Don't leave, he told me softly. Please. Not now. I need you.

For what? I had asked harshly. I couldn't believe his betrayal. Why now? Of all the people, why him? Why her? But I knew the answer.

She needs me.

I need you, too! I argued. But it was futile. He had already decided.

We only have a few years, he said to me sadly. But you and I...Hiei, we have forever.

I had not answered. I had walked away and did not return. It had been many years since then, many years past. And this is the first time since then that I am stepping on Ningenkai soil.

Since Kurama's wedding.

~ * ~

"Hello," he says without turning to me. "What a surprise, Hiei."

I bite my lip. He can still feel my ki. I don't know if that is a blessing or a curse. Instead, I tell him: "Kurama."

He straightens from the rose bush, sprinkler can in hand. His skin is gnarled, once beautiful red mane now a shock of white. He has aged. I almost disapprove...until I see his eyes. They have not faded, retaining their green hue. Fresh. Like his garden. "Is it already time?" he asks, reaching out to touch a green leaf. "I hadn't noticed."

"Were you happy?" I blurt out.

He looks surprised, then smiles. "Oh, yes. Extremely happy. Maya is wonderful and very understanding."

"She's been a good wife," I state flatly. I should be happy for him, but I am not. He has denied me a long time for this human girl. I don't know what to make of it.

He seems to know this and steps forward. Even in his old age, he possesses a grace not found in the other aged. Even at this state, I admit, he is beautiful. "Oh, Hiei, I suppose it's futile for me to hope for your understanding."

I have no other answer for that so I just admit: "Yes."

He sags and, for a moment, his eyes lose their glow. "I hadn't expected that much. I only wished for you to be there when..." He stops and his expression is blank. "...when I die," he is supposed to say. But he does not. Shuichi Minamino's body is aging but his soul will be free once more to become Youko Kurama...free to return to Makai. With me. The time is near.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Kurama offers after the awkward silence. "Maya is a great cook and I know I'd love to have you here."

I almost smirk. Me? Dinner with them? How funny. "No," I tell him, fully knowing it is the answer he expects. "Spend that time with Maya. Get your rest." I cannot help letting a note of concern creep into my voice.

He flashes me a small smile. "When you say that, I feel as if you understand. No. I shouldn't hope for such, should I?" And he laughs a bitter laugh.

I cringe. Not bearing it, I turn to go but his voice calls out again.

"Hiei..." he calls out softly, "will you...come back?"

I close my eyes and smile harshly. "You know I will." And I jump away from the garden.

Still, I had heard him whisper: "I needed to hear it from you..."

~ * ~

I do not return for some time. There are different missions Mukuro has for me and I finish them all routinely. Quickly. I don't use my mind, only my speed and skills. It is easy to kill that way. I keep my mind free for the future. I keep it free for Kurama.

And then, a few months later, I feel the weak tug at my mind, almost a plea: Hiei...

I push away from the meeting room and jump out of the window despite the astonished look of the advisors. I hurry, feet barely touching the ground as I flit from tree to tree, until the branches become buildings and rooftops. Somewhere above me, I barely notice the moon, a mere pale slit in the sky so darkened. The place...the voice calls me, crying. I do not stop until I land, not panting but barely breathing, on Kurama's balcony.

I peer inside the master bedroom, trying to look beyond the darkened room. Below, I can barely hear muffled voices. Ignoring them, I push the glass door open until it slides enough for me to enter.

"Hiei."

The voice is not in my head now.

I take one tentative step after another, finally seeing the frail figure on the large bed. Pillows and blankets are arranged for his comfort but I can still see his pain.

His head turns and he smiles weakly. "Hiei," he murmurs. He reaches out a bone-thin arm towards me. "Can you...hold my hand?"

I hesitate, then grasp his fingers with my right arm, still encompassed by bandages. He closes his eyes. "You don't know...how many years I dreamed of your touch."

I keep silent.

"I always wanted for you to understand. The reason. I love you. I love you and I love Maya. I love my children. But you're different." He opens his eyes, green orbs staring intently, hand in mine tightening. "Will you...are you willing to die for me, Hiei?"

I blink at him, surprised.

"Hiei!" His voice becomes harsh. "You told me once you loved me. Are you willing to die for me?"

I open my mouth and murmur my eternal answer: "Yes. Die and more."

He smiles, as if content. "But I wouldn't ask that from you. Because if I die, or went away, I wouldn't want you to die. There are other people who love you in a different way than I do: Yukina, Mukuro, Yusuke, even Kuwabara. I wouldn't want to deprive them."

He turns, not with ease, to the picture on his bedside table. Him, Maya, and their children. A lump is in my throat. "Many people love Maya, too," he continues softly. "Her parents, her brothers, her sister, her friends...and...I don't want...to deprive them of her." He turns to me in a pleading expression. "I don't want...good people to be deprived. Because I know what will happen if I do..."

I feel tears prick my eyes and hope he doesn't notice. "It doesn't matter," I tell him. "It was only for a few years." Then, quieter, I add: "I understand."

He smiles again and closes his eyes. "Soon, Hiei," he whispers, loosening his hold on my hand. "Very soon. Stay with me. And meet me there."

I bow my head so he does not see the tears that fall into black gems on the carpeted floor. "I will," I promise him, finally letting go.

~ * ~

I brush his bangs away from his closed eyes and smile, wondering about the silver-haired man I would soon run my hands through. I cannot wait. But for now, I wish to say goodbye. I bend down and place my lips on his, still warm. My skin tingles.

But when I straighten, I see an old woman standing at the other side of the room. Tears are in her eyes. "I never hoped for much," she said in acknowledgment of my presence, unconsciously repeating Kurama's words to me. "I never hoped for his complete love."

"He loved a lot of people," I tell her, surprised at myself.

She nods and smiles. "I know. And I knew I can never compete with the one he calls at night. But I know he loved me...in his own way. I know my time with him is done. I know my few years are past." And she reaches out a hand to me. "And you? How long do you have?" It is not meant to brag. It is only a curious and innocent question.

I hesitate, then touch her hand with my right hand. The hand that held Kurama's. Bandages. "A long time," I reply quietly.

She smiles. Maybe she feels the small memories I transmit to her. "Oh, Hiei," she sighs, "I hope you will have forever."

We let go and she steps forward; I step back. She gathers her husband in her arms, weeping, rocking him gently against her chest. Now is their time together. And later, their children will arrive and learn of their father's fate. It is not my time anymore. So I leave.

To Makai. To Kurama.

And I do not look back.

~ * ~

He slaps me lightly on the head when I arrive. "What took you so long?!" he cries, grinning. The branch of the sturdy tree shakes lightly as I settle on his lap. "I was waiting!"

"You know, of course, kitsune," I retort.

His arms enclose around my shoulders and we sit quietly on the tree, not minding anything. Later, there would be things to do: look for a place to stay, eat, talk, make love...but now, we just sit there, marveling at the changes that happen at the span of just a few minutes.

Then, without helping it, I tell him slowly, "I met Maya."

I can tell by the way he squirms that he is uncomfortable. "And?"

"She knows..." I stop, then go on: "She asked...how long we have together."

"What did you say?" He sounds nonchalant but I can tell he is interested.

I shrug ad look away. "A long time."

"Hiei," he says, voice husky. I believe I would have to get used to his baritone voice now. Forget Shuichi Minamino's soft alto. "Hiei, we have forever."

I smile and lean against his chest, catching a few wisps of silver youko hair. "I know," I murmur.

He sighs, as if content. Then, he surges the ki bond between us and I hear a teasing note float into my head: a promise.

Forever has just begun.