Standard disclaimers apply. Yoshihiro Togashi owns these magnificent 
characters ^_^ and Yuu Yuu Hakusho belongs to him, as well as Jump 
Comics, Shueisha, and Fuji TV and sorts. ^_^; 

Yaoi? What would this long piece of crap contain if not yaoi?

A fanfic by ~> Bulma Briefs 

				   *********************

					Forever Fornever


 	Hiei tried to crack open his left eye but failed. "Mmm…" he 
groaned. He stirred in his place and frowned in his sleep. The bed was 
cold. He forced the eyelids to uncover his big almond eyes, expecting 
sunrays to zap right into his eyeballs. But nothing. Only dim lighting 
and a cold dark room. 

 	: … Mukuro's Palace … : his head rang a bell. 

 	"Mukuro?" he asked. "Finally awake?" a low feminine voice was 
heard. "Hn," answered the youkai. Mukuro chuckled. "Hiei, next time be 
more of a careful youkai. I don't want to give my throne over to a 
slob," the bionic woman smiled. Hiei nodded. "Gomen," he uttered. "No 
need for that. Now drink this," she shoved over a bowl of steaming 
broth. 

 	When Hiei was up to his last spoonful of the steaming liquid, his 
beeper beeped. "Well, that toddler want's to see us," he sighed, putting 
the bowl away. Mukuro smiled and brushed his hair. "Hiei… be careful," 
she smiled. Hiei nodded. 

 	"You're acting like Kurama's mother," Hiei grumbled. "I heard 
that," She ruffled the spiky hair. Then she tightened her grip on it and 
pulled it backwards. "If you're dead, no one will take over the throne," 
she smirked. 

 	 			***********

 	"Have you seen Hiei anywhere?" Kurama asked Botan. Botan shook her 
head. Kurama sighed. Yesterday, he had a weird dream. About him being 
accused for molesting Hiei and it was all over the paper and news. 
Everyone eyed him with disgust. Not in a million years would he want 
himself to get involved with that kind of attention.

 	Deep in thoughts, he didn't even hear the others greeting the fire 
youkai at his presence. "Hiei!" Botan smiled. The fire youkai ignored 
the ferry girl and sat on the table. Kurama was snapped out of his 
thoughts when he heard the loud chirp of Botan's. But then when he saw 
Hiei, he smiled. "Hiei," he greeted the youkai. Hiei nodded and fixed 
Koenma a serious look. "This better be good," he warned, his fist was 
emitting smoke.

 	"Okay, okay…" Koenma pushed away the stacking piles of paper 
aside. "Train yourself hard. Someone sent a note to me," he said, 
showing a piece of crumpled paper written in blood. 

 	"… We want to conquer Reikai. We consist of 305 youkais with 
physical power abilities. You can say that each of us is about the 
higher B-classes youkai level. Good Luck. We give you one month…"

 	They all frowned. 

 	"Is this somekind of a joke?" Yuusuke scratched his head. 
"Unfortunately no, Yuusuke," Koenma shook his head. "Hiei," suddenly the 
toddler sucked furiously on his fukumen looking at the fire demon. "Can 
you stay in Ningenkai for the month? I will arrange it with Genkai so 
that you can stay there," Koenma nodded. Hiei narrowed his eyes. 
"Genkai?" he echoed. "What? Don't you like it there?" Koenma tapped his 
fingers.

 	Hiei frowned. Being too close to Yukina might be dangerous. That 
busybody Kurama would probably urge him every day and night to tell his 
the truth to his sister. 

 	"Well…" Hiei looked up next to him. "I can find my own place to 
stay. You don't have to bother the old woman," he answered. Koenma 
shrugged. "Suit yourself then," he flipped over the file reports. 

 	"I've asked Genkai to have you guys stay at her place for the 
month, for the training," Koenma explained. "What? But tomorrow's our 
first day of summer vacation! I have lots to do!" Yuusuke protested. 
"I'm sorry Yuusuke," Koenma blinked. 

 	The meeting went on for a few more minutes. 

 	"Okay, you're all dismissed. Remember to train hard," was Koenma's 
advice. "Yukina and Botan would be there to help you guys," he grinned. 
Groans were heard from Yuusuke and Kuwabara. "What!?" Botan gritted her 
teeth. Yuusuke and Kuwabara shook their head. "Aha! Nan de mo nai…! 
Nothing! Hehehe…" they laughed. Kurama smiled and followed the two out 
the door. 

 	"It's best if you could stay with Genkai," Koenma said when Hiei 
was the only one left. "I'm not going to force you… but it will be 
easier to find you when an emergency comes," he told the silent youkai. 
Hiei sighed. No answer came out from him as he walked his way out.

 				***********

 	Genkai was in her garden with Yukina. "Baasan!" Yuusuke hollered. 
She smiled at her student. He was so full of life. Behind him were 
Kuwabara and Kurama. Kuwabara had about three big bulky bags with him 
while Yuusuke and Kurama just brought a medium sized travelling bag with 
them.

 	"Late, very late," she shook her head. "So you guys have to run 
around the temple 30 times," she grinned. "What?" Yuusuke and Kuwabara 
exclaimed. Kurama just sighed and put down his bag. "And those bricks, 
bring them with you," she pointed at a hill of bricks by the side. "No…" 
they all sighed. 

 	"So, where's Hiei?" even though it was a general question, it 
seemed to be directed to Kurama. "I dunno," he answered. "Oh well, it's 
okay then. You guys start!" with that, the three of them started to jog 
around the temple with bricks on them. 

 	Yukina, Genkai and Botan carried the boy's bags into their room. 
The three of them stopped in front of a room. "Put Yuusuke and 
Kuwabara's bag here," she ordered. Yukina and Botan struggled with 
Yuusuke and Kuwabara's bags putting it into the room. It has three 
futons lying on the floor.
 
 	They sighed and went out of the room. Yukina offered to carry 
Kurama's not-so-light bag. They stopped in front of a room quite far 
from the others. "Put Kurama's bag here," she ordered. Yukina struggled 
and put the redhead's bag inside. There were 2 futon's in the room. 

 	When Yukina came back out, she gave Genkai a puzzled look. "Why 
don't Kurama-san stay with Kazuma-san and Yuusuke-san? There's enough 
futon for him there," she asked with a delicate smile. 

 	"Because we're going to have another guest," she said and went 
off. They asked nothing more. The old lady seemed to have something in 
her mind. When Genkai was safely out of sight, Botan whispered to 
Yukina. "Hiei coming?" she asked. Yukina shrugged. "Datarishite…" she 
blinked. 

 	When the both of them came back to the garden, they saw not three 
but four people running on the ground. Yuusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama and 
Mitarai Kiyoshi which is the boy who is an enemy-turned-friend. 

 	"One… two… three… four… One… two… three… four…" they chanted. None 
of them seemed tired yet. 

 	When it was up to the last round, Genkai suddenly changed her 
decision. "Make it another 60. You guys looked too healthy," groans were 
heard and they resumed another 60 rounds. "Botan-chan… can you please 
put Mitarai's bag in Kurama's room?" she asked. Botan nodded as the old 
lady continued to watch the others. She and Yukina walked to Kurama's 
room. "Why with Kurama? I thought Hiei was going to stay with him?" 
Botan asked. Yukina shrugged. 

 	When it all ended, they all slumped on the ground, gasping for 
air. Yukina and Botan came out. "Dinner time!" she exclaimed. As much as 
the guys wanted to eat, their bodies betray them. They were too tired. 

 	Finally, they managed to crawl in. Took them half an hour. 
Everyone was on the dinner table. There were eight bowls of rice on the 
table despite that there are only seven of them. "Drink first. We'll 
wait for the last person," Genkai smiled slowly. 

 	The jumped into the hot drink and nearly burnt their tongue. 
"Baasan! Why is it so hot?" he asked. "Well…" she giggled. "Yukina just 
boiled it, what do you expect? Cold ice lemon tea?" They all sighed.

 	Suddenly a figure opened the door. It was Hiei. "You came?" asked 
Kuwabara, still blowing his hot tea. Hiei looked at Kuwabara's awful 
face and blinked. "Sit Hiei, have dinner with us," Genkai smiled 
gesturing to the empty place. Hiei frowned at his place nearest to 
Kuwabara. "You knew I was coming?" he asked. Genkai shrugged. "I had a 
hunch."

 	"You're going to run 90 rounds around the garden like us 
afterwards," Kuwabara chuckled. Hiei kept quiet. "He doesn't need to," 
Genkai announced. "Why?" Kuwabara demanded. "He just came back from 
Mukuro's palace. He did some exercises already," she explained. "You 
knew?" Hiei asked. "I know a lotta things."

 	Later…

 	"Go to your rooms. Botan and Yukina will show you where they are," 
Yukina walked to Genkai. "So Hiei-san would be staying with Kazuma-san 
and Yuusuke san?" she asked. Genkai nodded.

 	The seven of them walked quietly on the sidewalks towards their 
room. They all stopped in front on a closed room. "Yuusuke, Kuwabara and 
Hiei are staying here," she said. Hiei frowned. "If I refuse to?" he 
can't take it if he was staying with these monkeys. At least Kurama was 
staying with the curly haired boy. That would be less noisy. 

 	"Come on, Hiei," Yuusuke pulled him in and shut the door.

 	Kurama and Mitarai were put in the same room. Kurama wanted to 
share the room with Hiei but said nothing. Over the time, he had 
developed a feeling towards that quiet youkai. But he wasn't sure of the 
feelings the fire youkai had for him.

 	Kurama decided to let the subject drop and unpacked his stuff.

 	Yukina and Botan could see the hurt in Kurama's eyes that Genkai 
separated them. 

 				***********

 	Hiei refused to sleep on the futon and sat facing the window. 
"Oi, Hiei… sleep… you're going to need it," Kuwabara said from under his 
comfortable futon. The fire youkai just kept quiet and sat with his legs 
crossed facing the door. His face was slightly lighted by the moonlight. 

 	"Hiei… come and sleep," Yuusuke coaxed. He knew the youkai didn't 
like the idea of him getting stuck here with them. "Hiei…" Kuwabara 
started.

 	"Shut up, will ya! Just… shut up…" he growled.

 				***********

 	Genkai went over to Kurama and Mitarai's room. "Everything okay 
here?" she asked. The boys nodded. Then Kurama stepped forth towards the 
lady. "Care for some tea?" he asked. Genkai nodded and sat as Kurama 
placed the tea set on the table. 

 	They talked a little about what kind of training they were to face 
and about the band of youkais. After a few moments, Genkai paused and 
took a sip on her tea. The other two was silent. Suddenly the old lady 
cleared her throat. "And another thing. You two are not allowed to meet 
the other group unless you were asked to or in battle. And at night… but 
you guys would most probably be too tired anyhow to meet each other," 
she told them. Kurama blinked. "Shikashi…" he protested. "You heard me, 
that's the rule for this time's training," she nodded and stood up. 
"Oyasumi," with that she went out. 

	 Kurama dropped on his cushion. "This is not fair!" he said under 
his breath. Mitarai looked at the redhead. "Daijobu, Kurama?" he asked. 
Kurama shook his head. "I don't think I feel too well," he slumped on 
his futon and covered himself up with the covers. This means that he 
can't see Hiei for the whole month except in training and battle! And 
asking Hiei to come out to the garden at night would be too obvious…

 	Kurama bit his lips…

 				************

 	Genkai slid open the door and was face-to-face with a pair of big 
almond eyes and red pupils. She nearly jumped out of her skin if it 
wasn't for that familiar small button nose of the fire youkai's. "Hiei," 
she smiled. Hiei rolled his eyes and closed it.

 	She took out a bell from behind her back and rang it noisily. Both 
Kuwabara and Yuusuke startled up. "Nan da yo?!" Yuusuke scratched his 
head. "Nothing, I am just telling you the rule for this time's 
training," she announced. "Rules?" Yuusuke and Kuwabara echoed at once. 
"It's just one rule. You three cannot see the other team in daytime. 
Meaning none of you can meet, talk or even smile to Kurama and Mitarai 
from dawn to dusk. Make it as if they don't exist. But it's okay after 
dinnertime. But I'm sure you'll be too tired to do so," she smiled.

 	"For the whole month?" asked Yuusuke. Genkai laughed. "Don't 
worry. You guys can meet in battles. So now go to sleep Hiei," with that 
she went out of the room.

 	 			***********

 	Next morning…

 	"Botan, you go and serve breakfast in Kurama's room. Yukina-chan, 
you go and serve breakfast in Yuusuke's room. If I sent Botan, Hiei 
might not eat," Genkai ordered the two girls. Both gave her puzzled 
look. "Aren't they suppose to have breakfast here?" Genkai shook her 
head. "Yukina-chan, make sure Hiei eats okay?" Yukina nodded and trotted 
the trays. Followed by Botan.

 	"And remember. No electricity… keep it traditional… Meiji time…," 
she smiled to herself.

