Wow. It took me forever and about ten cases of writer's block but I finally finished it. Like 8000, 9000 words. And it was supposed to be a one shot, ha! Anyway I want to thank everyone who's been reading this.

liandrin, Zaidee, FlyinGShadoW1314, Kurama's Sister, SummerstormDancer, ILoveKuramaTooMuch, thank you all for reviewing the third chapter.

Ainohimitsu, Hazureskywar, Kurama's Sister, Lcampbell947, red21191, SummerstormDancer, TheHeartsPath, Zaidee, thank you for favouriting this story ^^.

And an extra special thanks to Kurama's Sister and ILoveKuramaTooMuch for reviewing evry single chapter and therefor following the story even though I am such a terrible updater.

You've all been so wonderful! And please don't forget to read and review ^^

"Yusuke…We really do love you…"

Botan's heartfelt words echoed over and over again in his head as the raven haired man watched the ferry girl disappear into the grey early morning sky.

"…I know." He whispered, his voice non-existent to the living world.

Yusuke sighed as he brought himself back from his reverie. That was an hour ago. An hour that he had since spent floating in the living room of his apartment listening to his mother's broken hearted sobs as she readied herself for her son's funeral.

Yusuke turned his head as his mother's bedroom door clicked open. Atsuko stepped out in a plain black dress that looked as though it had never even seen an iron. Her hair was greasy and unbrushed, looking as though it hadn't been cared for for at least three days. 'Since before my death…' Yusuke thought, guilt beginning to settle in his metaphorical heart.

He followed his mother as she grabbed her keys and left the house, unable to ignore the quiver in her lower lip as she bravely fought to rein in her tears.

~~~~~!~!~!~

Arriving at the graveyard, Yusuke was greeted by a haunting sight. The weather was cold and rain fell from the sky as if even the Gods were in mourning…Which, as Yusuke though about it, they probably were.

Chairs were set up in rows in front of a dark wooden coffin covered in flowers, and in those chairs were his friends and family. His mother, Keiko and her family, Kuwabara and his sister Shizuru, Yukina, Genkai, Kurama, and even Koenma and Botan were all seated around the graveyard, crying or looking haggard and broken.

It was the saddest thing Yusuke had ever seen and he was saddened even more when he noticed that the ceremony seemed be short one dark haired fire demon. Yusuke felt like his heart was breaking. 'Heh. What did I expect? He made it clear that he was only our ally not our friend…So why would he come? He could never love me…'

The ceremony started, with depressing music in the background everyone took turns to get up and speak about him, about the ways he had affected their lives or merely saying their goodbyes. But Yusuke couldn't bring himself to pay them any mind.

What was the point when the man he loved didn't even care enough to attend his funeral? Miserable as he was, the raven haired man stared blankly at the large display of flowers that decorated his coffin. He uninterestedly recognized white and tea coloured roses and pink carnations, flowers often placed at graves because of their loss-ful or missing-you meanings. However something caught his eye and he floated closer to get a better look.

There, in front of the formal display was a single, long-stemmed black rose. Yusuke stared at the small yet perfect blossom, hope stirring in his heart. The raven haired youth was by no means an expert in flower language but it was universal knowledge that the rose was a symbol of love and affection. Black as the rose was, it caused warmth to spread through him in a way only one person or demon in the worlds could. Yusuke smiled softly. 'He does care. At least a little.' He thought tenderly. 'And at least with that, I can die without regret.'

~~~~~!~!~!~

Yusuke didn't know how long he stood there staring the black flower that sat boldly on his coffin but as he looked behind him he found the graveyard empty except for two of his dearest friends and team mates, both whom were soaked. Kurama and Kuwabara were both standing directly behind their friend's spirit and were staring morosely at his coffin.

"It's hard to believe he's gone." Whispered Kuwabara, his eyes never once leaving the wooden mass in front of him.

The second red head nodded in silent agreement, his forest green eyes suspiciously shiny. The tall teenager turned his head and looked at the youko. "Have you seen Hiei?" He asked, his voice cracking slightly.

The youko sighed softly and shook his head. "I haven't seen Hiei since he first woke up. After I told him about Yusuke's death he lost consciousness again, though whether from his injury or the news itself I can't say. Anyway I went out and when I came back he was gone."

"I can't believe the little bastard didn't turn up. After all it's Yusuke. Our friend. Our friend whose death he caused." Kuwabara said bitterly. Kurama shook his head once more.

"You know what Hiei's like. He handles his emotions and emotional situations differently than most." The shorter man said. The human teen's face took on a look of puzzlement. "What do you mean?" He asked.

Some of the sadness left Kurama's emerald eyes as he resumed the familiar role of a teacher. "Well it's simple. Whenever Hiei is faced with a 'weaker' emotion, as he would say, such as sadness, regret or even love, he denies its existence by hiding behind more violent emotions like anger." He explained. "Oh!" Kuwabara exclaimed brightly.

"Yes," Kurama continued. "This means that instead of sitting here a bawling like the rest of us, he's most likely taking his emotions out on whatever or whoever crosses his path."

