He's still guarded, anger lingering at first, as Hiei confirms once more that he had. His unease on the subject comes too naturally to be anything but honest, though. Which leaves the redhead to conclude that despite knowing without a doubt, the fire apparition simply could not comprehend it.

When Hiei sighs, Kurama lies back in the flowers again, calm and patiently awaiting what comes next. “That decision was made long before anything you could have done to change it.” It's his turn to sigh, rolling onto his side to face the fire apparition, instead.

“I had accepted death as part of my human life. I suppose ... it was naive of me to hope you had accepted all of me as I was, as well.” He swallows, trying to find the words before continuing, fingers once again raking through the shades of purple, white and green beneath them.

“Perhaps I had convinced myself that you understood. That you wouldn't have stayed through all of it, otherwise.”