White Blindness
by Mina Lightstar

They hadn't said a word.

Hiei shifted quietly from one foot to the other, more so out of a need to occupy himself rather than fear or nervousness. It had been nearly five minutes - and a long five minutes, at that - and not one syllable had been uttered. He couldn't say it was a pleasant start to the relationship between them.

He frowned at his chosen word. Relationship. Well, he mused, that's what it was. Or rather, what it would be. For the next little while, that is. Until he could find a way to weave himself out of whatever business the Hand conducted. He had no desire to become a sort of World Guardian, nor was he particularly keen about the idea of outsiders being forbidden in this world. He would not leave Kurama. Nothing short of death could make him abandon the youko - and while Hiei was not afraid of dying, he was interested in delaying the event as long as he could.

Why isn't she saying anything? She had been the one who'd asked - told - him to stay, so why was she still flipping through the documents on her desk? He had other things he could be doing at the moment. He could be with Kurama; he knew that his sudden - and rash, he admitted - decision to join the Hand had upset the youko. Kurama would eventually realize that at the time there had been no other way, but that probably wouldn't change the way he felt about it... Or instead of keeping the floor from rising, he could be asking around; maybe someone would be able to tell him what exactly the Trial consisted of...

"The Trial is precisely what it sounds like," Eiyo said suddenly. Hiei started and turned his head from the bookshelves to look at her. "It is a test to see how strong you are."

Hiei blinked. Was her control of her Jagan so precise that she'd Delved into his mind without him noticing it...?

"No, I am not Delving," she chuckled.

He blinked again. "Then how...?"

"Silly child," she chided, leaning back in her chair and folding her arms. "Your eyes are an open book: readable to any who understand the language."

"So then you must know what I think of this."

"I know." She tilted her head slightly. "Child, I was not raised to High Seat because I was the late High Lord's daughter. I am no fool. I know why you are doing this. You care little - or nothing - about us, or our cause. You are offering your services because it is the only way for you and your friends to leave the Fifth safely and continue your battle with Jumon. I know that as well as Hwang does."

He folded his own arms, puzzled and knowing fully well his eyes showed it. "Then why are you letting me take your Trial?"

"Because you have potential, and you're a little...misguided about how things work here." She smiled at him. "I will not keep you from your redheaded demi-human."

"You said outsiders are not permitted here," he replied flatly.

"They're not," she agreed. "But you are not thinking of what I did not say. I did not say that Chosen could not go Outside, did I?"

"Chosen"? Was that what they called themselves? "Then you thwart the truth with careful speech," he uttered quietly. He hated when others spoke to him in riddles.

"I did not," she denied. "I merely stated one fact and withheld another. I didn't know you would think of it as a means to prevent you from seeing a loved one. You are assuming, child, that Chosen must either remain celibate or wed other Chosen. That is not the case."

"Oh?"

"No. True, it happens most often that Chosen marry one of their own, but that is to be expected. After all, not many of us come to be Chosen if we have families and happy lives elsewhere. While I would like to say that Jaganshi offer to be Chosen out of a sense of duty or something of the sort...that is not how it happens. Demons aspire to become Jaganshi because they want something. They do it for revenge, for power, even for love...but not because they want to make their world better."

Hiei didn't answer, but he knew she was right. His own Eye...he'd acquired that to help him get something he wanted: His birthplace, his sister, the Tear Gem that now never left its place around his neck...

"And when these demons Acquire their Third Eye, and they do what they wish with its power... It is then that we decide whether or not they can be Chosen or not. We approach them, make the offer, and let them decide. Many come with us - usually those who have Acquired their Eye to avenge a loved one. They have nothing else to live for, and so they join us. Those who wish nothing to do with us are Cleansed and sent on their way. Rarely, the Jaganshi come to us. Those who do this have often Acquired an Eye because another family member is Chosen...like Shiryoku." Eiyo closed her eyes briefly.

Curiosity got the better of him. "Shiryoku got her Eye to be with another?" A lover, perhaps? If that's true...then Jumon's "Oedipus Complex" would make more sense.

"I should not be telling you this," Eiyo began, "but I do believe it will explain some things. Shiryoku was married to another demon, and they had three children: Jumon, Katachi, and Itsuwari. But several hundred years ago, Shiryoku's life-mate died. The details are unknown; Shiryoku refuses to speak of it, and I can respect that. Ever since then, Jumon's attraction to his mother has grown.

"Years later, Shiryoku met another male demon named Davin. They courted, and eventually fell in love. But Davin was not only Jaganshi, he was Chosen, one of us."

Hiei cocked his head. "Chosen are...allowed to wander about the Three Worlds freely...?"

"Did you think that being Chosen meant you would be confined to this Palace for the rest of your days, child?" She shook her head. "You are making our faction sound much more restrictive than it really is. We do not regulate whom our Children of the Eye associate with, nor do we prevent them from spending their time wherever they like. The only thing we do insist on is their loyalty and their silence. Loyalty meaning they come when the High Seat calls, and silence meaning they do not preach our business to each and every soul they encounter.

"Now, Davin and Shiryoku were in love, so much that they could not stand being apart - as most people who truly love each other do. Davin came to me and asked permission to Bond with Shiryoku under the Orb."

"And that means?"

"It is a special wedding ceremony, performed by the High Seat to bind a Chosen with an outsider. It is done in the presence of the High Seat and the Second to allow the outsider passage into the Fifth. So you see," she added pointedly, "we do not prohibit the loving of an outsider. But Shiryoku did not simply want to Bind with Davin and stay in the Fifth with him and us. She wanted to be Chosen as well. So we granted her wish.

"Needless to say, Jumon was not pleased with his mother leaving with a new love and new obligations. Katachi understood her mother's wishes - after all, she and her brothers were no longer children. But Jumon did not. And so, we decided it was best for Shiryoku to stay away from her children until Jumon recovered from his condition. When the renegade demon quieted, we thought he had given up his anger and hatred towards us. But we were wrong. The rest, you know."

"And Davin?" Hiei inquired. "Where is he?" If Shiryoku had been his life-mate, he would have been there when she'd been facing Jumon.

"Dead." She let the word hang in the air for a moment, and then went on. "He's been dead for several centuries now. Another reason why Shiryoku loses her wits where Jumon is involved; why she went right to him instead of thinking of some other strategy. Shiryoku has lost the two men she gave her heart to, and now one of her children - two, if you count Itsuwari - are...distraught." She sighed sadly. "We are doing our best to stop Jumon. At first, we did not want to kill him. He is, after all, just a naïve demon who does not understand that his mother will never - can never - love him the way he loves her. But, what he is trying to do may be the end of us. The White Sphere is not something to be trifled with. It is not a matter of if something disastrous will happen, it's a matter of when. So, I gave the order to eliminate Jumon and Itsuwari. I did not make the decision lightly, but if I had to choose between the Fifth and Jumon, I would have to choose the Fifth. Shiryoku's defiance of my orders and her appearance in Jumon's manor, however, altered this plan somewhat."

