Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho, although I wish I did own Kurama.

Alright, guys… this is my first attempt. I am completely unfamiliar with all the anime slangs, so I won't be throwing out any fancy terms, but I am planning on studying up on them, so that I can! I am trying for you guys, I promise!

Another heads up, this is gonna be a Shounen ai. It isn't going to be a bad shounen ai, in fact, I plan on making it a very classic love story. Not much over kissing. I just love the idea of Hiei and Kurama exploring their love for each other, after Kurama warms Hiei up. Now, lets just dive right in!

~*~~~*~

Chapter 1: The Kiss

The roses always bloomed earliest at Kurama's house. The neighbors always complained that it seemed like the season had barely changed, when there were fresh and healthy buds on Kurama's rosebush, just waiting for some sunlight to help the small buds burst forth into the beautiful red blossoms they always were. The rosebushes were one of three things that the youko held closest to his heart. Another was his mother, Shiori. And the third… was Hiei.

The former of the three was what was on Kurama's mind on this particular afternoon. The sun was shining, and his rosebush was calling his name. Kurama neatly planted himself next to his roses, and began to work his art. Slowly, but surely, the buds began to open, and the bright red petals, "almost as red as my hair, or the eyes of…. no time to think of him now…" began to show themselves. Kurama, pleased with the progress of the bush, got up and brushed the dirt off his hands. Slipping his hands into his pockets, the youko allowed himself to daydream about Hiei, about the fire-demon that had stolen his heart, unknowingly.

Kurama always enjoyed his daydreams about Hiei. Hiei always was a shade nicer to everyone, while in Kurama's head.

"I have always , I just can't… I don't know… no one has ever loved me before… and it's hard to think of anyone loving me… will you love me… zutto?" Hiei's voice said to Kurama, during this particular daydream.

"I understand you can't say it to me. I understand. Your actions and confessions are always enough for me" Kurama eloquently replied, much easier in his fantasy than in the actual presence of Hiei.

"My actions…" Hiei replied, as he gently grasped Kurama's chin, and tilted it downwards, towards Hiei's own mouth. Kurama held his breath, as his lips were four inches from Hiei's mouth… Kurama could feel Hiei's warm breath upon his face… three inches… the youko's stomach filled with a horde of butterflies that were trying desperately to escape… two inches… Kurama closed his eyes, and readied his lips for the impact of his love's lips… one inch…

*Shuuichi! Hey, Shuu-chan! Do you want something to eat? I have some Pocky!* Shiori interrupted his very real, very good fantasy. Kurama instantly hated food of any sort. Not his mother, of course. He could never hate her. Plus, the butterflies were still in his stomach, and they threatened to purge any food that Kurama attempted to eat.

*No, thank you. I am not very hungry right now. I think I might go for a walk.* Kurama politely, as always, replied to his mother. "I suppose I could daydream about Hiei then, and not worry about any distractions." Kurama secretly told himself, as he set off on his journey, to nowhere.

~*~~~*~

Yusuke kicked at the rock he had been harassing down the street. It fumbled across the street, and wound up in the middle of the road. Yusuke decided not to risk diving into the street, to retrieve his gaming partner, because of previous bad-luck with streets and… cars. He was completely bored and could not believe that Kuwabara had something to do that didn't involve him. To make it worse, Keiko also blew him off, and told him to go and do something useful for a change. So here Yusuke was, kicking a rock down the street. "I can't believe them! They're so stupid! Why do they have to be so damned secretive all the time!" Yusuke complained to himself. "Heck, I'd settle for Hiei right now. Better an annoying fire-demon that nothing" As if someone had heard his wish for a companion, Yusuke saw Kurama walking down the street towards him.

*Hey! Kurama!* Yusuke shouted, waving at Kurama. Kurama did not hear or see him, as he kept looking at his feet, apparently deep in thought. Yusuke decided to be louder.

*Hey! Kurama! It's me! Yusuke!* Startled, Kurama looked up. Disappointment captured his face for an instant, as another fantasy was ruined, again during the best part.

*Oh, hello, Yusuke. How are things on this fine afternoon? Enjoying your weekend?" Kurama asked, although his butterflies were still bad, and he wished Yusuke to be anywhere on the earth than in front of him, wishing to speak to him at this moment.