"Huh, guess you're right." Kuwabara said. Kurama gazed sadly over at Yusuke's coffin one last time before turning on his heel walking away. Just as the taller red head twisted to follow, the youko stopped. "Oh, and it seems Hiei was here after all." He said silkily, looking pointedly past Kuwabara to the wooden casket.

The teenager stared after his friend as he continued to walk away, a bewildered expression on his rugged face. Then slowly he turned around and looked at his best friend's coffin. Finally he noticed it, the small black rose on the casket's polished top, independent of the formal display of white and pinkish blossoms. A small, gentle smile spread across his face as he caressed the flower's soft petals. "Heh, what d'ya know." He whispered.

Yusuke watched the scene unfold between his two red headed friends with a sad smile. God he missed them already and it hurt to see them knowing they'd forget him as the years went on. But isn't this what you wanted? A small voice in the back of his head asked. 'Well sure, I don't want them to have to remember me as their dead friend who they'll never see again. But…but…' Yusuke shook his head free of the negative thoughts that entered his mind. "NO! My mind's made up and this is what I want!" He said aloud. "Now all that's left to do is find Hiei. Even if it causes me more pain…I have to see him…One last time…"

~~~~~!~!~!~

At first Yusuke hadn't been too sure how in hell he was going to get to the Demon world, where he suspected Hiei might be. He wasn't sure whether or not he'd be able to get through as insubstantial as he currently was. But his worrying turned out to be for nothing as he floated around Demon world trying to find Hiei.

"Oh, screw this!" The raven haired man yelled after about ten minutes of fruitless searching. Yusuke spread out his consciousness trying to sense Hiei's demon energy and he thanked Enma that this particular power had more to do with his spirit than his physical body. The spirit detective smirked in triumph as he felt the familiar energy spike no more than a kilometer east of him and flew off towards the source of the power.

~~~~~!~!~!~

Demons were sent flying in every direction as Hiei's fist slammed into them, collapsing lungs and faces with the barely contained emotional power behind it. Immediately several more demons swarmed around him, pressing against him as they attempted to bring him down. The raven haired man unsheathed his sword and in one smooth, sweeping motion sliced them all in half, their mutilated corpses falling to join the pile of lifeless bodies that had been their comrades.

But as fast as they fell, more were just as quick to take up place around the fire demon. Hiei moved swiftly and gracefully through the demon horde, his blade visible only by the waning light reflecting off its bloody surface.

Minutes continued to trickle past and Hiei continued to fight, keeping his mind carefully blank. But with every demon his katana destroyed the scent of blood grew stronger, wafting into his nose and polluting his brain. Hiei could feel the memories stirring and fought to regain his previous, devoid-of-self state of mind.

But the smell crept through the stone halls of his mind like poison and into the walls between his conscious thoughts and the memories of the past few days, slowly breaking down his defenses. Snatches of incomprehensible memories and emotions dribbled into his muddled thoughts through the cracks in his mental barrier.

'Blood. Blood…Yusuke's blood…Yusuke. Yusuke…dead…'

Hiei halted his assault on the demons. His whole body tensed, his breathing was labored and his crimson eyes were unseeing. Everything about him spoke of a man on the verge of an emotional breakdown.

"No…" He whimpered, his normally strong baritone weak and quiet. "NO!"

His ruby eyes widened, anger, pain and denial swirling in their depths. "AAAAGGH!" He screamed as a lifetime of suppressed emotions dropped down on him like an anvil. The forbidden child tried in vain to regain control but the emotional tidal wave continued to pelt him with loneliness, regret and others too numerous to name. Hiei was so full he thought for sure he was going to explode.

And figuratively speaking, he did.

A giant, fiery wave of energy and emotion exploded out in a hundred meter radius around him, disintegrating the unsuspecting demons.

As the energy dispersed Hiei dropped to his hands and knees gasping for breath, the sweat dripping off his skin tainted with blood and dirt. He closed his eyes and shuddered. He had fought for control over his emotions all his life, succeeding in filtering out all emotions except for hate and anger. But all that control, that careful control…

"Gone. Gone as soon as he is gone from my life." Hiei whispered. "Why? Why does he have so much control over me?"

Tears gathered in his ruby eyes for the first time since he could remember. "Why Yusuke? Why? You didn't have to do it. You could have let me die." A small sob escaped his lips.

"Anything would be better than this. They all blame me for your death. I see it in their eyes. The accusation. And it is my fault. Now you're gone and…And I'll never…I'll never know…"

~~~~~!~!~!~

Yusuke watched interestedly at first, as the love of his life danced gracefully with death, playing the role of executor he was so accustomed to playing. But as time went by he found himself moving from interest, to shock to pure heartbreak.

Hiei's outburst had been quite a surprise. And as Hiei broke down and cried, whispering such broken, heartfelt words, Yusuke felt his own heart break.

He never knew his death would affect the other man so much. Not for the first time since his death Yusuke was beginning to regret his decision to leave the living world behind him. Would it really be so bad to take it all back and accept the opportunity granted to him by the Gods themselves?

Yusuke sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Casting one last glance at the deafeated man on the ground a few feet away he turned and flew away, indecision weighing down his soul.