Suddenly, Hiei thought of something that hadn't occurred to him during their infiltration of Jumon's House. "But how did Shiryoku know where to find Jumon if you didn't?"

Eiyo sighed again. "I believe she knew where he was all along, child. Part of me is angry with her for not disclosing the information, but for the most part, I can understand why she did so. Above all things, Jumon is her son."

The silence settled in again. But this time, Hiei did not let it get too comfortable. He rotated his shoulders once and said what he'd been meaning to since he heard the words "White Sphere". "I saw your crystal."

The woman didn't even blink. "Did you, now."

He nodded, remembering the visions he thought he'd Seen. "It's beautiful...and it shines...exactly the way you described it. I've seen it...several times." He counted off the instances when the world around him had shifted and the images had come. "Twice it has happened in battle...twice in a dream...and one time when I was in a house."

Eiyo nodded. "It shouldn't come as a surprise, child, with all the rei being called forth, the Spirit Threads, and our own detection spells we cast out to find Itsuwari and Jumon. You are Jaganshi and were in Ningenkai. It's very possible your Eye may have reacted to all the different spells drifting around."

Hiei exhaled softly. "I thought for a moment I was Seeing... A hand kept reaching the for Sphere, and it was engulfed in darkness... And Itsuwari...he took it from...from Kurama's body..."

"In a way, I suppose you were. The Orb is what Jumon is after, and it was lost to us - that could explain the darkness, which may have been representative of whatever void it had been cast into. And the power to retrieve the Sphere comes from the rei of humans... You did not have any of these visions when you were in Jumon's manor or here, did you?"

Hiei shook his head, realizing that it was true.

Eiyo shrugged. "Simply your Jagan reacting, child. Don't worry yourself too much about it."

"Stop addressing me as 'child'."

Eiyo raised an eyebrow. "Would you prefer 'fledgling'? Or 'kit'? Or even," her lips twitched upwards, "'kitten'?"

Hiei gave her a mild glare. "I'm not a child."

"Oh, no?" she mused. "And how many times have you watched the sun rise on your naming day?"

"Two-hundred-sixty-four," he replied tersely.

Eiyo nodded. "A child."

"I am not a--"

"When you have eight or nine centuries behind you, perhaps then I will consider you an adult."

Hiei opened his mouth to retort, and then decided to drop subject. There were more important things to discuss than his age. "What does the Trial consist of?"

Eiyo raised an eyebrow. "I already told you. The Trial is a test of strength."

Without realizing it, Hiei glanced down at his body. He was still in good shape, still strong, still a match for almost anyone. Surely he could--

"No, no, no."

He blinked and returned his gaze to the High Lady. "No what?"

Her lips twitched again. "Child," she chuckled. "It is not a test of physical strength," she continued before he could counter her "child" remark. "It is a test of will. You will walk through the Arches and test your will and spirit. I will say no more. It is forbidden to speak of it. You will hear more from Hwang when it is time. But if you are strong enough to escape the Arches, you will be Accepted.

"The journey through the Arches must be made without provisions or protection. You go in and out as you were born: unarmed and unclothed." She gestured to the chair in front of her desk. "For the formalities of the Trial, I will need your mother and father's names, and your current occupation, and then I suggest you spend the rest of your time preparing yourself for it. Hwang will come to fetch you when it is time."

He took the offered seat and provided the information, feeling a tad awkward sitting there while she went through her papers. But she didn't seem at all bothered by his presence, so he sat there, thinking about everything and nothing, until the doors opened and Hwang appeared to take him away.

"Yukina is blind," Kuwabara breathed.

"I'm sorry, my friend," Kurama offered sincerely as the human slouched to rest his elbows on his knees. "I know how much she means to you..."

"And I know how much she means to Hiei," Kuwabara added. "And how much your mother means to you... Damn it all to Hell..."

"I just hope that Rinto character can keep Keiko and the others safe until we can solve this problem," Yusuke muttered.

Kurama exchanged glances with Kuwabara. The subject hadn't really been brought up yet, though Kurama could understand why that was. Yusuke would not be pleased to hear it, but there was no way he would be able to join them when they left the Fifth to continue after Jumon. Yusuke had fallen victim to White Blindness, and having him along would only endanger them all. Yusuke would be vulnerable, and Kurama and the others could not keep an eye on him at all times. Yes, Yusuke would probably hate them for it, but when the time came to go after Jumon again, he would be sent back to the temple to stay with the others where he was safe.

"Excuse me...Sir Kuwabara, Sir Kurama, Sir Urameshi..."

Kurama turned his head to look at Sayra. The young - for a demon, that is - woman poked her head into Kuwabara and Yusuke's guest chambers. "Yes?"

"I have brought Miss Katachi to the Sister Shiryoku's room... So, Kurama, if you please, it is time I escorted you back to your chambers."

Kurama raised an eyebrow. "May I ask why?" Did Eiyo think they would end up planning a sort of invasion if they were left together?

"Please do not take this personally," Sayra hurriedly responded. "The High Lady thought you would appreciate her consideration... If Sir Hiei returns from the Trial, he will be taken to his own room. The High Lady figured you would want to see him as soon as possible..."

Yes...I would... Kurama nodded, and then offered her a tiny smile of gratitude. "Thank you." He nodded to Kuwabara and Yusuke - more to the former since the latter couldn't see the action. "I'll see you later."

"Right," Kuwabara replied. "You know where to find us," he added, his voice laced with mild humor.

Kurama gave him a brief grin and rose from the bed to follow Sayra - something they'd been doing often, he thought wryly. Sayra seemed to be their selected guide for their stay at the Crystal Palace. He shut the door behind him. It was when he released the knob that the thought came to him.

What did she mean, if Hiei came back?

If anything, Hwang was even less talkative than Eiyo. Hiei frowned at the other demon's back as they descended the seventh flight of stairs. Contrary to his expectations, the chamber used for Trials was several floors down instead of up. But the corridors the High Lady's Second was leading him through didn't look anything like the site for the occurrence of a magical event, but rather like an abandoned castle basement. They weren't brightly lit as the rest of the halls were. The sources of light were the candles on the walls.

Hwang was keeping a quick stride, and Hiei had to walk faster than he normally would have, given his shorter height. He said nothing of it, though he couldn't stop himself from hissing a few choice words at the other Jaganshi under his breath.