*Of course.* Yusuke said, and he laughed, *Hey, I was wondering if you'd like to, um, go to the park or something? Keiko is really pissing me off, and I need some time away.* Yusuke lied, not wanting Kurama to know that his girlfriend blew him off.

Kurama gave a soft laugh. *Yusuke, I would love nothing more.* "Except Hiei."

As they were walking, Kurama suddenly sensed Hiei's ki. Kurama smiled to himself, knowing that his little fire-demon was somewhere, above them, watching and waiting for a perfect moment to appear.

*So, you decided to smarten up and drop the oaf?* Hiei appeared in front of them. Yusuke jumped back a pace, while Kurama simply smiled. *I commend the decision. He only slowed us down.* Hiei stepped into pace with Kurama and Yusuke, on the way to the park.

*You guys! You guys! Wait up! Guys!* came Kuwabara's exasperated yells.

*Spoke too soon, I see.* Hiei grumbled.

~*~~~*~

The afternoon melted into evening into night. The Urameshi team had begun to separate, leaving Kurama alone with Hiei. Kurama's feelings were about to explode. He had never felt so strongly before. "It must be the approaching spring. The human in me is really taking over." Kurama began to practice his well-planned speech, one that he had written and memorized, re-written and re-memorized ever since he had met the small demon.

*What exactly are you doing?* Hiei demanded.

*Wh..wh..what?* Kurama managed to get out.

*What were you mouthing? It was driving me insane, breathe properly.* Hiei spat out. He was walking briskly next to Kurama, with his arms crossed behind his back, in a stately manner. "He seems a few inches taller." Kurama mused to himself.

*I… I… I think we… umm… we need to… to… to… talk." Kurama sputtered out. Kurama breathed a deep sigh of relief, receiving a very quizzical glance from Hiei.

*Well, fox? I have no time for this. What is it?" Hiei demanded, abruptly stopping, surprising Kurama.

*Hiei, there is a custom among the humans… They… when they… fall… um… you see, the person who… well… it's complicated… I'm sure you know, though… people fall… for each other* Kurama stammered. Kurama shook with self-hatred, as his perfect composure and eloquence that was prevalent in all his fantasies shattered because he was near the real Hiei, close enough to smell the wood fibers that were long-embedded in Hiei's cloak.

*Does your statement have a point, or are you simply trying to provoke me?* Hiei asked, growing more and more impatient with the half-human he had befriended so long ago.

*Well, they-tell-each-other-that-they-love-each-other* Kurama said, as if it were one word. Kurama, again, breathed a sigh of relief. It was a lot harder than he had imagined. He couldn't believe he was actually telling Hiei. Suddenly, all his courage jumped out of him. Kurama saw flashes of Hiei laughing at him, killing him, running away, and worst of all, telling Kurama that he did not share the feelings. Kurama blanked completely of his speech. He nearly burst into tears.

*What is it fox? You try my patience!* Hiei nearly screamed. His rage was rising, as was his impatience.

*I love you.* whispered the fox, closing his eyes.

~*~~~*~

Kurama opened his eyes after a few seconds. He had felt Hiei's ki leaving him, and he knew Hiei was not going to be there, when he opened his eyes. Mortified, Kurama screamed *HIEI!!!!!!!!* to no avail. Hiei was long gone. Kurama dropped to his knees and sobbed his entire being out, while on the pavement. All his love, his fear, his emotions of any kind just melted away until Kurama was a void. He was an empty shell of a man, he no longer existed. He wished he could just melt into the ground, and cease to exist. Slowly, the empty shell stood up and walked to his home. He needed a long, cold shower.

~*~~~*~

Kurama was correct, the cold shower did him well. He was able to wash off all his pain, and be left with utter, utter remorse. Kurama toweled himself off, put on some pajamas, (with little foxes on them) and went, slowly to his bed. The tears had still not ceased.

Kurama looked out his bedroom window, hoping to see the pair of rubies he had so often seen, as Hiei often visited him in the dark of night. Kurama could never see anything but his glowing red eyes, which never failed to fill him with excitement. But tonight, all that the youko could see was his own reflection, his usual emerald eyes splotchy and red, a combination of his love and pain for Hiei.

