Chapter Text
Kurama was alive.
Hiei stood on the ledge of a nearby skyscraper and observed, through his Jagan, the arcane magic of the Forlorn Hope being distributed between Kurama and the human Spirit Detective. The boy, Yusuke, had been enlightened by Kurama's unfortunate tale, and recklessly attempted to sacrifice himself to the dark mirror. If only he had succeeded.... Then, the detective would be dead, and Hiei would be rid of him for good. Instead, the Forlorn Hope drew life energy from both bodies and left Hiei with an annoying thorn in his side.
Logic said he should be appreciative. After all, he still owed Kurama a great debt. The kitsune had saved his life, once. More than that, he respected the elder demon's power, and the great self control he possessed. Kurama was the first being Hiei found himself able to tolerate for extended time periods. He'd even considered returning to the city and making the fox a long term ally, after he finally found his sister.
For all these reasons, the sight of Kurama rising to his feet, vivacious and whole, should have given him relief. He should be pleased, perhaps even happy.
Instead, the event filled him with rage, and a sickening dose of envy. How dare a pitiful nobody who called himself detective interfere in the matters of demons? The intrusion itself, and the presumptuous expression of conceit on the boy's face were intolerable. With the Shadow Sword clutched safely in his hand, Hiei sprang from the roof with one thought consuming his mind:
“KILL YUSUKE URAMESHI.”
~
At times, school was interesting for the demon called Kurama, who was enrolled at Meiou Private High School as the human called Shuuichi Minamino. Occasionally, his instructors would discuss a piece of literature he had not read, or elaborate on some aspect of science he was not familiar with. Today was not one of those days.
Kurama sat at his desk with his chin clutched in a propped up hand, a pencil between his fingers, tapping listlessly. His teacher was droning on about the disappointing marks on last week's exam. The lecture did not apply to Kurama, who'd aced the test, which made it even more unbearable to sit through.
Thankfully, the school day was nearly over. His eyes scanned the room in search of something to capture his attention until the bell rang and relieved him of his agony. He caught one of his female classmates smiling at him and habitually smiled back. Kurama had never made any attempt to gain popularity at school. He rarely spoke to his classmates, yet they constantly threw themselves at him, vying for his attention. He supposed it was natural for human beings to worship that which was superior to them, even if the act was unconscious.
At long last, the school bell clanged, and he was free. Kurama gathered up his belongings and made a break for the locker area to retrieve his shoes and escape before having to carry on some grueling conversation with a peer. When he arrived, he discovered an envelope in his compartment, and nearly discarded it without a second glance.
“Another love letter,” he sighed.
Before he could throw the paper away, he noticed an attribute that made it stand out. Koenma's crest was clearly pressed into the sealing wax. At the sight of this mark, he stepped into his shoes and rushed from the school, stopping only when he reached a more private area.
“Hiei is awake,” the letter read.
Kurama found the nearest pay phone and contacted his mother. Tonight would be another long evening spent studying at school, as far as she was concerned. Though he hated lying to her, it was unavoidable.
The fox hurried across town until he reached the basement of an abandoned store. The portal to Spirit World, through which he'd carried Hiei's unconscious body after his fight with Yusuke, was still there. Kurama stepped through, and materialized instantly on the other side. Koenma's palace was as busy as ever, with ogres running every which way as they carried out their daily duties. For the most part, the redhead was ignored. The workers were far too consumed with their own responsibilities to worry about a random visitor, unless he proved to be a threat, of course.
Kurama descended the wide, dreary staircase to the dungeon without speaking to Koenma first. He had the urge to see Hiei alone. An unusually large ogre with green skin and three thick horns was standing guard in the dank, grey hallway.
“I was summoned by Koenma,” he announced.
The ogre raised his bushy, tan eyebrow.
“You're the kitsune? You sure don't look like an apparition.”
“That's not important,” Kurama said. “Please, let me through.”
The guard groaned and stepped aside, allowing the fox to pass.
He traversed the length of the hallway, passing by empty cells and feeling Hiei's youki growing closer as he did. Finally, he reached the second to last cell on the row. Sitting cross-legged on the floor and bound by bewitched shackles, was Hiei. Impulsively, Kurama smiled when their eyes first met.
“You're looking a bit under dressed,” he said.
The Jagan user had not been given anything new to wear, aside from a thick layer of wards wrapped around his forehead. He'd been stripped of his footwear, and his black pants were hanging loosely around his waist, nearly daring to expose him.
“My boots were confiscated to prevent me from using them as weapons, and my sash was taken just in case I try to hang myself ,” Hiei groaned.
“Is there some reason they're putting you on suicide watch?” Kurama inquired.
