FINDING MY WAY HOME

Okay guys, I need ideas for when Kurama meets Makuro. I think he should get his first taste of jealousy. That should confuse him since he’s not even sure how he feels about Hiei. I better get inspired soon, because I only have enough written for about one more chapter. Kurama’s going to be out of character for a while longer, but he’ll be back to his bad ass self by the end.

Alright, I posted this as a review to my story, but I promised PhoenixDiamond I’d put it here too in case anyone missed it. When I said that I got a couple of critiques on my writing, that didn't mean I took them as flames. For those of you who might have lashed out at PhoenixDiamond (or are considering it), please don't. The critique was honest and well intended and she was brave enough to sign her review. Most people (like the other one) are usually too cowardly to sign something they know might be received as a negative review or flame. Please, though I appreciate the support, just enjoy the stories the way they were intended, and let the rest go.

The reviews for this have been great, and I thank you all for that. Please keep them coming because they feed my addiction. Enjoy.

CHAPTER 4

Three nights later, I still haven’t slept. Lack of sleep is obviously beginning to take it’s toll, because when Hiei took me to see Shiori this after noon he insisted we walk for fear I’d fall asleep and fall off the back of the motorcycle. Shiori also noticed, because she fussed like a mother hen about how awful I looked. When Hiei told her why I wasn’t sleeping, she nodded knowingly and reaffirmed what he had told me about why I needed him to sleep.

It’s the middle of the night now and I’m sitting in the rooftop garden. I was thrilled when Hiei showed it to me. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, it’s very soothing. Hiei said it’s because of my connection to the plants. He showed me how to share my ki with them and make them sing for me. It’s just amazing to hear their energy like my own personal choir. It’s also frustrating. They lull me to the verge of sleep, yet I can’t sleep. I’m hoping tonight will be different. “Kurama, I think you’ve had enough. Shiori’s right, you’re going to make yourself sick.”

As usual, I didn’t even hear him approach. Something about his words makes me nervous this time. “I’ll be fine Hiei. I think I’m going to try to sleep here. The plants feel good, they should eventually sing me to sleep.”

The only hint I have that Hiei isn’t happy with that response is a brief flash of fire in his eyes before he swoops down, lifts me up and tosses me over his shoulder. “HIEI! What are you doing?”

I can feel the rumble of his growl where my thighs rest against his chest as he stalks into the apartment and slams the door. “Stupid Fox! I’ve had enough of this nonsense!”

Feeling more than a bit silly, I kick my legs and pound him on the back. “Hiei! Put me down this instant!”

Hiei doesn’t say a word as he kicks the bedroom door shut and sets the alarm. Suddenly I find myself dumped on the bed. Before he can move, I scramble off the other side of the bed. Hiei catches me easily and tears off my shirt. This time when he pushes me back on the bed I’m frozen as he strips off his own shirt and pants. Seeing him in just his boxers makes me move again. Hiei grabs my ankle and, despite my hands slapping at his, he strips off my pants. “Get under the covers Kurama!”

When he goes to turn the lights out I try again to get away. Even in the dark Hiei finds me without any trouble. Holding me around the waist with one arm, he tosses the covers back with the other. This time when he dumps me on the bed he’s quick to follow. No matter how hard I struggle, Hiei manages to pin me beneath him on the bed with my arms by my head. “Kurama enough! I know you’re not really frightened or your plants would be going nuts. Look at them, they’ve barely twitched.”

Breathing a little hard, I turn to see the plants swaying slightly in the pale moonlight. With a resigned sigh I look back at him. “What are you going to do?”

Hiei looks at me, really looks at me. Slowly, he takes in my eyes, my lips and my neck before returning to my eyes. “Something I should have done three days ago.”

I don’t even get a chance to gasp as Hiei’s lips descend on mine. I’m not sure why, but I don’t even try to turn away. When I don’t resist, his lips settle more firmly against mine. Without even realizing it, I begin to kiss him back. Damn he feels good. All too soon, Hiei pulls away. When I look up at him, I find my arms wrapped around him.

