Disclaimer – "Yu Yu Hakusho" and all known related characters do not belong to me. Batsukuno, Bokuma, and Dog are the only characters I own. If you want to use them for your own fic, I probably would not mind but please ask. I get no monetary benefit from this. My benefit is the enjoyment of dealing with beloved characters.

"What Goes Around . . . "
by DragonDancer5150

Chapter 7 – Friends, Brothers

Trees rustled in a gentle wind, and moonlight spilled into a quiet room. The soft silver-blue light dimmed and brightened as gliding clouds created an interesting pattern across the ancient wooden floors. The night was waning, and soon the coming dawn would illuminate the room with a warm, golden hue.

Hiei stared at his sleeping partner, laying on the futon before him. He had long since given up attempts at meditating, his mind too distracted with a whirlwind of thoughts and images every time he tried. He glanced around the simple, unadorned room - one of many in the weathered mountain complex to which Botan had taken them. Hiei could hardly believe the woman who lived here was human. She was head-and-shoulders shorter than he, looked like a prune - and yet had a sense of power about her that Hiei had never felt before in a human, far greater even than Yusuke's. Her Reiki was enough to give any sensitive a migraine if he concentrated on it for too long. Botan had introduced her as the renowned Genkai.

The old woman had him and Botan lay Kurama down there in the courtyard, then looked Kurama over with a knowledgeable eye that seemed equal to that of a skilled physician. She had spread her hands over him and a massive amount of Reiki erupted from her into Kurama's body, spreading powerful healing energy throughout. Hiei could see the relief in Kurama's eyes as the pain receded. "That will speed up the healing process," she had told Kurama, "but you'll still need time to rest. You'll be a day or two before you're fully recovered." Botan had assisted Hiei in getting Kurama to the small bathhouse, where they found a clean kimono and sandals already waiting. Botan then withdrew while Hiei helped his friend to bathe. Genkai had left to prepare a nourishing drink, understanding that Kurama's stomach would not tolerate much just yet. Then, they settled Kurama into this room to sleep. Hiei had insisted on sitting watch over him. Neither Genkai nor Botan had argued.

He leaned forward, checking the bandages for the fourth or fifth time - or was it eighth? Eighteenth? He growled at himself as his throat closed on him yet again, his vision wavering. Both curious and annoyed, he put his hand to his face, surprised at the moisture on his fingertips. Dammit! Kurama, you fool! What were you thinking? Kurama's words echoed back to him from what seemed ages ago - "One of us must to escape to find out what's going on. You're much faster than I am. Go! . . . Hiei, you know that I am right! Hurry!"

Hiei fidgeted with the ties of the bandages, then startled at a tiny stone that fell to the blanket. It was the size of his little finger, perfectly round, and gleamed a magnificent red-black. What the . . . ? A Hirui stone? He rolled it between his fingers, wondering at the tiny creation. He had never had reason for tears before - not that he was surrendering to the experience now! He shook his head in anger, clutching the gem in his fist. Kurama . . . ! Why did you do it?

While waiting for Kurama to be returned to his cell, Hiei had found a guard who had been party to the arrest and searched his memory for information using the Jagan. He had found Batsukuno's words - surprised that, even now, they still stung.

"So our little fire apparition shows his true merit, after all. So much for the thief's good judgment."

"Whatever is going on, Hiei will get to the bottom of it."

"Hiei is the bottom of it! Don't be blind. You're too intelligent for that. He's a fire apparition and an assassin to boot. Even you can deny neither his temper nor his training."

He had not denied them, but neither did Kurama falter in the faith he had in his partner, his friend.

"Don't think that I have been unaware of your crimes. That past has now caught up to you, 'Silver Fox'. Your new sentence begins now . . . Youko Kurama, you will serve out the remainder of your time in the Pit - should you live that long."

Hiei remembered the look in Kurama's eyes, weeks ago now, when he had only been threatened with the Pit depending upon Hiei's decision. What went through your mind when he said that? Hiei wondered. The guard had not seen any reaction from Kurama, but Hiei knew better. You had to have known that you would be given over to Bokuma, that you might not even last the night! You were trying to protect me - but at what cost? And why? Another red-black stone fell to Kurama's blanket as Hiei's fists balled up in its folds, shaking almost imperceptibly.

