

With a flash, Hiei jumped from the tree, landing in front of where Kurama sat. He glared icily at the Golden Trio.

"Where did you plan on sneaking off to?"

Hermione flushed red. "We weren't sneaking! We just wanted to go see the maze."

Hiei's gaze turned dangerous. "Excuse me?"

"We wanted to go and look at the maze again. You know…to see how big it was, and to try to find signs of what's inside. That's all." Harry explained cautiously.

Hiei's glare turned from merely dangerous, to downright murderous. "That's all? You fools. You deliberately go walking into the enemy's stronghold, unprepared and unprotected. Do you know what could have happened?" With each point, he took a step towards the three humans, looking as if he were about to strike.

"You weren't supposed to be on guard!" Ron blurted. "You were supposed to be asleep at least two hours ago! It was my turn to be on watch!"

"Then it was a good thing I was awake. Otherwise, we would be retrieving little pieces of you, come tomorrow." Hiei answered nastily.

From behind the fire youkai, Kurama nearly laughed. Boy, Hiei. Your skills of negotiation have improved greatly. If this was the time I met you, they would be long dead. But either way, I think you've had enough. Silently he rose, catching only the attention of Hiei, who ignored the movement, focusing on the Hogwarts trio.

"Don't you trust us to keep guard? You don't have to watch our every movement. Besides, you don't need guarding. Nothing will harm you, and you'll be able to take care of anything that shows up." Ron added accusingly.

"If anything, they'll come after us." Harry pointed out quietly.

"Therein lies the problem." Kurama's voice came out of the shadows behind Hiei. He stepped beside the demon, and noted the startled expressions on the humans' faces.

"What?" Hermione questioned, looking anxious.

"You have made three major errors in judgement. One, assuming that we do in fact spend every moment watching over you. Two, assuming that we three do not need to have watches going. Finally, understanding the danger you put yourselves into, yet still rushing forth without a second thought."

"You do watch us often." Harry replied.

"To make sure you do not make a move as ridiculously dense as what you have attempted today." Hiei said disdainfully.

"But you are strong." Hermione said. "You can defeat enemies who come for you. You never sleep deeply, and you always react quickly to anything that happens."

Kurama smiled, an expression that was not reminiscent of happier times. "And tell me, Hermione. How long does it take an artery to be severed? For your heart to stop pumping? For you to draw your final breath, and blink for the last time? Death is instantaneous when it comes, and it will not wake for you to…react."

"But…" Hermione began.

"Look over there, Hermione." Kurama gestured to where Draco and Snape were sleeping.

The witch glanced over to where the kitsune pointed. "Them…why?"

"Can they protect themselves the way we can?" Kurama said quietly. "Who is responsible for them?"

"Even if that's true," Harry began, deftly avoiding the topic of the other two. "We should be able to do what we want. We've survived for the past six years without your help. And, it has been prophesized that I will be the one to kill Voldemort."

"The circumstances of the previous years were different. As for the prophecy…if I correctly interpret it, it does not state that you cannot have any assistance. Remember, Harry, everyone needs help, one time or another. You've done exceptionally well, all of you, but maybe it's time you had some help. That's all we want to do for you. Please don't think we're here to snatch away the fruit of all your work. We merely wish to assist in fulfilling your task." The kitsune replied calmly.

The three looked away from Kurama. "We know you just want to help." Ron said grudgingly. Then, shooting a glance at Hiei, murmured, under his breath, "But it wouldn't hurt to be a little nicer."

The demons' sensitive ears caught this whispered comment, and Hiei merely deflected the statement with a disdainful snort, while Kurama gurst out laughing.

"You know not how fortunate you are." The former thief said, still chuckling softly. "By the gods…Hiei is so much kinder in temperament to you than he was to me after knowing each other for only a year. At least he hasn't tried to dismember you yet," he added playfully.

Hiei reddened slightly. "Shut up, kitsune. As you said to the ningens before, those were different times, and different circumstances."

The Hogwarts trio stared at the embarrassed Hiei, before they too began giggling, not quite knowing what was so amusing, but caught up in the infectious feeling in the camp.

