Warnings:

1, This story is yaoi – Youko Kurama x Hiei

2, OOC-ness

Standard disclaimer applied. Go to my profile.

AN: I knew I shouldnt have done that!!! I should not write Youko and the Wind; I have become so infatuated with the image of Hiei carrying the fox that I cannot get it out of my head now...Of course, you will find it here too :-) Review please, if you feel like it. Mari.

5 Descent

Hiei would have never believed how blind the infamous thief could be. To hear him speak about giving up in the moment when he could be redeemed like Hiei could never hope for was more than blindness, though; it was irony – pure and simple.

The half Koorimes choice from the day he was born was to stay alive, even if he had to fight for it from the very first moment. He had been having a hard time to learn how to live without being suffocated by his own past, which convinced him every day again and again that he didnt have any right to exist.

Therefore, what Kurama did touched Hieis raw nerve. For some reason, his words felt like a betrayal.

The fire demon was no less than enraged by Kuramas incapability of realizing his own selfishness. The fox surrendered himself so easily to the pain of loss he had been feeling; he was so sunken in his own sorrow like he would be some masochistic martyr. Like he would be the only one given the privilege of suffering. Thus, Hiei felt 'obliged' to remind him that the others could also feel pain and live with it.

However, what the fire demon wasnt prepared for was the consequence of his rush action. He had almost finished what Hagane couldnt. He wanted to help Kurama see his own stupidity - and it certainly appeared fatuous to Hiei to hope for death instead of being intoxicated with satisfaction from victory. But his intervention had almost killed the thief.

Still, this was only one half of the problem which pesterred the confused swordsman. The other half was the thought how easily and without hesitation he sacrificed last of his well-protected secrets and opened up his memory - just to make Kurama change his mind.

Hiei was fairly aware of the fact that Kurama succeeded in gaining his respect. But it still didnt mean Hiei would happily grasp at it; the last thing he wanted was to let his guard down and allow the fox in. And yet, he realized that it was too late now, for exactly this had happened. And he couldnt even tell when - he hadnt noticed. It made him abashed and ashamed of himself like he thought he never could be.

–––––––––––––

Kurama was enjoying himself immensely. His mother Haru was stroking his hair and singing him lullabies in a hushed voice to put him to sleep.

He was almost lulled; when suddenly he sensed his mother laid him down and started to leave the den. Unease stirred in him; so he whimpered to let her know he wanted her to stay. Haru turned and walked back to her fidgeting cub with an understanding smile. She took him up again, and this time she started to speak to him.

"My little baby fox, I know you dont like it." She was stroking his back and hair again, to calm him down. "But you will make it. You are strong; and a fighter." Kurama didnt know what she was talking about.

Suddenly, he wasnt a cub anymore and Haru wasnt holding him in her arms. Kurama - now fully grown - was giving her an almost desparate embrace and sobbed into her shoulder, knowing that the vision, dream or anything it was wouldnt last long.

"Mother, I caused so much pain to you and my friends! I dont deserve to live..."

"What are you talking about, baby fox?" Haru tried to give him a strict look, but failed poorly. Her expression was the one of compassion, understanding and love.

"Mother, everybody Ive ever loved was killed because of me. What kind of a monster am I, to repay your love and trust with pain and death?" Haru smiled at his words. The lesson his son had to learn really proved to be a rough one.

"You havent done anything wrong, though. You hadnt been the one who killed us, nor had you wished for it. None of us wanted to die and leave you. Still, it was our decision to fight and protect you. And we all would do that again. You should accept it." Kuramas sobs were declining; they gave their turn to the silent tears, falling for the first time since the year when he had lost his family. He swore to himself he would never ever cry again after that year had passed; he thought it was a sign of being a weakling. And now, almost 300 years later, being one of the best-known and formidable S-class demons of Makai, he was shedding tears like a small kid. Maybe he was dying; and this was a result of his failing brain.

"Listen, kit." The voice of his mother turned urgent. "You have to stop locking yourself in your past. You should start to dwell more on your present." Haru felt her son twitch and Kurama looked at her, shocked. She smiled.

"Yes, there is a present and future for you. And no, Kurama, Im not telling you to supress your memories like you were doing before; or to forget us. But there are many significant changes happening in your life now; and if you stay focused merely on the past, you simply fail to notice them and end up regretting it." Haru stroked Kuramas hair again and then patted his cheek. "If you dont know how to live on, take a good look around. Inari has already sent you a perfect role model. And Im sure if you think about it, youll find out there is something you know, what he needs to be taught in return."