They walked deeper and deeper through the Palace, and more than once Hiei considered asking when they would arrive at their destination. He refrained from doing so, however, figuring that that was what the Second was waiting for. Perhaps the walk to the Trial Chamber was long to give the Trial participant time to reconsider their choice, or become frightened. Well, he wouldn't let that happen to him. He was Kurama and the others' only "ticket" out of the Fifth, and Hell if he was going to let himself be scared away.

Hwang stopped suddenly, and Hiei stumbled a little, trying not to walk into the other demon's back. Thanks for the warning, he thought sarcastically.

"This is the Trial Chamber," Hwang stated.

Hiei looked up at the doors before them. They were identical to the ones that lead to the High Lady's study. And since he knew what awaited him on the other side, they also seemed rather...foreboding.

Hwang didn't expect a reply, apparently, and opened one of the doors, motioning for Hiei to go in first. Hiei complied, and felt Hwang follow him inside. As soon as both he and the Second were in the room, the door shut with a resounding slam.

Hiei looked around when the door swung shut. There was only candlelight to see by, but the candles were plentiful, making it easy to distinguish mostly everything in the room. In the center of the chamber were three large, silver arches; one to the far left, on in the center, and one to the right. There were three Jaganshi - Chosen, he reminded himself - seated on the floor near the edges of the room facing the arches, looking like a makeshift triangle. Hiei recognized one of them as Fukuro.

Hwang bade him to stop a good ten feet from the arches. In addition to the three Chosen by the arches, there were other Jaganshi present, as well. He could sense their presence, though they weren't in his field of vision - possibly seated in the corners to observe and supervise.

No one moved, no one spoke, and Hwang was staring at him expectantly. Hiei suddenly felt like shifting his weight from one foot to the other again. What were they all waiting for? Surely they didn't expect him to know what to do, did they? He'd thought he'd be receiving precise instructions for how to proceed.

"Strip," Hwang commanded after a few moments had passed.

Hiei flushed. Of course... He'd forgotten about that. The journey through the arches had to be made without provisions or protection. He unbuckled his belts and toed his boots, stepping out of them. Off came his shirt, breeches, bandana, undergarments; all folded neatly into a pile he set on the floor.

Hwang turned and walked toward the arch on the left. Hiei followed, strangely not at all embarrassed about being the only one without clothing among a group of male and female demons.

Hwang stopped before the first arch. Hiei peeked around him to get a glimpse of it. It was just...an arch. He frowned, having no idea what they were going to do with the props. They want me to walk through those...? Just what did the Trial involve...? He didn't get a chance to wonder too long. Hwang caught his eye and stared at him.

"Hiei, son of Yukiei and Hina, heir to the Dragon Throne of Alaric, has come seeking Acceptance; to step through the Arches and face the test of will, the dangers of the Trial; to become a Child of the Eye; to join the Hand, at the consent of the High Seat. Are there any who would object?" No one spoke. Hiei gathered that the question was merely a formality, as Eiyo had said. "Hiei," Hwang continued, "it's not too late to turn back. You may leave now and spare yourself the Trial. However, once you begin, you may not stop. Rather, you can, but doing so will result in expulsion from the Palace. We will not lie to you. What each encounters in the Arches is different, yet the danger is the same. Jaganshi have ventured in and never returned. It is your choice."

Hiei blinked. To turn back... That wasn't an option. They needed the Hand's acceptance, needed the Chosen to release them and let them be if they were going to find Jumon - and the only way to gain that right was to become Chosen himself. "I'll go on," he said. "I won't turn back."

"As you wish." Hwang stepped aside, allowing Hiei to approach the Arch. He could sense the power of the three Chosen sitting around them begin to blossom. "The first time is for what was," Hwang explained. "The way back will come but once. Be steadfast." He touched the small of Hiei's back, and Hiei took it as a signal to begin.

He stepped through the Arch, and the white light that flashed blinded him....

Hiei fell to his knees, panting in exhaustion. He was layered in a light sheen of sweat, and his tunic was nearly ruined. How many was that now...? He blinked. Tunic...?

"Hiei," a familiar voice chided, "you weren't much of a challenge today. I think spending all that time with Kurama has made you sluggish."

He looked up and across the chamber and gaped. "Mukuro?" But...how?

Mukuro chuckled and strode toward him. "I didn't hit your head that hard," she said wryly.

He looked from side to side. No mistake - they were the training grounds of Mukuro's palace. But how? "How did I get here?"

She laughed and offered him a hand up. "Don't pretend I gave you amnesia," she scolded playfully. "Come, child. After a long day of training, empty, rock-hard stomachs need to be filled."

He accepted the hand and followed her off the grounds, frowning as his stomach let out a low growl. He was hungry, he realized. As though he'd been trekking through the Demon World wilderness for days without proper supplies.

How had he been returned to Mukuro's realms? Hadn't he been...somewhere else? What's going on...?

They made their way through the familiar halls of Mukuro's manor, keeping on until they reached the kitchen. There was a feast awaiting them, the table littered with soups, salads, and various kinds of meat.

"Kiena has outdone himself once again," Mukuro remarked. "I don't know about you, Hiei, but I won't be able to finish even a quarter of this."

Hiei didn't answer. He seated himself at the other end of the table and stared at the steaming plate before him. The scent was almost enough to make his mouth water, but he didn't touch anything. Was this...was any of this...real?

Mukuro had begun her meal already. "Child," she said around her spoon, "I think today was a good example of how your abilities have diminished."

"Diminished?" Hiei frowned. What was she talking about?

"You're getting rusty," she told him. "It's as though your duties here have taken a...how do the humans say...'back seat' to your life in Ningenkai."

Hiei took his fork and fiddled with the food on his plate, just to have something to divert his gaze from that piercing stare. "I'm the same as I've always been," he replied.

"Are you really?" she asked him. "You haven't been putting much effort into your fighting. If I'd had the desire, I could have gotten rid of you."

He shrugged, not really having an answer to that. "My life doesn't revolve around fighting any longer," he muttered.

"It doesn't?" Mukuro mused. "What if I need you in battle? What will you do then? Your job is to be at my side off and on the battlefield, not to loaf around and eat me out of house and home."

"I can still fight," he clarified, "I just don't have to win my right to live every day anymore."

She sipped her wine. "I know exactly what it is. It's that damn fox-human of yours."

Hiei gave her a mild glare. "Watch what you call him."

"Don't try and tell me what to do." She lowered her goblet and stared hard at him. "But it's him, isn't it? You don't care about me or your obligations to my kingdom, do you?" Hiei's eyes widened as she stood up and slammed her hands on the table. "All you care about is that when I am gone, you will take my place. Do you think you're clever?" she added, her voice hardening with each word. "You think you can simply whittle your time away, flitting between lounging around here and screwing your little vixen in the Human World?"