And so, the remainder of the night passed quickly, with everyone sharing stories. Laughter floated up to the sky, dancing with strands of smoke from the cheery fire that flickered on…

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For the second time within one full day, the group stood in front of the towering maze. The full force of the daunting task hit them then, and more than one among them felt their legs weaken.

Ron gulped nervously. "So we're going in?"

Kurama smiled, a grim, determined expression. "We're going in."

Leading the way, Kurama stepped into the opening of the maze. Immediately, all sounds of wildlife were abruptly cut off, lost in the thick tangles of leaves and branches. Shadows fell at their feet ominously, and the twigs rustled softly.

Shuddering, Hermione whispered, "Where are we supposed to go?"

"This is the simple part." The former thief murmured. "There are only two directions. Back out, or straight." He raised his eyes, focusing on something further on in the shadows, where the range of the humans' eyesight could not reach. "Hiei…do you see it?"

"Hn."

"That's very interesting…" Kurama trailed off quietly.

"What?? What do you see?" Harry inquired anxiously.

"Nothing." The kitsune replied.

"We're part of this too! You have to tell us what you see!" Hermione protested.

"You dolt." Hiei answered. "Kurama's told you exactly what we see."

"Nothi…What do you mean, you see nothing? How can there be nothing?" Ron squeaked.

Kurama turned towards the group. "Allow me to rephrase my response. Yes, the maze continues, but only the straight path we're in. This runs as for as far as our eyes can see."

"And that's significant…why?" Snape asked rudely.

"Aw, c'mon man." Yusuke answered, grinning. "Just trust Kurama. He's never wrong."

Kurama smiled softly. "Never is not eternal."

"Kuramaaaaa…" Yusuke groaned. "I gave you a compliment. Don't repay me with this, 'Find Your Inner Soul', or 'What Goes Around Comes Around' garbage. Too complicated."

The kitsune laughed. "Very well, Yusuke. The compliment is appreciated. Now, assuming that this maze is not only a straight path leading on forever…there must be an illusion going on here. Hiei, if you will…"

The youkai turned away from the group and lifted his headband. The Jagan opened, and scanned the towering grassy walls.

With a snap, he replaced the white strip of fabric. "Pathetic," he sneered. "Follow me."

Curiously, the group tramped behind the small demon. After approximately seventeen paces, Hiei stopped abruptly, and pivoted to the right.

"It's here," he stated simply.

"What's there?" Draco asked. "Can your sentences get any more vague?"

Smiling, Kurama shook his head. "Excuse us if we seem to be extremely stingy in our communication. The three of us have been together as a team for a while, and we've gotten used to using other methods for communication than being vocal."

Like this? Hiei projected, smirking. Yusuke gave a loud guffaw at the message.

Kurama shot him and Yusuke a playful glare, then continued with his response.

"Anyways, what Hiei is trying to tell us, is that this is where the illusion is trying to cover." At the questioning looks he earned from the group, he grinned and sought to expand his explanation. "Ah. You know the platform in the train station? Nine and three-quarters? Well, this is much like that. In the entire station, the one pillar that leads to the train is the one between platforms nine and ten. If you tried to walk into any of the other pillars, you would earn yourself a few looks and bruises, yes?"

Yusuke snorted. "No joke."

"Well, if you understand that concept, this is similar. Along this whole length, which runs until who-knows-where, the walls are solid. That is, excluding one area, which leads into the actual maze. You see, this path we are standing in, I suspect, is just a rectangular box, with only one area that is connected."

"Here?" Hermione asked dubiously.

"Remember, the pillars at the station looked identical as well." Kurama answered.

"Who's going first?" Snape asked, eyes darting from one person to another.

Noticing the nervousness radiating from the humans, Kurama smiled to himself. Some sense of self preservation. That's good. Human lives are fragile. He stepped forwards.

"I'll go."

"You sure man?" Yusuke asked. "I can go, or Hiei."

"It makes no difference," Kurama answered, shrugging. "You two can stay here for the clear."

"Hn."

Keep your guard up. Hiei instructed.