She touched Kuramas cheek with her fingertips, tracing his skin where tears were rolling down. "You mustnt be ashamed of your tears. They are not showing your weakness, but maturity. They can reveal you know, accept and stand up for yourself; that you are given absolution. And that will make you even more powerful and respectful."

"Thank you mother. I miss you. Ive been missing you all the time." Kurama gave her a tight hug, sensing the time with his mother was over.

Haru chuckled. "Well, dont be surprised if you meet me somewhere. Inari asked me to come back. I couldnt resist."

"You were already reborn?! Mother…" Kurama was so shocked that his tears almost forgot how to flow.

Haru laughed at his expression. "Our patron is a potent and benignant Godess. She knew I wanted to be with your father again."

Kurama didnt know what to answer. The dream was already fading away.

"I love you mother." He whispered, as the teardrops renewed their ramble across his cheeks. "I love you all."

--------------------

Hiei didnt know much about healing and tending to injuries but he knew he should clean Kuramas wounds, especially the one on his chest. Beyond all doubt, his youki was circulating again. It was very erratic though, and that caused Hiei wrinkle his face. He didnt want to cut off the energy he was giving Kurama; but the numerous cuts and wounds were bleeding, some smaller were already closing up, without being cleaned.

Luckily, Kurama seemed to move from unconsciousness into an invigorating sleep within the next few minutes. Hiei finally dared to cease the energy transfusion and withdraw his hands. He moved the sleeping demon back into the den, removed the blood-soaked tatters of what was left of Kuramas death-attire, then cleaned and bandaged up his wounds the best way he could.

Although the fire youkai was worn out (he had been giving his youki to the troublesome fox for longer than an hour); he didnt risk falling asleep. He took a piece of fruit instead, found a scroll worth reading and sat down near Kurama, just in the case that his condition would worsen again.

----------------------

When Kurama woke up, he could sense the tears rolling their path down his face. With eyes still closed, he whispered a prayer of gratefulness to Inari for giving him the chance to speak to his mother, for letting him know they were in the same world again, even if they practically werent blood-relatives anymore. He was grateful that he could let the pain and sorrow melt into hot droplets, moving them bit by bit out of his soul - alongside with hate that forced him to act ruthless and in a perishing manner against his nature.

At last, Kurama opened his eyes. The look surprised him, though. He was inside of his den, clean, bandaged and with changed clothes. He turned his head slightly and his baffled eyes met the equally baffled expression on Hieis face.

If Kuramas memories of what had happened after he killed Hagane had been nebulous, now he could recall everything in utter precision. Hiei had burnt Haganes guards; and when the depressed youko wanted to die, he didnt let him. The fire demon had gifted his own childhood to him; he simply imposed on Kurama his own way how to continue struggling.

Hieis memories were taken by Kuramas mind very well indeed; the foxs brain was already making new associations and combining experiences of the half-Koorime with his own. And as he was looking at Hiei, he realized he knew him. To Kurama, Hiei was an unsealed book now. He didnt care it was a forbidden one to read - that made the situation even rarer.

Hiei didnt know what he should think when he noticed the tears falling from the foxs eyes. Even though his first reaction to situations like this had always been disdain; at that moment, it was mixed with guilt, care and compassion. Guilt, because he overloaded Kuramas weak system with his own pain. Compassion, because he knew how much he was hurting, and when the fox gave him his recollections he could also see and sense why. And care, because he wasnt able to suppress it anymore.

But as Kurama continued to regard Hiei without saying a single word, Hiei could feel a new and extremely unpleasant emotion - shame. The young demon discerned Kurama could perceive now what he was in his essence: a walking remembrance of his parents sin. Nothing but unpleasant reminder of their deviation.

Hiei felt like going mad. If forces of nature allowed the survival of something senseless as he was; somebody as vibrant and complex as Kurama didnt have any right to even think about lack of reasons for staying alive.

His eyes darkened in a tint of adamance.

"Kurama," he said in a soft, but firm voice. Astonished fox didnt answer, only nodded his head slightly to show he was listening.

"Do that never, never again."

Kurama perfectly understood. "I wont."

Kurama remembered what his mother said about tears and comprehended there were reasons why Hiei couldnt cry. He was far too proud. And his tears were precious, like Koorime tears; they would easily betray his origin, draw attention of slavers and make him a hunted and desired prey.

