Title: This, the Day I Say I Love You

Pairing: Kurama/Yusuke

Rating: General. Might change in later chapters.

Summary: After a new case interrupts their lives, a realization might just destroy them.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho, or these characters. I merely play with them.

Author's Note:This is my first attempt at a extended story instead of my usual one shot.

This, the Day I Say I Love You

Chapter One

"I have faith in you."

Those words, those five simple words were strung together and used as a form of support. They had been spoken more than once by the same beautifully rounded mouth, and this puzzled Yusuke greatly, even till this day. Why? Why did he have faith in him? What could those vibrant green eyes see that he could not?

The air around them was tense and heavy, and the redhead could not understand what the other was about to do, to change. This made no sense, had he finally gone mad? This was not the time, nor the place. This could be detrimental to both of their lives, and worse, their friendship. The softness of the sofa could be considered comparable to a jagged set of rocks or a prick of a thorn too deep to remove, they were sitting on pins and needles.

Kurama was cornered.

There was no means of escape, not from those eyes staring so headily into his own. When Yusuke had invited him over to his house, this was not the conversation Kurama had in mind. However, all was not lost. Yusuke would begin to open up, start on a road of conversation that Kurama was able to steer away from until now. They weren't teenagers anymore, they were adults with different responsibilities and paths.

"Kurama, I need to talk about it."

Yusuke was desperate sounding, sitting across from him in a chair he had pulled around from the kitchen. The kitchen he shared with Keiko, the woman he grew up with and loved, and most of all, was married to. The way humans lived did not concern Kurama and often perplexed him, but he understood and even this made him feel like he was treading on something that was suppose to be sacred. There were many things Kurama was willing to steal, but a married man was not one of them. Besides, he had his own commitment to uphold.

A partner. A human he had fallen for, and felt content with. It was still something he felt unsure about, really, he wasn't human, this wasn't suppose to be something he placed himself into. The truth was, Kurama was lonely. There was no getting around that fact, and it was funny, Kurama thought he was above those emotions, he didn't have time to be lonely, he believed, but that simply wasn't true, and he had to face the reason that drove him to seek someone out.

Yusuke.

The boy had aged into an attractive young man with piercing eyes that still held a boyish glint. Kurama, for once in his life, avoided eye contact with him and sought for anything to hold his gaze. They find a portrait of Yusuke and Keiko on their wedding day not two years ago, and they look happy...content. What had happened since then for this to now be his reality? What could Kurama do to possibly fix this before it was beyond repair?

"Yusuke, I don't know what to say. I don't know what you want me to say."

Yusuke was completely frustrated, but more than that, he was afraid. In his heart, he needed the answer, but his head knew this wasn't a good idea, but when had he ever listened to reason? Kurama was running them in circles, avoiding him and his questions. The former detective decided he needed to be more forceful in his demands. Yusuke stood to his feet, causing Kurama to finally look at him and he looked...pained.

"I just need to know. The case..."

"We should have never gone, Yusuke."

Yusuke's cheeks flushed in anger, and his eyebrows knitted together as he attempted to control himself from making an outburst. That was a lie, and he knew it. That case was exactly what they needed, not only to liven things up in this dull world, but to open their eyes. How could Kurama just lie about that? There was no way he could really feel that way.

"Yusuke, there you are," Keiko's voice startled the dark haired man as he hadn't seen her there. Kurama used the opportunity to stand to his feet, and plot his escape.

"Keiko, how nice to see you. You grow lovelier and lovelier each time."

"Kurama! Are you staying long? I can make you dinner, Yusuke why didn't you tell me he was coming? The house is a mess and we have nothing to drink," Keiko scorned, but Yusuke's attention was still absorbed by the redhead working his way around the room and towards the door.

"I wish I could stay. Yusuke called me over when he couldn't get the computer to turn on, simple really. We will have to make plans so I can talk to you more in depth, next week sound good?" Kurama posed without a moments hesitation.

"Oh. Well, I wish you could stay for dinner this evening, but is next Saturday alright?"

Kurama's hand was already on the doorknob as he smiled politely. "Next Saturday, it is."

:::

The winter air felt as though it had cut through his lungs. Kurama's face was stoic as many thoughts whirled their way around his head, picking and choosing their best option. When Kurama felt a presence above him, he quickly came to a halt. A frown painted its way over his naturally symmetrical features. Kurama knew right away who it was.

"I have no time for you, Hiei."

"Yes. You seem rather busy fending off the detective's advances." Kurama looked at Hiei sharply, but the shorter demon only smirked at his irritation.

"What are you doing in the living world? Don't you have other matters to tend to?"

"Koenma sent me to keep an eye out on you two."

"And when did you start listening to Koenma, Hiei?"

"Hn. I don't have to answer to you, the fool merely wanted to make sure that Yusuke was adjusting, but I find this much more entertaining."

"This is not for your amusement," Kurama bit, finished with the conversation he meant to turn and leave.

"Isn't this what you wanted? The detective to fall into your arms and not that human girls?"

Kurama stopped, angry at Hiei but mostly at himself. The reason this was all getting under his skin perplexed him, and not having answers was stirring trouble. The problem needed to be dealt with, but Kurama did not know how to solve this. The wind blew harder, and the trees were silent to him. This was not a good time to be alive, why couldn't things ever wait for Spring?

"A very long time ago, Hiei. Things are much different now."

"We'll see about that."