I’m surprised with my own disappointment when Hiei rolls to my side, but he does pull me with him. “Put your head on my shoulder and relax Kurama. Everything will by fine once you’ve had some sleep.”

Even if I had I choice, I realize I don’t want one. Doing as Hiei says, I snuggle into him. Dear god I don’t think I’ve ever felt so good. My eyes are already closed as Hiei whispers “Good night my fox”. I don’t know if I ever responded.

XXXXX

Laying against Hiei’s shoulder in the early morning light, I still can’t believe that the only way I can sleep is in his arms. A week has passed since I lost my memory and it only took three sleepless nights to realize just how right Hiei had been. Each night when I give in and snuggle against him, I’m asleep within minutes. This demon thing isn’t going to be an easy adjustment.

I don’t bother to pretend to be sleep, Hiei seems to always know when I waken. “Good morning Hiei.”

His strong fingers rub my back lazily. “Hn. Sleep well?”

I can’t hide the defeat in my sigh. “You know I did. Hiei, are we always together? What happens if we ever have to be separated, or if something were to happen to you? Would I ever sleep again?”

Though he doen’t stop rubbing my back, he manages to pull me closer, almost protectively. “There are rare occasions when I have to go to Makai and you don’t go with me. You’ve told me you don’t sleep at all the first night we are apart. If it’s longer than that you do eventually sleep, but not well. I suppose with enough time you would adjust and return to a more normal sleep routine. Luckily, we’ve never had to test that theory for more than a few nights.”

I nod against hi shoulder. “So our close proximity and my ability to sense you is what made it impossible for me to sleep even after three nights?”

Hiei seemed to ponder his response before he spoke. “Yes. We don’t have to be in close proximity though. As demons, especially mated demons, we can sense each other even if we’re miles apart. You can usually sense my return by the time I hit the edge of the city.”

Tilting my head, I look up at him. “Hiei, what aren’t you telling me?”

Hiei grunted. “Hn. You’re becoming more perceptive. If you must know, you don’t need to be in my arms to sleep. Simply holding hands would have sufficed.”

Outraged, I tried to pull from his embrace, but he held tight. “You’re telling me you let me suffer for three days with no sleep just so you could get in bed with me! You bastard!”

Still holding me, Hiei chuckled. “You might as well learn now that I would resort to any means necessary to keep you right here in my arms where you belong.”

The man deceived me and even laughed at me, yet the sentiment behind his action was rather sweet. Damn him. Why can’t I ever stay mad at him? “You’re still a bastard. Can you let me go now? I’m going to go take a shower.”

He started to release me, then pulled me back for a quick kiss. “Wake me when you’re done. Oh, and call Shiori. Tell her we’re stopping for breakfast on the way to the temple.”

Finally releasing me, Hiei rolls over and pulls the sheet over his head. As I sit up and reach for the phone I can’t help but shake my head. What kind of man have I married that he can invite himself to his mother-in-law’s for breakfast without a second thought. When Shiori answers the phone, I can’t help but smile. The obvious love in her voice for a son that doesn’t even remember her just amazes me. “Hello Shiori. Hiei asked me to give you a call. He says to let you know we’ll be stopping at your house this morning on our way to the temple.”

This woman must know Hiei very well because I didn’t need to say a word and we were invited for breakfast. “Yes, thank you. Breakfast would be wonderful. We’ll see you soon.”

I go take my shower without looking back at Hiei. When I come out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around my waist, Hiei is standing in the closet fully dressed. He’s looking at my clothes like they’re something alien. After a minute he finally reaches for a blue and gray tunic. “What pants go with this Fox?”

Moving closer, I sift through the pants until I find a gray pair that matches the tunic. “Are you picking my clothes now Hiei? At least this is better than the outfit you picked that first day.”

Hiei nodded his approval. “This is what you like to wear when we go to Makai. You usually wear a long sleeved shirt under it though.”