He did not turn when the door slid open. Even with the bandana in place over his closed Jagan, he knew who it was, the powerful Reiki an unmistakable give-away.

"You won't be any good to him if you're exhausted. I suggest you get some sleep. I'll look after him until morning if you're worried about his condition." Genkai's voice softened when he did not respond. "He's going to be fine, Hiei."

Hiei palmed the two stones and passed a quick hand across his face as he stood, wiping away any trace of the embarrassing tears before turning to meet her eyes. "Of course, he is. You healed him, didn't you? Kurama's stronger than you think, old woman."

Genkai crossed her arms, shaking her head at him. "You're as bullheaded as my pupil, Yusuke. Just like him, in fact - down to the defensive insults."

"What're you getting at?" Hiei glowered at her, not sure he liked what she was saying.

"I know your type, Hiei. You try to put up a wall between yourself and anything you consider a weakness - especially your own emotions." She paused, looking down at Kurama. "He means a lot to you, doesn't he?"

"He's my partner, as Spirit Detective," Hiei scowled, suddenly feeling defensive.

She glared at him. "Don't give me that crap! I've been told all about you two. No one faces torture and death for a mere partner. Would you? Tell me, Hiei, would you have made the same choice?"

Hiei did not answer but could no longer meet her gaze, either. He looked away and found his eyes wander back to Kurama.

Genkai nodded knowingly. "That should have been you to begin with." It was not an accusation, merely putting to voice what she knew him to be thinking. Hiei closed his eyes, fists clenching. "You've been accused of a crime you didn't commit, and your brother is the one who paid the price."

"My what?" Hiei startled, turning to look at her again. Then anger welled up, covering anything else that might have begun to surface. "I don't have any family," he hissed, feeling a sense of resentment that surprised him.

"You're even more of a bonehead than my student!" Genkai marveled. "First of all, I don't know about parents, but I can tell you that you have a twin sister, an Ice Maiden named Yukina. Like I said, I know all about you, especially since you stand accused of murdering her human jailer. I can understand your decision to distance yourself from your sister. You're trying to protect her - from your reputation, your enemies, maybe even yourself." Before Hiei could comment, she held up a hand. "Don't argue with me. Your reasons are your own. What I'm saying is that family is not just by blood. Family is someone knowing you and caring for you in spite of your strengths or your faults. I told Yusuke once that he has to care about something with all his heart rather than living his life half-assed like he's used to doing." She caught his eye with such an intensity that he could not look away. "What do you care about, Hiei? What's making you sit up all night? What made you sneak into that prison, knowing what would happen if you were caught? Is this half-breed 'just' your partner? . . . I touched his heart when I was healing him earlier. You might ask him his definition of 'family' sometime." She nodded curtly, a wry grin tugging at her lips. "Some stuff to think over." She turned and slid the door closed behind her.

Hiei stared after her for a long moment, not sure what to think. Then one word caught his attention, bringing to mind what Batsukuno had once told him - "Turn your back on this unnecessary half-breed riff-raff."

He's NOT unnecessary, Hiei growled silently. He's . . . he's my friend. He remembered his anger and concern when Kurama had collapsed behind him under Batsukuno's agony-inducing influence and his fury at Kurama's treatment when he was taken from his cell before their retrial. It was a blind rage that had gripped Hiei when Kurama hit his cell door, backhanded out of his senses. In Maze Castle, Hiei had put up a front of total focus, of pushing forward, when in reality a portion of his attention was behind, to Kurama who had a front of his own that he was all right when he was not. In front of the humans - in front of Yusuke and Kuwabara, he corrected himself, using their names rather than a stereotype. In front of Yusuke and Kuwabara, he would show no weakness and now part of him regretted not offering an arm of support that he knew his friend could have used.