 	A soft knock was heard. Yuusuke startled open his eyes. It was 
still dark and someone was at the door?

 	He pulled the blankets with him and practically dragged himself to 
the door, sliding it open. He smiled as the small delicate features of 
the ice maiden greeted him early in the morning. "Yukina-chan," he 
yawned. Yukina flashed him a cheerful smile. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Yuusuke-
san. I brought breakfast," she smiled. 

 	"Breakfast? It's not even dawn yet!" he mildly protested but 
gestured the ice maiden in. He slid the door to close it, not letting 
anymore cold air in. Hiei was still sound asleep. And Kuwabara didn't 
even flinch. 

 	Yukina lighted a candle. "No electricity?" he asked. Yukina shook 
her head. "Genkai doesn't allow electricity here," she reasoned. Yuusuke 
tightened the wrap around his body as he looked at the soft ice maiden 
serving breakfast on the small table. "Do you know any of the reasons 
why Genkai created the rule?" Yuusuke asked. Yukina shook her head. 
"Unfortunately, no… I was confused too as well… Kurama-san didn't like 
the rules too much I think…" Yukina pondered. Yuusuke shrugged. Kurama 
might have a crush on Hiei. But it was hard to tell since he was so nice 
to everyone else.

 	After that, Yukina walked over to Hiei and sat near to the 
sleeping fire demon. She reached out a hand and touched the fire demon's 
body. "Hiei-san… wake up," she pushed a little. Hiei opened his eyes and 
grumbled. 

	 Yukina went over to Kuwabara and woke the guy up. Took nearly 
five minutes but the guy finally made it. "Oh, Yukina-channn!!! 
Ohayou!!!" He exclaimed happily. Yukina nodded. "Breakfast is ready, 
Kazuma-san," she smiled. "Yoshi!" he instantly got up. Hiei snorted and 
rolled his eyes.

 	Breakfast was not quite silent for this side. Kuwabara was talking 
all the time praising how good the cooking was and all. But Hiei was 
definitely in a sour mood. 

 	A few moments after that, the fire demon stood up heading towards 
the door. "Ikimashou ka, Hiei-san?" Yukina asked. The fire demon didn't 
said anything, he just slid open the door. 

 	"Dame!" Yukina caught up with him. She held his arm with a little 
effort. "Onegai… please eat. Botan-chan and I had got up early to 
prepare it for you," she pleaded. Hiei sighed inwardly. He didn't voice 
out anything, just followed Yukina's pull back to the table. He ate a 
few more mouthfuls and waited until the others are finished. 

 	Yukina smiled. "After this, you guys can have your morning bath. 
Then go to the left side of Genkai's garden," Yukina explained. "Left?" 
Kuwabara echoed. "Hai, left side… because the right side of the garden 
would be occupied by Kurama-san and Mitarai-san," Yukina cleared 
herself. Hiei rolled his eyes. 

 	"I'm going to take my bath," he uttered and walked out. Kuwabara 
made sure Hiei was out of range before laughing. "Nani ga okashii ne?" 
Yuusuke asked. "Hiei bathes?" he giggled more. Yuusuke rolled his eyes. 
But then he leaned closer to Kuwabara. "Why if he doesn't, Kurama would 
stay a mile radius away from him, ne?" both rolled on the floor 
laughing. Yukina blinked but still chuckled as the two of them looked 
funny to her.

 				************

 	Cold… The water from the river felt like ice water splashing on 
his face. Hiei was too deep in thoughts to feel the chill. He paused. 
Slowly, he stripped off his clothes and dipped one foot into the water. 
Cold. He ignored it. 

 	The need to win has separated both of them. Hiei sighed. He 
wondered to himself. :… Why am I acting like this? …: The world is 
cruel. No matter in what world you are in, it will still be cruel to 
you. 

 				*************

 	"Kurama, are you alright?" Mitarai put a hand on the redhead's 
shoulder. Kurama nodded. "Don't be sad. Are you mad at me for some 
reason?" he asked. Kurama shook his head. "No."

	 Mitarai sighed. "Hey, have you heard the new song from Daze?" he 
asked, catching up with Kurama. Kurama smiled. "Which one?" he asked. 
"Umm... what's it called already? Ahh!! Together Forever!" he exclaimed. 
Kurama smiled and nodded. "Yeah, the tamagotchi song."

 	Flashback…

 	Hiei frowned at a round shining flat thing. He looked at it and 
can roughly see his own reflection on it. Looks like a mirror but it has 
a hole in the middle of it. "Oi Kurama, what is this?" he asked. Kurama 
rushed towards the fire demon. "That's a CD," he took it away from 
Hiei's not-so-careful hands.

 	"What does it do?" he frowned as Kurama put the round thing aside 
and put it back in it's casing. Seemed to be something precious. "It 
produces sound," Kurama explained, brushing his delicate fingers through 
his silky red hair. 

 	"I want to hear it," Hiei curled his arms on his chest. "Okay," 
Kurama got up, leaving the fire demon on the bed. He popped the CD into 
the Hi-fi and ran his index finger over the 'play' button. The heat 
sensor instantly responded with Kurama's feather light touch and started 
the track. 

 	First there was a beeping noise. 

 	"… I'm your tamagotchi, I'm happy that you love me, and we should 
be together forever and forever…" it sang. Hiei chuckled. "It's stupid," 
he laughed. "No it's not. It may sound stupid. But it's a cute song… the 
meaning is nice too… especially if you change the word tamagotchi to 
something else…" Kurama trailed off. "Yeah, stupid fox…" Hiei rolled his 
eyes. Then something curious popped in his mind. "To what fox?" he 
asked.

 	Kurama sweatdropped. "… Umm… nothing… it sounds cute as it is," he 
tried to cover the truth. Fortunately the fire demon didn't ask anymore.

 	But then, he repeated the song 10 times and nearly made Kurama 
dizzy with it.

 	"Hiei… can you please change the song?" the fire demon shook his 
head and pouted at Kurama who was concentrating on his so called 
Mathematics homework. "It's cute remember?"

 	End of flashback…

 	"It has a catchy tune," the redhead chuckled. "Yeah," Mitarai 
swung the towel over his shoulder and chuckled. "Sensui nearly blow me 
to bits when I sung that song in the middle of our meeting. Hahaha…!" 
Mitarai laughed at his own joke. 

 	Kurama chuckled. When they reached the riverside, a familiar 
figure was heading their way. : … Hiei … : Kurama said softly in his 
heart. The fire demon gave him a 'look'. 

 	Hiei got out of the cold water and wiggled himself dry. He reached 
for his clothes that were hidden somewhere near the bush and got into 
it, swinging his cloak hanging it on his shoulder. 

 	Then he heard soft giggles. He searched for the source of the 
sound in the dim light. And found it. 

 	Two figures made their way to him. One was a familiar one, a very 
familiar one. : … Kurama … : he wanted so much to just go up to him and 
hug the redhead telling him how much he missed him. How much Genkai's 
stupid rule made his heart ache. How much… 

 	The fire youkai blinked.

 	He was expecting the redhead to feel the same, but it looks as if 
the fox spirit was having a hell of a great time with the curly haired 
boy. He is even laughing with him now. 

 	How dare he. 

 	Suddenly it hit him. :… Hiei! How could you control Kurama like 
that? He's not yours and never will be yours. He's so beautiful and what 
are you? Just a forbidden child! …:

 	As the two came closer, one of them realised that he was there, 
eyeing them. Kurama stopped laughing at whatever joke Mitarai was 
making. The youkai gave Kurama a look and turned away before Kurama 
could greet him or something. Muttering curses.

 	Before Kurama could say anything, the image of Hiei had been 
turned into a mere blur of black.

 	Mitarai blinked. "Kurama? Daijobu?" he asked. Kurama shook his 
head. His heart felt like breaking into pieces. How come Hiei acted 
like. Unless he…

 	Kurama blinked. How could he? Could it be that… Hiei too had the 
same feeling as he did?

 	Kurama nearly fell into the river while thinking about the fire 
demon. It's a good thing that Mitarai was there to pull him back. Their 
eyes met and locked with each other for a while. 

 	"Gomen ne…" Kurama pulled off gently. Mitarai nodded and blushed 
himself. 

 	The sun was already up from its hiding place. The powerful shining 
rays of light shot through whatever stands in its way. 

 	Genkai smiled. "Faster!" she yelled at Yuusuke. "Hai, baasan!" 
Yuusuke hollered back, running faster. Hiei on the other side was with 
Kuwabara. The big guy with the red hair was practising his kata while 
Hiei stepped down the stairs tying the sash on his trousers. 

 	"Go Hiei, Kuwabara," Genkai shouted. Kuwabara nodded and took over 
Yuusuke's running as the other boy was allowed to rest. She kept her 
gaze on Hiei. The fire demon rolled his eyes at her before going. : … 
Mad at me? … : she blinked. Well, if she wanted her plan to work, Kurama 
must not see Hiei. "Keep running, I'm checking on Kurama and Mitarai. 
When I come back, we'll start with the fighting," with that she was 
gone. 

 	Kurama was meditating in the middle of the other garden with 
Mitarai following him. She could see their brows turning in frowns a 
couple of times. : … Most probably training with brainpower and 
youryoku… : she mused to herself. 

 	The sun was up high and Genkai frowned at the searing sunlight. 
She shook her head at Yuusuke's now technique. But before she could say 
anything, Yukina came out. "Genkai-san, I prepared lunch," Genkai 
nodded. "Botan, call Kurama and Mitarai in. They can rest and eat lunch 
first," she ordered.

 	Yuusuke stopped in mid-punch. "Yo, baasan! We're hungry as well," 
he complained. "You know the rules. You can't see Kurama and Mitarai 
during the day," she reasoned. "Hey, I thought that rule was only for 
Hi…" Kuwabara was knocked deep in the ribs by Yuusuke. Hiei snorted. He 
knew what was Kuwabara's next word. His name. 

	But why did they think that he wanted to see Kurama. Did he? :… 
stop lying to yourself Hiei …: a flat voice scolded him inside.

 	"Shut up and keep training. When they are finished, I'll call you 
guys. The food's plenty for everyone," she sighed.

 	"Kurama, Mitarai!" Botan called. Both pair of eyes snapped open. 
"Botan-chan?" Mitarai smiled. "Tabemasu yo! Iku wa yo!" she chirped. 
Kurama and Mitarai nodded. Both of the fighters made their way to the 
dining room and took their place. A nice dish of food was served on the 
table, just waiting to be eaten. 

 	"Suwaru kudasai, I'll take the rice for you," she scooped the rice 
into two bowls and placed it in front of Kurama and Mitarai. 
"Itadakimasu," Mitarai exclaimed and dived in the food with Kurama. 

 	Later, after Kurama and Mitarai had finished their morning 
training and lunch, it was Kuwabara, Yuusuke and Hiei's turn to eat. 

 	"Gosh, I'm famished," Kuwabara grinned at his second bowl of rice. 
Genkai was there eating with them. She glanced at Hiei who barely 
touched his food. "Is Yukina's cooking bad?" she asked. Hiei looked up 
and blinked once. Before he could answer anything, Kuwabara stamped his 
fist on the table. "Who are you to criticise Yukina-chan's perfect 
cooking?! How dare you? Answer to the great Kazuma Kuwabara!" he 
exclaimed angrily. 

 	Yuusuke rolled his eyes. He pulled Kuwabara down and whispered 
into his ears. "Oi, baka! Hiei's upset. You don't have to make it 
worse," Yuusuke grunted. Kuwabara's brows raised in confusion. "Honto 
ni?" Yuusuke sighed and resumed eating his rice. 

 	Hiei looked away from them and got up. "You haven't finished your 
rice," Genkai stopped the fire youkai. "Make me stay," he uttered. 
"Hiei-san… onegai… I know it doesn't taste good but please… I've put my 
every effort in it," she pleaded with watery eyes. 

 	Watery eyes… Kurama… Hiei closed his eyes. The image of Kurama 
shedding tears for him emerged in his mind. How those crystal clear 
tears surround the redhead's wonderful emerald depths. So very serene 
and beautiful. Never in his life again would he be alone. That was his 
promise. Kurama's silent promise. 

 	Without a word, the fire demon got back to his place and ate. 

 	Later at night…

 	Yuusuke threw his shirt over to the side and laid on the futon. 
"Wow… I'm tired," he sighed. Kuwabara was silent. Yuusuke turned. He 
expected his friend to agree with him. But the fellow was fast asleep. 
Only Hiei was up, staring at the moonlight.

 	"Oyasumi Hiei," Yuusuke yawned. No answer. Yuusuke shrugged and 
turned to his side. Soon enough, he fell asleep. 

 	Hiei turned his head to the door. He could see a tall figure 
walking outside the room. His shadow was clearly seen by the fire 
youkai. :… Kurama …: his heart said softly. 

 	The redhead was a good-hearted youko. He's so diligent and 
perfect. But the one phrase that escaped his mouth was enough to make 
Hiei feel very uncomfortable. 