Nervous at the prospect of going to the demon world for the first time, it takes me a minute to notice Hiei’s confused expression as he tries to find a matching shirt. Reaching past him I grab a knit shirt that looks like it goes with the outfit. “Why do I dress like this to go to Makai?”

Shoving the outfit at me, Hiei reaches for a pair of slip on shoes. “You say they are easier to fi… move in.”

Hiei’s quick to exit the closet, but I’m right behind him. “You weren’t going to say move Hiei. You were going to say fight, weren’t you?”

Setting the shoes on a chair, Hiei opens drawers and pulls out socks and boxers. “Since you won’t be doing any fighting, it’s a moot question. Now, I’ve picked out all of your clothes, am I going to have to dress you too Fox?”

My eyes widen before I snatch the socks and boxers from him and head to the bathroom. Dressing quickly, I try not to imagine what new unknowns await me in Makai. Fully dressed, I head back to the bedroom, but find it empty. Grabbing the shoes Hiei picked, I find him waiting in the living room. At the door, I drop the shoes and step into them as Hiei sits to put on his boots.

Finished with his boots, I watch as Hiei goes to the coat closet. Though he’s dressed in his usual black, today he pulls out a long black coat and slips it on. When he closes the closet and turns to me, there is something in his hand and I take a step back. “What the hell is that?”

Rolling his eyes, Hiei holds his hand out. “It’s my katana. I only carry it here when there’s trouble. I don’t move without it in Makai.”

Slowly he draws a long blade from it’s sheath. Faster than I can see, the blade slices through the air several times before being returned to it’s sheath. Reaching behind him, Hiei attaches it somewhere, but when he turns away, I can’t see where. A moment later when Hiei hands me my phone, I frown. “We get cell service in Makai?”

Hiei gives me an amused grunt. “Hn. Of course we do. You invented the technology when you were a teen so Shiori could always reach you. After the unification, you sold your invention for billions. As if you weren’t rich enough as Makai’s greatest thief, you’re filthy rich as a human too.”

Wow, it feels weird to be impressed with myself. “Guess that answers the question of how we can afford this penthouse. Speaking of which, Hiei when are you going to let me drive that gorgeous Z car of mine?”

I wait as Hiei stares at me for over a minute. Suddenly he shrugs and tosses me the keys. “Might as well see what you can do. Don’t get us killed.”

Excited, I wait for Hiei to push the alarm code, then I lock the apartment. As soon as we were in the garage, I push unlock on the clicker and grin as the lights flash on my sexy sports car. A second later my grin fades. “Hiei, there’s no car key.”

Shaking his head, Hiei opened his door. “Just get in and push the button.”

Sure enough the moment I sit in the car and look at the dash I see it has a push button ignition. Stepping on the brake and pushing the button, the car roars to life. Grinning like a kid again, I rev the engine. “Damn Hiei, Tenshi sounds like she’s ready.”

I chuckle when Hiei rolls his eyes. “I still don’t understand your penchant for talking about your car like it’s a living creature, and a damn female at that.”

Shifting into reverse, I pull out of the parking spot. “It’s because she is a beautiful creature Hiei. Didn’t you see the emblem on the back. She is a Fairlady.”

Shifting into first, I carefully navigate out of the garage and into traffic. All too soon we’re at Shiori’s. Though I’m disappointed to leave my pretty car so soon, I don’t mind spending a little time with the woman they say is my mother. I quickly realize the reason Hiei had us come here, is to let Shiori know we are going to Makai and will be gone for a while.

After breakfast we don’t linger with her long, Hiei is anxious to get going. After promising her we’ll be careful and giving her a hug goodbye, we are back on the road. Frustrated with the slow, heavy city traffic, I’m thrilled when I finally see the road to the temple ahead. Looking at Hiei I grin. “Let’s see what she can do.”

The first chance I get, I work my way through the gears and before long we’re speeding down the road alarmingly fast. “Oh gods Hiei, this is awesome! She handles like a dream. I can’t wait until we hit the curves in the mountain.”

