Did everyone have a merry Christmas?? If you did, good! And if you didn't...there's always next year! Hope everyone got what they wanted...and if you were asking for another chapter of this here story, then you're in luck!

In the previous chapter, Kurama ran into Touya and they seemed to not know each other as they should. This is because in this story, the Dark Tournament never took place. Their relationship is entirely different here. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho.

4

"Shuuichi! Dinner!" Shiori called from the kitchen. Kurama perked up and sat the book he'd been reading on the nightstand. Hiei was standing by the door. He had been listening there ever since Kurama decided to start reading. Kurama ran his hands through his hair a few times before going over to the door.

"You ready, Hiei?" he asked.

"I'm fine, baka," Hiei responded. Kurama nodded.

"Good. Mother's in for a surprise." Kurama opened the door and stepped out first. Hiei remained behind him as he closed the door, went down the hall, and entered the dining room with a smile on his face. "Mother," he began. "I hope you don't mind if we have a guest for dinner tonight." Shiori glanced up from setting the table, looking a little surprised.

"A guest?" she asked. She looked down. Kurama turned around.

"Yes," he said, moving out of the way so that Hiei was in plain view. Shiori looked confused.

"Well, when did you sneak in...?" she asked, beginning to smile. She went over to him. "I guess I'll just have to set another spot at the table for you. You're Hiei, right?"

"Yeah," Hiei said distractedly.

"Mm, it smells great, mother," Kurama said, breathing in deep. "I can't wait to eat. Hiei was just telling me about how long it's been since he's had a home cooked meal." Shiori patted Hiei's shoulder as she went towards the kitchen.

"It'll just be a moment. It's a good thing you came tonight. I made Shuuichi's favorite." Kurama smiled at Hiei.

"Does this mean I have to call you Shuuichi?" Hiei asked, putting emphasis on the name.

"You don't have to," Kurama said. "Just relax a little. Here, why don't you have a seat?" Hiei shook his head. Shiori came out with plates and things. She handed them to Kurama.

"Why don't you and Hiei set up while I get dinner?" she suggested. Kurama smiled at her.

"Come, let's set the table, Hiei." Hiei waited until Shiori left before he spoke.

"Don't patronize me," he said, following Kurama to the table. "Talk to me like you usually do."

"I'm trying to be on good behavior," Kurama said. "I can't let her know that I've let you corrupt me." Hiei chuckled.

"Alright, Shuuichi dear, now what?" Hiei asked. Kurama looked at him blankly.

"Just have a seat," he said, shaking his head. Kurama gave Hiei his place settings and then sat down across from him. Shiori came out shortly with a pot full of stew.

"Here we are," she said, sitting it down. "I made plenty, so there should be enough. Look Shuuichi...I caramelized the onions the way you like." Kurama's eyes widened. That was one of his favorite treats, next to Shiori's stew. Kurama grabbed the ladle and served Shiori and Hiei before serving himself. He took about half the plate of onions in the serving fork and plopped them on his plate. He rubbed his hands together.

"Mmm," he said again. He picked up his fork. Hiei just sat there staring at the food strangely. Shiori smiled at him.

"Go ahead, Hiei," Kurama urged. "It's awfully delicious." Hiei raised an eyebrow, staring at Kurama's fork before picking up his own. He looked at it. Kurama smiled and began to eat slowly, trying to show Hiei silently how to use it. Hiei watched him a little longer before attempting to use the fork he held. He got a big chunk of beef on it and bit down, jumping a little.

"Damnit!" he whispered. Kurama shot back. Shiori looked surprised.

"It's a little hot..." she said, with a nod. Hiei threw the fork on the table, staring at it as if he was going to kill it. Kurama set down his fork.

"It's alright Hiei, you don't have to use it if you don't want to," he said. Hiei looked up at him, frowning slightly. He began to eat with his fingers. Shiori didn't ask questions; she instead went back to eating. "So, mother? Did Kuwabara mention what time he'd be here?"

"Oh, about that," Shiori began. "I called him back to ask. He didn't give an exact time. He just said to be up with the birds so that you can get to the mall early enough."

"Goodness," Kurama said. "I'd better go to bed early tonight, then."

"Hopefully he'll call before he gets here. That way I can get you up and you can get ready before he arrives."

"I hope he does that," Kurama said. "Maybe I can convince Hiei to come with us." Hiei looked up when he heard his name.