 	Flashback …

	Kurama leaned on the windowsill and looked at the moonlight with 
Hiei next to him. "Do you know what's love, Hiei?" asked the redhead 
suddenly. "Yeah, a death sentence," was Hiei's answer. He hated that 
word 'love'. Because of the love that surrounded his mother and so-
called father, he and Yukina was born into this cruel world. It's a 
taboo. 

 	"Oh…," Kurama nodded. "I love you, Hiei…"

 	Hiei blinked. "Don't be ridiculous," with that, he flew out the 
window without a word.

 	End of flashback…

 	That was just about a week ago. Did Kurama really like him that 
much? :… You have your pride Hiei. Besides, a youko like that won't like 
you for long …:

 	But Kurama had treated him very well… tend all his wounds. Listen 
to all his grandmother stories about his work with Mukuro and all. Who 
else would do that?

 	He eyed the shadow, which stopped at the door. A soft knock. Hiei 
went to the door and slid it open. 

 	"What do you want?" Hiei asked casually. Kurama smiled. "I was 
going to take some fresh air. Care to come along?" he asked. Hiei looked 
behind him. The others were already asleep. He stepped out of the room 
and shut the door. 

 	They were walking around in silence and found a spot in the 
garden, which was nice enough to sit, to enjoy the moonlight. 

 	"How's Mitarai?" Hiei asked. "He's nice," Kurama answered. Hiei 
looked away. Why did it feel like knives travelling through his heart 
when he heard that? "Do you like him??" Hiei asked. Kurama nodded. "He's 
a very kind person," Kurama smiled. 

 	:… he's happy …: 

 	:… Serves you right Hiei… you were the one who refused his 
proposal …: a voice scolded him. :… you should be thankful that he still 
treats you as a friend …:

 	Flashback…

 	Hiei looked at his fingers which were intertwined with Kurama's "I 
don't like you, do you hear me?" Hiei blinked, trying to let go. Kurama 
looked at the ground. He nodded wearily. "If you really do hate me that 
much, kill me…" he slowly let go of Hiei's fingers.

 	"Shine…" with that Hiei went away.

 	With that, they haven't said a word to each other until the day 
they met in Koenma's office. 

 	End flashback…

 	Kurama sighed. It couldn't be true. Hiei still doesn't like him. 
:… I better go before I irritate him more …: Kurama stood up. "I'm 
sleepy. Oyasumi…" he trailed off. A tear dropped off his eyes as he 
brushed it off. 

 	Hiei watched. He didn't know what to say. Maybe Kurama would be 
better off with Mitarai. :… But would you be happy? …: a voice asked him 
deep inside. :… Does it matter? …: he asked the voice back. :… of course 
it matters …: Hiei closed his eyes. 

 	It goes on like that for several days. None of each group had any 
chance to see each other. On the forth day though…

 	Mitarai held Kurama's hand. "Kurama-kun…" he said softly. "Yes, 
Mitarai?" Kurama asked. They were in the garden that night having fresh 
air. "I like you very much," he asked, slightly blushing. Kurama smiled. 
He liked Mitarai too. Not as much as he likes Hiei but still…

 	Mitarai treated him like someone who's precious to him yet Hiei… 
Kurama closed his eyes. Sometimes the fire demon really treated him like 
dirt. 

 	Kurama nodded and reached for Mitarai's hand. "I do as well… I 
do…" he leaned over and kissed the boy. 

 	Unknown to them, a figure in black was watching from a distance. 
Hiei closed his eyes and bit his lips. He blamed himself for everything, 
for not telling Kurama his true feelings and rejecting him. Now he 
really felt like he lost something valuable, his life. 

 				***********

 	Hiei walked out of the room. His head hurts as much as his heart. 
"Hiei, quick! We don't have all the time in the world!" Yuusuke shouted 
from the garden. Hiei looked up as he headed for the stairs. Today they 
were supposed to combine forces and experiment their latest technique. 
"Shut up! ^#$@…%&!*…&*!#…" was his last words and curses before he fell 
off the steps and landed flat on the ground. 

	 "Hiei!" Yuusuke and Kuwabara rushed over to the fallen demon. 
They helped the limp youkai and Yuusuke placed the youkai's head on his 
lap. Genkai touched his forehead. Burning hot. "Hiei with a fever?" she 
told them more in amusement than matter-of-factly. 

	 Botan and Yukina came to see what was with the shouting and all. 
Yuusuke got the fire youkai into the room followed by Kuwabara. Suddenly 
Genkai held both of the girl's wrists. "Not a word to Mitarai or Kurama. 
Act as if nothing happened. Understood?" Both of the girls nodded. 

 	Genkai sighed. She thought that separating the two would make them 
train harder than having only each other in mind. But Hiei with a fever 
is not very good. He might be delusive and talk in his sleep out of the 
longing feel in his heart. She knew Hiei likes Kurama, but was too 
stubborn to admit it. She saw his face when the fire youkai saw Kurama 
and Mitarai walking together and did something in the garden last night. 
Genkai smiled. Even how cold the little fire demon was, he still melted 
when he saw his Kurama with another guy.

 	She glanced over to Yukina who was putting a damp cool towel on 
the poor boy's head. Hiei opened his eyes wearily. "Hiei-san…" she 
sighed, pity for him. "Ku…ra…ma…" Hiei said softly. Yukina brushed away 
a tear gem from her eyes. "I'm sorry, but we cannot tell him you're 
sick… please be patient… and get well," she changed the towel which 
seemed to grow hot again.

 	Genkai shook her head and gave Yukina the herb she was mixing.

 	In the middle of the night, Hiei suddenly opened his eyes. 
"…Kurama…" he said softly. His eyes wandered around the room. Yuusuke 
and Kuwabara were in their futon snoring away. Yukina was sitting next 
to him. She was asleep though. He took a deep breath, determined to get 
up and sneak to Kurama's room.

 	But when he tried to stand on his knees, they felt like jelly and 
he instantly slumped back on the futon. He closed his eyes. "Kurama…" he 
whispered softly. Pleading that someone would tell his fox how much he 
missed him. How much he wanted to be in his arms…

 	The bitter medicine Genkai had for the fire demon tasted not only 
bad but had a side effect of dysentery for a few days later.  

 	Resulting in a very pale looking Hiei for the next two days. A 
sick and pale Hiei is not good for the practise. 

 	"How are we going to train like this?" Yuusuke frowned at the 
feverish fire demon. "Never heard of Hiei getting a fever," Kuwabara 
pondered aloud. They took the day off and watched Hiei. He was having 
cold sweats all over.

 	"Shouldn't someone tell Kurama-san?" suddenly Yukina asked. Genkai 
shook her head. "It'll disturb their concentration," she reasoned. "But 
Hiei's getting worse," Yuusuke reasoned. 

 	Genkai shook her head, stubborn still. "It's none of Kurama's 
concern now. He'll be fine. I gave him medicine," she closed her eyes 
and went out. "I'm going to check on Mitarai and Kurama," she said 
softly. 

 	"What did she mean by it's not Kurama's concern now?" Yuusuke 
asked. "It's Kurama-san… he… he and Mitarai…" Botan paused. Every pair 
of eyes was settled on her. "They're already a couple," she mumbled. 
"WHAT?!" exclaimed Yuusuke and Kuwabara. "And Hiei-san knows about it?" 
she asked. "Maa…" trailed Botan. 

 	"Ku…ra…ma…" Hiei said softly. Yukina nodded. "I'll get Kurama-chan 
for you, Hiei-san," she promised. "I'll get Kurama-chan tonight," she 
held Hiei's limp hand. 

 				***********              

 	Botan took dinner to Kurama's room. Both of them were cuddled up 
together and reading some magazines. "He is stupid," Mitarai pointed at 
an actor. "Yeah, as if he's so damn cute," Kurama chuckled. "Ne, 
tabemasu yo," Botan chirped. Both of them nodded and sighed. "Oh, it's 
so tiring," they stretched. 

 	"Ah! I forgot! I'll go take the cups," she stood up. Then she 
pretended to fall and hurt her ankle. "Itai!!" she exclaimed. Both 
Kurama and Mitarai rushed towards her. "Botan-chan! Daijobu?" asked 
Kurama. Botan nodded. And sighed. "Itai…" she trailed off. Kurama looked 
at Mitarai. "Mi-chan… can you go take the cups. I'll put some herbs on 
her ankle. It might be dislocated," Mitarai nodded and went out. 

 	Just as Mitarai closed the door and Botan was convinced that he 
was far away already, she got up. Kurama blinked. "I thought your ankle 
was twisted?" he asked. "It's just an act, Kurama-chan… anyway I have to 
tell you something," she said and leaned closer to Kurama.

 	"Hiei likes you very much," she nodded. Kurama smiled and shook 
his head. "No, he doesn't. He already told me," Botan shook her head. 
"No, no… he really likes you," she insisted. "And how do you know about 
that? Anyway, he had already made it clear to me that he hates me," he 
said. 

 	"Besides, I already have Mitarai… he treats me better than Hiei. 
And Hiei… please… I don't want to make a fool out of myself already…" 
Kurama closed his eyes, suppressing the tears that were waiting to come 
out. 

 	"Hiei had been sick for three days and all he uttered was your 
name!" Botan finally spoke in an angered voice. 

 	Mitarai stopped at his tracks outside the room as he heard Botan's 
loud voice inside.

 	"Sick?" Kurama echoed. "Yes, most probably he knew about you and 
Mitarai. He had a fever and his temperature was so hot that Genkai had 
to give him the koori-no-hana to cool him down. As you know that herb 
has a side effect of getting diarrhoea for two days. You should see how 
he looks like now," Botan told Kurama. 
 	
 	Kurama tried to stand firm. "It's none of my business… send my 
regards to him though," he turned away. "Kurama-san!" Botan exclaimed. 
"He haven't ate for two days!" Botan raised her voice. 

 	"Then what do you want me to do? Go to him? And do what? I might 
possibly be humiliated and kicked away by his 'Oh-I'm-so-great' ego. 
He'll be all-right by himself I know that. Everyone knows that!" Kurama 
exclaimed. "And what about Mitarai?" his voice slowed down. "You don't 
expect me to just dump him. I like him as well. He treats me a hundred 
times better than Hiei will ever be able to," Kurama closed his eyes. 

 	Mitarai blinked. He felt guilty. He opened the door. 

 	Kurama opened his eyes when he heard the door slid open. "Mi-
chan…" Kurama called as he saw his lover. Mitarai nodded and sat the 
cups down on the table. His face was not so happy. "Ne, Mi-chan… daijobu 
da yo?" Kurama inched closer. Mitarai nodded. "Let's eat," he said 
softly. Kurama and Botan nodded. 

 	It was a silent meal. 

 	Suddenly Mitarai spoke. "Ne, Kurama-chan…" he started as he put 
aside his bowl. "Yes?" Kurama arched his brow. "Hiei-san loves you…," he 
said softly. Both Kurama and Botan stopped eating. "Please, don't 
start," Kurama ran a hand through his hair and stood up. "Don't ever 
bring up this matter again!" with that he ran out of the room, into the 
garden. 

 	Botan looked at Mitarai. His eyes were welling up with tears. 
"Botan-chan… what have I done… I have taken away Hiei's love from 
Kurama… what am I to do?" he asked, burying his face in his hands. Botan 
patted his shoulder. "There's nothing to worry about. Kurama-san would 
be okay for a while... he just needs some time to think for himself," 
Botan sighed as she cleared the table.

 	She went back to Yuusuke's room and see Hiei. "How's he doing?" 
she asked, sitting next to Yukina. She reached to brush Hiei's hair off 
his sweaty forehead. Hiei blinked his weary eyes once. They were so 
lifeless and dull. "Not too good. Have you told Kurama-san?" asked 
Yukina. Botan nodded. "What did he say?"

 	Botan blinked. "Well… he's very disturbed now. He still isn't 
convinced that Hiei likes him," she turned to Hiei and held his hand 
with her free one. "Hiei, have you told or do anything to Kurama until 
he thinks that you hate him so much?" Botan asked him, still stroking 
Hiei's hair. 

 	Hiei closed his eyes. It was countless. Everything Kurama did for 
him was returned by harsh answers and acts. He didn't answer Botan's 
question. It would just hurt his pride.

 	"If you're not telling us… then I'm sorry Hiei… you have just lost 
Kurama to Mitarai Kiyoshi," Botan uttered softly. Hiei bit his lips as 
he suppressed his tears. 

 	Yukina held Hiei's other hand. "Oh, Hiei-san… don't be like this. 
Please be well again," she pleaded, tears started to roll down 
uncontrollably down her rosy cheeks. Kuwabara gritted his teeth. Angry 
at Hiei for making his dear Yukina cry. But Hiei had his side of the 
story as well. He couldn't blame it all at the poor fire demon. 

 	They all decided to leave Hiei alone for the night and rest. They 
needed to train the next day. Because Hiei was sick, Kuwabara and 
Yuusuke carried him inside another room. Something like quarantine. 