Hiei started to rise. "Mukuro," he began heatedly, "I--"

"Do you think I'm simply going to sit around and hand my kingdom over to someone who won't ever be better than me? Do you think I'd let someone who didn't care about these realms have them?"

"Mukuro," he tried again, "I don't know what you're--"

"Do you think you're the first to try and put a knife through my ribs when I'm not looking? I have watched nearly three hundred centuries pass, slowly but surely working my way to where I am now." She seized her half-empty wine goblet and shattered it with a quick clenching of her fingers. "I have had many followers eventually reveal their true objective: to kill me and take my place. Many of these followers were much older and wiser than you. Did you really think I wouldn't be able to see through a child who has barely seen a quarter of a millennia go by? Do you think me a fool?"

Hiei opened his mouth, but this time, no sound came out. What the hell has gotten into her?!

"Though I'll admit I should have seen this coming sooner," she muttered angrily. "Ever since your visits to the Human World became more and more frequent, it's been this way. I didn't want to think... I didn't want to believe that you would..." She shook her head, looking a little...lost. "You...the best warrior I've ever had... The one I was actually considering to take my place when I step down... The one I thought to be a friend..." She picked up the wine pitcher and made to smash it against the table, but at the last second she changed her mind and hurled it at him.

Hiei gasped and leaned to the side, wincing as the fine crystal pitcher met its doom against the tiles of the dining room floor, and grateful the tiles had received it and not his head. That would have left a mark...

"Mukuro," he managed, "what is wrong with you?" Had he done something to upset her he wasn't aware of? Or was she ill? The sudden outburst of treachery just didn't make any sense. "Mukuro?" he asked again, remaining leaned over the edge of his chair, one hand resting on the ground to keep him from toppling over. He wasn't interested in becoming the target of any more flying glassware. "Mukuro?" Still no answer. He waited, not knowing if something was wrong or if she was just preparing to break a plate over his head - or worse, take aim with one of the knives.

Then he heard the faint moan. "Mukuro?" Deciding to take a chance of getting intimate with cutlery, he straightened himself and risked a glance at his friend. Mukuro was hunched over, one hand resting on her flat abdomen and the other supporting herself against the table. "Mukuro?" he ventured again, this time allowing some of his worry to show through his voice. "Are you all right?"

She was saying something...but it was too faint for him to hear. Cautiously, he leaned across the table, still wondering if she was simply waiting for him to get close enough so she could...

"...It burns...it burns... Gods, it burns so..."

Hiei blinked. "What's wrong?" He reached out and laid a hand on her arm.

"Away from me, traitor!" she roared, shaking him off and straightening once again. "What have you done to me?" she demanded, assuming a Cat Form stance.

"Done?" Hiei echoed in confusion. "I've done nothing, Mukuro. What's wrong?"

As quickly as she had prepared for battle, she jerked and fell forward again, tumbling onto the table and landing on several dishes of food that were soon scattered when she started twisting and turning.

"It burns!" she cried, clawing at the tablecloth. "It sears like Dragon Fire...! Who...?!"

Not who, Hiei corrected, more like what. He knocked over his chair as he ran around the table to reach the demon Lady. From what he could see, there was not a physical mark on her body, and from the symptoms he was seeing, it was possible a poison had been involved.

He seized her shoulders and tried to force her back against the table. She would not comply, however, and started bucking and struggling. "Unhand me!" The order came with a kick to the stomach he narrowly dodged. Her foot came in contact with his hip instead.

Hiei grit his teeth. Even poisoned, Mukuro was strong. "Lie still," he commanded urgently. If it was poison, who knew how it had been administered to her? Her thrashing may have been only accelerating the concoction's spread throughout her body. "It may be poison," he continued. Where to get help...? Moving her wouldn't be a good idea, but could he afford to leave her alone?

"Bastard," she hissed through clenched teeth. Hiei looked down at her with wide eyes. "Why couldn't you be man enough to strike me dead with your own hands? Why resort to low, dirty tricks such as this...?"

"I had nothing to do with this," he said forcefully. "Haven't I been with you all day?" Had he? "When - why - would I have done such a thing?"

"Who else would dare?" she retorted. "Who else could manage it? You are my heir. If something happens to me, you take the throne. What fool attempting to get the Dragon Throne would try to kill me and not y--" She cut off with a groan and arched, her arms gripping his wrists like he was a lifeline. "It's on f-fire...my e-entire lower body... Burns... Gods, it burns..."

"Don't move," he pleaded. "Just don't move." He looked frantically around the room for anyone who could help and cursed. There was no one else there. Not a single sentry or servant. He would have to leave her. If he didn't, she wouldn't get help in time. But what if the culprit was hiding somewhere close, waiting until he left so he could strike Mukuro when she was vulnerable? Gods, why was no one around? Even Kiena, the cook, was nowhere in sight...

Kiena... The cook.

His eyes fell on the meal that had been prepared for them. Perhaps Mukuro had been too angry to notice... Hiei hadn't touched his food or the wine...but Mukuro had...

"Kiena," he growled. Kiena had tried to kill both of them. "Mukuro, the food. The food and the wine. Kiena did this."

"Kiena?" Mukuro repeated. "But why? How?"

That was what Hiei wanted to know. He looked at the doors to the dining room, and then at Mukuro again. She tossed her head from side to side, obviously in excruciating pain. He bit his lip and leaned down, resting his cheek against hers.

"I'm going to get the healers," he told her. "Stay here and try not to move."

But when he stood and made to dash away, her fingers clawed at his breeches. "Hiei," she gasped, "I can't...I can't..."

"I'll be back," he promised, prying her hand off. "I swear it." He turned away from her, and then he saw it: the oval-shaped, white-gold hole in reality. A portal.

Hiei panicked, glancing from the glowing portal to Mukuro, who was writhing on the table. "Mukuro...!" He couldn't just leave her like that.

He had a chance to go back. There would only be one chance. Only one. He started toward the portal.

"Hiei..." Mukuro moaned. "Hiei...please..."

Maybe he still had time. He could turn back, rescue Mukuro and make sure she got proper medical care... The portal was closing.

He had to go. He couldn't let everyone down. He ran toward the light.

"...Hiei..."

"...don't leave me..."

He leapt through the portal.

Hiei hit the cold floor of the Trial chamber, but the pain of his knees hitting the stone tiles was distant, unimportant. He was panting, aware that he was sweating, head bowed, shoulders heaving as he gasped for breath.

He'd left her... Mukuro had been in danger and he'd abandoned her. And her harsh words before the poison had taken effect... The derogatory names she had called Kurama...

It couldn't have been real... Mukuro...Mukuro had never disliked Kurama. Mukuro would never have tried to stop him from being with his redheaded demi-human. She'd even insisted that he take time off to go and see the youko - as recently as the afternoon before the White Blindness began to spread. And not only that...but Mukuro was his friend.