"What was that?" he asked.

"Kuwabara's going to take me out for presents and things tomorrow and I was thinking...you know, since you haven't seen him in so long, that you'd like to join us." Hiei nodded.

"Maybe," he said. "But I don't know when I'll be back." Kurama nodded.

"So, do you live around here now, Hiei?" Shiori asked. "Or did you take the train?" Hiei licked a finger.

"I, uh...I don't live here. I ran over here." Kurama smiled at his mother.

"He's very active," he said. Hiei watched him suspiciously as he went back to eating. Kurama smiled at him. Shiori leaned towards Hiei.

"Oh, I see. So...I've been meaning to ask...how exactly do you know Shuuichi? You two didn't go to school together, did you?"

"I don't go to school," Hiei said. "I don't see the point."

"He was home schooled," Kurama said, nodding at Hiei when Hiei shot him a glance. "Hiei and I met when I was still at Meiou."

"Oh. So you've known each other for a long time, then," Shiori said with a smile. "It's a shame Shuuichi never brought you over when he was still in high school and living with me. Yusuke came over a few times with Keiko and Kuwabara and he would go stay with them sometimes."

"I know," Hiei said. "I was there."

"Hiei would sometimes come after you'd put down," Kurama explained. Hiei raised an eyebrow. "He's a fan of using the back door."

"Oh...so is that how you got in?" Shiori asked. "I was positive I didn't see either of you come by the kitchen. I was worried I'd lost it." She chuckled. "So, you two...how's dinner?"

"Oh, it's perfectly delicious, okaasan," Kurama said. "I just love these onions. I tried to make them at home a few times, but they never came out quite like yours."

"You know, Shuuichi...if you were to stay, I'd make them as often as you pleased." Kurama smirked.

"I'll come to visit you often," he said. Shiori smiled back.

"I guess I'll just have to settle with that, then," she said. She leaned towards Hiei again, speaking lowly. "I'll have to have you help me get Shuuichi to stay," she said, and then laughed a little.

"Um...let's see..." Hiei said, looking thoughtful for a moment. "Yeah, um...that's a good idea. I don't know why Kurama would want to leave. You have a very lovely home." Hiei raised an eyebrow as he smirked at Kurama and went back to eating again. Shiori smiled wider. Kurama stared at Hiei with playful disbelief.

"Thank you, Hiei," Shiori said. Hiei grinned again.

"We'll see, mother," Kurama said. "Perhaps around July, I'll stop by with the pit and we can barbecue a little."

"July!" Shiori said. "Surely you'll come back home before then. That's six months from now!"

"It's a very long commute and....well...it'll be different once I get my car back. Maybe around March, then...when the weather is better."

"That's more like it," Shiori said. "Of course, I'll stop by once or twice." Kurama nodded.

"Sounds great," he said. Hiei slurped up the rest of his stew.

"There," he said, looking up at Kurama. "Done." Shiori and Kurama were almost finished and so once they did, Shiori took their plates to the kitchen.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Kurama asked.

"No," Hiei said. "But you're a bad liar."

"I think I did pretty well," Kurama said. "I couldn't very well hint on that you're not a ningen."

"No...not a bad liar, as in you can't do it, a bad liar...like you're too good at it. Stuff like that."

"Oh," Kurama said, thinking he understood what the demon meant.

"Now what?"

"Depends on what mother suggests. Then it's off to bed for me." Hiei nodded.

"Well, I'm going to go then," Hiei said.

"Where?" Kurama asked.

"To your room." Kurama nodded.

"Alright...I think you..."

"What now, fellows?" Shiori asked, coming back into the living room. Kurama looked at her. "Oh, I know...she said. "There's something I've been meaning to show you, Shuuichi."

"The pictures?" Kurama asked.

"No...that's for tomorrow after dinner." Shiori went over to her stereo system. "This." She pulled out a CD, set it inside the disc player and let it play. Some type of cultural music began to play. Shiori listened to it for a while before turning to them. Hiei was slowly backing away towards the hall. "Oh, I didn't mean to make you feel excluded," Shiori said. "You can learn, too."

"Learn?" Kurama asked.

"Yes. While we were traveling, I decided to take up this class. Come here so I can show you how to do this dance." Kurama blushed. "Oh, don't feel embarrassed," Shiori said, reaching for his hand. Kurama went over to her. "You, too, Hiei."

