Last time on The Argument

Kurama: Guilty about starting the whole thing.

Hiei: Guilty about almost decapitating his BFF.

Both decide to apologize.

Hiei joined Kurama on the front porch. The sun had set, the October moon glowed in the sky. It was chilly, both demons preferred warmer climates and shivered underneath their jackets.

Kurama broke the silence. "Hiei, I must apologize for what I said. It was insensitive, cruel and hurtful. I hope you can forgive me."

"Why?" Kurama knew he was referring to why he had said those hurtful things to begin with, and not why he should be forgiven.

"I'm not sure why it got out of hand like that. I can't believe I lost control so thoroughly. I only wanted to comment on how great a partner Kuwabara is."

"Don't you think I know that?" Hiei snapped.

"Yes, now I know that you do. Like I said, I wish things hadn't gotten out of hand but maybe it was better that they did."

"How so, fox?"

"Well now that your deepest fears have been expressed-"

"I don't need another shrink, fox. I am already seeing one as you know."

"What's makes you think-"

"Oh come now Kurama, let's not play games. I know if I was listening then you were as well."

"You are correct, Hiei."

"So now you know. I'm all screwed up in the head; have been for years. But the difference between you and me is that I acknowledge my shortcomings, and sought help. You are much too proud for that."

"Hiei, this isn't about me-"

"Oh, but it is Kurama. It's about both of us. You have habit of handling everyone else's business but not your own."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean Youko, Kurama."

"I do not want to talk about Youko."

"Well, you need to. Youko is a part of you, and always will be. You cannot suppress him forever. Even your idiot lover realizes that. You are not being fair. If Yusuke was hiding something like that from you then you would have a fit. You always have to know everything about everything; while keeping us in the dark. You are a hypocrite, Kurama. We both know why the argument got out of hand. It's because the accusation were true, on both sides. I admit that sometimes I take Kazuma for granted and my deepest fear is losing him. Why can't you admit that you did use some of your tricks to ensnare Yusuke, even though you two were destined to be together?"

Kurama shifted uncomfortably at the accusations leveled at him. "I never said I didn't manipulate the situation with Yusuke."

"Well, what's your problem then?"

"I don't know. Maybe I don't want anyone to know how much of a terrible person Youko was. Maybe I am afraid that Yusuke wouldn't be able to accept it."

"Is that why you won't tell him that you and Yomi were lovers?"

Kurama shuddered. "He already knows that. There is no need to confirm it."

"You are not being totally honest with Yusuke. You won't even give him a chance to know who you really are."

"What if he hates me for it?"

"Then he doesn't deserve you. You underestimate him, Kurama. He has seen your worst side. Remember when we were battling Sensui and you beat that kid at the video game and he died? You knew he was going to die, and so did everyone else. Yusuke didn't try to stop you, did he?" Kurama shuddered. "And then you took off Gourmet's head without a second thought. If he didn't turn from you then what makes you think he will now?"

"But you heard him when he was talking to Kuwabara. He called Youko a 'bad dude'."

"And in spite of that he is still with you. He also mentioned that you were hiding your Youko past from him. I think you owe it to him to tell him the truth, Kurama."

Kurama closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He was so disappointed in himself. Why did he keep losing control of his temper? That never happened when he was Youko. There he was, again separating the two as if they were two different people. Perhaps that was the problem. And he was being unfair to Yusuke by trying to keep that part of his life a secret. He was just afraid of losing him; just as Hiei was afraid of losing Kuwabara. Perhaps he and Hiei were more alike than he wanted to admit.

"Kurama?"

"Yes, Hiei?"

"I'm glad I didn't decapitate you."

"Is that your version of an apology, Hiei?"

"It's as close as you are going to get."

Kurama chuckled. "Accepted."

"Hiei?"

"What is it?"

"What's the name of that psychiatrist?"

And there you have it! Two of the most powerful demons ever both in therapy! Good luck, Kurama! Keep up the good work, Hiei!

Note: I changed the descriptions of this story to be a Friendship between Hiei and Kurama since it was more about them anyway. I know this chapter was short but what more was there to say? Thanks for your support!