A/N: Sorry I'm a little late. I've been having writer's block with this story, since I want to finish it before starting another story. I apologize if I push everything in at once. I'd really like this story to be over in two more chapters. We shall see how it goes along when I'm finished writing up this chapter.

Thanks again to all who review, I greatly appreciate your comments!

Last time: Hiei has come over to Kurama's, asking him for a place to live.

Kurama watched his friend's movements carefully. From quick fingers removing boots to feet stepping softly on the plush carpet in his living room, Kurama searched for anything that might give off that Hiei was different in any way. Kurama had found none so far, and he leaned back on his chair with a sigh, following Hiei until he sat down on the leather loveseat across from him. When the fire demon finally looked up to Kurama, the youko finally saw the change.

Hiei's eyes were tired and worn out.

"What happened to you?" Kurama asked bluntly, moving to the edge of the chair. He leaned his elbows on his knees, peering into Hiei's eyes. The vibrant crimson color he once saw was now faded and dim, and Kurama couldn't help but frown at Hiei when he shrugged his shoulders and sprawled himself over the loveseat.

"…Nothing happened to me, fox. I'm just a little tired—"

"You? Tired?" Kurama rose an eyebrow at Hiei's hesitant pause. "Why don't you tell what's really been going on."

Hiei looked to Kurama, only to look away again as his friend bored his eyes into him. It was always hard to avoid talking about anything when Kurama is worried. And apparently, he's been very worried about me. Hiei put on a bitter smile before shaking his head.

"I've been gone for three years, and before I left, I took something from Etaila." Hiei paused, and Kurama simply looked at him, urging him on. "I took her necklace."

"Why?" Hiei hesitated again. Kurama leaned back again, fingering his red hair. What is this all about?

"I took it… I don't know why I took it." Hiei hung his head. "But when I had it, I had all of her memories. Her thoughts, her dreams, her emotions… her feelings for me." Hiei sighed once more and ran a hand through unruly black hair. "And now that they're gone, I feel like I lost a piece of myself." The two sat in silence for a while, Hiei watching his friend's reaction, and Kurama narrowing his eyes, pondering over Hiei's words. When he finally replied, his words were soft, almost as if he was talking to himself.

"That's why she couldn't remember you." Hiei looked surprised, but Kurama continued. "After Yukina told me what happened, I came over and asked her if she was alright. She smiled brightly at me and told me that there weren't any problems, and that she was applying for college." A dull pain distracted Hiei for a moment, but he shook it off, glaring at nothing in particular. Just when he was about to say something Kurama looked at him, his green eyes focusing on his own red ones.

"Do you have any feelings for her at all, Hiei?" Hiei looked wide-eyed at his friend, a slight flush of pink now forming across his cheeks. No one would have noticed the blush if they just looked at the demon. But Kurama saw it. He smiled just as the doorbell rang.

"That's good." When it didn't appear that Kurama was going to answer the door, Hiei got up to open it. Do I really like this demon, or was it just the necklace? When he opened the door to Kurama's home, Hiei froze. All of the doubting thoughts in his mind fled and he couldn't help but stare at the demon in front of himself.

Etaila…

While Etaila was walking down the street to Kurama and Yusuke's home, she started to finally remember everything that was trapped within the necklace. It was odd, the necklace; she only had her memories, but some of Hiei's powers rested within the pendent. But why? It is because of how I feel about him? She finally accepted that Hiei was the one she should be with, but it wasn't easy. He hates me… she thought to herself, approaching Kurama's door and ringing the bell. She shrugged. It doesn't matter. It's not like I'll be seeing him anytime — The door opened. —soon..? When the door opened, there stood Hiei, his eyes a little wide in surprise. Etaila felt her own eyes widen and a blush rushing to her cheeks. He's… grown a bit.

It was true; Hiei was now as tall as Kurama, and he had to look down slightly to meet her eyes. Etaila watched as Hiei's eyes trailed over her face down to the necklace she was now wearing. Etaila looked at the demon in front of her in confusion. His eyes suddenly brightened, and she felt pulled to him.