The kitsune nodded. Guard them. Do not come over until I tell you. With a last smile back, he calmly strode into the 'foliage'.

At first, there was no response, and the two Tantei relaxed, then suddenly, they heard a reply to their mental queries.

Damn!

The comment was so loud and unexpected that Yusuke jumped. At the sudden movement, the wizards and witch looked at him, almost warily.

"What's going on?" Draco asked nervously.

"Kurama." Yusuke answered through gritted teeth.

"Is he in trouble? We have to help him!" Harry leapt to his feet.

"No!" The fire demons snapped. "Stay. Put. Do you understand me?" His gaze seemed to burn a hole through the path Kurama had gone.

"What? Why?" Hermione asked. "Why don't you help him? I thought he was your friend! Friends help each other! Why would you betray him now?"

The youkai flung his gaze towards the witch. "You are attempting to teach me how to act? Trust me, onna, you are not one to teach me about betrayal. So until you have something worthwhile to say, keep your goddamn mouth shut."

Hermione blanched at the bitterness and anger in Hiei's voice, and unintentionally took a step back.

"Hey!" Ron yelled at Hiei. "Don't talk to a girl like that!"

"I'll talk however I want, to whomever I- " Hiei froze, drawing a confused look from the humans.

Hiei, come quickly. Yusuke, stay back! Don't let anything happen to them!

Without finishing the rest of his sentences, Hiei flickered out of sight.

"What?" Harry managed to force out.

"Kurama called." Yusuke answered simply. "Let me tell you all something. What you said to Hiei was as close to a death wish as you'll probably get. You don't know how lucky you are he showed self-restraint. I mean, if I said something like that to him…well, let's not even go that direction."

"He was being unnecessarily rude." Ron sniffed.

Yusuke shook his head. "You don't know what you were saying."

"It's true, though!" Hermione protested.

"It's probably the furthest from the truth you could get. You don't know what Kurama told us. And you don't know their pasts. What you said probably brought back feelings from before. Plus, Hiei would never even think of betraying Kurama. He respects him, and for him, that says a lot…"

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With a burst of speed, Hiei rocketed through the holographic screen. Then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. In a flash, he unsheathed his katana to point it at the offender.

"Kitsune." Hiei realized, slightly relieved.

"Gomen nasai, Hiei." Kurama answered.

"What's going on here?" Hiei asked. Then, noticing a gash on the former thief's shoulder, "What happened to your arm?"

"First things first." The fox led Hiei to a small mound of…green.

"Could you take care of that? I don't know what will happen if we leave it, and I would rather not find out."

Without replying, Hiei held his arm out to the pile. Black flames sprung up, and soon, the pile was reduced to cinders.

"Thank you." Kurama said quietly.

"Hn. What was it?"

Kurama sent Hiei a mental picture of what he had just faced. Disinterestedly, the small youkai took in the long, vine-like limbs, and the bulbous sphere that was its body.

"You let that thing touch you?"

"It attacked right as I passed through!" Kurama protested. "How was I to know it would be there?"

"I told you to be careful. It could have sliced off your head instead of making a cut on your arm," Hiei lectured. Then, referring to the wound, "Do you need to take care of it?"

"Yes. If you could help me put this salve on, then bandage it up. I can't quite reach that area as well as I would like. It would be better if the others didn't see it. This would probably make them more nervous than they already are."

"Pathetic ningens." Hiei grunted as he tore off a piece of the gauze with his teeth.

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Back along the path, Yusuke continued his 'enlightening'.

"The two of them understand each other more than you'll ever know. And haven't you noticed? Hiei lets Kurama get away with things that he would tear normal people up for doing." Yusuke continued.

Yusuke. It's clear now. Kurama's voice came through.

The detective brightened. "Come on! It's time to go!"

The humans glanced at each other, then began to run through the 'leafy' walls, one by one.

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A/N: Well, this chapter is over. Hopefully, the next one will come much sooner than this one did. Sorry for the delay, once again!

Much love to everyone who reviewed; it's great to see some comments!

Like it? Hate it? Won't know if you don't tell me!

Cya L8tr!