~~~~~!~!~!~

When the spirit detective walked into Koenma's office that evening, his mind was made up. He watched from the door way as the teenage demi-god faulted in his paperwork. He looked up at the clock on the wall and sighed, pushing his chair away from the desk. Leaning forward he rubbed his tired eyes with his hand.

"You know I don't think I've ever seen you look so stressed before." Yusuke said lightly, stepping into the room. "And I have to say, strangely enough, it works for you."

Koenma's head shot up but instead of smiling at his ex-employee he sighed and resignation settled on his youthful face.

"Have you made your decision?"

"…Yes…"

~~~~~!~!~!~

Hiei entered the graveyard the next morning with a single black rose in his hand. He walked slowly, taking in the scenery. The trees and flowers around the cemetery were covered in early morning dew and sparkled in the light of dawn. The sun was just beginning to rise over the tops of the lower houses and the sky was completely clear, leaving the morning crisp and fresh.

As he neared his friend's grave nature's peace was broken by the sound of voices. There, in front of Yusuke's grave was a gathering of all of Yusuke's friends. And they were smiling and laughing and happy. Hiei was shocked. Yusuke had just died. How could they be so happy?

Suddenly Kurama noticed him standing there and turned his brilliant smile on him. The red head looked like he'd just been given world.

"Hiei!" He greeted him loudly. "I tried to find you when we were all called here but you were nowhere to be found! Where were you?" The youko said breathlessly. Hiei opened his mouth to answer but was cut off when Kurama once again began babbling.

"Oh Hiei! It's just so wonderful. Yusuke…Yusuke is…Oh you just have to see!" The over excited red head grabbed the fire demon by the arm and dragged him through the equally excited crowd huddled around Yusuke's grave. Once he was safely at the front of the gathering Hiei gasped, the beautiful rose slipping from his grasp.

"Hey Hiei. Long time no see." The familiar cocky voice entered his ears and filled him up. His cheeky smile warmed his heart. Seeing him standing there…Was just plain indescribable.

"Yusuke…" He whispered. And indeed there he stood. Dressed in his faded jeans and white shirt, his hair slicked back…Like he was never even gone. But the ache in Hiei's heart reminded him otherwise. For the second time the dark haired demon felt tears gather in his eyes. But this time he refused to let them fall. What good would it do him?

He looked away from the chocolate eyes and noticed the lonely black blossom, lying on the ground. Still avoiding the others curious gaze he knelt down and picked up the flower with a surprisingly gentle hand. Pretending to be brushing it free of dirt he willed the tears away.

The ruby eyed man was caught off guard when a calloused and slightly tan hand slipped under his chin and gently lifted his face. He found himself once more captured by deep brown eyes that looked at him with something akin to tenderness.

He watched sadly as Yusuke inspected his tear filled eyes, not missing the furrowing of the detectives brow as he stared at them. The fire demon looked away once more, feeling his heart break. He still wasn't sure exactly what this feeling for Yusuke was but he knew that he was never going to get that chance. Yusuke was sure to reject him. He heard the shaky intake of breath from the other man.

"I'm sorry Hiei."

'This is it.' He thought, bracing himself for the worst.

Suddenly he felt a pair of dry lips descend upon his own. Hiei's ruby eyes widened. Yusuke was kissing him!

Yusuke's hand moved from under his chin to join the other at the small of the smaller man's back pulling Hiei roughly against his chest. Hiei could hear the shocked gasps of their audience. Could smell the tears forming in that ningen girl, Keiko's eyes as she watched her crush make out with another man. And surprisingly enough…none of it mattered.

Hiei felt Yusuke begin to pull away and instinctively threw himself harder against the taller teen, throwing his arms around the other's neck and kissing him back hungrily. Yusuke smiled into the kiss and ran his tongue across the demon's pink lips. Hiei opened his mouth and let in the intruding muscle. Finally the two men pulled away, flushed and breathing heavily.

The now very much alive spirit detective stood up, pulling Hiei up and straight into an embrace. Hiei pulled away enough to look up at the other man. "What does this mean?" He asked.

Yusuke smiled softly. "It means I love you. And I have for a long time. I was just too afraid to admit it."

Hiei's face broke into a smile. "I'm not sure exactly that I love you but I do feel something for you…And I want to know…" He broke off unsure of how to finish his sentence.

But Yusuke kissed him chastely on the lips and smiled. "It's okay. I understand. We'll take it slow and see where it goes." Hiei smiled and nodded.

Hiei sighed, resting his head against the bigger man's chest in contentment. Hiei didn't care that Yusuke had been dead only a few minutes ago. He didn't care about the audience watching their every move. He didn't even care about the fact that Yusuke's ex-girlfriend was about to start a scene.

All that mattered was that Yusuke was alive. And Yusuke was his.

Thank you all so much! Please do tell me what you thought of it...Aside from my very slow updating. ^^"