Kuwabara was having the party at his apartment, where he was living with Shizuru until he was finished with high school (after that, he'd said, he either planned to live on-campus or find a place with Yukina and commute at night while he worked during the day to pay rent). Yukina used to live in Genkai's temple, but once she started dating Kuwabara, Shizuru said Yukina could live with them too, much to Kuwabara's delight. (The main reason, Shizuru said, was that Yukina seemed to be not a distraction, but an inspiration for Kuwabara to study harder, for the sake of their future.)

Botan and Keiko were "hanging out" with Yukina (really just getting her out of the apartment so the party could be set up, while everyone else helped). Hiei thought about being one of the people who kept Yukina out of the way until the party was ready, but he figured he'd accidentally spill the beans somehow, so he helped with the decorations instead.

Hiei had told Kurama, and the rest of his friends, that he didn't want any gifts, and they seemed to understand. Kurama had brought a nice sash for Yukina to wear with her kimono as a gift and Hiei was wondering if he should have just done something like that. He was now more convinced than ever that telling her the truth would ruin her birthday. Maybe it was better for her to go on thinking about her brother the way she did now…

"I don't think I can do this, Kurama," Hiei whispered. "Maybe I'd better run out and buy her a candy bar or something."

"It's up to you, Hiei," said Kurama with a sigh. "But it may be too late at this point. If you don't tell her, Kuwabara probably will."

Hiei could barely resist slapping himself in the forehead. How could he be so dumb as to tell Kuwabara before he told Yukina, anyway? Who cared if the big lug got his feelings hurt? Well, Yukina cared…and that was why Hiei told him first, so he wouldn't feel left out. Auughhh! Apparently, Hiei had to be nice to Kuwabara because Yukina liked him. Why couldn't she have picked someone, anyone else? But then Hiei remembered how devoted he was to her and felt confused, annoyed, and guilty, all at the same time, like he did whenever he thought about this subject. He shook his head to chase the bad thoughts away.

"Well, this was your idea, you know," he reminded Kurama. "How am I supposed to tell her? Everything I can think of just sounds stupid."

"Maybe the way you told Kuwabara?" Kurama suggested. "You know, that you found her brother?"

"But she'll be mad that I didn't tell her earlier," said Hiei, feeling a nervous woosh in his stomach, like he'd just gone up three floors in an elevator.

"I don't think she will be, Hiei," Kurama replied, "but even if she is, wouldn't you rather risk her being angry with you for a few days, but at least knowing the truth, as opposed to continuing to live this lie? You can't keep this under wraps forever, you know. Especially now that Kuwabara's in on it. You and I both know that the only reason he hasn't told Yukina yet is because he thinks you're going to tell her. It's probably killing him."

"Well, you know what?" Hiei said. "He can just go right ahead and tell her. I'm not going to."

"Hiei…"

"What? You said it was up to me!" Hiei snapped. "And don't give me that lecture about her wanting to hear it from me!"

"Why?" said Kurama, his voice just a little snarky. "Because you know I'm right?"

"No, because you're a pain in the ass!" Hiei snarled. "I'm going to get a snack!"

Hiei stomped off in search of food, leaving Kurama to roll his eyes and finish up the decorations. As a matter of fact, he did agree with Kurama that Yukina probably wanted to hear this from him, but he just couldn't bring himself to—

"You're really sure about this?" Hiei froze at the sound of Yusuke's voice, addressing Kuwabara, as they stopped to talk, drinks in their hands.

"Totally, 100%," Kuwabara was saying. "There's no better day than today."

Aha! So he IS planning on telling her about me!

"You might steal Hiei's thunder," said Yusuke in a joke-warning voice. "It'll be a lot for Yukina to absorb, don't you think?"

Well, yes…finally learning her brother's identity will be a lot to absorb…

"Sure, but I know she'll be really happy about it," said Kuwabara, fumbling with something in his pocket, probably an old sticky gumball or something, Hiei thought. Gross. "Sometimes you just know."

Hiei couldn't believe Kuwabara would do that. Well, he could believe it, but he wasn't happy about it. Grabbing a pack of pretzels, Hiei opened the pack and shoved the snacks in his mouth without even tasting them. The only thing for it, he decided, was to tell Yukina before Kuwabara did. That would show him!

"I've changed my mind," he told Kurama furiously. "I'm going to tell Yukina the truth."

"Oh really?" said Kurama warily. "What happened?"

"I heard Kuwabara telling Yusuke he was going to tell Yukina I was her brother." Hiei glared at Kuwabara. "See how he's rubbing his pocket like that? I bet he left gum in there and now it's stuck."

"You mean like you did last week?"