"You've returned." Hwang sounded amazed.

Hiei looked up at the other Jaganshi. "Is it real?"

Hwang blinked and quickly averted his eyes. "Fool child... It is forbidden to speak of what happens in the Arches," he explained, offering Hiei a hand up.

He ignored the offer and stood on his own. "I didn't discuss what was going on," he hissed quietly, "I just asked if it was real."

Hwang took his arm and walked him slowly to the second Arch. "I suppose..." he began, "that it is up to each to decide for himself whether or not it is real." He gave Hiei a sidelong glance. "Myself, I do not believe it is real, but a parallel world of alternate possibilities."

Parallel...alternate possibilities... Was it real in some sense then? Mukuro, his friend, had forsaken him and fallen victim to a poison. Mukuro, whom he had to thank for his relationship with Kurama, had ordered him to stay away from the one he loved. Could...could it have really happened...?

Before he could give it much thought, Hwang stopped him in front of the second Arch. The other Jaganshi faced him, barring his way to the portal.

"Would you still like to go on?" he asked. "You can turn back now, but the price is to be cast out of the Palace. Nevertheless, the option to leave is open to you, should you desire to take it."

Mukuro... He'd left one of his only friends to die. The test would only get harder as he went on... Gods, what else awaited him in those wretched portals? But...he was the others' only hope...

"No," he said at last. "I go on."

Hwang nodded. "Very well. The second time if for what is." He stepped aside, granting passage to the Arch. "The way back will come but once. Be steadfast."

Hiei took a deep breath, and stepped through the portal, wincing as he was engulfed in the white light....

The house was dark; the blinds shut and the television off. Hiei frowned. He knew it was late, but usually Kurama stayed up later than this. I hope he isn't angry because I took longer to return than I thought I would... Return...? Return from where...?

"Kurama?" he called softly, hearing his voice echo through the house. "Kurama?"

He climbed the stairs to the second floor and made his way toward their room, his boots barely making a sound on the carpeted hall. He blinked when he noticed the faint light coming from under the door to their bedroom.

He crept up to the door and touched the knob. "Kurama?" he called again, hesitantly, suddenly not certain if he'd be welcome.

"In here, Quickfire," the youko replied. "Come in."

He did as the redhead asked, closing the door behind him. The scene before him was breathtaking. There were candles strewn about the room, filling it with a scent that was part vanilla, part strawberry. The bed was turned down, revealing a set of silken, scarlet sheets, with a matching pillowcase. Hiei blinked. They hadn't owned a set of red sheets before he'd left....

"Welcome home, Hiei."

Kurama smiled at him from his place by the windowsill. The youko was...even more beautiful than usual, clad in a pair of emerald green silk pajamas. His hair looked like it had been freshly washed and dried, flowing past his shoulders in rich, red waves...and even in the low-lit candlelight, he could see the youko's green eyes glimmer.

"Greeneyes," Hiei managed to utter, "what's the occasion?"

Kurama grinned and started walking toward him. "You're home, of course," he replied, reaching out to tug at Hiei's scarf.

Hiei cocked his head, but didn't protest as Kurama removed his white scarf and slowly slid his cloak off his shoulders. "But I've left and returned from Makai before. Why's it different this time?"

"I got a raise," Kurama admitted. "I wanted to surprise you," he continued, leaning down for a quick kiss. "And show you my new pajamas," he added. "Like them?"

Hiei felt his lips quirk into a smile. "Very much," he replied, running a finger down one sleeve. So smooth...

"I bought a pair for you, too," Kurama continued, letting Hiei's cloak fall to the floor and moving his fingers to roll folds of his black tank top between them. "Red, to match your eyes. But I don't want you to try them on yet." He leaned close to whisper in Hiei's ear, and took a firm hold on the fabric of his top. "Right now, I'm more interested in taking your clothes off."

The youko tore Hiei's shirt from his chest, tossing the shredded fabric aside and pulling Hiei's against him, caressing his skin. Hiei sighed contentedly as the redhead's lips ghosted over his face before latching on to his own. He pressed himself closer to Kurama and rubbed himself against the cool pajamas.

Coming home was wonderful, he mused, surrendering himself to Kurama's possessive embrace. He loved returning from his visits with Mukuro to once again be with his beloved youko. He trained hard with Alaric's ruler - both physically and mentally - to prepare to be her successor, and was forced to be in constant control of himself and his surroundings. It involved a lot of responsibility, and was often stressful. But Kurama...the youko would relieve him of all accountability the first night of his return. He could forget about everything - just abandon all rational thought in Kurama's embrace and let the redhead take care of it all.

"What a day it's been," Kurama chuckled, releasing Hiei's mouth. "I got a raise, you came home, our anniversary is coming up soon, too... We've a lot to celebrate, Firefly."

"Mm..." Hiei smiled as Kurama's index finger hooked his belt and tugged him forward to follow the youko's steps back to the bed.

"Inari, I missed you," Kurama panted, shoving Hiei onto the mattress. "I wish we never had to be apart for so long," he added, leaning down for another kiss, one hand fumbling with the belt buckles as he balanced himself on one elbow.

Hiei kissed back enthusiastically, fingers working deftly at unbuttoning the pajama top. He really did like the smooth fabric, but at the moment he was more interested in Kurama's bare skin.

The green shirt opened and Hiei palmed Kurama's torso before sliding his hands under the silk and around his back. He pulled the youko closer so he could lip the soft skin of his chest, parting his legs so Kurama could settle between them. Kurama made a pleased noise and scooted down to engage him in another kiss. The belts Kurama had been fiddling with gave way and Hiei lifted his hips so the youko could slide his pants off.

Hiei moaned against his lover's mouth when Kurama's hand reached between his thighs to caress him...and then a bubble of euphoria popped. Didn't he...have something to do...? Something...something else...?

"Kurama?" he asked softly, fingers tangling in the red strands of his beloved's hair as the youko left his mouth to move down his throat. "Are you...really here?" Was this real...? Wasn't there another reason for his being here...?

The youko chuckled against Hiei's skin. "Of course I'm here, Firefly. Where else would I be?"

"But...how?" His question was forgotten when Kurama's mouth started working thrilling magic on his nipples. He arched into the caress, fingernails scratching down the youko's back.

Kurama sat back to straddle Hiei's hips, wiggling out of his pajama top before returning to his explorations of Hiei's skin, as though re-acquainting himself with territory he hadn't ventured in for a long time. Hiei frowned even in the midst of the passion, still having that nagging feeling that there was something he was supposed to be doing...

Kurama had shed his silk pants in favor of rubbing their naked bodies together. "You don't have to return soon, do you?" he asked, tongue running along the ridges and whorls of Hiei's left ear.