 	The night was silent. Sounds of insects in the night were the only 
thing that Hiei could hear. Suddenly the door was opened. It was 
Mitarai. The boy came in and closed back the door. He made his way next 
to Hiei. "How are you?" he asked.
 
 	Hiei snapped open his eyes. It was burning with hatred. "Why are 
you here? I don't want you here!" He exclaimed, but then he winced as 
his head hurts. 

 	"I'm sorry Hiei… I… I didn't mean to take Kurama away from you…" 
Mitarai started. "What do you mean you took Kurama away from me? He was 
never mine! Take all you want! I don't like him after all! Go to hell!" 
Hiei was suddenly full of life and anger. He was already on his feet, 
his fist was slightly emitting black smoke. 

 	Mitarai held Hiei's shoulder. "You should have treated him nicer," 
he said softly. "Shut up! I don't need you to tell me how to act!" Hiei 
fought the pain in his head as he shouted at the young boy. 

 	Everyone heard the commotion and rushed to Hiei's room. 

 	Hiei grabbed Mitarai's collar and gritted his teeth. "I hate you! 
And I hate Kurama so much that I wish he just die!" Hiei punched Mitarai 
right on the face. The door was slid open on the last sentence. 

 	Kurama bit his lips and lunged forward. He heard it all and he saw 
it all. "Hate me all you want but keep your hands off him!" Kurama 
lunged forward and scooped Mitarai up. "You ungrateful wretch!" Kurama 
spat, there were tears in his eyes. He carried Mitarai away and left 
everyone catchflies with their jaw. 

 	"Hiei!" Botan ran towards him. "Why? Why did you say that?" she 
asked. Everyone sighed. "Hiei, don't be stubborn… now Kurama's feelings 
might have been very hurt," Yuusuke started.

 	"Shut up! SHUT UP!!!" he held his head as he shouted. "Hiei-san, 
are you alright?" Yukina asked. He didn't look too well to her. "My… 
head…" he uttered softly. "Genkai-baasan! Hiei-san's head hurts!" Genkai 
nodded. "That's the last stage of the koori-no-hana herb's effect. He'll 
be okay by tomorrow," she nodded and went out of the room. 

 	Yuusuke sat next to Hiei and pulled the fire demon towards his 
chest. Hiei's head hurt too much for him to protest. Tears started to 
fall freely out of the pain in his head and the grief he was suffering. 

 	Yuusuke motioned everyone to leave the room. When he was alone 
with only Hiei in his arms, he stroked the demon's hair in order to 
comfort him. "I understand why you did that Hiei… just let it go… cry 
all you want," he said softly. 

 	"Yuusuke…" Hiei trailed off. The pain in his head and heart 
doubled and he bit his lips in order to contain it. 

 	Kurama treated Mitarai's blue-black jaw. His face was very angry 
and very sad that Mitarai dare not to speak a word. "Go to sleep. And 
don't go over and pest that bastard again," Kurama said softly and he 
gave Mitarai a peck on the cheek. He tucked the boy into bed and went 
out of the room for some fresh air. 

 	It was clear that Hiei hated him. Hated him so much that he wished 
death for him. 

 	Genkai looked at her calendar. It was already four weeks since 
they had been practising here. With all the inconvenience and all, they 
had a bit of improvement.

	"I'm getting them ready today," she nodded.

 	As usual, both Yukina and Botan were already working on breakfast. 
Genkai smiled. "Everyone's having breakfast at the same time today," she 
announced. Both nodded.

 	Half an hour after that, they served the dishes and went to call 
for the boys. 

 	On this side…

 	"Jeng, jeng, jeng… Ohayou ne!" Botan exclaimed. Kurama and Mitarai 
nodded. "Guess what?" she gleamed. "What?" Kurama smiled back. "Well, 
we're all having breakfast together!" she shouted. "Together?" asked 
Mitarai. "Yes! As in, you two, me, Yukina-chan, Genkai-baasan, Yuusuke, 
Kuwabara and Hiei!" she told them. "Honto ni?" Mitarai blinked. Botan 
nodded. "Iku wa yo!" 

 	On the other side…

 	Yukina woke up the boys and smiled. They were already in their 
fresh clothes. "You guys don't have to wait, we're all having breakfast 
together," she told Yuusuke and Kuwabara. "Ja!" Kuwabara and Yuusuke 
went out happily thinking about what food they're having for that day.

 	Yukina looked at Hiei who gathered up his cloak. She sat closer to 
him. "You can see Kurama-san today," Yukina told Hiei as the fire youkai 
put on his cloak. With his back towards his sister, Hiei raised a brow 
but kept his voice level. "So?" he asked. "I thought you would want to 
look nicer today," she suggested. "So what? Mitarai would be enough to 
cheer him up," Hiei said and turned around heading for the door.

 	Yukina sighed. Hiei looked very pale and sad. But she knew that 
his power grew the most out of the others. 

 	At breakfast, everyone was waiting for Hiei and Yukina. When the 
fire demon entered, everyone was silent. "Hiei why are you late? We're 
all famished!" Botan exclaimed and chuckled. 

 	Hiei and Yukina took their seat. When they were starting to eat, 
Kurama suddenly stood. "I'm skipping breakfast today," with that he 
walked towards the door. Everyone knew why. It was Hiei. 

 	"Do you think Yukina-chan's cooking is that bad until you're 
skipping it?" Kuwabara asked, actually an excuse for Kurama to eat 
breakfast with them. "Her cooking is fine," his voice was very serious, 
then he walked out of the door. Everyone dare not to speak a word after 
that.

 	Breakfast was quiet. The food was nice and plentiful but the air 
was still cold.

 	After breakfast, They were all gathered up in the garden. Genkai 
blinked. "No, lets go up the mountain. It'll be better there." 

 	As soon as they arrived at the mountain, Koenma appeared in his 
teenage form. "Ready?" he asked. Everyone nodded. Then they were 
transported into Makai, where the Demons are waiting. 

 	Yuusuke blinked. There were only 5 youkais in front of them "Ne? 
you said there were hundreds of you guys?" he asked.

 	The youkai blinked. "The others died while practising," he 
answered casually. Yuusuke blinked. Then he smirked. "This should be 
easy," he cracked his knuckles. "Don't underestimate them," Kurama 
warned. Yuusuke nodded. 

 	So it started. The easy battle between 5 B-class youkais and the 
Reikai Tantei. It was not even a threat to them.

  	The fight was over in 5 minutes. Though it was short, they 
suffered enough injuries to last them a month. Kuwabara rolled his eyes. 
"Wasted my whole month for this shit?" he snorted. Koenma shrugged. 

 				**********

 	"Anyway, let's have a party," Koenma suggested, pushing away the 
piling papers as he talked to Botan. Then he leaned closer to Botan. 
"Maybe we could make Kurama and Hiei propose to each other?" he grinned. 
Botan blinked. "Oh, you didn't knew?" she asked. "What?" Koenma blinked. 

 	"Kurama had a big fight with Hiei and now he's with Mitarai," she 
told Koenma. "Now, how did that happen?" he asked. 

 	Botan spent the whole afternoon explaining to Koenma. 

 	"Sou desu ka?" he sucked furiously at his fukumen. "Mitarai 
shouldn't be interrupting them… I was hoping for the two to get 
together… and I already got wedding gifts piling up for them and their 
children in the future!" He blinked. 

 	"You went to buy gifts for them?" Botan asked. Koenma shook his 
head. "Go and visit Makai. Everyone thought that the two would make it 
together and already sent the gifts to them via-me! ^_^;" he grinned.

 	"Well then… we have to separate Mitarai and Kurama first," Koenma 
thought. Botan flapped her hand. "That's a no problem, Koenma-sama… 
Kurama paid less attention to Mitarai after the Hiei punching Mitarai 
scene," Botan smiled. 

 	"That should be easier then," Koenma smiled. 

 				**********

 	"Hi, Hiei. Okaeri," Mukuro didn't even look up when she greeted 
her heir back. She looked up when she got no response. "Hiei?" then her 
jaw dropped. "Oh devils! What happened to you!" she rushed away from her 
table and wrapped her arms around her precious little so-called son. 

 	Hiei didn't stay to get healed by the healers. Mukuro fussed with 
him. 

 	"Oh, Hiei… what have you been doing?" she shook her head as she 
watched her servants pulled off the fire youkai's torn top and revealed 
the demon's small compact torso. "We fought with some youkais and won," 
he said casually. 

 	Mukuro 'tsk-tsked' and sighed. "Aren't you suppose to get healed 
by the Reikai Tantei healers?" she frowned as she didn't like the cuts 
and bruises at all on her heir's body. She clapped her hands and a few 
more youkai's came in with first-aid kits. 

 	"What? Let that Botan touch me? I'd rather die," he snorted and 
then winced in pain as one of the servants put antiseptic on the cuts. 
It reacted like acid on him. Mukuro rolled her eyes. "There's always 
your dear sister," she smirked. "Leave her out of this!" he snapped, and 
winced again as another stab of pain soared through his veins when the 
servants put the antiseptic solution on another wound. 

 	"Hey, snappy aren't we today? Why don't you…" Mukuro paused as 
Hiei gifted her with an angry glare. "Okay, okay… I'm talking about 
something else now… ah… How's Kurama?" 

 	Hiei debated with himself. Either to snap at Mukuro again, or let 
the matter drop. He was silent for a while. But finally nodded. "He's 
alive," he was put into bed by the servants when they finish dressing up 
his wounds. 
 	
	The servants bowed at Mukuro and went out. As soon as they were 
out of the room, another one entered. With a bowl of steaming broth. 
 	
 	"Put it there, I'll feed it to him," she ordered the youkai. Hiei 
glared daggers at her, but Mukuro seemed to be kind of occupied with 
smiling at her servant that she didn't realise Hiei's glare. The servant 
nodded and put the bowl on the table next to Hiei's bed and went out. 

 	Mukuro waited until she went out and closed the door. She turned 
back her attention to Hiei and took the bowl of steaming Makai chicken 
soup. The fire demon sighed and obediently opened his mouth for his so-
called mother to feed him. 

 	When Hiei had finished the soup, Mukuro put it back on the table 
and reached out to brush the youkai's hair. "Told you to be careful," 
she sighed. 

 	"I did something terrible," he suddenly told her. "What, you 
killed Kurama?" she chuckled. "Serious! No, but quite close," he said. 
"What is it?" she asked. 

 	"…………" 

 	"Hiei… you can tell me. I may not be at much help. But it would 
make you feel better if you tell me," she smiled. 

 	"We had a fight," he finally told her. Mukuro gulped. What was she 
to do with all the gifts that were piled up in the storeroom everyone 
gave for their wedding?!
 
 	"And… Kurama got a new lover," he said softly. 

 	Mukuro blinked. She definitely needed to throw them away.

 	"How?" she asked. 

 	Hiei spent the whole night telling her what had happened. 

 	"You stupid little idiot," she finally announced. "I know," Hiei 
sighed. "You love him right?" she asked. Hiei bit his lips. Mukuro 
rolled her eyes. "Just nod darling," she ordered. Hiei nodded. "But why 
is that you said you hated him?" she asked. Before Hiei could answer… 
"Because you have that stupid little ego stuck to your backside!" she 
knocked his head. 

 	Mukuro sighed. She can't go to the human world. That stupid 
barrier between Makai and Ningenkai doesn't allow A-class and S-class 
demons like her to enter the other world. That means she can't help her 
little heir.

 	"If I could go to the Ningenkai and talk to Kurama, it would be 
perfect… but that stupid barrier… hmm…"

 	Suddenly a knock was heard on the door and it echoed around the 
room for a while. "Come in," Mukuro answered. A youkai came in and 
handed her a parcel and a letter. "These two came together?" she asked. 
The youkai shook his head. "One is from Reikai. Another is from…" he saw 
Hiei and leaned closer to Mukuro. "It's a present for Hiei-sama and 
Kurama-sama from Yakusen-sama," he whispered. "Oh…" Mukuro nodded and 
dismissed the youkai. 

 	She read the letter and smiled. "A party for you," she smiled. "I 
don't want to go," Hiei turned to his side. "You go and tell Kurama 
exactly what you feel," she ordered. "He has Mitarai already," he closed 
his eyes. 

 	Mukuro sweatdropped. All these presents are really going down the 
drain if Hiei kept his ego high up his head. She got up and went to the 
closet. She picked up a small sized black tuxedo and white shirt. 
Perfect with a red bow as red as Hiei's ruby eyes. But then she thought 
for a while. She rummaged through the closet again and took out a pair 
of blue jeans and a baby blue T-shirt. 

 	"I have a hunch Kurama would wear a white tuxedo because black 
don't suit him very well. And if he comes in normal human clothes…" she 
mumbled and rummaged through the lot again. "Who said I'm going 
anywhere!" Hiei shouted. "I'm not saying you're going anywhere," she 
shrugged and smiled as she took a nice hooded jacket out of the closet. 
Hiei gritted his teeth. 