"Hiei," Fire youkai didnt answer, but Kurama knew he was listening attentively. "Allow me to cry for you. Instead of you. Just this one time."

To state that Hiei was nonplussed would be a very strong understatement.

He opened his mouth to answer but he realized he didnt know what to say. He never thought it was possible to ask for such a thing. He never thought it possible that somebody would want to cry for him. He sometimes made others cry, especially cowards who underestimated him - but it was usually a moment after they made the first contact with his sword or flames. It was never like this. This was bizarre.

The one, who proved today more lethal and cruel a demon Hiei would ever give him credit for wanted to shed tears because of him. This had to be an aberration. A dream perhaps.

Maybe that was the reason why he complied with it. Or maybe he complied, because he was tired and dry like a wasteland. Or maybe just curious what it was like; to be worthy of somebodys tears.

Kurama didnt cry like children do, or like cowards or weaklings do. He made no sound. Just took the smaller demons hand and placed it on his cheek, so he could both see and feel that the tears were in reality his. Intimacy of that moment made Hiei embarrased and uncertain about how to behave. But after few minutes, he stopped thinking and fidgeting and accepted simplicity of the fact that Kuramas teardrops had the ability to lift both their souls.

That day, Hiei understood the gift of tears, as well as meaning of the word release. And he learnt about existence of a thing called absolution.

-------------------

Kuramas condition improved gradually. He was sleeping a lot, but every time he woke up he noticed increase in his energy. In two days, he was considerably stronger, and Hiei finally consented to take some sleep as well.

They hadnt been talking much since the day when Kuramas life had turned upside down. Even when the fox was awake, Hiei had never made the impression of being ready for a conversation. They simply coexisted; both lost in thought.

Kurama didnt know whether his talk with mother was a mere hallucination or her real message - not that it would make any significant difference to him. For now, after the time to contemplate everything he was told, he had to admit that his mother had a point.

He had been too self-centered. He had really almost missed the changes taking place in his life - he had let the past devour his attention and taint his friendship to Kuronue. He would never act like a sulky infant towards him, had he noticed that it was his own memories what made him object Kuronues decision to choose a mate. It was his own fear of being bound, because he felt he couldnt stand being parted. The more intense the bonds should be, the more dismay Kurama sustained. And the sense of dread was unequivocally a term to describe his first reaction to Hieis presence.

Kurama looked absentmindedly at Hieis sleeping form lying at the opposite side of the den. He was lucky indeed that in the moment of critical importance Hiei had been there. The younger demon had done the only possible thing to deliver Kurama from hell; he hadnt hesitated to unlock the gates of his own private hell and let the desperate youko in.

Their situations were not the same, but they left them both in similar state - striving and worn out of endless falling down and getting up.

There was something what had never occurred to him before, though; Hiei was in urgent need of a friend who would wipe away his uncertainty. The fire demon was tired of the neverending struggle for peace of mind, elusive and ethereal to him. He needed to be enlightened that it was not as fleeting as he was thinking. He needed to know how to hold on until he learnt how to get hold of it and maintain it. Hiei surely wasnt the one to throw his life away easily - but he was afraid of losing his sanity in the process.

Suddenly, Kurama realized that if he had died after killing Hagane as he had been planning all along, Hiei would lose the only support he could ever get. He needed reassurance; to see that things could turn better if you kept standing up every time you fell. Still, he would never allow anybody get close enough to find this out - provided that somebody would want to. Or be able to. Even the fact that Hiei accepted Kurama was a matter of circumstances rather than his will. Youko knew the fire youkai would never trust him enough to allow him in, if the link between them hadnt been accidentaly established. That way, neither of them had a choice to make, or a chance to elude.

But again, Inari knew what she was doing when she had crossed their paths and interwound their fates. She had sent him Hiei as a master example, a teacher. And he was determined to be a very attentive apprentice.

------------------

Another three days passed and Kuramas powers were nearly back to normal. The majority of his cuts were not detectable anymore; the only wound which required attention was the deepest one on his chest. But it was not as hard a job for his self-made salves; the plant wielder was quite sure that in a weeks time, there wouldnt be any sign, not even a scar left.

Thus, Kurama assumed he was already strong enough to pay Luan a visit and inform her about Kuronues death.

Hiei however didnt think it was such a good idea. He still considered Kurama too weak and frail; he didnt care that the silver apparition kept repeating it was appropriate to express his sympathy to her as his friends chosen mate. According to the fox, she deserved to know.