"Well, it lost its flavor, and Yusuke told me that if I swallowed gum, it would stay in my stomach for seven years."

"That's not true, Hiei."

"We don't have gum in Makai, as you might recall," said Hiei. "So how would I know? All I can say is, I don't know what Yukina sees in him."

"Five minutes, everyone!" Shizuru shouted, making Hiei jump. "Yukina and the others are almost here."

Kurama pulled Hiei down and they hid behind a table. Everyone else ducked down too, except Kuwabara, who stood just inside the doorway. Behind the door, Hiei could hear Yukina's bright, happy voice.

"Why can't you two just tell me what this is all about?"

"We told you, Yukina, it's a surprise!" Botan sounded just as cheerful. "Just keep on walking, birthday girl!"

Silence from Yukina, but a loud Shhh from Keiko, then a nervous giggle from Botan. Hiei was sure she'd be relieved she didn't have to keep the relation a secret anymore.

"Get ready!" Shizuru stage-whispered.

Then the door opened, and Hiei was on his feet with everyone else, yelling: "Surprise!"

"Yukina!" said Kuwabara. "Happy Birthday!"

"Wh…what's this?" Yukina certainly did look surprised. "Kazuma?"

"It's a surprise party," said Shizuru, walking to stand next to her younger brother. "To celebrate your birthday."

"Oh, you guys! Thank you!" Yukina cried, her face lighting up as she gave Kuwabara a kiss on the cheek. "This is great!"

"You really didn't know?" said Kuwabara, still slightly pink from Yukina's kiss.

"We don't have surprise parties in Makai, you silly!" Yukina giggled. "Oh, Kazuma! I love it!"

They sang the birthday song and opened presents. Hiei was a bit surprised at how unremarkable Kuwabara's gift was (a new pair of clip-on earrings, since her ears weren't pierced); he would have thought he would go all out, if it was her first birthday as his girlfriend. Well, whatever. Hiei was more concerned about his gift, which he would have to do before Kuwabara tried it—which was why he was surprised at what Kuwabara said next.

"Hiei?" he said. "Don't you have a present for Yukina?"

"I thought you were going to tell her," said Hiei, giving him a weird look.

"Why would I tell her?" he said, seemingly equally confused. "She needs to hear it from you. Only you."

"But then what were you—oh, forget it." Hiei shook his head, noticing that Kuwabara was rubbing his pocket again. Whatever was in there, it was obviously bugging him. Maybe he was making sure he had his keys…who knew?

"Tell me what, Hiei?" Yukina asked. "It's okay if you don't have a present. I just want you here."

"Well, I do have a present," said Hiei, staring down at the ground. "It's just…it's just not one that comes in a box."

"That's not very much like you, Hiei," Yukina teased. "Getting sentimental and all."

"Remember how you asked me to look for your brother?" Hiei said carefully. When he raised his head to meet her eyes—crimson-red, just like his—he didn't know what he was expecting, but he hadn't expected for her face to break out in such a sweet, happy smile.

"You found him, didn't you, Hiei?" she asked, her voice warm as hot chocolate.

And when he looked into her eyes, Hiei finally realized. There was no point in telling her now, because she knew. She knew. And she'd known for a long time. All this time, she'd kept the relation a secret, just like he had. Hiei couldn't help but laugh a little at the pure absurdity of it.

"How long have you known?" he asked.

"Known?!" Kuwabara seemed shocked once more, but nobody else seemed surprised. "Yukina, you already knew?! Why didn't you tell me?"

"She doesn't have to tell you shit," Hiei began angrily, but Yukina raised one hand in the air to stop him.

"Because it's like you said, Kazuma," said Yukina. "I needed to hear it from him. I knew that once he was ready, in his own way, he would tell me the truth. And that was when we could finally be a family." She turned to Hiei, smiling. "I'm very happy that day has come. This is the best birthday I've ever had."

"You're right, Yukina." Kuwabara shrugged a little sheepishly. "This is between you guys. Not me."

"Oh, don't be silly, Kazuma," said Yukina, reaching her hands out, and Kuwabara clasped them in his own. His fingers were huge and calloused, while hers were small, soft, and delicate, but somehow, they seemed to interlock perfectly. "You're part of everything for me. I love you."

"I love you too, Yukina," he said, her looking up, him looking down, the two of them in their own little world. "And that's why I saved your present for last. Even after Hiei's."

"But you already gave me my gift." Yukina turned her head slightly so that her hair fell aside, revealing the new earrings. "I like them very much."

"You didn't think that was all I got you, did you?" said Kuwabara. "For the very first birthday we've spent together?"