"I'll just watch," Hiei said, sitting at the table again. He smirked at Kurama. This oughta be good he told him telepathically. Kurama looked at his mother.

"Here we go," she said, taking his hands in hers. "Just follow my movements." Shiori began to dance with him, and Kurama followed her movements as best he could. She tried to lead Kurama, but Kurama was stubbornly trying to lead her even though he didn't know what to do. She stepped on his foot. "Whoop!" she said, chuckling. She turned around and pulled away. "You're a fast learner. Let's try this one." She went over to the stereo and switched the CD track.

"What's this?" Kurama asked.

"This one is much more fun," she said, getting into a pose. "Just do what I do. It's the same move over and over, with a different move added each time." Kurama chuckled a little and began to mimic his mother's movements. Surprisingly, he found this highly enjoyable.

"Come join us, Hiei," he said, smiling. Hiei shook his head, smiling a little also.

"Don't want to ruin the moment," he said. Shiori shook her head.

"Oh, don't be silly," she said. "There you go, Shuuichi. Just a little more movement in your hips though." Hiei laughed. Kurama smirked at him.

"I just don't have rhythm," he said.

"Yeah, you do, you just have to find it," Shiori said. "No son of mine is rhythm-less." Kurama laughed.

"I'm trying over here," he said. "I don't dance too often."

"You don't dance at all," Hiei said. Kurama shrugged.

"Alright, at all," he admitted. He stopped dancing suddenly and yawned.

"Are you tired, Shuuichi?" Shiori asked, stopping also.

"A bit, yes," he said. "But let's do one more." Shiori smiled.

"Hai." She skipped tracks again. "If you were tired before, this one will be sure to put you to sleep. It's a Hellenic dance and it's very lively." Shiori took Kurama by the hand. "It looks much better with the dress—you know? ...The costumes." Kurama nodded. The music sped up and Shiori began to show Kurama the dance. It involved a lot of spinning and kicking and hip shaking. Kurama turned red halfway through the dance and couldn't stop laughing. Hiei chuckled at him.

"What are you giggling about?" he asked.

"I don't see you over here doing this," Kurama said. "It's not as easy as it looks."

"It doesn't look easy at all," Hiei said. "It's actually quite complicated. You're doing good, but you keep laughing. I'm waiting for you to fall." Kurama shook his head, trying to keep up with his mother. She had no problem keeping pace. Kurama didn't know the tiny woman had it in her.

"Phew!" she said when the song went off. "That was so much fun!"

"Yes, it was," Kurama said, breathing hard. "My!" Shiori turned the system off.

"Well, Shuuichi, I had a great time tonight," she said, kissing his cheek. "I think I'm about to go to sleep myself." Kurama nodded, covering his mouth as he yawned again.

"Have a good rest mother...do you want me to take care of the dishes?"

"Oh, no...they're in the dish washer." Kurama nodded. "Good night!" Shiori patted Hiei on the shoulder. "Goodnight, Hiei." She left the room. Hiei hopped off the chair, smirking at Kurama.

"That was pretty scary," he said. Kurama ran his hand through his hair, clearing his throat.

"Pretty fun from my point of view," he said, heading towards his bedroom.

"I'm going to go, but I'll be back, okay?" Hiei said.

"Where?" Kurama asked.

"Why do I have to tell you, fox, I said I'd be back." Kurama sighed.

"Fine, fine," he said. "See you when you get back." Hiei went down the hall leading to the laundry room. Kurama watched him until he was out of sight and went into his room. He first went to the bathroom, where he brushed his teeth and prepared for bed. He flipped out the bathroom light and came back into the room. He paused when he looked at his bed. He gasped.

"What the...?" On his bed were a note and a rose. He lowered his eyebrows and went over to the bed. He sat down, hesitating to pick them up. "Hmm..." He reached for them finally, his heart beat speeding up. He breathed in the scent of the rose and it brought a smile to his face. He looked at the card. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet..." he read. He turned it over, but there was nothing else on the card. Kurama smelled the rose again, suddenly shivering. He looked up, seeing that his window was open again. He sat the rose and card down on the night stand and went to close it, but Hiei came into view.

"Hey," he said. Kurama smiled at him as he came in.

"Hey, you."

"You're really going to sleep, huh?" Hiei asked, going over to his corner. Kurama set his the rose and card inside the nightstand drawer before Hiei could turn back around. Hiei sat down.