 	Mukuro came back with the attire and chucked it on the bed. She 
took her place on the bed and started putting it all together like a 
puzzle. "It will look nice on you," she commented with a smile. 

 	Hiei got up and wrapped his arms around Mukuro. "Mukuro… please… 
don't do this to me. I'll be going there alone and Kurama's going to 
come with Mitarai… I really, really don't want to see it… I have enough 
of it already… please… don't force me…" he buried his face on Mukuro's 
chest. 

 	She patted his head. "Why don't you want to see it? Does it hurt 
you a lot?" she asked. Hiei nodded and Mukuro could feel something wet 
on her chest. Hiei was crying silently. "Kurama's going with you," she 
said. Hiei shook his head. "I'm making sure of that," Mukuro nodded. 
Hiei shook his head again. "Don't force him. Besides, what are you going 
to do with Mitarai?" Hiei asked. "Kill him?" she suggested playfully. 
"Mukuro…" Hiei sighed wearily.

 	She chuckled. "Okay, okay… I'll deal with it… you just worry about 
the party… I just wish that the party is held in Reikai… than I could go 
with you all and help ^_^;" 

 	Hiei shook his head. "You're one crazy mother," he slumped back on 
the bed. 

 	Mukuro laughed and reached out to brush the tears dry. "I am, am 
I? Maybe I am crazy… getting myself into your stupid little problems… 
But it looks quite fun…" she went out of the room. 

 				***********

 	Mukuro grinned and stopped a servant on her way. It had been two 
days and Hiei had recovered from whatever physical wounds he had. "Ne, 
get Kurama and Mitarai Kiyoshi here," she ordered. 

 	The youkai blinked at her. "Kurama I can find, But I don't know 
who is Mitarai Kiyoshi, Mukuro-sama," he apologised to her. Mukuro 
looked at him. "Get Kurama and ask him to bring a human named Mitarai 
Kiyoshi along. Is that good enough?" she asked. The youkai nodded. 

	Before the youkai walked away, she grabbed his arm and stopped him 
again. "Yes, Mukuro-sama?" Mukuro leaned closer to him and whispered. 
"Not a word to Hiei, okay?" the youkai nodded. 

 	Kurama was lying on his bed only wearing his boxers. "Why is it 
like… so damn hot today?" he asked himself as he pointed the controller 
and turned the air-conditioner on higher. 

 	A knock on the window was heard.

 	Kurama frowned. :… Hiei? …: but as he opened the window a pink 
coloured youkai came in. "Oi… why is it hot here today in Ningenkai?" he 
suddenly asked Kurama. "Wakaranai… who are you?" Kurama asked. Though he 
doesn't know this youkai, he was convinced enough that he's not the 
troublemaker type according to his colour. 

 	"I'm Mukuro-sama's servant. I was asked to get you and another 
human named Mitarai Kiyoshi to her palace. Anyway, sorry to disturb you… 
are you doing something?" the youkai apologised. Kurama shook his head 
and sat on his bed. "Do you know what does she want with us?" Kurama 
asked. The youkai shook his head. "But I don't think it's anything 
serious. She's happy today," he smiled. 

 	"Sou da… well, okay then… we'll be over in a couple of hours. You 
can go back first," Kurama smiled. The youkai nodded and disappeared 
back out of the window. 

 	Kurama closed the window and closed his eyes. :… What does she 
want with us? …: he pondered and sighed. "Ah… what the hell," he 
shrugged and went to change.

 	He called up Mitarai and met him in the park. 

 	"Hai Kurama!" a boy in a hooded jacket and jeans exclaimed as he 
came closer to Kurama. "Hi Mitarai…" they exchanged hugs. "Are you 
ready?" Kurama asked. Mitarai nodded.

 	Moments later, they arrived at Mukuro's palace. "Wow, this place 
is big. Who's living in it?" Mitarai asked. Kurama smiled. "An S-class 
youkai who is actually Hiei's so-called mother. She's one of the three 
Makai Lords in the Demon World," Kurama grinned. "Ah…" Mitarai mused. 
"Is she going to eat us or something?" Mitarai asked.

 	Kurama chuckled. "She's actually a nice person if she's in a good 
mood. But I don't know…" Kurama went through the gate followed by 
Mitarai. "Oh… hey, no guards?" Mitarai grinned. Kurama shook his head. 
"We're welcomed. They are around. Maybe your youki level is still too 
low to locate them," Kurama reasoned and approached the door. 

 	It opened from inside and the two stepped in. A small purple fur-
ball formed in the middle of thin air and made a squeaking sound. "Hai… 
I thought Mukuro-sama wanted to see us?" Kurama asked the small fur-
ball. It hopped up and down in the air and squeaked again. Kurama 
blinked. The fur-ball seemed to put one of its small fingers on its 
mouth. 

 	"Oh, we're too loud is it?" Kurama asked softly. The fur-ball 
nodded. 

 	Then the fur-ball floated to Kurama's hand and pulled it. 
Gesturing the redhead to follow it into Mukuro's throne room. 

 	When they entered the dark room, the fur-ball disappeared. 

 	Suddenly there was sheer brightness. "Ohh! You guys are already 
here?" a woman in simple attire was visible. Mitarai blinked. Her face 
was half covered by a weird looking mask. 

 	"Hisashiburi na, Kurama," she smiled. "Yes, it's been a long 
time," Kurama nodded. "Well, you do know why I called you here for, 
right?" she asked. Kurama shook his head. "Actually, no," Mukuro 
blinked. "Is it so? Then… have a seat," she offered them a seat and 
poured some tea in the small teacups. 

 	"You guys are having a party, am I right?" asked the Makai lord, 
sipping some tea. Kurama nodded. "Yes, we are," Kurama answered. "Is 
Hiei invited?" she asked. 

 	Kurama looked away. "I don't know," he said casually. "Ne… you had 
a fight with Hiei or something?" Mukuro pretended not to know a thing. 
"No," Kurama lied. 

 	"Lie to me fox, and I'll cut off your tail," her voice was deep. 
"How should I know? I'm not the one who arranged the guest-list," Kurama 
reasoned. "I'm talking about the fight you had with Hiei," she said 
dully. "We're not fighting," Kurama answered. 

 	"Aha, yeah right. And why is it that when I asked you about him 
you acted as if he's some kind of a dirt?" Mukuro asked. Kurama snapped 
his head up. "No, I did not!" he denied. "Does Hiei look like a dirt to 
you? Does a future heir to a Makai throne look like a dirt to you, 
Kurama?" Mukuro asked, her voice slightly cold and harsh. 

 	Mitarai blinked. He didn't knew that Hiei had such a big post 
waiting for him. 

 	"No, Mukuro…" Kurama shook his head. "Then why do you seem to hate 
him so much?" she asked. "I do NOT hate him! He is the one who hated 
me!" Kurama snapped. "Oh, snappy aren't we today?" Mukuro suddenly said 
softly and she poured more tea into Kurama's cup, as in comforting him. 

 	"Hiei hates you? I see…" Mukuro nodded. But then chuckled. "You're 
trying to lie to me?" she slanted her left eye at Kurama. "Believe what 
you want, Mukuro," Kurama rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay," she sipped some 
more tea. 

 	"Say, do you have any plans to get married?" Mukuro suddenly 
turned her gaze to Mitarai. "Who? me?" Mitarai pointed at himself. 
"Yeah, you see anyone else here?" she blinked. "Well… yeah…" he smiled. 
"With a girl?" Mukuro asked. 

 	Mitarai shrugged. "Of course… can you get married to a guy?" he 
asked, kind of sarcastic in that matter. Mukuro sighed. "You can, here 
in Makai. And in Ningenkai too," she smiled. Mitarai shrugged. "I'm 
definitely marrying a girl," he assured Mukuro.

 	Mukuro gifted him with a pleasured smile. "Good because I'm having 
Kurama for my son-in-law," Mukuro smiled and reached out to pat Mitarai. 
"I wish you happy ever after," she congratulated Mitarai in advance. 
"That's a weird phrase Mukuro," Kurama commented. "Isn't that what they 
always say in the end of human fairy tales stories?" she asked. Kurama 
blinked "Okay, okay… I get the idea," he chuckled. 

 	Obviously Kurama wasn't aware of his state. But then he stopped 
and thought for a while. "Mukuro… Hiei hates me… don't be ridiculous," 
Kurama rolled his eyes. 

 	Mukuro ignored Kurama and smiled at Mitarai. "With this I 
officially pronounce you two, separated, divorced or whatever you want 
to call it ^_^," she grimaced. "Mukuro…" Kurama called again. Mitarai 
looked at her in confusion. "Oh… so you wanted to separate the two of 
us?" Mitarai asked. Mukuro thought for a while. 

 	"Yes." 

 	"Why didn't you say so? Kurama and I have no serious relationship 
as in that kind. We just like to spend time together," Mitarai said. 
Mukuro blinked. "Sou desu ka?" she asked. Kurama nodded. 

 	She slumped back to her seat. :… What a waste of effort …: she 
sighed. "Oh, okay then… I'll get someone to send you back," Mukuro 
ordered the fur-ball which suddenly appeared in thin air to send Mitarai back to Ningenkai. 

 	When the room was empty except for the two of them, Mukuro was 
back to business. "Take Hiei to the party," she said calmly. Kurama 
shook his head. "He'll kill me in return," Kurama answered. Mukuro shook 
her head. "He loves you so very much. He hated you because he thought 
that you had a new lover," Mukuro explained. Kurama listened, but didn't 
say anything in reply. 

 	"Really… he was invited to the party. He got the invitation but he 
didn't want to go because he said that you'd be coming with Mitarai and 
he didn't want to see that, because it hurts him so much. And you know 
what made that confession more maudlin?" Mukuro asked.

 	Kurama blinked. "What?" Mukuro sighed. "He was crying when he said 
that," she told Kurama. 

 	The fox spirit was silent. "Don't you believe me?" she asked. 
Kurama nodded. "I believe you," he said softly. "Then pick him up at 6," 
she grinned. "The party starts at 9," Kurama blinked.

 	"Come at 6. Talk to him. Go to the party at 8.50," Mukuro winked 
and stood up. I have some things to settle. See you next time," she went 
out of the room. 

 	Two days later…

 	Kurama came back from meeting Yuusuke and saw his step-brother 
coming down the stairs. "Hi, Shuu-chan," Kurama greeted. "Ah… Niisan! A 
girl called. I mean a lot of girls called," he said. "Sou da? What did 
they say?" he asked casually, walking into the kitchen and peered at 
what his kaasan was cooking. Shuuichi opened a piece of paper. "They 
said to call all of them back. They're Junko, Kirina, Shayla, Afura, 
Yukiko and Shina. All from Sara Yashiki High," Shuuichi told his step-
brother and folded back the paper where he wrote all the messages. 

 	Kurama kissed his mother and thought for a while. :… Sara Yashiki? 
I'll kill Yuusuke for giving my phone number away like hot cakes …: 
"Doumo. But I don't have their numbers," he thanked his step-brother. 
"Oh," Shuuichi shrugged. Then he looked at the clock. "Ne, niisan… 
aren't you going to change and get ready for the party?" Shuuichi 
inquired the tall redhead. "Now?" Kurama asked. "No, tomorrow! Of course 
now! You said you were to go to your date's house at 6!" Shuuichi rolled 
his eyes. 

 	Kurama looked at the clock. It's half past 5. He sighed inwardly. 
"Oh my!" with that he went up to change.

 	Shiori put down a plate of fried tofu on the table. "Shuu-chan has 
a date already?" Shiori asked. Shuuichi shrugged. "He just told me to 
remind him, that's all," he said and sat on the counter. "Tell him to 
bring her home one day," she smiled.

 	"Her? I don't think it's a 'her'," Shuuichi grinned. Shiori looked 
at him holding a spatula I one hand. "Aha… sou desu ka? Then who is this 
boy?" she asked. Shuuichi thought for a while. If his instincts were 
correct…

 	"I'll tell niisan to bring him home. Then you can see him," he 
hopped off the counter and went out. 

 	Moments later, a beautiful redhead came down the stairs. Everyone 
was in the living room. "You look gorgeous, musuko," Shiori gasped. 
Shuuichi nodded enthusiastically. "Perfect!" he exclaimed, giving Kurama 
as thumbs-up. "Well, even though you look like a girl, you sure look 
handsome," Kazuya joked. "Tousan!" Kurama started. "Okay, okay… jyodan 
deshou…" he chuckled. Kurama looked at his watch, 5 minutes to 6. 

 	"Gotta go!" he grinned. Shiori gave him a peck on his forehead. 
"Say hi to him for me," she winked at her son. Kurama nodded and went 
out the door. Then he paused and turned. :… Him? How did kaasan…? Oh 
what the hell… I'm already late! …: he turned around and went through a 
portal to Makai. 