“Apparently it's standard procedure when dealing with 'high risk' criminals.”
Kurama pondered the sight of Hiei in chains, then turned towards the ogre who stood not far away, listening in.
“I'd like you to leave,” he said.
“Are you crazy?” the ogre scoffed. “There's no way I'm leaving you alone with this maniac. He'll spring loose the second I take my eyes off him!”
“Surely you know it's impossible for a demon to break through warded restraints such as these,” Kurama said.
“Normal demons don't have that evil eye,” the ogre replied. “I've been ordered to stay here until I'm relieved.”
Kurama sighed and walked casually over to the guard. He reached gently into his pocket, lifted a cupped hand, and blew a thick puff of dust into his adversary's face.
“It's time for a break, then,” Kurama said. “Go, enjoy yourself.”
The ogre's head lolled to the side and he stumbled away, tripping over the stairs while he walked out of sight.
“Hn, and what was that?” Hiei asked.
“Pollen,” Kurama said. “Weak minds, when exposed, become extremely vulnerable to suggestion. It's a shame to waste it, though. That was my last batch.”
“What's wrong, you didn't want him you hear you groveling for forgiveness?” Hiei said.
“That's not why I'm here,” Kurama responded.
“It should be. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be locked in this cell.”
“You're right,” Kurama folded his arms. “If it weren't for me, King Enma would have executed you for killing Yusuke Urameshi.”
“Don't speak that loathsome name,” Hiei muttered. “I've suffered enough already.”
Kurama squatted down until they were face to face.
“It's understandable that you blame me for your predicament,” Kurama said. “I did betray you. But, I intend to make up for that transgression.”
“Giving me my shoes back would be a decent start,” Hiei said.
“Hiei...”
Kurama resisted the urge to reach towards him. Like the heavy shackles pulling Hiei's arms towards the floor, the metal bars were carved with enchanted symbols, and prevented him from drawing near.
“I intend to lobby for your release,” he said. “As far as anyone knows, I am an innocent pawn who was drawn into your sinister plan at a time of weakness, and you will not say otherwise if you ever wish to be free again.”
“That sounds more like a threat than an apology.”
Kurama let out a troubled breath.
“Your history is entirely unknown to the administrators here. I am the only one who can vouch for you. Please, accept my assistance.”
“Face it, Kurama. You know just as little about me as anyone here.”
“I know enough....”
In his long life, Kurama had witnessed many acts of horrific violence. He had grown immune to the disturbing effects of carnage and agony over the years. After centuries of practiced indifference, there was very little that could break through his outer shell and spark a reaction, but the sight of Hiei restrained and caged was filling him with unrest. Unique beings like the one before him were meant to fly free, and the world would not be right until he could soar again.
“Let me help you,” he begged.
“Do what you will,” Hiei said. “But don't expect me to hang around for your sake.”
~
“Hm, yes, I see,” said the diminutive prince of Spirit World as he scanned through Kurama's proposal. “So, you really think he can be rehabilitated?”
“Hiei possesses a great deal of potential. It would be a grave error to let an uncommon power like his go to waste,” Kurama explained.
“Certainly you realize I can't just turn him loose. Hiei is guilty of a vast array of crimes, including, but not limited to, stealing priceless artifacts, violating the security of this palace, kidnapping, illegal mind control and directly attacking my Spirit Detective!”
“I understand that, Lord Koenma, but perhaps you would consider some sort of parole.”
Koenma sucked furiously on his pacifier for a moment, and turned over Kurama's suggestion in his mind. Kurama stood patiently in the center of the ruler's office, grasping his hands together behind his back to conceal his nervous fidgeting. If Koenma rejected him now, it could be years before Hiei received another opportunity to plead his case.
“Fine,” Koenma stated, “But I'm going along with this plan under one condition.”
“And that is?”
“Hiei is forbidden to leave the confines of the city, and he will be under your care. If he slips and decides to go on a killing spree, not only will he be hauled back to Spirit World, but you will be chained up right alongside him.”
Kurama's mouth remained resolutely closed. His efforts had been an attempt to sponge away the sin of betrayal he had committed, but now, in order to alleviate his guilt, he would be attached to his comrade twenty-four hours a day for the foreseeable future. He certainly did not mind Hiei's company... but the invasion of privacy alone would be troublesome. How would he attend school with Hiei forever at his heels? More importantly... what would he tell his mother?
“Of course, this arrangement will only be successful if Hiei agrees to the terms as well,” said Koenma, but still received no answer. “Huh? Well, say something! This is what you wanted, isn't it!?”
“Yes, Lord Koenma,” Kurama replied. “Your will is my command.”