Her body didn't quite feel like her own as she walked up to him. She felt a rush as she felt an arm wrap around her waist and a hand in her hair. She resisted at first, but something in her restless mind settled. He wants to do this. Her necklace vibrated against her collar as she gently stroked his cheek before pulling him down to her, closing her eyes. When she left his lips hovering over her own, Etaila opened her eyes again, looking up into blood red irises. She pushed up a bit, and their lips grazed briefly. Hiei's eyes flashed, and he vaguely heard Kurama asking who was at the door just as his lips pressed against hers. Etaila pressed back up eagerly, and her mind hummed pleasantly. When she felt his tongue against her lips, she opened up to him and their kiss deepened.

Something was wrong though. Etaila could feel it. Something wasn't being done at the moment, and something inside her broke free, though it was something she was unfamiliar with. With a force that surprised herself, Etaila pulled Hiei closer to her, their bodies touching. Suddenly her flames were let loose, and the violet fire rushed up her body, making her gasp. Hiei's tongue massaged hers gently, and once again Etaila felt something was wrong. Was Hiei doing this on his own? With regret Etaila pulled away, her flames still surrounding them. When Hiei made another attempt to capture her lips Etaila turned her head and tried to move away, only to find that she couldn't move, nor could she make her flames return to her necklace. What was going on?

"Well, hello Etaila." Etaila blushed considerably, looking behind Hiei to find Kurama looking at her as if being trapped against a person was a normal occurrence. She giggled nervously, once again trying to free herself and failing. Why can't I control them anymore? She looked back up at Hiei, who was watching her intently. Suddenly she felt angry.

"You… you shouldn't have kissed me!" Etaila exclaimed, her grey eyes going silver in her growing fury. "It's been three years, Hiei, and now out of the blue you come down here and- ruin everything!" Kurama tried to calm her, but she ignored him in favor of poking Hiei in the chest. "Even now you won't say anything. The last time you were here, you told me that you never wanted to see me again, that you 'didn't want me,'" she spat bitterly, trying to call her flames back in another futile attempt. "What changed your mind, huh? Now that you know my every thought, you decided to give me some slack or something?" Tears were forming in her eyes now, and she turned her head down sharply to hide them.

Hiei watched her silently. What was he supposed to say? That he loved her? He shook his head. That wasn't the way he worked. And I can't love her; I don't know her. But somewhere in the back of his mind reminded him that he did indeed know her. He had all of her memories going back to her childhood. He knew her better than anyone else.

Then why couldn't he think of anything to say?

"I don't pity you," he began, wanting to touch the girl's hair but didn't move. "I just… had things and people telling me to give you a chance. People believe that you could make me happy," he looked to Kurama, "And that I could make you happy." He put a hand on the back of her neck, feeling the soft skin against his palms. He felt the muscles tense beneath his fingers and smiled slightly when Etaila finally raised her head to look at him. She searched his face for any signs of him lying before giving him a small smile of her own. She shook her head.

"I don't know why I'm buying that, but I will, since I know that you're meant for me, whether we like it or not." Her necklace hummed in agreement. Kurama, forgotten in the moment, cleared his throat.

"Well, now that we have that covered… how do you suppose you get out of this predicament?" Etaila bit her lip thoughtfully, and Hiei watched her for a little while before leaning down and nibbling her lower lip. Etaila let out a high sound before backing away. Kurama nodded.

"It seems that the flames are some kind of bond." Etaila looked to Kurama. Bond? Suddenly her earlier thoughts sprung into her mind. Violet and red swirls… Smiling mischievously, Etaila quickly pulled Hiei into a kiss, shivering at the low sound he gave off at her forwardness. Without thinking she summoned the crimson flame. The fire swooped out of her necklace and surrounded the two demons and into the violet flames already around them. The two colors swirled together, and abruptly Etaila's charm shattered, the glass turning into powder before scattering away into the flames. As fast as they had come the flames dissipated, leaving Etaila and Hiei holding each other freely. When they separated Etaila smirked, crossing her arms.

"I knew you'd come back to me." Hiei rolled his eyes.

"Hn. Just come here." As they reached for each other again they heard Kurama chuckling in the background.

End of chapter 12-

A/N: Bleh! Oh my, this is not the ending I expected. I plan to write an epilogue by next week, for those who are curious about what happens to Yukina and Adrian… and stuff. I really dislike this ending, but like I said I really wanted to end this, and here it is… ;;; please review.