A/N: This story takes place after the Dark Tournament saga, when Kurama and Hiei returned to Earth. I own none of the characters, though don't we all just wish I did? Light slash, if you don't like it, don't read.

Kurama and Hiei walked through the city in silence. Hiei's anger was a thing almost tangible, and Kurama's attempts to cheer him had not helped.

"Perhaps spending some time among the humans will do some good for you, Hiei. It will, if nothing else, give you a new perspective." Kurama stood with Hiei on a busy city street near the overpass. From their vantage, they could see almost the entire city spread out below them.

It was late afternoon, and the sun was just beginning its descent. In some few hours, it would be dark, and the street lights would come up. From this spot, they would be able to see every light in the city, flickering like distant stars in the blackness.

Hiei, even from his lower position, managed to look down on his companion. "This world stinks of inferiority, Kurama. It is no less than a wonder that you have been able to tolerate it for as long as you have. As you know, I am somewhat less patient." They continued walking.

Finally, Kurama had had enough. As they began to enter a residential district of the city, Kurama stopped, drawing Hiei's attention. "Just because you must stay in the human realm does not mean you must do so alone, or that you must be miserable. Hiei, I want you to see this world in the way that I have come to, or at least in a less negative light. I would like for you to come with me, to my home."

"Kurama—," Hiei started, only to be interrupted.

Kurama knew how much he hated being interrupted. "Hiei, you will spend your time here, but you can do it in one of two ways. You can choose to be on your own, or you can come with me and try to enjoy the time you have in the human world."

Hiei looked into Kurama's eyes, trying to discern the true reason for his request. As usual, the bright green orbs seemed to emit a light all their own. Hiei gazed into the all-too-human eyes of his companion, secure in the knowledge that he had developed a skill at reading them, but as he searched, he could find no sign of deception or evasion. But there was something else there, something Hiei had come to recognize in his time among the humans as worry. He said nothing, but nodded, and the light that shone from Kurama's eyes brightened, the clouds of worry clearing away.

Kurama was smiling, something Hiei always enjoyed. "Mother will be so pleased."

Rather than attempt to divine the meaning of his words, Hiei instead followed Kurama down the street, wondering what, exactly, he had just agreed to.

They arrived before very long at a bright, cheery home with a garden that could only belong to Kurama. Sure enough, they turned into the lane that led to the front door, and as they passed the garden, Hiei saw the plants stir, even seem to grow toward Kurama.

As they entered the house, a voice called to them from out of sight, "Suichi, is that you?"

"I'm home, Mother," Kurama called at the same moment. Dropping his voice, he turned to Hiei. "There are things she does not know about me, Hiei. Please, allow me to do all the talking." Hiei said nothing, but nodded. "I had to tell her something that would explain my absence over the past two weeks, and my difficult schedule during the months of training. I told her—."

"How was the tournament, Suichi?" the voice called, coming closer.

Hiei raised an eyebrow as he looked up to meet Kurama's eyes. "She knew about the tournament?" He was beginning to doubt Kurama's subtlety in the human world.

"It went spectacularly, Mother. We won." As Kurama called out his news, he gave Hiei a reproachful look. "I had to tell her something," he went on, voice low. "I said I was part of a team competing in an academic tournament."

"That's fantastic, dear, I knew you would. You put so much work into your studies these past few months, you must have been unstoppable."

"It was difficult at times, but we prevailed."

"So modest, Suichi, dear. You worked so hard, you deserve…. Oh," she started, finally coming around the corner to enter the room in which they had been standing. She flattened the lines out of the simple skirt she wore and smiled warmly at Hiei. "Suichi, you've brought home a friend!"

Kurama smiled up at her. The woman was not overly tall, but in his human form, Kurama was still young. "This is Hiei, Mother, the boy I told you about."

"A pleasure, Hiei. I so rarely meet Suichi's friends."

Hiei stood for a moment before he realized that something was expected of him. Unfamiliar with human customs, he turned slightly to see Kurama's eyes widen. Deprived of any other course of action, Hiei entered Kurama's mind. He must have been expecting this, because Hiei heard only one word: bow. Hiei bent awkwardly at the waist. "An honor to meet you, Mrs. Minamoto," he said stiffly.

"Such a young gentleman," she went on as he rose. Hiei heard the woman gasp in shock as he met her eyes. "Oh, dear." Her face had paled slightly, and the friendly look in her eye had been replaced by one with which Hiei was completely unfamiliar.

Hiei was certain he had done something wrong, and hoped only that the woman had not somehow realized his identity. It would be unpleasant for him to have to kill the woman, especially with Kurama still standing at his side.

Gasp! Is Hiei really going to kill Mrs. Minamoto? Find out next time!

Reviews welcome and appreciated.