 				***********

 	"Hiei… you are not getting the bow right," Mukuro fussed. "I still 
don't want to go," he growled. "You'll be going to the party in a coach. 
It's not like you have to travel to Ningenkai by feet," Mukuro joked. 
"What? A pumpkin coach like in Cinderella?" Hiei asked. Mukuro rolled 
her eyes. "Yeah, complete with horse legs attached and whips," she 
replied sarcastically. 

 	"I still don't understand. Why do you want so much to…" Hiei was 
cut by a knock on the door. Mukuro looked at the clock, exactly 6 
o'clock. "Oh goodie, he's here," she smiled broadly. Hiei rolled his 
eyes. "Who's here… oh… no… you didn't…" Hiei shook his head. "Yes, I 
did! And you're not going anywhere," she grabbed the fire demon who was 
starting to run away. 

 	"Come in!"

 	The door opened and a tall boy in a pair of jeans and soft pastel 
green shirt was standing right in between the door. "Hai," he smiled. 
"He's not wearing a white tuxedo," Hiei whispered to Mukuro. "Oh, we'll 
deal with that," she turned to Kurama. "Come here and close the door," 
she smiled. Kurama did as told and came closer. 

 	Hiei still hadn't moved from his place from just now. He was 
standing on his knees on the bed with Mukuro fussing with his bow. 
"Since Kurama's not wearing a tux…" she took the jeans, baby blue T-
shirt and jacket. 

 	Hiei was stripped right on front of Kurama and was forced into the 
other attire. "Kurama, can you help me with this?" Mukuro asked. Kurama 
nodded. "Sure," he walked closer to Hiei and Mukuro. The fire demon was 
still frozen. Shocked and dazed all in one. 

 	Suddenly Mukuro slapped her forehead. "I forgot to do something! 
I'll leave this to you Kurama," with that she went out of the room. "Mu… 
Mukuro!" Hiei gritted his teeth and swore under his breath when Mukuro 
closed the door. Kurama turned back to look at Hiei when the door was 
shut. 

 	"Hai," he said. "Hai," it was soft.

 	Kurama reached his hands to help Hiei buckle his jeans and zip up 
his zipper. "You look cute today," Kurama commented. "Ah? Oh… so do 
you," he said nervously as Kurama's soft hands moved up to stroke his 
jaw after finish messing with the buckle and zipper. 

 	"I'm sorry," Kurama said softly. "For what?" Hiei asked. 
Logically, it should be him who was supposed to apologise to Kurama. 
"For everything that I have done to you," he said softly, one finger 
trailing Hiei's fine jaw. 

 	"You did nothing wrong to me," Hiei moved closer to Kurama's face. 
Kurama shook his head. "I was wrong to push you," he said. Hiei's hands 
moved up to hold Kurama's sides. "No… I am the one who was suppose to 
say sorry," he said softly, his face was dangerously close to Kurama. 

 	"I forgive you," Kurama leaned closer and gave the youkai a kiss, 
sensual and nice. 

 				***********

 	Mukuro came down to the hall before the two went to the party. She 
clasped her hands together and uttered some incantations. After that, 
she brushed Hiei's hair with both of her hands. "What's that for?" Hiei 
asked. 

 	Suddenly there was a nice soft smell emitting itself from Hiei. 
"It's a spell I learnt. No perfume needed and you still smell nice," she 
grinned and leaned down to give Hiei a peck on the cheek. 

 	"Off you two," she hushed them out. 

 	Hiei blinked.

 	"Weird," he said softly. Kurama leaned down to smell Hiei. "Mmm… 
nice. It suits you," he commented. "I'm going to suffocate everyone," 
Hiei snorted. "No, it's nice," Kurama assured Hiei. 

				***********
	
 	"Genkai-baasan, where do you put this?" Kuwabara asked, balancing 
three big bowls of chips in his arms. "There," the old lady pointed on 
the corner. 

 	Kuwabara followed her orders and placed the bowls on the table. 
Yuusuke came in and sighed. "Everything's ready… but where's Kurama and 
Hiei?" he wondered, having a seat on a cushion. Everyone took their seat 
and looked at the food on the table. "I hope the chips are not that 
spicy," Mitarai frowned. 

 	Botan opened a piece of paper and read from it. "First, we'll have 
a feast…" she paused and grinned at the food, cause most of them were 
prepared by her. "Secondly, we'll have a game," she looked at everyone. 
"What game?" Kuwabara asked. 

 	"Oh, it's 'Pass The Parcel' Kuwabara-kun," Keiko smiled, she was 
the mastermind behind that game. She, made all the penalties. From easy 
ones, funny ones, up to the embarrassing ones.  

 	Botan nodded enthusiastically. "And so, last would be Genkai-
baasan's story time," Botan nodded. "Bo-ring," Yuusuke chimed. "I'm 
telling ghost stories, not grandmother stories," she rolled her eyes. 
"Honto ka?" Yuusuke's eyes got bigger, clearly he was interested.

 	"What else, Botan-chan?" Yukina asked. Botan folded her piece of 
paper. "We wait for Kurama and Hiei," she told the koorime. "Are you 
even sure they're coming?" Kuwabara narrowed his eyes. "Well, I'm sure 
Kurama-kun's coming… but I don't know about Hiei-san," Yukina told them. 
"If Kurama doesn't show…"

 	The door was slid open.

 	A familiar face was looking through the opened door. "Gomen minna, 
we're late," Kurama smiled apologetically. "Come in," Kuwabara smiled. 
Kurama came in and waited for Hiei to step in before closing the door. 
"Oi, Hiei! You came!" Kuwabara grinned. "So?" Hiei took his seat near a 
corner. 

 	Kurama produced a bag from his back. "Here, Hiei and I got these 
for the party," he showed them. There were colourful little candies 
inside it. "Kawaii!!" Botan cooed. Kurama smiled. "Hiei took the pick," 
he leered at Hiei. "Hn," Hiei looked away. 

 	The girls put the cute candies into a small bowl. "Where did you 
bought it? Makai?" Kuwabara took one and examined it. "Ningenkai, baka! 
No one sells those things in the Makai," Hiei snorted. "Oohh…" Kuwabara 
replied sarcastically, intended to make the youkai boil. 

 	"Here Hiei, have one," Kurama picked one pink coloured candy and 
handed it to Hiei. The fire youkai looked around him as every pair of 
eyes was settled on him. "Why are you all looking at me like that?" he 
turned his back to them.   

  	"Oh Hiei… take it," Botan cooed. "Shut up," he snorted. Kurama 
shrugged. "Don't force him," he said, quite disappointed. 

 	They started with the feast. 

	"Who made these?" Kurama asked, taking his bite slowly on a rice 
mochi. "Yukina and I, we made it!" Botan grinned. "How does it taste?" 
she asked. Hiei wanted to say it was terrible just for the sake to make 
her irritated but then he remembered that Yukina too had her share in 
helping. So he said nothing. 

 	Kuwabara finished off most of the dishes. Rows and rows of 
praising for Yukina accompanied every bite. Hiei got fairly annoyed and 
decided to make a commotion. 

 	He got up on his knees, put down his bowls and chopstick and 
leaned towards Kurama, gesturing him to come closer. "Oi, you have a 
rose?" the fire demon asked. Kurama smiled and nodded. "Here," he handed 
Hiei a nice full bloomed rose. 

 	Hiei stood up and walked his way to Yukina. "For you, a token of 
appreciation from Kurama and I," he nodded. Yukina's face lightened up 
immediately. "Ah, doumo Hiei-san!" she reached for the flower and 
inhaled it's soft rosy scent. "You overgrown wart! You just can't stand 
me being so nice to Yukina … blah… bla…" Hiei turned deaf ears to the 
big guy's grumbles. 

 	"Okay, okay, okay…" Botan flapped her hands. "Let's move on to the 
second part of the event. The 'Pass The Parcel' game! Keiko-chan was the 
mastermind behind it all. So, any problems after the game, I have a 
mallet ready ^_^," Botan giggled. 

 	Everyone gathered nearer and sat in a circle. "Genkai-baasan is 
going to control the music… So beware if you guys ever have a grudge on 
her ^_^!" she warned. When everyone was ready, Botan sensed something. 

 	She sniffed harder and a sweet smell travelled through her 
nostrils. :… nice …: she commented, and turned to the left where the 
smell seemed to come from. :… Hiei? …: Botan leaned closer and sniffed.

 	Hiei frowned and leaned backwards. "What is it?" he asked. "Where 
did you get this perfume from, Hiei?" she asked. Every eye in the room 
was on Hiei once again. "Mukuro gave it to me," he told her. Botan 
arched her brows. "Sou da…" Hiei pushed her playfully. "And it's only 
for 'someone' to smell it," he sat closer to his left, plastering 
himself to Kurama. 

 	Botan pouted. "Yoshi! Hajime!" she clapped her hands. The music 
started. Everyone started to push around the parcel, not wanting to get 
it. Genkai grinned as the parcel moved around and came back to Yuusuke. 
She stopped the music. 

 	"I KNEW IT! I knew it! You have a grudge on me, do you baasan???!" 
he laughed and shook the box. "Pick, Urameshi!" Kuwabara laughed. 
Yuusuke muddled through the pieces of papers inside the box and took out 
one. He opened and narrowed his eyes at the small writing. 

   	<< "Remember how your discipline teacher punished you? Imagine you 
have the power to be him one day, what kind of punishment would you give 
him to take revenge?" >>

 	Yuusuke glanced at everyone. "Why is it that this thing knows what 
I want?" he asked. "Luck, Urameshi… pure luck," Kuwabara grinned. 
Yuusuke shrugged. "Well…" he said standing up. "I need someone to be 
Iwamoto," he smirked. Then his eyes landed on Kuwabara.

 	"Oh no, you're not using…" he was pulled by Yuusuke anyway. 

 	"What the heck," Kuwabara shrugged and sat in the middle of the 
ring. Yuusuke pointed his index finger at Kuwabara. "Iwamoto, you have 
been caught kissing a girl in school. With that, you have to kiss the 
floor 10 times," Yuusuke closed his eyes and ordered. "Kisama…!" 
Kuwabara growled. 

 	"Oh, come on, Kuwa-chan!" Botan cooed. "Yes, Kazuma-san… it's just 
for the sake of fun," Yukina chirped. Kuwabara nodded. "Anything for 
you, Yukina!" he quickly kissed the floor 10 times. Hiei shook his head 
and snorted. "Baka," Kurama looked at him and smiled. "You don't know 
what you'll get, Hiei," Kurama put his arm around Hiei's waist, hidden 
under his jacket.

 	Everyone cheered. "Yay! Hahaha! Okay, next!" Botan chirped. Once 
again the music started. The parcel went around and landed on Kurama's 
lap when it stopped. Kurama blinked. "Oh no," he gulped. "Oh yes, 
Kurama-san!" Keiko giggled. 
 
 	Kurama shook his head as he dipped his hand inside the box to pull 
out a paper. Hiei peeped as Kurama opened the paper. 

 	<<"Kiss your favourite boy">>

 	Kurama blinked. "Can we change the thing?" Kurama asked. "No! 
Don't be a spoil sport, Kurama-san!" Botan said. "What is it, what is 
it?" Kuwabara took the paper and read. "Kiss your favourite boy?" He 
echoed. Yukina gasped. "That was meant for Keik…" Keiko suddenly hugged 
Yukina and covered her mouth. "Shh…" she said. Yukina nodded and the 
both smiled. 

 	Kurama turned to Kuwabara and blinked. "Go for it, fox!" Kuwabara 
slapped his back. Kurama turned to his back. "I need to go to the 
toilet," he suddenly gave an excuse. Everyone shook their head and 
Yuusuke was already on the door. "Not until you do it, Kurama," he 
grinned. Kurama sighed. "I'll give him a peck," he nodded in defeat.

 	"Nononoo……no!" Yuusuke waved his hands frantically. "Not on the 
cheek! I'm sure Keiko missed a few words there like '… Kiss your 
favourite boy on the LIPS with EXPRESSION' isn't it, Keiko?" Yuusuke 
leered at Keiko naughtily. Keiko got into the mood of mischief and 
nodded hastily. 

 	Kurama wasn't sure if Hiei would let him express himself in public 
like this. He looked at Hiei, but Hiei was already popping the candies 
into his mouth ignoring Kurama completely. Kurama took a deep breath and 
turned around taking Yuusuke's hand.

 	Everyone gasped. Hiei turned and jumped on to his feet. "Him?!" he 
exclaimed as Kurama was nearly kissing Yuusuke. 

 	"No, you!" Kurama let go of Yuusuke and grabbed Hiei by his waist, 
pulling him to himself and closed the space between their lips. The kiss 
was light at first but it became hungry and passionate after a few 
seconds. Everyone was surprised by the way Kurama was kissing the fire 
demon, it looked so… tasty. 

 	A few breath taking moments ended and their parted the kiss. Eyes 
still locked into each other. "You're one hell of a good kisser, kitsune," Hiei said softly. "You are too, koi," Kurama smiled. 