To Yukina, he had identified himself as being a friend of theirs, of Yusuke's and Kuwabara's. He was a member of the team, the three of them - four counting Kurama whom he had not yet known was present as well. Yes, the two humans were his friends, as ludicrous as that still sounded to the part of him which stated that he could not trust anyone, let alone a worthless human. He had learned that he could trust and count on them both in times of crisis, even Kuwabara. Hiei realized, in that moment, that Kurama was something even more to him. But if not "friend," what is he? he wondered as he unfolded his fist, staring at the exquisite gems in his palm.

Kurama stirred just then, murmuring in his sleep, his brow furrowed in distress. Hiei knelt once more by his side and, after a moment's hesitation, set a reassuring hand on his shoulder. With a gasp, Kurama startled awake, eyes dilated as he stared around the room, his gaze quickly finding Hiei. Instinctively, he shrank away from the perceived threat so close to him, not recognizing his partner as his sleep-fogged mind struggled to comprehend what was happening to him yet again. Hiei was surprised by the sensation of hurt he felt at Kurama's defensive reaction. Dismayed, he took note in annoyance as his throat closed yet again, his vision blurring. "K-kurama," he murmured uncertainly. "It's - it's all right. You're safe. Go back to sleep." Slowly, comprehension dawned in Kurama's sleep-drugged gaze. He reached out his hand and placed it over Hiei's, giving it a squeeze as a small smile came to his exhausted face. Still holding the hand that comforted him, Kurama closed his eyes once again, his head rolling slightly to one side as he drifted back into unconsciousness.

Hiei carefully stole his hand from under Kurama's and sat back, fiercely fighting back the damning tears as two more stones fell. He thought he recognized the feeling he was experiencing, a sense of protectiveness like he had only ever known for one other - his sister, Yukina. It was a sensation he had been experiencing ever since learning of Kurama's fate from Koenma. Why, Kurama? Why did you do this? You should never have taken such punishment! This was not yours. You should never - Dammit! He wiped angrily at the tears.

"N-no," Kurama murmured restlessly in his sleep, almost whimpering, as the nightmares began to reassert themselves. "Please . . . "

Hiei reached out again and lightly touched his shoulder, stealthily slipping his hand back under Kurama's. "No one will hurt you while I am here, Kurama. I swear it! You're safe." Even asleep, Hiei knew that Kurama would recognize his voice. Reassured, Kurama settled down, his breathing deepening in true sleep. Hiei kept his hand in place this time. He shook his head inwardly. You've never suffered anything like this, have you? You've led a relatively sheltered life as the human Shuichi. That woman - your mother - made sure of that. Even as a youko, you never experienced brutality like this.

And you never should have.

Genkai's words came back to him unbidden. "He means a lot to you, doesn't he? . . . No one faces torture and death for a mere partner . . . Family is someone knowing you and caring for you in spite of your strengths or your faults . . . What do you care about, Hiei?"

What . . . do I care about?

Kurama, you've taught me a lot - about caring, about grace, about friendship . . . about trust. Kurama had saved him twice now, risking himself to do so, trusting that Hiei would respond in kind. Hiei had not known him as a full youkai but had heard enough stories of the infamous youko thief. Having spent the years he had as a human had apparently changed him. No longer a hardened cutthroat, Kurama had learned compassion and trust to a level Hiei never had - until now. Kurama cared for his human mother enough to die for her and nearly did once. Hiei had never understood Kurama's actions, but perhaps he was beginning to see. Before her, you had no family at all, did you? You have accepted her. I've seen you play with that kid, too. He calls you 'brother' and you respond.

"You might ask him his definition of family sometime . . . Family is not just by blood."

What do you call me? Partner? Friend? . . .

. . . Brother?

Hiei did not know what is was to have a brother, but in that moment he knew whom he would choose if given the occasion. Is that it, Kurama? Is that why?

Tears fell anew, but these were different. A small, genuine smile touched Hiei's lips as he stared at his companion, sleeping peacefully now, comforted by the hand on his shoulder that kept the nightmares at bay. Peace, Kurama. I'm with you . . .

. . . My brother.

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