Any argument stating the opposite was for him out of question.

Hiei had been wondering all the time why he hadnt already left Kurama to his own devices. He was given the stolen jewels together with the magic mirror five days ago, but he still hadnt set off yet. Maybe this was a good time to return back to the palace. Still, he didnt like the idea at all. He was reluctant to leave Kurama behind, injured and unprotected, even if he knew he was strong enough to take care of himself.

But whether he liked it or not, his mission had been accomplished. And Kurama had already sent him away five days ago, before his confrontation with Hagane. He couldnt find any sensible reason to justify his stay with this troublesome kitsune - if he did not consider the urge to care of and protect him; but he could hardly pass it off as a sensible reason.

The fire youkai made an unpractised act to him – a sigh, and started making plans for his return to Mukuros palace.

Kurama seemed to be deep in thought, but this was only partially truth. His gaze didnt miss a slightest movement or gesture his younger companion made; everything was signalling that he was preparing for leave.

The Goddess of foxes was probably thinking it was time for Kurama to learn how to accept being alone; without clinging to those who were dear and close to him.

He knew he could learn from Hiei how to live all alone and for the present. However, he didnt know, what he would do when the time came to let Hiei go his own way. He didnt want to do the same mistake he had done with Kuronue – to restrict free will of his friends by forcing them to change their already-made decisions. In the same time, he realized though, that his relation to the obstinate fire demon had even more dimensions than the one to his chimera friend. If Kurama didnt count the missing element of physical contact, the best word to describe his relationship to Hiei would be…intimate. Kurama had to admit in all honesty that the young swordsman knew the most private things about him, his past; he could probably read and understand him more than any of his friends or lovers ever had or ever would. All these things gave Hiei the privilege of being very dear to the Makais thieves master. As for now, Kurama wasnt ready at all to consider Hieis departure, even if his mission had been evidently accomplished. On the contrary; he was musing upon the ways how to win more time to spend with his friend. Even though Hiei apparently didnt consider Kurama a friend.

"Actually," Kuramas soft voice brought Hieis concentration back from his actions; "I was hoping you would accompany me during the visit."

Hiei looked at him and after a minute of mere regarding expressed what he was thinking about the whole thing:

"If you cant handle things alone, dont do them."

Hiei started rummaging through the whole den, trying to find all of his belongings which were very effectively intermingled with the things Kurama brought from different hiding places, only Gods knew what for.

Youko frowned. He hadnt been thinking it would be hard to make Hiei stay a little longer; he knew Hiei cared and trusted him.

Things they had gone through lately were slowly shaping their connection into a strong bond. Although Kurama was feeling trapped and frustrated to no end at first; he now gladly accepted it as a blessing. But the fire demon wasnt used to be around somebody, not to speak about being linked. And suddenly it appeared to Kurama that he had done another mistake. He never talked about the things Hiei had done for him out of his free will, without being asked. With Hieis lack of social skills, he needed the knowledge of acceptance; reassurance that he had done nothing wrong.

Hiei was now too conspicuously interested in the thiefs books and writings.

Kurama stood up, went to him and found a book and two scrolls. "If you want something worth reading, take these. Ive already read them. Information they hold are quite useful." Hiei examined the cover of the book, then the scrolls and turned speechless. He was holding the lost property of Maru, a cryptic demon clan which experimented with youki. Kurama smiled at Hieis unguarded moment of pure astonishment. "I didnt get my reputation due to the stealing of clothes and apples."

"But you could build a palace if you sold them, they are almost priceless!"

"And where should I build it? Thank you, but a cosy little den serves the same purpose. I dont have a need for ostentation. I havent become a thief because of wealth. You know me enough to understand that."

"I dont understand why are you giving them away to me, though."

Kurama sighed. Hiei simply wasnt able to accept the fact that for him, one true friend was worth more than any treasure he could ever steal.

"Hiei, Im actually ashamed to give you just these. Even though Im apparently richer than Yomi or Mukuro, I have nothing to make up for everything you had given to me."

The fire demon looked utterly suspiciously. "But I dont remember giving you anything so valuable."

Kurama looked at him like at a madman. "Lets count all the things I got from you in the past three weeks then. To begin with, you saved Kuronue; then beated some sense into me when I was behaving like an idiot towards him. I believed that the demons that have enough spirit and brains to look at me and see more than a beneficial opportunity are not extinct; and you turned my belief into conviction. You burnt Haganes thugs, so I could finally kill the bastard. Then you saved my life, in more ways than one; by gifting your youki and your memories to me. Not to speak about the care, attention and time you invested to heal me."