*I have no regrets. Oyasumi, Hiei.* said Kurama, as he searched for Hiei's ki. He wished to feel the youkai anywhere out in the night sky. All he felt was emptiness. Inside and out.

Kurama sighed and fell onto his bed. He snuggled under his covers and escaped the real world, to his perfect world of dreams.

~*~~~*~

Hiei was in a state of panic. He always knew that the youko was not like the rest of the others. He just figured it was because he had known Kurama the longest. Kurama felt closest to him, so he was more open, less afraid of his mean exterior. Kurama had tried, and almost succeeded, at breaking through outer Hiei and finding the inner Hiei. Hiei had many emotions, he was just wonderful at hiding them. He found no need to express feelings, no matter how strong they were. He couldn't understand why the youko needed to tell him that he loved him. Kurama had been keeping the secret thus far, why not longer? Hiei was so confused. Kurama had got him thinking. Did Hiei love him back? Hiei was so used to not loving anyone, that the idea of loving his best friend, "he truly is my best friend," had never occurred to him. Of course, it was ridiculous. "Utterly ridiculous." Except Hiei kept having flashbacks of what the kitsune did for him. The countless nights he allowed Hiei to sleep on his floor, "I'm wet, fox." so Hiei didn't have to be out in the rain. The introduction to the wonderful world of sugar and ice cream. "This is what? Frozen… milk?" Hiei tried to count the number of times Kurama had dressed his wounds, "It IS sore, you know!!!" after a battle. Kurama was always there. He would stay quiet if Hiei had silently wished it, or talk if Hiei needed the background noise. Kurama could read Hiei, and know instinctively what to do. Was it possible that Hiei loved him? "NO!!!!" Hiei screamed at himself. Hiei could not deal with the fact that he might love someone else. He didn't even love himself. Frustrated, he jumped out of the tree he was presently occupying and began jumping, from tree to tree. The trees cut at his skin, but he did not mind. He was comfortably numb to all pain trees may cause him, after practicing for years.

Hiei jumped, trying to escape his thoughts and feelings. He didn't know where he was going. He just let his feet and the trees take him wherever they wanted. Hopefully somewhere far, far away…

He was outside the kitsune's house.

"Why did I come here? Why did he have to say that? Why do I… love him?" Hiei mused to himself. After four hours straight of jumping from tree to tree, trying to escape his feelings, Hiei came upon the realization that he loved Kurama. Maybe not as deeply as Kurama feels it, but Hiei could not imagine life without his fox. Hiei jumped into the tree he knew so well outside Kurama's window, and sat back on one of the limbs. He stared into the dark window, hoping the light would turn on. He sat and sat, staring, exhausted from jumping, until he fell asleep.

~*~~~*~

Hiei woke up to the sound of some annoying bird in his ear. He was very upset with the bird, and wondered if it would taste like fried chicken once he cooked it. He readied himself to dispose of the bird completely, when he realized where he was. It was morning. He had to get out of the tree, away from Kurama, before Kurama woke up. He had to get away…

Too late…

Glancing at the window, Hiei saw Kurama staring at him. How long Kurama had been standing there, Hiei did not know. Kurama had a look of fear, surprise, and hope at once spread over his face. Hiei looked right into Kurama's beautiful green eyes, slowly stood up on the branch, walked to the window, and, being simply inches away from Kurama, knocked on the pane of glass that was separating him from his fox. The knock broke the trance. The tears that had stopped the moment Kurama set eyes on Hiei started again. Kurama had thought it was his imagination at first. He couldn't take his eyes away from Hiei, afraid he would disappear. Kurama had stood there for over two hours. Slowly, Kurama opened the window.

*Can I come in?* Hiei asked, in a strange, gentle voice. Hiei gasped at his own voice. He had never heard his voice like that. What had Kurama done to him? Hiei hated Kurama, for a moment. Then it all melted to love as Kurama opened his mouth and stepped back.

