I.   Separation

The stars were out in their places in the deep blue dome of the sky. They twinkled, as always, the constellations the same as they always were. They were the same in the Ningenkai…

Hiei sat in a window alcove of Mukuro's castle looking in the stars wondering. The lively sounds of merrymaking intruded now and then. Mukuro had declared today to be a festival in his honor since it was his birthday. He, a former outcast and most unwanted child, was now a feted heir of one of the greatest lords of Makai. Though he himself hadn't change his solitary ways as it can be seen by this display of anti-social behavior.

The Ningenkai… How were Yukina and Kurama now? Yukina and Kuwabara had their twins a month ago. She was fine the letter said. Kurama… Kurama, I haven't heard from him since the Makai tournament six? Seven years ago? I wonder what he's doing right now…

Hiei looked at the stars again and remembered a time long ago in Ningenkai when he looked at the starry sky in Kurama's room.

***

"Wishing upon the stars?" Kurama asked lazily.

"Hn, stupid fox! Why would I do that?" Hiei had replied. He had been sitting at the edge of Kurama's bed basking in the afterglow of sex.

"Some ningen do."

"Stupid ningen, what could stars do for them?"

"When they're feeling lost and alone, it helps to give them hope and sometimes what they wished for do come true."

"What do you believe?"

"You'll think it's foolish, but sometimes I think they do have a point and if you wish hard enough your wish will come true."

Hiei just snorted. He didn't believe in such silly things and couldn't understand fools who would fall for such rubbish. Dreams came true because you fought for them not by any silly wishing. He laid back again on the futon beside the Fox and gone back to sleep.

Lady, when you stare up at
the stars in the night
Do you still think this old
world will turn out right? ***

Hiei sighed. He didn't want to go back in the party. The stone hall was stifling with youkai bodies. The witch lights gave everything and everyone a glow of hot summer sunlight, not themselves hot still they made the hall seem hotter. The scent of different foods and drinks hung heavily in the air mixing in with the other odors emitted by a dozen different youkai was almost overwhelming to his sensitive sense of smell. It was not a pleasant place to be for him. It certainly didn't help

When Hiei had gone for the first time to one of these parties, he had honestly thought that Mukuro was doing him a favor and he had been fully prepared to enjoy the party. A Forbidden Child, who never had been showered by attention, he had thought to revel in the prestige and power of being the heir to one-third of the Makai. For a time, he socialized with some of the most powerful youkai and was gratified by the deference given to him.

Oh well, maybe he should go out and meet the guests. If he was going to rule this bunch he'd better know them. Political agendas often thread gatherings like this as nearly seven years experience would tell him. It would serve him and Mukuro best that he try to ascertain what was happening with the subjects. It would please Mukuro and that was reason enough to do it. He owed it to Mukuro.

***

Hiei went to the party, being bored out of his gourd. So far he managed to figure out a lot. A northern lord had a vendetta with one of his neighbors. One of the blood feuds has cooled down somewhat. An alliance marriage was brewing between two of the greater western territories. And more, a handful of less useful information was confirmed. But now, everyone had become too drunk to be thinking of anything intelligent let alone political. Oh well…

Hiei decided to find some entertainment or in this case let entertainment find him. As usual several of the comeliest ones, male and female, came to offer him companionship. Everyone knew that he was Mukuro's lover as well as her heir but no one expected such a young and virile youkai like him would stay faithful either. Even Mukuro didn't expect him to stay exclusively hers and had suggested he bed the pick of the litter. Sometimes he wondered if she loved him as much as she claimed. They can be used to pass the time pleasantly if nothing else. Mukuro was often busy and had no time for him. Their eyes followed him somehow making him uncomfortable tonight.

Why should it when Kurama had followed him with his eyes often enough was a mystery. Maybe it was the predatory gleam in their eyes and the emptiness of their smiles. Maybe because they don't possess Kurama's gentle affection or have the Fox's way of eyes lighting up with honest admiration and nothing more. These often came to court because of the bidding of one or two of Mukuro's liegemen hoping to curry favor from her or from her heir. Not that this worked, though Mukuro would grant a prudent request or two just so to keep a good fellow feeling in the borders. It kept the small holders from plotting other sorts of mischief, which was as good as it could get in the Makai.

But I'm surrounded by velvet and gold
And strangers who offer their souls
But they all seem so hollow and cold
When I remember you Ch, this is such a waste of time, I could be sleeping or practicing my sword work…I wondered what Kurama's doing right these days. Probably stuck in his ningen stepfather's office still working wishing he could be free to run around the forest with the wind running through his tails. Or had he given up on his youkai heritage and found a more peaceful life in the Ningenkai? He's probably found a mate and have half-youko kits by now. Somehow the thought made Hiei more than a bit uneasy. Forgetting about the Makai and everything, he did take to the ningen life. No more ambitions of ruling the Makai, he gave that up when he gave his post in Yomi's court…

***

"Kurama! What is this I hear about you? You're giving up your position as Yomi's heir and second-in-command! Why? We three could rule the Makai together!" Hiei had burst into Kurama's room without an invitation.

"I am staying in the Ningenkai with my 'kaasan." Kurama said packing what clothes he brought with him. There wasn't much.

If he did plan to settle here in the first place…

"You really didn't plan to stay here in the first place didn't you?"

"Aa."

"Why settle there with those short lived fools?"

"Long life isn't everything. Sometimes I regret surviving my 'death'." Kurama said.

"Don't be so foolish as to say such things to me!" Hiei found it hard to imagine his life without Kurama in it.

Why should I think of Kurama that way, besides he's going to stay in the Ningenkai and I will live my days here in the Makai. He's leaving me behind, I have to get use to it.

A sense of betrayal followed the thought. Somehow he had expected more loyalty from Kurama than this.

"Well, I do sometimes. Humans have such short lives but many find meaning in their short decades of life more than most youkai find in their centuries of existence."

"So you think you can find meaning in your life if it was as short as theirs?"

"No, Hiei, I've been too much of a youkai for that. I think I'll end up in the Makai once this human body dies but I can try to find out what it is...while I have the time. Gomen nasai, Hiei, but it's not going to be that long."

Hiei had just snorted in disgust.

"Oh why should I care?" Hiei said as he left, covering up for the chaotic emotions that threatened to break loose. Betrayal was the least of it. Better to leave than to say something he might regret later was his only thought then.

                                      Lady, do you still seek the mysteries of life?
                                      Or have you became some businessman's wife
                                      And do you still long to be free

***

A lovely demon with long purple hair and green eyes looked over his wineglass to smile seductively at Hiei. Eyes glowing with desire, he deliberately and slowly put the glass down in clear invitation. He was the loveliest one of the lot, humanoid with fine features and a voice that rivaled the best singers Hiei had ever heard. He will do…

Ignoring his qualms, Hiei set out to have an enjoyable night with the lovely youkai.

And do you ever think of me.
  ~The End for Now~

"Lady" by England Dan and John Ford Coley
Many highways I've been on  Since I went out chasing a song  And I left you alone, in the  soft morning sunlight Now summer's just like it was then You were waving goodbye in the wind And I heard you ask if I intend to ever settle down Chorus: Lady, do you still seek the mysteries of life? Or have you became some businessman's wife And do you still long to be free Lady, when you stare up at	the stars in the night Do you still think this old  world will turn out right? And do you ever think of me. The moon lit and danced on your hair We sat for some time on the stairs And I'd give anyting if we could share those moments again. But I'm surrounded by velvet and gold  And strangers who offer their souls But they all seem so hollow and cold  When I remember you

Review this Fic...