Yukina was looking confused, as if she was about to ask what was going on, but Kuwabara was already getting down on one knee.

Hiei's mouth fell open, and he glanced at Kurama, who was wearing an identical expression. They looked at each other, then at Kuwabara kneeled in front of Yukina, holding out the ring he had been hiding in his pocket. So that was what he'd been talking about…and in the end, how could it have been anything else?

"Yukina, my love," said Kuwabara, staring up into her eyes; even kneeling on the floor, he still only had to tilt his head slightly backwards to meet her gaze. "Will you marry me?"

Hiei felt another wave of shock as he stared at the diamond ring in the black velvet box he was holding open. It was beautiful, and it must have wiped him out.

"Why, Kazuma…" Yukina was staring, her hand slightly touching her lips. "Aren't you still in high school?"

"Only until this March," he said. "We can get married after I graduate, and get our own place. I can work during the day, and go to school at night. I just know we can make it, as long as we love each other."

"As long as we love each other," Yukina agreed, and held out her left hand. "Put that ring where it belongs, fiancé."

Kuwabara carefully slipped the ring onto Yukina's slim finger, where it fit perfectly, sparkling under the lights of the apartment. Then he straightened up and swung her around in the air, both of them laughing with the passion, tenderness, and joy that linked their hearts together forever. And as much as he was surprised by all this, Hiei felt it, too; no more confusion, no more annoyance, no more guilt. Just happiness for his sister, happiness that she and her man were finally getting the happy ending they deserved. Just like he and Kurama had done, about two months ago now.

"As long as we love each other," Kurama said softly, coming to stand next to Hiei. "Now, where have I heard that before?"

"Shove it," Hiei said, but he was smiling.

"Hiei," said Kuwabara, after he set Yukina down. "You know, as her brother, I guess I ought to ask…are you okay with this?"

"Am I okay with seeing Yukina the happiest she's ever been, with a man who will love her, protect her, and defend her until his very last days?" said Hiei, walking over to them and putting his hand on Yukina's shoulder. "You really have to ask that?"

"Well, uh, I'm not really sure how it works with demons, but, uh—"

"I was being sarcastic, you big fool," said Hiei. "Of course I'm okay with you marrying her. And that's not really my decision in the end, anyway, is it? Yukina can make her own choices now."

"Thank you, Hiei," she said, her eyes glimmering with tears. "I choose Kazuma."

They kissed, then, and everyone in the room clapped. Hiei could tell that Yusuke was the only one who had known in advance about the proposal, but everyone looked pleased. Kurama's mom, Keiko, and Botan were all wiping their eyes, their cheeks wet with tears.

"Congratulations, you two," said Kurama, once their kiss was over. "I must admit, I didn't see this coming. I should have, but I didn't."

"We're happy about it, though," Hiei told them. "We really are."

"Oh, Hiei, I'm so glad you and Kazuma are becoming such good friends!" Yukina said joyfully, unable to tear her eyes from the new diamond ring. "We'll all be one big happy family!"

Normally, someone telling Hiei that he and Kuwabara were good friends would make him want to puke, and when he thought of a big happy family, Kuwabara didn't tend to be included in that image. But then he realized, that was before. Now, nobody had to hide the relation. Kuwabara and Yukina were engaged. And there would be two weddings coming up this spring, not one. Because of Yukina, Hiei realized, he could get along with Kuwabara, maybe even see him as a friend, or at least a decent brother-in-law. Who could say? Hiei couldn't quite see them getting over their usual banter, but it would be different now. Because of Yukina.

Kuwabara watched his new fiancée travel around the living room, letting everyone get a good look at her ring. But he turned away for a moment and shot Hiei a smile that clearly read, Thanks.

Hiei grinned. You're welcome.

Before long, Yukina was done making her rounds, the ring still standing out on her finger. But instead of returning to Kuwabara, she made her way over to Hiei.

"Since I didn't think you were going to choose today to tell me the truth," she said, "I'm afraid I didn't buy or make you a gift. I thought that might arouse suspicion."

"Yes, I can imagine," Hiei agreed. "But it's fine if you don't have anything. I didn't want any presents anyway."

"I said I didn't buy or make you anything," said Yukina, giving him a smile. "I never said I didn't have anything for you."

"But what else could you—"

"I hope it fits," said Yukina, and threw her arms around Hiei, squeezing all the sisterly love into him that she could.

"Oh," said Hiei, laughing slightly, but hugging her back. This was a perfect gift. "I love it. Happy Birthday, Yukina."

Still hugging Hiei, tears free-falling from her eyes, the diamond ring still sparkling on her finger, her loving husband-to-be looking on, Yukina whispered back, "Happy Birthday, Hiei."