"I might as well," Kurama said, watching Hiei closely. "I have no idea when Kuwabara will come. I should get as much sleep as possible."

"You know he won't get here until noon," Hiei said. "He was never on time before."

"I know, but...it's been so long since then. He's grown up in the meantime."

"Yeah, I'll bet," Hiei said. "I still don't see the point in marrying, or whatever."

"No one's expecting you to," Kurama said. Hiei didn't seem to notice anything regarding the flower and note Kurama received. Why had Kurama received the gift so warmly, anyway? In the back of his mind, he'd embraced the possibility that it might have been from Hiei, but even if Hiei had feelings for Kurama, he just didn't do things like that. So then who was it? Kurama frowned suddenly, getting a creepy feeling.

"What's your problem?" Hiei asked. Kurama shook his head.

"Nothing..." he said. He looked at the window again. Was someone watching him? He stood up and went over to the window hurriedly, quickly opening it. There was nothing out there.

"What's eating you?" Hiei asked, standing up. Kurama shook his head again.

"I'm just fine," he said.

"You're all pale..." Hiei said. Kurama closed the window.

"I'm just tired."

"You're scared, aren't you? Tired people aren't pale... Scared people turn pale." Kurama turned to Hiei.

"It's nothing, will you just drop it?" he snapped.

"No use lying to me," Hiei said, going over to him. "What happened? You weren't like this when I left."

"Something..." Kurama said, sitting down on his bed. "Someone's trying to creep me out, or something," he said.

"And you're letting them get to you because...?" Hiei asked. Kurama shook his head.

"I don't know... I don't know, Hiei."

"Well, who is it?" Hiei asked. "I'll take care of them for you." Kurama shook his head.

"Even if I knew..." he said. "I wouldn't tell you. This is for me to handle." Hiei raised an eyebrow.

"Hn." He sat back down. "Over my dead body," he muttered, closing his eyes.

"What?" Kurama asked. Hiei flashed his eyes open, staring at Kurama, looking a little angry.

"I said over my dead body."

"I heard you... I wanted to know what you meant by that."

"I'm here for a reason, kitsune, and whether you like it or not, I'm going to help you. I don't take rejection lightly. Now go to sleep." Kurama looked at him a little longer before turning out his lamp. He climbed under his sheets thinking about throwing the rose and card away, but they were evidence. He had some searching to do.

Hiei stood up again and went over to the bed. Kurama looked up at him, watching him as he sat down. Kurama snuggled deeper into his pillow, trying to go to sleep, but the gift was weighing heavily on his mind. Hiei scooted back and propped his feet on the frame of the bed.

"I know I'm not going to be able go to sleep until you tell me what happened with you," he said. Kurama opened his eyes slowly.

"You left a little while ago, and I came in here to get ready for bed. I swore the window was closed and that the bed was empty...when I came out of the bathroom, the window was open again. There was a rose and a card on the bed. The card read, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. I didn't know what to make of it. A first, I felt a little special, but I don't know who it's from, or why my window keeps opening. It's actually quite scary." Hiei leaned over him.

"Where are they?"

"I put them away."

"Give them to me."

"Why?"

"Just do it." Kurama hesitated.

"Hiei, promise me you won't touch them," he said finally.

"Why not? If you let me smell them, I might be able to track the person down."

"I'd really rather you not." Hiei backed away. "Promise me you won't touch them."

"No."

"Get out," Kurama said, closing his eyes. Hiei stayed where he was.

"Fine. I won't touch them..." Hiei got up and walked away, but before he got too far away, he stopped. "I don't know why you won't let me help you."

"If I need your help, I'll ask for it," Kurama said. Hiei stood still.

"Do you really want me to go?" he asked. Kurama sat up.

"No, I don't. I just keep thinking you'll look for them, and disobey my request. I will handle this on my own. I do not need your help." Hiei walked over to the window.

"If anything happens to you, Kurama, it's your own fault."

"You are so vain, do you know that?" Hiei turned to Kurama sharply.

"What?" he asked.

"Just because you're a full demon and I'm not doesn't mean that you can act cocky around me, making me feel like I can't handle it."

"Damnit, Kurama, think about it! Half the troubles you get into, you wind up needing my help!" Kurama sat up straighter.

"Keep your voice down," he said.

"Face it. You are not Youko right now, you are Shuuichi and you know as well as I that he's only human. If anything happened to you, Kurama, I wouldn't know what to do with myself." Kurama looked down.