Kurama took a pause. It was far the longest talk they had been having during the last five days. Of course, not that Hiei would ever admit to taking any notice of it. Instead, he was wondering how strange it was to hear that he could have such an influence on events in somebody elses life.

Silver youko smiled and continued. "It is probably just my twisted mind, but I cant get rid of the feeling that you were sent by Gods to occupy the post of my guardian."

"You are right. It is just your twisted youko mind." Hiei gave him a fraction of a smile. "It always comes up with the craziest things Ive ever heard of. Ill probably never understand the ways your brain works."

"Liar."

A grin appeared on Hieis face, but before he could react to Kuramas accusation, the silver apparition kept on.

"I know I have no right to ask a favor after all you had already done, but Ill do it anyway. Hiei, Id appreciate if youd delay your departure for two or three days. From all the horror things I had to do, to break the bad news to Luan is the last unsettled one. I imagine I could make use of a friend who is strong enough to give me support."

The fire youkais mind was taking a bath in the lake of contentment, because Kurama had just granted the long-missing sensible reason to justify Hieis stay. Nevertheless, the said fire apparition tried to ignore it, along with the fact that in one sentence, Kurama called him a friend, admitted he was strong and practically said that he needed him.

"Your words have just proved that you possess not only a twisted mind, but also an overly vivid imagination. Ive never been asked to give somebody support. What makes you think Id know what to do?"

Kuramas smile grew. Hiei could be epitome of aloofness and power, but when it came to the question of expressing emotions, he was completely lost.

"Dont worry. Ill explain everything you might want to know." Kurama let Hiei think for a moment and then asked a direct question.

"Are you willing to accompany me to the house of Luans father Bireth? You dont have to concern yourself with them; Ill be the one to deal with her and her family. I dont want to prolong the agony with idle chatter; most likely, it will be the shortest visit you have ever experienced."

"How far does she live?"

Kurama considered that question as Hieis consent to go.

"Eight hours from here. I dont want to move at full speed though, so it will take longer to get there."

Hiei nodded and after a moment of contemplation asked. "What do you plan to do after you settle this?"

"I dont know yet. I only know I want to return back to this den. I need to do some cleaning."

"Thats good, because I cannot find half of my things."

Kurama laughed. "Dont look at me, I havent stolen them!"

--------------------

The journey took ten hours for them to get to their destination. It was already afternoon when they were finally standing in a large front room of the round house of Bireth. Judging by the size of their dwelling, the family was apparently rich.

"They sure know what the word 'lavish' means," Hiei commented, while examining a peculiar crest branded on the wall. He wanted to make another comment on Kuronues poor taste, but one look at Kurama was enough to keep silent. He didnt know anything about Luan or her family, but the number of guards in the house was higher than it was common for a dwelling of this size. Hieis gut feeling was telling him to keep all three of his eyes peeled; thats why he decided to make another check with jagan. He already knew there were twenty demons in the building; only five of them were A or upper B class. The energy levels were a bit weird, but his experience told him it was nothing he had to worry about.

Luans father came in, together with his mate and daughter. Hiei wasnt sure about their race. Luan resembled her mother a lot; both were having long black hair and deep blue, radiant eyes. Luan was slim but tall, actually as tall as Kurama. A long, simple, dark blue dress fitted closely to her obviously lithe frame. She was one of the B-class demons Hiei sensed moments ago; if she was trained how to use her energy, she might have been a promising fighter. Hiei sneered. This was Kuronue to the hilt. Without bias, but always choosing the prettier by look anyway.

"Youko Kurama! What a pleasant surprise!" Luans father Bireth put on the biggest smile Hiei had ever seen. He could count all the fangs in his mouth if he wanted to - but didnt. He chose to regard Bireths mate instead. It seemed like her gaze glued to Kuramas body. Hiei was quite sure this was one of the minds he didnt need to read to know what its possessor was using it for. It was a mystery to him how Kurama could live under the constant strain of drooling demons annoying gazes.

He only now realized the full extent of what Kurama sacrificed to lure Hagane out of his hiding. He used himself as a bait; and there were not many demons in Makai who didnt take it. Moreover, the fire demon remembered all the things Kurama told him about rumors three weeks ago; and finally grasped the point.

Fortunately, at least Luan seemed to be immune to the foxs looks; if he didnt consider the slight flush on her cheeks.