*Of course.* Kurama choked out, between gasps for air. Hiei slowly climbed in the window. Kurama grasped his arm. He looked deep into the red pools that showed the soul of Hiei. He bent down, closing the distance between Hiei's lips and his own. They were four inches away… Hiei got the butterflies… three inches… Kurama got the butterflies… two inches… they each moistened their lips and closed their eyes… one inch…

Fireworks. Their lips came into contact, and Kurama's existence came flooding back into him. He felt as if a cool wave broke over his head, enveloping him in passion and lust. His stomach exploded, and the butterflies encircled the couple as each gave and gave their love, which flowed through their bodies, creating sparks wherever they touched, and flowing out, through and through each other. The more they gave, the more they received. An eternity of bliss was lived in the one, simple, innocent kiss.

It was Kurama that broke away. He had lost all breath, and felt as if he would collapse if he didn't have a chance to sit and take it all in. Hiei was just as light-headed, but would never admit to it. Hiei had found his love, but he did not lose his dignity or pride. Kurama looked at Hiei with all his love and affection showing in his eyes. Hiei looked at Kurama, and, for the first time, was happy. So happy, that he smiled and shed a tear. The tear was all his pain and suffering, all his years of being hated and scorned, exiting his body. Hiei had no room in his body for pain, all the available space had to be filled with Kurama. Maybe he did love Kurama more than he thought.

The two sat and looked at each other, lost in their happiness, until one broke the silence.

*So what do we do now, Kitsune?* It was Hiei.

*Well, I'm really not sure.*

Hiei got off the window sill on which he had been sitting the last ten minutes, to join Kurama on the bed. He sat a few feet away, still afraid of these new feelings, but wanting to be near his Kurama. He noticed Kurama's hand sitting on the bed, inches from his own. Hiei took Kurama's hand in his own, looked into Kurama's eyes, and said, *I'm sure whatever we do will be perfect.* And with that, he disappeared. Kurama jumped up, and looked out the window, only to see Hiei's form moving away from him at a very high velocity.

*See you soon, Hiei.*

~*~~~*~

Kurama looked at his bishounen reflection in the mirror.. His fiery hair was perfectly in place as usual, his green eyes were practically glowing, and he was wearing his fox pajamas. "I will always remember myself like this. This is what I looked like, when I first kissed Hiei." Kurama thought to himself, giddily. Kurama couldn't believe what that youkai had put him through, just to wind up loving him anyway. Kurama almost died, thinking that Hiei did not love him. "Well, I guess it's time to spend some quality time with one of my other loves." Kurama thought as he got dressed and went outside. His rosebush was in full bloom. He carefully plucked one rose from it's home, and carried it inside, to his room. He placed it on his night stand for Hiei, for later. He went back downstairs and outside, where he told the rosebush what had happened that morning.

Kurama waited in his house all day for Hiei, always searching for his ki, hoping the koorime was somewhere in the kitsune's vicinity. Alas, Kurama could not feel Hiei all day, or well into the evening. It was growing late, when the storm came. Kurama hated the rain that night, it was ruining his perfect day. Resignedly, Kurama closed his window, and went to the bathroom. It was time for a shower. Warm, this time.

After the shower, Kurama went to his room, to collect his dirty clothes. He decided that his fox pajamas were dirty, since Kurama had cried on them all night. Wearing a new pair of pajamas, and having all his dirty clothes, the kitsune decided to partake in some spring cleaning of his room. The room was spotless, and Kurama had moved on to cleaning out drawers, by the time his clock struck 2am. Kurama looked at the clock, and realized that Hiei was not coming back tonight. So, he went to bed with the hope that Hiei would greet him the same way he did the previous morning, asleep in a tree and threatening birds.

When Kurama woke up, he sprung out of bed. The storm had passed, and it was nearly dawn. He had only slept four hours. He looked into Hiei's tree, but could not see Hiei. Realizing he was still tired, he went back to bed. After all, it was Sunday morning. Hard to believe that it was only two nights ago, Friday night, that he had confessed his love to Hiei. It seemed like an eternity.

Around eleven o'clock, Kurama decided it was as good a time as any to get out of bed. He decided to do his homework in the morning, rather than scramble that night to finish it. Every few minutes, his eyes wandered from his book to the window to the rose on his nightstand. Kurama didn't imagine it would be so long before he heard from Hiei. "Where is that stupid demon?"

~*~~~*~

Hey, I hoped you like that. Tell me if I should continue! I'll pull it if you don't like it. J