"I...don't know," Hiei admitted. He had somewhere else to be...he knew he did...but...

Kurama grabbed the end of the scarlet sheet and rolled them over, wrapping them in a cocoon of red silk. "I hope you don't," he replied. "I don't have to work tomorrow...we've got all night, Firefly... All night to play, rest, and then play some more..."

"Mmm..." All night...it was tempting, but...didn't he have something else to do? Why couldn't he shake that feeling...?

"All night..." Kurama repeated, bending his head to feast on Hiei's neck. "I love you..."

He pressed himself closer to the redhead. He loved Kurama... Kurama loved him... What else did he need?

"All night," Kurama said again, facing him with a smile. "I'll be able to look into your ruby orbs all night..." he drawled before sliding down Hiei's body to play with his nipples again.

Orbs...? Why did that sound so familiar...? Orbs...orbs... He gasped. The Orb...the Trial...he was in the Trial.

Kurama chuckled and moved lower on his body, probably figuring Hiei's exclamation had been one of pleasure.

The Trial...the Hand... Where was the portal...? He had to go back... He had to go back to the Palace... He groaned when Kurama's tongue started playing between his thighs. He...he had to go back...but it was so good...

Something was shining in from under the door. Hiei lifted his head a little to see it better. It was white... A white-gold light that contrasted with the light emitted by the scented candles. The portal...it was in the bathroom.

"Kurama," he moaned, "stop..." It would have helped if he'd just moved away from the youko's mouth...but... "Kurama, I have to go..."

"Go?" Kurama echoed, flicking his tongue over Hiei's head. "Don't be silly - you've only just arrived." He chuckled and went down on him again.

"No, I--ahh..." He let his head fall back on the silken pillow, unconsciously starting to rock his hips up into Kurama's mouth... His hot...moist...mouth...

The Trial. The portal. He had to...

"Kurama," he tried again, struggling against the encirclement of red sheets that were still more or less wound around them. "Stop it. I have to leave."

"But why?" the youko demanded, sitting up almost angrily. The scarlet sheets fell from around them. "You just got here. Why do you have to leave so soon?" He glared. "Is it because she only lets you have a few minutes to be with me? Does she think all I need from you is a quick screw? Is that it? Does she think our relationship is only about sex? Does she think she needs you more than I do? Why does she do this? Why does she always have to take you from me?" The last sentence was nearly a shout.

She? ...Mukuro? "No, Greeneyes, it's not Mukuro..." He didn't have time to explain.

He regretfully pushed the youko away and rolled off the bed. "Fox, I'm sorry. I have to leave."

"If it's not Mukuro, then who is it?" Kurama demanded, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Who's more important to you than me?"

Hiei's eyes widened in shock. What had gotten into Kurama? "No one else, Greeneyes. You know that. Don't be ridiculous."

"Then stay," Kurama commanded, locking his arms around Hiei's waist and tugging him roughly forward to press against him. "Stay with me. Forget about whatever else is it that you have to do," he coaxed, every word bringing his mouth closer to Hiei's until their lips were nearly touching...

"N-no," Hiei gasped, wrenching away from his lover. "Kurama, I'm sorry - please don't be angry with me." He bit his lip and started to turn away.

"Hiei," Kurama pleaded, looking hurt. "...Do you hate me?"

"I..." I don't hate you... I could never hate you... I love you... "I..."

He bit his lip harder. "I'm sorry, Kurama." Then he turned and ran.

"Hiei...please don't go..."

The sadness in the youko's voice... Hiei wanted nothing more than to turn back and take the redhead in his arms... To comfort him and make love to him...

He kept on, closing the bedroom door and crossing the hall to the bathroom. He didn't look back as he stepped through the portal...but he could have sworn he heard faint sobbing coming from the room he'd left...

...But before he could register what that might have meant, the white light took him away...

He wasn't injured, but he fell to his knees anyway, his legs refusing to support him. He'd left Kurama... He'd left his redheaded youko... It hurt. It hurt more than anything he'd ever felt...

Kurama...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry... He curled in on himself, wrapping his arms around his middle. Please don't hate me...

He heard footsteps approaching. They halted in front of him. "You've returned safely," Hwang declared softly.

I was never in any danger, Hiei retorted mentally. No... He hadn't been in danger... He'd been safe - as safe as he could have ever been... He could have stayed...stayed in Kurama's arms forever... But instead he'd hurt his youko. He'd hurt Kurama and left him...

But Hwang said it wasn't real, a little voice reminded him. Kurama isn't like that - overly dramatic or emotional. He knows Mukuro needs you, too.

Had it been real? Had it all been simply events happening in a parallel world? ...It didn't matter. In this world or another, Kurama was his...and he'd hurt the one person he'd sworn he would never harm. He shivered at the thought.

"Come," Hwang said, tugging gently on his arm. "It is nearly over."

Hiei let himself be pulled to his feet and escorted across the chamber to the third Arch. What else awaited him in there...? Who else would he abandon...?

"Would you still like to continue?" Hwang asked him. "You may turn back and be put out of the Palace, or you may complete the Trial. The choice is yours."

The White Sphere...the blindness... Yusuke and the others were counting on him... Yukina... Mukuro's writhing body... The wounded look in Kurama's eyes...

"I'll complete the Trial," he said. "I'll go on."

"As you wish," Hwang replied, standing aside. "The third time is for what will be. The way back will come but once. Be steadfast."

Hiei stepped through the portal slower than he had the others, but he stepped through nonetheless.

The sun's rays were warm on his skin, and the scent of roses filled his nostrils. He stirred a bit, smiling happily when he noticed a pair of hands caressing him. One was playing with his hair and the other was petting him like he was a cat, starting at his shoulder, sliding down to his elbow, and continuing along his side and down his thigh. Over...and over...

"Are you awake, Precious?" a familiar voice asked.

Hiei opened his eyes. He was on his side, lying in a very comfortable lap. He looked up and blinked, realizing Kurama was holding him. But Kurama was not the beautiful human any longer. Instead, Hiei was looking at the golden-eyed, silver-haired demonic aspect of his lover.

"Did you have a nice nap, Firefly?" the youko asked with a smile.

Hiei shifted his gaze to look around them. Kurama was sitting with his back resting against the trunk of a large oak tree. They were lounging in what appeared to be a large rose garden.

"Where are we?" he asked.

The silver-haired demon chuckled. "Where you fell asleep, silly - in the gardens."

"I can see that," Hiei replied, shifting so that he was lying facing up. "But what gardens? Where are we?"

Kurama laughed, his head dropping forward and shoulders shaking. "What's wrong, Quickfire? What game are you playing at, hm?"

"Where are we, Kurama? Really, where?" It felt like somewhere in Makai, but...