Beside me, Hiei just smirks at my excitement and reaches for the stereo. A moment later the hard beat of drums and electric guitars fill the car. Glancing at the fancy display it says ‘Burn it Down’ by Nickelback. Laughing in delight, I can’t help but tap my fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the music as I race past another car.

With the steady beat of the music playing, my excitement at driving the sports car grows as I navigate the winding mountain roads. As we start to come out of the mountain to the village where the temple is, I realize there is one problem with driving so fast. You get where you’re going way too soon. All of a sudden Hiei reaches out to turn the music down. “Slow down Kurama. There is a patrol car just past the last curve.”

Quickly doing as he says, I look at him and smile. “You’re like my own personal radar detector.”

Sure enough a minute later we drive past a patrol car with it’s radar gun pointed at us. Feeling exhilarated, I look at the officer and wave. Beside me Hiei just rolls his eyes again. Unfortunately, we’re in the small village now and almost at the temple. As we approach it, Hiei points out the front window. “Park in one of those covered spots.”

As I slip into the space I see a sign in front of the car. ‘Reserved for Temple Staff.’ Guess that’s us. Before I can kill the engine the stereo cuts out and I hear ringing. When I frown, Hiei reaches out to push a button on the display. As he does so I see Yusuke’s name pop up. “What do you want Detective?”

By now I’ve gotten used to Hiei’s blunt, almost rude manner. What does surprise me though is the urgency in Yusuke’s voice. “Hiei! Thank the gods! Get your ass to the temple now! We’re being invaded by Makai insects again!”

Hiei unbuckled his seatbelt and was half out the door as he yelled at Yusuke. “We’re already here!”

Realizing their conversations was over when Hiei took off, I turn the car off and jump out. By the time I hit the lock button Hiei is blurring up the temple steps. Though my speed doesn’t quite match Hiei’s, it’s faster than I ever dreamed possible. Sometimes this demon thing is pretty cool.

I freeze as I head around back of the temple. Just as Yusuke said, there was a huge swarm of insects trying to enter through one of the portals. Surrounding the portal, Yusuke was shooting energy beams from his finger like a gun. Kuwabara was swinging a glowing sword and Hiei was swinging his katana. The ugly bugs were coming faster than they could fight them off. Seeing this Hiei turns to yell back toward the temple. “Yukina! Make it snow!”

Looking, I see Yukina and Keiko on the back porch of the temple. In front of them, several strange plants are snapping up stray insects, preventing them from getting to the girls. As swirls of mist form in front of Yukina, the bugs closest to her suddenly began to slow, then turn away, and a few even fall to the ground dead. As if sensing the threat to her and Keiko was over, the odd plants recede to what was probably normal. Yusuke turns his weapon to prevent the bugs from fleeing the area.

As a sudden chill touches me, I look up to see that it’s beginning to snow. Thinking the danger is passing I start to move towards Hiei but he yells at me. “Kurama! No! Move toward the temple!”

Leaving Yusuke and Kuwabara battling the bugs, Hiei heads to me. “Fox, remember how I showed you to use your energy to feed the plants at home and make them grow? There are small orange plants that circle the temple. I need you to feed your energy to them until they are large enough to protect the temple from the snow.”

Nodding, I concentrate on my task as Hiei turns to give orders to the others. “Yukina, I want you two inside where it’s safe. Keep the snow coming though. Yusuke, Kuwabara when I begin to melt the snow, get through that portal and stop whatever the hell is sending them.”

The snow is falling hard now. Though many of the bugs are falling to the cold, there are more coming. It hasn’t been easy, but the little orange plants are slowly covering the temple. “You’ve got it Fox. It’s taking more energy than it should because your plants are reacting to the cold.”

A minute later the temple is sealed in what are now huge orange plants. Hiei abruptly grabs my arm and pulls me close to him. I can feel his energy rise and the cold is gone. Now, instead of snow, it’s raining hard. As if on cue, Yusuke fires a large energy burst at the incoming swarm then he and Kuwabara dash through the gap in bugs and disappear into the portal. Hiei suddenly whips off his cloak and wraps it around me. “This will protect you from the fire.”

