Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Admissions ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

Part Five

Hiei squeezed his eyes shut and forced his breathing to remain calm and steady. Kurama's question troubled him more than he cared to admit. He had to admit that, physically, Kurama's appearance was not completely repulsive.

But Hiei still longed for the days of the fox demon, Yoko Kurama; a specimen whose strong spirit energy was unmatched and who lived only for the thrill of the next challenge. Hiei had always envied his power and trained hard to be worthy of his notice. When he was finally able to join the strong, crafty demon group, he worked even harder to prove his merits and loyalty to their leader and, at last, earned his respect. His happiest days were those spent in Yoko's company.

When the fox demon had been captured and fled to the human world to recover, only Hiei remained loyal. The rest of Yoko Kurama's followers scattered like seeds in a high wind. It had taken Hiei many years to find Kurama's human form, and by then he had discovered the power of the Mirror of Darkness. With it, Yoko would be able to run free once more.

'I'm sorry, Hiei.' Kurama's thought broke through Hiei's memories. 'That was not a fair question.'

'Then let me ask you one,' Hiei returned. 'How much do you remember from your demon life?'

'Not as much as I'd like to, I'm afraid,' Kurama thought with a sigh. 'I do remember you, though, if that is what you meant.'

'You do?' Hiei asked, looking over at Kurama. In the dark, he was just a vague shape, even though they were mere inches apart.

'I didn't at first,' he admitted, 'but now I remember everything from the time you first approached me to join our group to the look on your face when I was caught by that bounty hunter.'

'Oh.' Hiei wished he knew how to respond to Kurama's statement. All this time, he thought their time together was only his own memory. Kurama had never given any sign that he also remembered it. Maybe it meant less to him than it did to Hiei.

'If you're wondering why I didn't mention it before,' Kurama interjected as if reading Hiei's mind, 'it was because with these human emotions, I'm a little embarrassed by my actions back then. So I believe I'll take this opportunity to apologize for how I treated you.'

'Then your memory must be better than mine, because I don't remember anything you should apologize for,' Hiei replied.

'I took advantage of your willingness to do anything to join me,' Kurama reminded him.

Hiei thought back to all the meaningless tasks Yoko had ordered him to do, which he had done without question or complaint. But he didn't think that was what Kurama was referring to. Could he be talking about the many nights Hiei had spent at his side? Was he ashamed of something Hiei held dear in his heart?

"There was no wrongdoing," Hiei said aloud. "Anything I did for Yoko Kurama I did because I wanted to."