The next several days were peaceful. It was just as both the fox and the koorime wanted it. Several of their friends remembered the confession, but didn't bring the topic up in any conversation, for which they were glad. Often Hiei would return to Makai and work for awhile under Mukuro. The demon queen would push Hiei hard, and often he would return and collapse on the fox the moment he stepped in his room. Kurama would snicker silently as he placed the worn demon on his bed. He would always wonder what Mukuro made him do that tired him so.

Hiei also had his question. One night they were lying in bed together and Hiei spoke. "Were you and Kuronue more then just friends?"

Kurama was slightly taken aback by the question, but answered. "You... are the only one that has any right to know.." Kurama grinned. "Of course we were. You don't think I would live for years with him and not take advantage of it, do you?"

Hiei's eyes widened.

"Don't worry. I miss Kuronue, but I've gotten over him. You replace him now. I hope he's not too jealous."

Hiei smiled and nuzzled into his lovers neck. "No, but if he was alive, I would be."

"Don't worry koibito," he started, wrapping his arms around the smaller boy's back. "I will always love you. Aishteru."

"Aisteru kitsune.." the demon whispered back before he closed his eyes and darkness welcomed him.

"Gomen-nasai Kuronue," Kurama whispered in the dark. "Aishteru. Demo... I also love Hiei."

The fox rested his chin on Hiei's head and breathed in his sweet scent. Just moments later, the two boys slept, content in the other's arms, smiling to themselves... their minds full of wonderful dreams.

I know that our love will be filled with obstacles... but we will conquer them.. together. Nothing will break us apart, that I know. I know of Hiei's troubled past, and I work to make it right, and for him to forget it... but I know that will never happen. He will have to live with it, and all I can do is comfort him.

Sometimes I believe that I don't deserve someone as wonderful as the fox. I wonder what it is about me that he likes. I find myself full of flaws, and cannot see how one as beautiful and wonderful as he can be attracted to someone like me. But I am glad for it, and to think it was my stupid stubborness that brought me to tell him that I loved him first. Still I think back on that and laugh.

Hiei and Kurama both kept their word and never separated. There was a brief separation though, and that was when the fox took his last breath as Shuichi Minamino at a very young age, and for the first time, Hiei was in tears. His fox was gone. The one he loved the most was gone, yet Hiei was reunited with his friend in Makai, but as Yoko Kurama, who was no longer Shuichii. But the fox made sure Hiei knew that he still had Shuichi's memories, and that he would always love him. The fox who had once been a famous thief and bandit had returned, yet had changed for the better. Soon, everyone in Makai learned of him as a respectful demon, and the trainer of Yomi's son, who would soon take over the throne from his father. Hiei of course was with him the whole time.

Hiei knew that before, when there was still Shuichii Minamino, that he loved that red-haired boy the best. But now, he realized that Yoko Kurama was just as good. He acted the same, behaved the same, he just didn't look the same. The difference in looks bothered him slightly, until he found out that the fox didn't like to have his tail played or tampered with...