 	"Yay!!!! Supa-sugoi!! Botan chuckled and cheered. Everyone 
whistled and clapped. "Yo, get the music going!" Yuusuke hollered. 
Genkai started the music.

 	Mitarai was the next victim. He opened the paper. 

 	<< Do a striptease >> 

 	Mitarai blinked. "Oh, no… I'm not going to do this," he shook his 
head. Botan took the paper from his hands and read. "DO a striptease! Do 
it!" she laughed. Hiei looked at Kurama. "What's a striptease?" he 
asked. Kurama smiled. "It's where you dance and take off your clothes 
one by one," Kurama explained. "I would rather you do it," he said, 
rather loudly. 

 	Some of them heard. Botan heard it. "But you have to look at 
Mitarai do it for now Hiei," she grinned and chuckled. 

 	Finally, after a LOT of coaxing, Mitarai finally did. Genkai 
played the song. His jacket went first, followed by his T-shirt, jeans 
but he stopped when he reached his boxers. "You guys really don't want 
to spare me?" he asked one final time. "NO!" was the answer. Mitarai 
sighed and pulled down his boxers.

 	Everyone made a sound of 'Awwww'

 	"Okay! That's it!" he quickly put back on his clothes. "That was 
fast," Botan laughed. Hiei nudged Kurama. "You are doing it for me 
afterwards, right?" Hiei asked. Kurama leaned closer. "You'll have my 
word and I am going to make you spill," Kurama smiled, a naughty glint 
in his eyes. Hiei didn't knew what was in for him.

 	He didn't realise that the music was already playing and the 
parcel landed on his lap. Just as he wanted to give it to Kurama, the 
music stopped with the parcel still in his hands. "Hiei! Hiei!" everyone 
cheered. 

 	Keiko grinned. "It's the last one Hiei, go for it," she laughed. 
Kuwabara sighed in relieve. "At least I don't have to make a fool out of 
myself twice," he grinned. Hiei took the only paper left inside and 
opened it. 

 	<< Do something that you would never dream that you will do for 
the rest of your life in front of everyone >>

 	He smiled. "What is it, Hiei?" Yuusuke asked. Kurama took it and 
read. "Do something that you would never dream that you will do for the 
rest of your life in front of everyone… well what will that be, Hiei?" 
Kurama asked. 

 	"What do you think?" Hiei asked Kurama. The redhead shrugged. Hiei 
got on his knees and held both of Kurama's hands. "I'm giving myself to 
you, please say you'll have it," Hiei said in a smooth liquid sentence. 
Kurama blinked. Everyone was silent. "Are… are you serious?" Kurama 
asked. Hiei nodded once. 

 	Kurama smiled and hugged his koorime. "Mochiron, koi."

 	Everyone cheered. "Long live Kurama and Hiei!" they joked. "Cool! 
Great!!" was heard to be cheered by all of them. 

 	Genkai's story time was next as they got into their places. Hiei 
was leaning against Kurama's chest and the youko was having his arms 
wrapped around the youkai as they listened to the story. Now when 
they're all gathered close to each other, they could sense Hiei's soft 
scent. "Hey, nice perfume, Hiei," Yuusuke commented. Hiei smiled, 
contented in his lover's arms. 

				**********

	It was already a few days after the party. Shiori came up to 
Kurama's room and smiled. "I have a plan today," she announced. "What is 
it, kaasan?" he asked, putting down his pen. "Well, first I want you to 
call that special 'guy' of yours for dinner tonight. Next, I want you to 
prepare the house because I'm going to get some groceries from the 
store. Then when I cook, you can entertain him. After that, we can have 
a nice dinner and some chit-chat with your special boy," Shiori ended 
her speech. 

	Kurama blinked. Now where can he find Hiei? "I'll try and call him 
kaasan," he smiled. "By hook or by crook, get him here ^_^;," with that 
she went out of Kurama's room. 
 
	The redhead sighed. :… How to get Hi… …: his thoughts were 
disturbed when the window opened for a youkai to enter. "Hiei!" Kurama 
exclaimed and hugged his little demon. "You saved my life! Where have 
you been?" he asked. Hiei sank his head against Kurama's neck and let 
him carry him to bed. "Someone was meddling with Mukuro's territory I 
had to take care of it," he said still wrapping his arms around Kurama. 

 	"Oho… really…" Kurama nuzzled the little youkai's face. Hiei 
nodded and hugged his kitsune. "I am hungry," he sighed. Kurama laughed. 
"Hiei, actually you are kind of invited to dinner tonight," Kurama told 
the youkai. Hiei raised an eyebrow. "Invited?"

 	Kurama smiled. "Well… I didn't knew from where kaasan knew but she 
told me to bring my special boy to dinner tonight," Kurama explained. 
"And how did you know she'll be expecting me?" Hiei rolled his eyes. 
Kurama closed his eyes. "Hiei, I don't care who she expects. I just know 
that the 'special boy' is you!" Kurama reasoned, laying on his side. 

 	Hiei blinked his big almond eyes. "I am a little hungry," he 
smiled. "Good, help me clean the house," Kurama laughed. "I am your 
guest," Hiei rumbled. "What? When we live together in the future, I am 
not going to do all the housework alone," Kurama leaned closer to Hiei. 
"Agree?" Hiei looked at Kurama's nose and decided to bite it. 
"Mochiron," he bit the redhead's nose. 

 	"Itai!" Kurama rubbed his nose as the fire youkai laughed 
gleefully. "Hehe…" Kurama reached out to hug his fire demon. "You're a 
born prankster," he said. "I am?" Hiei got up. "Well… you sure act like 
one," Kurama reasoned, following the fire demon. "Maybe I'm just 
hungry," the koorime smiled, throwing his arms around Kurama as the 
redhead carried him downstairs to prepare the table. 

 	Shuuichi took a packet of junkfood and threw it in the cart. "And 
it's a slam dunk!" he exclaimed, turning around Shiori who was busy 
scanning the list in her hand. "Shuu-chan, please stop running around 
me, I'm beginning to feel dizzy," Shiori smiled. "Oh, okay," Shuuichi 
stopped on his tracks and peered at the list in Shiori's hand. "Why such 
a long list?" he asked. 

 	"Well, you know about your brother's special boy, right? He's 
coming to dinner," Shiori smiled. Shuuichi blinked. "He's 'really' 
coming?" he asked. Shiori gave him a look. "Why not?" she inquired. 
Shuuichi looked around. "Well… considering that he never talks to other 
people, I didn't think he would even come to our house," he mumbled, but 
more to himself. "It's your brother asking. Maybe he'll come," Shiori 
started to worry. 

 	Shuuichi started to imagine how his decent brother would coo the 
small grumpy boy into following his brother's pointing fingers. "Well, I 
don't know if it's Shuu-chan's charm or his cooing that will bring his 
friend to dinner tonight, But I'm sure looking forward to talk to him," 
Shuuichi grinned. Shiori laughed at the same view and chuckled. "Anyhow, 
when did you know about your brother's secret?" Shuuichi blinked. "You 
really want to know?" he asked. Shiori nodded. 

 	Shuuichi shrugged. "It was before the summer holidays…"

				-----------

	Kurama put on his jacket and saw his brother coming down the 
stairs. "Doko ikun dai?" asked the boy. Kurama pulled out his hair from 
inside the jacket and smiled. "The park. Wanna come?" he asked. Shuuichi 
got excited. They just became step-siblings for about 2 weeks and his 
step-brother was one heck of a cool guy. Of course he wanted to go. 
"Sure!" he smiled.

 	Attired only in shorts and T-shirt, he followed his brother out to 
the park. "Meeting friends?" asked Shuuichi. Kurama nodded. "Yeah," 
Shuuichi smiled. "Girlfriend?" he asked mischievously. Kurama chuckled. 
"No, just friends. There are also girls. Cause if there isn't, I don't 
think the other boys would bring their own food," Kurama joked. "So, 
we're going to a picnic?" Shuuichi asked. "You can say that," Kurama 
smiled. 

 	Shuuichi looked at his new brother. He was wonderful. He's 
brilliant, VERY good looking, polite, and rich. What else would you want 
from a guy? 

 	They entered the park and Shuuichi spotted a group by the lake, 
about 3 boys and 3 girls. "Kurama!" a boy with slick dark hair with a 
slight greenish tint waved his hand. "Yuusuke!" Kurama greeted them. 
"Kurama?" Shuuichi asked. "Well, they have a weird way of calling me, 
ne?" Kurama smiled and ran towards them. 

 	"Minna, I bought my new brother as well," Kurama smiled putting a 
hand on Shuuichi's shoulder. "Hi Shuuichi, have a seat. I'm Kuwabara," a 
guy with orange hair greeted the boy. Shuuichi nodded and sat near him. 
"It'll be just a few minutes after we finish spreading these 
sandwiches," Keiko smiled at Shuuichi. "Yeah. Girls are VERY slow," 
Yuusuke joked. "What did you say, Yuusuke?" Keiko already had her punch 
set right on Yuusuke's jaw. "Nan de mo nai," Yuusuke rubbed his sore 
jaw.

 	Shuuichi looked around as his brother disappeared. "Um, where is 
my brother?" he asked. Yuusuke pointed at a tree about 200 yards away. 
Shuuichi blinked. "What's he doing under the tree?" he asked. Kuwabara 
laughed. "Probably looking at birds," he told the boy as he slapped him 
playfully on the back. 

 	"Kurama-san is talking to Hiei-san," Yukina told Shuuichi, a sweet 
smile on her face. "YES! Yes, Kurama is talking to Hiei," Kuwabara said, 
repeating what Yukina said. 

 	"Hiei?" Shuuichi echoed. "Yeah, the asshole of the group," 
Kuwabara said. "Kuwabara! That's not very nice of you," Botan pouted. 
"Well he is, isn't he?" Kuwabara asked. "If he's and asshole, you're an 
overgrown zit," Yuusuke laughed. Kuwabara rolled his eyes.

 	Shuuichi kept his eyes on his brother. He seemed to look up at the 
tree and talking to it. "Is Hiei a tree?" Shuuichi suddenly asked. 
Crackes of laughter began to erupt from the group. "I'm in seventh 
heaven if he is," Kuwabara grinned. "Nah, you'll see when he comes 
here," Koenma smiled, a guy with dark brown hair. 

 	"How have you been?" asked the redhead. Hiei looked down and saw 
the youko talking to him. His heart was beating faster by this time. 
"Fine," was his short answer. "How is Mukuro?" he asked. "She's alive," 
he uttered, trying to hide the shake in his voice. 

 	Kurama smiled. "Care to come down and join us?" he asked. No 
answer. "Well, I've brought my new brother to meet you," Kurama smiled. 
"Why would you think that I want to meet him?" Hiei asked. Kurama 
shrugged. "Because you're not as arrogant as you would want me to 
think," Kurama reasoned. Hiei looked down and saw a beautiful face 
smiling meaningfully at him. 

 	Hiei jumped down the tree. Kurama reached out to pull a piece of 
leaf out of Hiei's hair. "You have some leaves on your hair," Kurama 
chuckled. Hiei stopped as Kurama ran his slender fingers through his 
hair, rubbing gently on his scalp. 
 
 	Hiei bare the need to just hug the beautiful human and give him a 
deep kiss. He reached out to hold Kurama's hand. :… If only I could kiss 
you …: Hiei said silently as he looked into Kurama's emerald depths. 

 	"Come Hiei, let's go," Kurama pulled Hiei slightly but Hiei let go 
of his grip on Kurama. The redhead was a bit disappointed but he knew he 
was supposed to be contented with the affection Hiei showed to no one 
but him.

 	Shuuichi was eyeing his brother from the very beginning. Those 
intimate touching and small talks were very different from his brother's 
usual self. Who is this guy who has such an influence on his brother. 
"That's Hiei?" Shuuichi asked Kuwabara. The orange hair guy nodded. "Is 
he the same age as me?" Shuuichi asked. Kuwabara chuckled. "He's much 
older… trust me," the guy patted Shuuichi's back. "He's cute, isn't he?" 
Botan chuckled. Shuuichi nodded. Kuwabara snorted. "I bet you, you are 
going to hate him in no time," Kuwabara said. "KUWABARA!" al of them 
shouted. "Oh! Hehehehe," he grinned.
 
 	Yukina smiled as the fire demon came closer to them. "What ever 
did Kurama-san said to have Hiei-san here with us?" she asked Keiko. 
Keiko gave her a pleasant smile. "It's the power of love Yukina," the 
ice maiden nodded. As if she knows what was it, but everyone kept 
talking about this thing called 'the-power-of-love' so she supposed it's 
a good thing.

 	"Yo, shrimp! Got any birds up there on the tree?" Kuwabara teased 
the fire demon just as they came towards the group. Hiei just ignored 
the big guy and rolled his eyes. "I bet the bird ran away just as they 
saw your ugly face," Kuwabara laughed. For all he know, he felt 
something cold touching his neck. "Talk and I'll slice your throat off," 
Hiei said. "Jyodan deshou!!" Kuwabara pushed away the katana and kept 
laughing.