Kurama chuckled again, raking his fingers from one hand through Hiei's hair and rubbing circles on his stomach with the other hand. "All right, I'll play your game if that's what you want." He smiled ruefully. "I never could deny you anything. We're home in Solaria."

"Where?" Hiei asked, blinking in confusion. He'd never heard of such a place.

"Solaria," Kurama repeated. "Our empire in Makai."

"Empire...?"

The youko grinned. "I don't really see why you want to play this sort of game, Baby, but you seem to be enjoying it. Solaria was once Gandara and Alaric. When Yomi and Mukuro--"

"Wait, wait," Hiei interrupted. "When did we come to Makai?"

"Are you testing my memory, Firefly?" Kurama mused. "Is there something important I've forgotten?"

Who knows? Hiei thought. This hasn't happened yet. He took Kurama's hand from his stomach and entwined their fingers together. "Please, Silvertail? When?"

Kurama smiled fondly. "We remained in Ningenkai until the death of Shiori - you never could deny me anything either," he added with a grin. "Then we crossed over. Mukuro and Yomi stepped down some time later and gave their thrones to us. We simply joined the realms together and combined them. You let me pick the name."

Obviously... "We rule Makai?"

"Most of it," Kurama replied. "Except Raizen's territory. Though we may get some claim to the Tiger Throne when our son marries the daughter of the Royal House."

"Son?" Hiei echoed. "We have a son?"

"We have three children," Kurama explained, giving Hiei's hand a squeeze. "Adopted, from the realms of the east. Enjeru is the eldest. She looks very much like you - sometimes I think you snuck out of play when my back was turned," he added.

Hiei tensed and started to sit up. "I would never--"

"Ryu is the second. Quite a gentleman - he obviously takes after me," Kurama laughed, easing Hiei down again. "Both like to study and learn. Our youngest, Hime, is quite a little rascal. She enjoys studying, but also enjoys fighting and playing practical jokes. If I didn't already have it, I'd say she was giving me gray hair."

Children... Hiei shook his head in wonderment. Children.

"How'd I do, Quickfire?" Kurama asked, leaning down. "Did I play your game well enough?"

"Yes," Hiei managed to say. "You were perfect."

"How about a reward for doing so well?" the youko asked slyly, sliding a hand under Hiei's head to prop him up.

Hiei chuckled. Kurama hadn't changed much, he mused, granting the youko a kiss. His lover was a beautiful demon. He rarely got to see Kurama's demonic aspect - and now he'd discovered that he possibly wouldn't have to wait as long as he'd thought to return to the Demon World with Kurama.

The kiss hadn't stopped with the one brush of lips, and it wasn't long before Hiei was straddling Kurama's hips, his arms locked around the youko's neck, with Kurama's hands sliding back and forth across the sides of his thighs.

Children... Three of them. Three children, a grand castle, a kingdom... Was this what awaited them in the future? The future...future... "What will be"... What will be? The Trial!

He pushed away from Kurama. "I have to go!" he cried, beginning to untangle himself from the youko, already thinking of possible places for a portal to hide.

"What?" Kurama took Hiei's shoulders and looked into his eyes. "What do you mean, go? To Raizen's territory? Firefly, Yusuke isn't expecting us until sometime next month. We don't have to go anywhere."

"No, no - I still have to go." The portal...where was the portal? Somewhere in the gardens, maybe?

Kurama tightened his grip and gave him a little shake. "Hiei, calm down. What's the matter? Tell me what's wrong and I'll help make it better."

"You don't understand," he said curtly, "I have to go." He pushed away from the youko and stood.

"To Toranin?" Kurama asked incredulously. "Without even an escort? Dragon, you should at least take an escort. You'll insult Yusuke."

"No. I have to leave. Now." He bent to brush his lips across Kurama's. "I'm sorry." Then he turned and ran.

"Hiei!" he heard the other demon cry. "Wait a moment!"

He kept running, dashing away from the trees they had been sitting amongst and into the gardens. They consisted of many different kinds of exotic plant life - to be expected, of course, with Kurama as one of the owners of the castle - as well as hedges of roses. High hedges, at that. The place was like a maze.

He ran, not wanting to go too fast lest he accidentally miss the portal in his haste to cover more ground. He weaved his way through the hedges, not having a clue which way he was going and knowing only that if he didn't find the portal he would be trapped in this parallel world forever. And while he couldn't say it was a bad place to be...it wasn't real. Rather, it probably was, but it was not his present reality. That Kurama was still his Kurama, but not the Kurama that needed him to return to the Crystal Palace.

"I am being steadfast," he snapped. "I just can't find the damn thing."

He rounded another corner and came face to solar plexus with the silver-haired youko he'd just left by the trees. How the hell did he do that? he wondered as they stumbled a little from the impact.

The large yet gentle hands wrapped around him before he could dart away. "Hiei, why are you running?" Kurama sounded worried, and confused.

"I need to leave," Hiei repeated, pushing at the youko's chest to no avail. "Let me go."

But the other demon wouldn't relinquish his hold. Instead, he pulled Hiei closer, nestling his face against the small expanse of exposed skin between the folds of his tunic. "Go where? Firefly, this isn't about visiting Yusuke. Please tell me what's wrong. We're not supposed to keep things from each other."

Let me go... Hiei pleaded. The less he saw of Kurama, the better. The youko had an effect on him like no other. And as he had thought before: in this realm, or another, Kurama was still his.

He pressed his lips to Kurama's chest, but didn't kiss it. He just needed the contact.

"Forgive me, Kurama," he murmured, and then wrapped himself in an aura of fire, just hot enough to burn.

"Hiei!" Kurama cried, pushing back as the flames threatened to ignite his tunic. "What has gotten into you?!"

Hiei ignored the outburst and ran around him, continuing his round of the gardens looking for the portal. Where was it? Where could it be? Where--?

"Hiei! Come back!"

Around one corner, and around another. Where is it?!

"Hiei, please! Talk to me! Tell me what's wrong!"

Thankfully, Kurama hadn't tried to use his powers yet. Hiei didn't think he had time to battle with any of his lover's plants. Where the hell is it?!

"Hiei!"

There! He paused a moment to catch his breath, relieved to see the portal in a far corner. He started forward again, and grunted when a heavy body tackled him. Kurama?!

They tumbled onto the grass and struggled for a moment, but Kurama had taken him by surprise, and so it wasn't long before the youko ended up dominant, holding Hiei down on his stomach. No, no, no... He raised his head to look at the portal. It was still open...but for how long?

"Hiei," Kurama began crossly, rolling him over so they could see each other's faces, "what in the Nine Hells has gotten into you? What is wrong with you?"

Hiei bucked once, testing the youko's weight. Yes, he could throw the other demon off if need be. "Release me," he commanded.