Before I can ask “what fire?”, Hiei’s energy surges, and he sets fire to the rain. Ducking under his cloak, I can hear the sizzle and cries of the insects. Peeking out, I see the bugs falling to a fiery death. The portal is still open but the invasion is slowing and eventually stops. When not a single bug remains in the air, Hiei’s energy subsides. It’s no longer raining fire, but snowing again. Hiei looks to where I’m huddled against him under his cloak and smirks. “You can let the girls out now Kurama.”

Giving Hiei his cloak, I turn my energy to withdrawing the orange plant. Almost immediately Yukina rushes out. Right behind her is Keiko with a blanket over her shoulders. “I don’t think those bugs are getting back up Yukina.”

Nodding to her friend, Yukina stops the snow. Instinctively I look for fires, but the snow and rain have prevented any serious damage. “Damn Hiei, that was amazing.”

With a shrug, Hiei grunts. “Hn. This is what we do.”

I am about to ask about Yusuke and Kuwabara when they suddenly come back through the portal and it closes behind them. Kuwabara has blood running down his arm and Yukina rushes to him. Yusuke slaps the big man on the back and laughs. “Go ahead and play up that little scratch Kuwa. Maybe you’ll get lucky.”

Beside me Hiei growls, obviously not amused when Kuwabara practically leered at Yukina. Feeling as if I’ve done it a hundred times before, I draw Hiei’s attention from Kuwabara to me. “Hiei, that was awesome. You set fire to the rain.”

Coming up beside us, Yusuke excitedly throws fake punches in Hiei’s direction. “What a team we make, huh Hiei? You and Kurama took care of all those creepy little critters while Kuwabara and I took care of the big creep that sent them.”

Frowning I look at him. “Hiei and Yukina did everything on our end Yusuke. I simply watched from the safety of Hiei’s cloak.”

I turn when Keiko joins us. “Actually Kurama, I’m the only one that just stood by and watched. You grew the fire palms that protected Yukina and I in the temple.”

Realizing she was right, I try not to let on how good it feels to be a part of their team. “Yusuke, why did the demon you went after send the insects in the first place?”

Yusuke shrugs. “He was probably just a routine thug wanting to create chaos. Since the unification, some of the lower level demons try it from time to time. We take care of it though. Hey, I just realized you guys were already here when I called. What’s up?”

I look at Hiei as he answers. “I’m taking Kurama to Makai. It’s been a week, and nothing here has sparked his memory. I’m hoping the energy in Makai might trigger something.”

Yukina looks at him and nods. “That’s a good idea Hiei. Not only will he feel the pull of Makai’s stronger energy, Kurama has centuries more memories as a demon than a human.”

Luckily, Hiei had already told me how old I was as a Youko before I was reborn as a human. Even with everything Hiei has told me over the past week, I’m still more than a little nervous. “Hiei, are you sure we should do this? It’s only been a week.”

His steady gaze holds mine. “We need to know Kurama. If nothing happens, we’ll come back in a few days. Besides, I need to check in at Alaric. Mukuro gets bitchy if I don’t show up once in a while.”

I nod, realizing I don’t really have much choice. After a few more minutes with our friends, Hiei takes my hand and leads me into the forest. Though I’m grateful not to be using the portal the insects came through, the forest isn’t any more appealing. “Wasn’t there a movie on TV the other night where the couple went into the woods and were eaten by wild beasts?”

Hiei actually chuckled at my attempt at a joke. “I think after the insect invasion I just protected you from, you realize that I’m more than capable of protecting you from any wild beasts. In all honesty, you’re more than capable of protecting yourself.”

Wishing I had his confidence, I follow Hiei with blind faith. When he stops, I look around, but don’t see anything. Then Hiei’s energy raises and a portal begins to open in front of us. “This portal will take us a few hours from Alaric. I want you to have a chance to play before we get there.”

Thinking Hiei’s idea of fun is very different from mine, I simply nod and hold his hand tighter. “Don’t worry Fox, we won’t be separated. Just follow me.”