And it was her surprisingly deep voice what put an end to Hieis musing. She addressed him first.

"You must be Hiei, Mukuros swordsman. Kuronue was talking about you a lot during his last visit." She smiled. "He is very grateful to you. And so am I. It would be an honour for us if you accepted to attend our bonding ceremony, along with Kurama."

The said general of Mukuro suffered a serious momentary word deficiency. If Kuronue wouldnt already dwell in the realm of dead, Hiei would have instantly sent him there. 'Stupid idiot!' He thought angrily, 'He had to blazon to the half of Makai that Ive been hanging around with them!'

Hiei was fuming with rage, but Kurama didnt forget the seriousness of situation.

"I dont want to be disrespectful, Luan, but we havent stopped by for a chat. Even though I would be happy if that was our purpose." Kurama looked at Hiei who slowly nodded; and he took a deep breath. There was probably no good way how to say a thing like this.

"Luan, Im truly sorry to tell you that the last job we made wasnt successful at all.-"

Luan cut in. "What does that have to do with me? Its your problem Youko, and your reputation at stake, not mine and not Kuronues! If it wasnt for your stupid ideas, his life would have been much easier!" Her voice turned exasperated and cold, she didnt hide her aggression towards Kurama at all. Hiei wondered how fast she could turn from a lamb into a fury, when she talked to the fox. This was no good. A time to prepare for an immediate confrontation.

"Luan, my dear, Youko Kurama is our guest and Kuronues friend. Dont talk to him like that." Of course, it was her mother, who had an obvious soft spot for silver youkos.

Hiei was losing his patience, but Kurama miraculously kept his composure and continued where he had been interrupted.

"Luan, on our getaway, the chain of Kuronues pendant snapped. He attempted to return for it, but was caught and killed instantly. There was not a chance to help him. Im truly sorry."

There was a moment of dead silence. The first to react was Luans mother. She said nothing, just put her arms around her daughter in a comforting hug. Her father said only what was needed to keep in polite terms and left the room hastily. Kurama turned to the door as well, but Luans voice stopped him.

"Youko, you better repent for your deeds. Kuronue called you a friend. You were there; but did nothing to save him."

Kurama looked at her, still able to keep his calm. Still, Hiei could notice the strenght with which his fists were clenched. This was probably time to do something…supportive, but the younger apparition didnt know what. There was only one thing which came into his mind; and he acted accordingly. Forthwith, he stepped a trifle closer to his older companion, to show plainly with whom he was willing to side.

"Youko, you better keep away from me and my family. I dont want to hear a single thing of you again."

Kurama simply turned and walked out of the room without a word. However, Hiei hesitated for a moment. There were couple of thoughts on his mind; like how full of hate against Kurama Luan was, even before she had learnt about Kuronues death. And why Bireth left so abruptly when he heard that Kuronue had been killed.

Above all, he wondered how Luans mother was soothing her; with her daughters head laid on shoulder, stroking her hair. All of the embraces Hiei had ever seen indicated lust or an attempt to restrain somebodys movement. He had never known that giving comfort could look like this too.

He quickly caught up with Kurama. The fire youkai had at least half a dozen of questions to ask, but he reconsidered that and rather decided to wait. He was sick of pondering about Bireth and his family; thought of Kuronue still exasperated him to no end and seeing Kurama in such a gloomy temper didnt help to improve his own either. The past week was full of raking over past - both his and Kuramas; and he was fed up with it.

Everything he wanted for now was to be back in the haunt even if it was overfilled with things; it was still a cosier place to stay than the trees and there was no other place which could gift him more peaceful sleep. He could get there in three hours instead of ten, but he refused to let Kurama travel back alone.

An unbidden idea struck him, and he immediately decided it was worth a try.

"Kurama, can you transform into fox form?" Hiei demanded.

Kurama looked at him uncomprehending, but nodded a positive answer.

"Than do it."

"Hiei, I dont understand wha-" Hiei cut in. "Dont ramble, just do it." As an afterthought, he added soft spoken "Trust me."

This worked; and several moments of shimmering air later, there was a three-tailed silver fox standing in front of the amazed fire apparition, regarding him with inquisitve golden eyes.

Hiei didnt waste time; he gripped the fox, made sure it was gently but firmly positioned against his trunk and arms; and darted forward in his highest speed with the thought of how it suited that Kurama hadnt bothered to make plans for next weeks.

End of Chapter 5