"Why are you doing this to yourself?" he asked, his voice low.

"I have to."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I just know that I have to and that I will, whether you like it or not. We're not just friends, Kurama, like you may think. Do you know how many demons are after you...how many try to get to you?" Kurama looked up at him. "You may not know this, Kurama, but I've stopped so many from reaching you. Just because I let a few slip through the cracks doesn't mean I won't pick up where I've failed you. And it doesn't mean that you have to get yourself involved. You don't need it, Kurama. Just let me handle it for you."

"I just don't understand why. Why are you doing this for me? I can't repay you for this, Hiei. I don't have anything for you."

"You've done enough, Kurama," Hiei said. "Just like with the others. You think I don't know what Kuwabara's been up to? Or that Yusuke and Keiko haven't done what he's done yet?" Kurama scooted forward, setting his feet on the ground.

"Hiei...?"

"I can't afford to let anything happen to you, or to them, or to Yukina, or to Shiori, or to anyone else who comes along for you." Kurama stared at Hiei, trying hard to understand why Hiei was doing this. On the surface it was simple. He wanted to protect his friends. But he'd lived such a long time not caring, why now?

What was it that had the demon running back and forth endlessly, making sure that Kurama was safe? Not just Kurama. His...mother? Yusuke and the others? Kurama understood why Hiei would bend over backwards to protect Yukina, but as for the rest of them...? Kurama stood up and went over to him. Hiei was shaking.

"Hiei...?"

"I live for moments like tonight," Hiei said, looking Kurama dead in the eyes. "Seeing you and your mother dancing and laughing with each other. I live to see Kuwabara and Naoto and their offspring at the park on the swings. I live to see Yusuke and Keiko's family get together and stuff themselves senseless with the fish they caught that day. You deserve to be happy and I'll be damned if I let anyone ruin that for you." Kurama kneeled in front of Hiei, grabbing hold of one of his hands and clasping it in his own.

"You're suffering inside, Hiei," Kurama said, rubbing his hand. "You're suffering."

"That's not true," Hiei said. "I enjoy what I do."

"It's taking its toll on you, Hiei."

"What are you talking about?"

"Year after year, you've looked more and more tired. I've noticed it...I just thought you were getting older."

"I can handle it, kitsune. If I die protecting any of you, it'll be the happiest day of my life." Kurama looked up at him. "I know what my purpose is. It's the only way we can all be happy." Kurama sat down, tugging on Hiei's hand.

"Come down here," he said. Hiei kneeled in front of him. Kurama leaned forward and hugged him. "Thank you," he said, and kissed him on the cheek. As Kurama hugged him tighter, he could feel Hiei's body temperature rising. He let go and sat back. "Thank you for everything." Kurama was positive he wouldn't be able to get Hiei lift that huge burden off of his shoulders, so he didn't press on about it. He looked at Hiei again. Hiei was staring at him.

"I didn't want any of you to know," he said.

"How will you know that we appreciate it?" Kurama asked, still holding his hand.

"That's not what I need. I only need to know that you're safe and that you're happy. I don't do this for accolades." Kurama rubbed his hand again. Hiei looked towards the window. "I can't help it that the jagan wants me to take care of this stalker of yours, but I don't need you mad at me. I will let you do what you must, but at the slightest hint of trouble, I will come for you." Kurama nodded.

"Thank you," he said. "I'm sorry for not being honest with you. I was annoyed with you for trying to take care of me because it made me feel incapable of caring for myself." Kurama leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

"You should get some sleep." Kurama nodded and they stood up. He went over to his bed while Hiei sat in his corner.

"Good night, Hiei," Kurama said from under the warmth of his sheets.

"Good night, Kurama." Kurama looked over at his clock and sighed. He didn't feel tired enough to go to sleep. The talk with Hiei was more exhilarating than anything else. Kurama couldn't help but continuously glance over at the demon, watching him "sleeping" in his corner of the room. Kurama was tempted to ask him if he'd prefer the bed that night, but he knew he'd turn him down. Kurama curled up, feeling safer that night now that Hiei'd talked to him. Now, if he could only get to sleep.

I just gotta mention... This is about the only time Hiei gets serious in this story...well...maybe one or two other times, but not that serious. He'll lighten up, I guarantee. Please review and tell me what you think! I'll be glad to answer any more questions any of you might have!

J3