I couldn't think of a good thing to put as a note at the end of chappy 4 so I left something weird. Sorry about that. If it really bugs everyone, I'll go back and delete it.

Chapter Five: Systematic insanity

Where the hell are Kurama and Yusuke? Hiei thought as he chased Mukuro into the portal. Stay focused. Don't break concentration or Mukuro will sense me.

At the moment, the only person Mukuro could feel was Kuwabara. Hiei made sure of that. Unfortuantely, that meant Kuwabara was the only person Hiei could feel too. He had no idea where his friends were. He was running blindly in Kuwabara's direction. Every fiber of his being was focused on making Kuwabara seem like the most delicious human Mukuro had ever seen.

Meanwhile, Yusuke was running as fast as he could with Kurama's weight on his shoulders. It was cumbersome. If only Kurama would move every once in a while so he wasn't just dead weight! No, not dead. Kurama is not dead. Don't think it. His heart doesn't beat because he's a demon. End of story.

Mukuro was tiering of the chase, she was very hungry. She increased her speed. So did Hiei.

Yusuke entered the portal and nearly ran head-first into Hiei's back. He had been running so fast that he surpassed Hiei's speed. In the process of not hitting Hiei, he dropped Kurama on the ground.

"Fuck!"

Hiei turned around and broke concentration for only a moment, but a moment was long enough. Mukuro stopped dead in her tracks.

"Hiei?" she said in a voice that was oozing insanity. "Oh good, you can help me catch the…" Mukuro turned and looked, but she didn't see Kuwabara. "…human. Where did he go, did you see him?"

"What is she talking about, he's-"

"Shh!" Hiei cut Yusuke off. Yusuke saw him and so did Hiei. Mukuro couldn't see him because he didn't exist in her dimension. Yusuke and Hiei saw him only because Kuwabara wanted them to.

"Leap over the line when you're done," Kuwabara's voice echoed around them. "Toss Kurama over when she's not looking. She can't hear me."

Yusuke and Hiei exchanged a glance before Hiei took a step forward. "Lady Mukuro," he said. "It has been such a long time." His voice was dripping affection and false calm. "Been keeping yourself busy?"

Mukuro smiled her crooked smile. "You always did know how to make a lady feel wanted. Too bad this is our last moment together."

"Too bad," said Hiei. He pulled the wrap off his arm exposing the dragon. "Any last words?"

Yusuke grabbed Kurama while Mukuro's attention was focused on Hiei and tossed him over the nearly invisible line in the sand. Kuwabara caught his friend but Yusuke turned before he could see Kuwabara's reaction. He started powering up for his spirit wave.

"Only that I am glad it is you," Mukuro said, she stood with her arms outstretched. "Who better to send me to eternity then the man of my dreams? It is too bad that the person of your dreams is also a man." Mukuro cackled. "Good bye, mon cheire, I shall meet you in hell."

Yusuke grabbed Hiei's arm and they both released their signature attacks at once. The result was a bright white light which eminated from where their hands met and headed straight for Mukuro.

Yusuke launched them both sideways over the line in time to see all of Alaric go up in flames.

Yusuke stood up and detangled himself from Hiei. "This dimension looks familiar," he said.

Hiei said nothing.

Kurama said nothing.

They appeared to be back in Kurama's house, near the couches.

"I can cut us back to wherever I want us to go," Kuwabara explained.

Everyone stared at Kurama's body. "Is he-"

"No," Kuwabara cut Yusuke off. "Catatonic."

"Oh, good. Better than being dea…" Yusuke looked over at Hiei who was sitting on the couch across from where Kurama lay. Hiei was crying. "Hey," he said, sitting next to his friend. "It's okay, Kurama will be fine." Yusuke rubbed Hiei's back. "He's just unconscious. He'll wake up when he's ready."

"You understand nothing," Hiei said.

"No, I was just hoping that you weren't crying because of something else. I get it. I mean, I don't get it but I know what you're thinking. I think."

"I'm gonna take Kurama up to his bedroom where he'll be more comfortable," said Kuwabara. He picked up Kurama and headed upstairs.

"What am I thinking?' asked Hiei staring at his feet.

"You're wondering whether or not you did the right thing," said Yusuke. "I can tell you right now that you did what was best for the world."

"What about my world?" asked Hiei. "What was best for that?"

"That I don't know. I'm not a genious or anything. I'm not even all that great at knowing how most people feel. But I do know that this is something no one should ever have to go through. And that's the story of your life. Am I right?"

"Yes, and this is hardly the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Then why am I crying?"

"You're sick and tired of the crap the universe throws at you all the time. You can cry when you're fed up. It's frustrating."

"No, it's because I killed the only person to ever love me."

Yusuke stayed quiet for a moment.

"No response for that one?"

"I'm trying to figure out the best way to tell you you're blind without insulting you."

Hiei wiped away his tears. "Blind?"

"Well, not literally, you have an extra eye for crying out loud but… we all love you. At least, I do."

Hiei stared at Yusuke. "Why would you do something like that?"

"Tell you I love you?"

"Love me in the first place."

"You're just so darn loveable."

"Don't ever say that again."

Yusuke grinned. "No, I love you because you're you. I don't have to have another reason. Remember what I promised you? We're together until death. I won't leave you. I promised. Why would I do that if I didn't love you?"

Hiei looked away. "Are you always this blunt with your feelings?"

"Well, I guess I'll have to be because you don't get it unless I shove it in your face. Now let's take a nap. We shouldn't have stayed up all night keeping watch. It was a dumb idea."

"Where do we sleep? On the couches again?"

"Just this one. I need a cuddle-nap."

"A what?"

Yusuke wrapped his arms around Hiei and pulled him down so they would lying be side-by-side on the couch.

"Ohh…"

Good place for an ending, ne? Au cauntre, this is only part one! But you can quit reading it if you want. Really, I won't mind.

Besides, you guys would kill me if I left Kurama catatonic and the relationship with Yusuke and Hiei ambiguous. You'll all get 'what happens next' syndrome. I know that's a good thing for writers to leave their audience wanting more but it drives me nuts personally. I wouldn't do that to you my Loyal Readers.

Also, Minorkae already threatened to drill holes in my skull if I don't continue. Weird thing to hear from a fan.