 	Shuuichi was surprised. Not only by the boy's low voice, but by 
his violent behaviour as to carry a long katana around with him. And the 
weird attire. Shuuichi frowned at Hiei. Kuwabara is a nice guy why in 
the hell did he want to kill him for? 

 	Kurama reached out and touched Hiei's hand. He took the katana 
away and whispered something to Hiei resulting in Hiei rolling his eyes 
and sat furthest to the other side next to Kurama. 

 	When the girls gave the sandwiches around, everyone took it except 
Hiei. Yukina gave one to Shuuichi and smiled sweetly at him. Shuuichi 
gulped. He never knew someone so nice and beautiful as this existed. 
Shuuichi turned when he heard his brother chuckling about something. "… 
you're hungry, come. It's very tasty. Yukina, Botan and Keiko cooks the 
best food," Kurama coaxed the fire demon. 

 	Shuuichi frowned. Who was that Hiei guy to get such attention from 
his brother?

 	"Kurama-kun! These are all canned food. Your cooking is the best," 
Keiko smiled. Kurama blushed. "Well… anyway, won't you try even one?" 
Kurama was still showing Hiei a piece of sandwich. Their eyes were 
locked and telling secret stories silently. Hiei slowly reached out to 
take the sandwich. 

 	"What about next time, we ask Kurama to cook and we'll all enjoy 
it?" suggested Botan. Cheers were heard. 

 	Silently, Shuuichi eyed this peculiar boy. This weird boy that 
holds such a special place in his brother's heart. Then he blinked. His 
brother may not have a girlfriend, but what about a boyfriend? He smiled 
to himself. 

				------------

 	Shiori laughed. "Are you sure he's that weird? Carrying a katana 
around?" Shuuichi nodded. "Just be careful. He's not that bad," Shuuichi 
grinned. "Anyway, he's cute. Could pass as a girl as well if you ask me. 
Same type as oniisan, the beautiful human being type. Just in case you 
want him to wear a dress," Shuuichi shrugged, trying to put his joke on 
a serious face. Shiori giggled. "He has long hair as well?" Shiori 
asked. Shuuichi shook his head. "Nah, very stylish spiky dark blue 
hair," he told his step-mother. "I think if anyway, your oniisan would 
be the one wearing a skirt," she smiled. 

				**********

 	Kurama smiled satisfactorily. They had made the table and cleaned 
the house. He was now sitting on his bed eyeing Hiei. "I think you 
should go down like this," he smiled. Hiei gritted his teeth. "Yeah, the 
next thing you know your mum would chase me out because she thinks that 
I'm some kind of a lunatic coming to people's house naked," Hiei 
answered sarcastically. Kurama laughed. "But you look cute like this," 
he smiled. 

 	"You want cute? I'll give you cute," he jumped on Kurama and 
pinned the redhead down. Those emerald crystals blinked once in a while 
at Hiei making his blood rush. Maybe this is love. The warmth and love 
that no one had ever gave him was now showered freely to him. Kurama's 
unconditional love, was now his. He smiled a little to his lover and 
leaned down to close the space between their lips. Kurama returned the 
kiss and his hands reached down to touch Hiei's soft bare ass. 

 	Kurama started to moan as Hiei left his mouth and his kiss 
travelled down to his neck. But then…

'KNOCK KNOCK'

 	Kurama ignored the knocking but Hiei stopped. "Someone's at the 
door," he said softly. Kurama smiled, disappointment was clearly showed 
in his eyes. Hiei smiled at his lover, he reached out to touch Kurama's 
slightly parted lips. "I promise to finish it tonight," he smiled and 
got up. 

 	Kurama smiled and gave Hiei a peck on the cheek, he got up to open 
the door. "Cover yourself with the comforter," he said as he twisted the 
door knob open. He smiled as his brother's face was smiling at him. 
"Oniisan!!" he pushed himself in and closed the door before Kurama could 
say anything. 

 	"So, is Hiei-san here ye… Oh, Hi!" Shuuichi grinned as he saw Hiei 
on Kurama's bed. The redhead had a big sweat-drop on his head. "Hn," 
Hiei nodded. "Say," Shuuichi started when he realised that Hiei was most 
probably naked under the comforter. "What were you two doing?" he asked 
mischievously. 

 	"Trying on some clothes," both said simultaneously. Shuuichi 
nodded. "Sou desu ne," Shuuichi nodded. "What? You think we're doing 
something else?" Kurama frowned. "Oh, no…no…no… Hehehe," Shuuichi 
chuckled. "Just that kaasan had already started cooking downstairs," he 
said. "So I thought I might talk to oniisan about you," he pointed at 
Hiei. "But then you're already here," Shuuichi smiled. 

 	Kurama walked back to his bed and took a seat. "So, it's you who 
told kaasan, ne?" Kurama asked. Shuuichi shrugged. "Well, she seems 
happy about it," Shuuichi answered. Kurama blinked. "Sou?" he asked. 

 	"Honto ni! Look, if kaasan was not happy about this, why on earth 
would she be so excited to invite Hiei-san here for dinner? And I got 
her to get us pudding too," he smiled. Hiei's brow raised at the mention 
of pudding. "Oh, you like that, don't you Hiei-san?" he asked, a bright 
smile on his face. Kurama frowned. "Now how did you know about that?" he 
asked. Shuuichi shrugged. "Every boy in Japan likes pudding! Even me! 
You may have outgrown it, niisan. But not us, right Hiei-san?" he looked 
at Hiei for support. But then, Hiei was quite offended. "I am not a 
boy," he growled. 

 	Kurama chuckled and put an arm around Hiei's waist. Shuuichi 
laughed. "Okay, you guys better get ready. I'll be helping kaasan 
downstairs," he grinned widely as he made his way downstairs, closing 
the door behind him. 

 	Hiei looked at Kurama. The redhead smiled. "We have to get you 
ready," he got up and threw Hiei the clothes he had for Hiei, which he 
put on the table just now. 

 	The smell of fish travelled through Shuuichi's nostrils as he made 
his way to the kitchen. "Nice smell, kaasan," he commented. Shiori 
smiled at the boy. "When is Shuu-san's sepcial boy coming?" she asked, 
her hands still busy with her cooking.

 	"Oh, he's already here. In niisan's bedroom now," Shuuichi smiled 
then exclaimed in pain as he was hit on the back. "Who's in Shuu-san's 
bedroom?" asked Kazuya Hatanaka. "Tousan, you really wanna kill me, ne?" 
he asked. Kazuya laughed. "You're not that weak to die that easily, are 
you?" 

 	Shuuchi snorted and smiled as he remembered his father's question. 
"Niisan's boyfriend is already here," he announced. Kazuya blinked. "Is 
he already? Call him down then," he smiled. "I'll be waiting in the 
living room. With tea, of course!"

 	"Okay," Shuuichi went upstairs again. Kazuya turned and made his 
way to the living-room. He took the tea set and set it on the table. 
Then he blinked. :… If I wasn't mistaken, Shuuichi did say 'boyfriend' 
did he? Or was it that my hearing's bad? Well… whatever …: he sat the 
tea cups on the table. 

 	Hiei got into the clothes and ran his fingers through his hair to 
make sure there were no tangles. So it looked spikier. "Nice hair Hiei, 
Maybe I'll get you some kind of conditioner next time," Kurama smiled. 
"Talking about yourself?" Hiei rolled his eyes and reached out his hand. 
"I'm hungry," he laughed. 

 	Just as Kurama reached out to put Hiei's hand in his, the door was 
knocked again. "Hairu yo!" Kurama said. The door opened and Shuuichi's 
head popped in. "Ne, oniisan… tousan asked you two to come to the 
living-room," he smiled, then disappeared. 

 	Kurama frowned. "Something wrong?" Hiei asked. Kurama shrugged. "I 
dunno, let's go and check it out," he pulled Hiei with him. 

 	The two figures came down the stairs and saw Mr. Hatanaka waiting 
for them in the living room. "Here boys," he smiled. Both Kurama and 
Hiei walked their way to Mr. Hatanaka awkwardly. They took their seat as 
Mr. Hatanaka poured some tea in their tea-cups. :… Definitely a boy …: 
Mr. Hatanaka thought.

 	"Hello there young man, what's your name?" he asked as he put down 
the teapot. "Hiei," he answered shortly. :… Inari-sama! He's so rude! …: 
Kurama sighed. "Sou, douzo yoroshiku, Hiei-kun. Ore wa Shuuichi no 
tousan, Hatanaka desu," Mr. Hatanaka sipped his tea. Hiei nodded. 
"Wakarimashita," he nodded. 

 	"Why are you both so tensed up?" Mr. Hatanaka asked. Both shook 
their head. Mr. Hatanaka, sensing that this Hiei wasn't that much of a 
chatter decided not to probe more into him. He looks quite decent and 
nice. Except for that weird hairstyle. "Nice hairstyle, Hiei-kun," he 
commented. Hiei smiled. "Thank you sir," he uttered.

 	Mr. Hatanaka smiled back. The little boy's smile was so sincere 
that he looked kind of cute. Maybe Shuuichi deserved such a beautiful 
little creature as a life partner. Although he was a boy, it makes no 
difference if they were the same gender as long as they stay together 
with a bond named love.

 	"I don't know why… but I seem to have this feeling that you are 
better than any girls for Shuuichi-kun. Even though he brought none 
home," Mr. Hatanaka smiled. Hiei took a sip of his tea and smiled. 
"Thank you," he uttered again. Mr. Hatanaka nodded. :… So sweet, so 
innocent, so pure …: Then it hit him. 

 	"Ne, Shuu-kun," he gestured the boy closer. Kurama leaned closer 
so that he could hear what his stepfather has to say. "Are you sure he's 
big enough to get involved with you?" he whispered. Kurama smiled. 
"Trust me, tousan. He is older than what you think," Kurama nodded in 
assurance. 

 	Mr. Hatanaka nodded. "Okay then, I suppose dinner would be ready 
in a few more minutes. Let's more on to the dining room," he stood up. 

				************

 	Shiori's eyes were fixed on Hiei since he first sat on the dining 
table. The boy was quiet and was acting quite normally considering the 
soft noise of his eating utensils clicking onto his plate a few times. 
Kurama was sweatdropping. Hiei made too much noise. 

 	Hiei suddenly felt as if he was being watched. He slowly looked up 
into Shiori's brown eyes and blinked. A smile spread slowly across his 
face as to be polite. "You're cute," Shioiri chuckled. "Just as what 
Shuu-chan told me," she commented. 

 	Kurama turned to Shuuichi. "What else did you tell kaasan?" he 
whispered. Shuuichi chuckled. "A lot… a lot," he gulped down his water 
and stood up. "I'm going to my friend's house to play some games," he 
announced. "Ja!"

 	After a few moments, Mr. Hatana stopped eating. He pitied the 
little boy and smiled at Hiei. "Hiei-kun, please don't be so tensed up," 
he smiled. Shiori nodded. "I invited you to dinner just so that I can 
see who is this special guy Shuu-kun was keeping a secret from us," she 
smiled. "Kaasan, I didn't mean to. I mean… I wasn't sure that…," Kurama 
paused, he was lost in words.  Shiori smiled. "That we would reject him? 
That's nonsense," the lady smiled. 

 	Hiei was silent. "I love him, sir," suddenly he blurted out. 
Kurama frowned. He was so surprised. He would never thought that Hiei 
would so such a thing. Both Mr. Hatanaka and Mrs. Hatanaka smiled. 
"That's good enough for us to hear, Hiei-kun," she nodded. 
	
				**********

 	Kurama looked up to the starry sky. "I'd never thought you'd say 
that in public," suddenly Kurama said. Hiei turned to look at the 
redhead's pale face, shone slightly by the moonlight. But then, he said 
nothing. 

 	"Hiei…" Kurama called out as he turned to face the fire demon. 
Hiei faced him with a blank look. "I love you so," he reached out to 
touch Hiei's cheek. Slowly they closed the space between their lips and 
embraced themselves in each other's arms. Hiei opened his eyes slightly 
as he felt something cold rolling onto his face. :… Tears? …: 

 	Hiei didn't have to ask. He knew what it was for. Kurama was 
happy, so was he. He parted themselves and smiled as a drop of tear 
rolled off his big almond eyes. "We would be together, no matter what 
happens. Forever, Fornever."

Owari… ^_^

Another piece of ficcie! Didn't knew it would turn out this long! Wah! 
Grumble grumble, I got a very good place in class this year and I'm very 
proud of it. Thankies a bunch to everyone who supported me mentally and 
physically! 

Hope you all will have a great time as well!

Bulma Briefs
bulma_v_briefs@hotmail.com
ICQ# 13254597
https://members.tripod.com/~Bulma_Briefs/manga_mansion.html
And the official owner of Kurama's and Hiei's love for each other ^_^;