"No," Kurama replied, pressing down hard to make himself heavier. "Not until you tell me what's wrong."

"I can't do that," Hiei snapped, his voice sounding harsher than he'd planned. "I'm leaving. Let me go."

The youko shook his head, his hands loosening their hold on Hiei's shoulders. "Have I done something to displease you? Hiei, I can't fix it if you don't tell me what I've done wrong."

Hiei rolled his head back to see the portal. It was starting to close. No! "Let go!" he shouted.

"Baby," Kurama was starting to sound hurt, "please, at least tell me what I've done wrong, so I can make it right." He started leaning down, eyelids sliding shut. "I love you..."

He didn't have much time. The portal was closing. Kurama was leaning in for a kiss, and eyes were closed. Kurama had said he loved him...but the portal was still closing... So Hiei did the only thing he could think of.

He curled his fingers into a fist and punched the youko, right-hooking the other demon as hard as he could. He winced at Kurama's startled outcry as the youko fell to the side, but didn't take any time checking to see if he was all right. He rolled to his feet and dashed toward the portal.

I'm sorry... he Called without looking over his shoulder, not knowing if mind-speech existed in this parallel world and not caring if it didn't. The portal was closing. He ran faster.

"Hiei!" Kurama called. "Come back! Please!"

Mukuro's body...twisting in agony...

The way Kurama had looked at him...

He and Kurama had children...an empire...

White light became everything....

He fell through the Arch, hitting the ground hard on his knees. He was back. He'd made it. He'd passed the Trial...but at what price? Mukuro had died because of him; Kurama had been abandoned... Kurama had probably thought himself imperfect somehow... Had hated himself for not being good enough... Parallel world or no...he had still... He had... He...

"You've returned to us," Hwang stated quietly.

"Fuck you," Hiei spat. "All of you. You can all rot in Hell!"

Hwang sighed softly. "That, little one, is what most say when they return from the Arches." He moved aside to reveal the High Lady Eiyo. She was wearing a robe now, emerald green trimmed in gold, and was holding a chalice.

"You have returned," she declared, stepping forward. "The Arches Accepted you and gave you back to us. You have drawn away from the Three Worlds and have been given the blessing of the Fifth." She tipped the chalice and let the water splash down on him. "You are washed clean of all accountability for any and all harsh actions against the ones you cared about. Whatever evil you have done while in the Trial has been burned away. It never happened." She held the chalice to one side for Hwang to relieve her of it, and then knelt before him. He still had to look up at her, but not as high. She reached into her robe and pulled out a round white crystal that she wore around her neck. She touched it to her lips and then his. "You have been Accepted. Now you are a Chosen, a Brother of the Hand." She kissed him on one cheek and then the other. "You are bound to us now."

Hiei shivered, and it had nothing to do with the cold water.

It was a spacious room, Kurama decided. Definitely spacious. Much like the suites of the guest chambers. The main room was carpeted in plain dark green, but the table, chairs, closet and bed were made of the finest wood, making the green look incredible against the brown. The bed was more than large enough for two people, and the covers were also green, but embroidered with lovely golden designs. The sheets were silken, too, he'd discovered when he had been exploring. And the closet was full of elegant, and no doubt expensive, clothing. The adjoining room was the bathing area, just as it had been in the guest rooms. It was tiled and had towels, robes, and soap. And an in-ground tub, on top of that.

Kurama would have been able to appreciate it all more, if he hadn't been ready to chew off his nails. Hiei had been gone for nearly four hours. Why couldn't he have at least been allowed to stay in the same room as his lover? Or even just outside? He couldn't bear not knowing what was wrong. He couldn't sense Hiei at all.

The door opened, and Kurama bounced from the bed to his feet. "Hi--" He stopped short when he realized it was Sayra poking her head into the room.

"I just wanted to make sure you were decent, Sir Kurama," she explained, and pushed the door all the way open. She stepped aside to hold it open.

Hiei walked in behind her. Kurama's breath caught in his throat. Hiei was all right. He was back. And then Kurama blinked, eyeing his lover's attire. The black silk pants were rather like his usual pair, but the dark green shirt was not something normally found in Hiei's wardrobe.

When Hiei was in the room, he looked at Kurama with an unreadable expression. Kurama said nothing. He didn't want Sayra listening to any words that passed between them. He raised an eyebrow at the servant, who remained by the door. Why was she still there?

Hiei's eyes flickered towards the girl. "Go," he said softly, and to Kurama's surprise, Sayra bowed and almost tripped over her own feet in her haste to leave the room, shutting the door behind her.

Kurama regarded his beloved with concern. "Hiei...?" Hiei bit his lip and averted his eyes. Kurama frowned and started forward, moving past Hiei to make certain the door was locked. He wanted to hear every bit of what had happened during the so-called "Trial".

He suddenly found himself pressed to the wall. He looked down, astonished, at Hiei, whose red gaze was burning into his own. He tried shifting a little, but the Jaganshi wouldn't let him move an inch. "Hiei...what...?"

"I'd never leave you," he declared, pressing closer. "Never. You know that, don't you?" His voice cracked a little at the last words.

Kurama blinked. "Baby, of course I--"

"I won't ever leave you," Hiei continued, resting his forehead on Kurama's chest. "Ever...no matter what happens. And I won't let anyone hurt you and get away with it." He looked up and glared. "If anyone poisoned you I'd slice them to ribbons. If anyone hurt you I'd cut his heart out and feed it to him. If anyone--"

Kurama put a hand over his mouth to stop the flow on nonsense. "Firefly, what's gotten into you? I know you're not going anywhere. I know." He took Hiei in his arms and held him close. "And I'm not going anywhere either. I'll always be here. Neither of us is leaving the other."

"Prove it," Hiei demanded. But it wasn't the order that made Kurama do what he did next. It was the whispered, almost desperate "Please, Kurama?" that followed.

So he bent his head and kissed his ruby-eyed shadow - as deeply as he was able to. Hiei kissed back, urgently, like he was afraid Kurama would disappear if he let him go for too long. Their tongues brushed against each other, venturing as far into the other's mouth as they could go, sliding along the teeth and gums. Hiei pulled him closer, as though the Jaganshi was trying to pull Kurama into him. Kurama pressed himself as close as he could to his lover, his hands sliding up and down the other demon's back, until one came to rest in the middle of Hiei's back and the other below his waist, fingers splayed over his bottom. But apparently it still wasn't enough. Hiei pushed forward still, and pulled at Kurama again, even though they couldn't possibly get any closer than they were at the moment. Still, Kurama let him do it, pulling on Hiei, too, and trying to deepen the kiss even further. They parted only when in need of fresh air, and even then they merely disengaged the corners of their mouths for a brief second. Hiei seemed so insecure, so in need...Kurama could have kissed him all night.

So he did.