My regular readers know how lovey dovey I always make Kurama. No one's noticed Kurama hasn't said 'I love you' to Hiei. Hm.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

LONELY HEARTS

Chapter 6

The next few weeks began slowly in the demon's new relationship. Neither had wanted things to move too quickly and for the most part that's how things started.

Since the night when Kurama's sexy dream forced them into an intimate encounter Hiei had begun looking forward to every touch his friend offered. The morning after their encounter Hiei had woken with the jagon restored and his first instinct was to run.

It was several days before he returned to Kurama's apartment. Upon his return he was welcomed as always with a warm smile, a hot meal and a soft bed. Though those things were nice what he really wanted was the soft touch of Kurama's hand, especially holding his as he slept.

It wasn't long before Hiei started visiting Kurama more frequently. The fire demon was surprised by how much he already craved the fox's company. He hadn't admitted, even to himself, how much he craved more than Kurama's company.

Slowly, without his even realizing it, Hiei began moving closer to Kurama as they slept. Kurama, always nervous that he might lose control again, was very careful to only hold Hiei's hand and to stay on his side of the bed. The first time he woke with Hiei cuddled into his side he nearly panicked. When Hiei woke, blushed and shyly asked what was for breakfast, Kurama began to relax.

Kissing was another new addition to their relationship. This too began slowly with Kurama kissing Hiei's cheek to say goodnight or goodbye. However, as Hiei began moving into Kurama's arms before they went to sleep Kurama became bolder with his goodnight kisses.

Kurama held Hiei loosely in his arms, gently massaging his back as he hesitantly kissed Hiei goodnight. When he lifted his head he smiled at the dreamy expression on his usually stern friend's face. Kurama waited for Hiei to open his eyes before he spoke. "Did you like that Fire-Fly? If I'm moving to fast just say so."

Hiei looked so sexy in his black pajamas, breathing hard and with a tinge of red on his cheeks. "Hn. I'm not going to break if you kiss me Fox. Besides, how am I supposed to know if I liked it when every time you do it you stop?"

Kurama gave a little laugh. "Well, I'll just have to fix that then won't I? You have to say it though Hiei. I promised I wouldn't take anything from you that you didn't give to me freely."

"Then shut up and kiss me Fox." That was all Kurama needed to hear before he swooped down and took Hiei's lips in a passionate kiss. After that, kissing became a much bigger part of their relationship.

As relationships go theirs was progressing normally. Touching lead to holding, which lead to kissing, which of course lead to more intimate touching. This is where things began to change.

Hiei so far had been very submissive in every aspect of their relationship. Up to the point where their little make out sessions were just holding and kissing Hiei seemed happy to let Kurama have the lead. However now that things had begun to heat up between them Hiei was becoming quite dominant. Since they hadn't actually made love yet Hiei lacked experience but not desire.

Kurama wasn't quite sure how to handle what was happening. One minute Hiei would be passive, cuddling into him allowing Kurama to determine what they did. The next thing Kurama knew he was pinned to the bed with a very excited fire demon taking charge of their play. When their passion cooled Hiei once again lay submissive in Kurama's arms.

That wasn't the only change in Hiei. He had become quite possessive of his partner. If anyone, male or female, got too close to the redhead Hiei would step between them and Kurama had even heard him growl.

Now was one of those times. They had all decided to meet at the temple to train. When ever they did this they usually took turns fighting with each team member. Today however Hiei became angry at the suggestion that anyone else fight Kurama. Not knowing of their relationship Yusuke and Kuwabara thought Hiei's reaction strange but neither wanted to argue with the angry fire demon.

When they finished training Yukina and Keiko brought out drinks. Yusuke, curious about Hiei's behavior, went to put a friendly arm around Kurama and ask what was going on. The minute his hand touched Kurama Hiei came flying at Yusuke growling.

Luckily Kurama's reflexes were sharp and he intercepted Hiei. Everyone stared in shock as Kurama practically snatched Hiei from midair then took him in his arms and lead him away from the others.

"Fire-Fly relax. Yusuke's put his hand on my shoulder hundreds of times. You know it doesn't mean anything. He's my friend and teammate, nothing more." Kurama's heart was racing. He never imagined Hiei would show his emotions so openly or so violently in front of their friends.

"Don't ever let him touch you again Fox! No one touches you but me!" Hiei, still angry, was practically snarling at him.

Wide eyed Kurama could only nod his agreement. Suddenly Hiei calmed. "Kurama, I have to get out of here for a while. I'll see you in a few days."

Kurama was speechless as Hiei pulled him down for the sweetest goodbye kiss before flitting away.

Stunned, Kurama walked back to the others. Yusuke was the first to come after him. "Kurama, what the hell was that? Hiei looked like he was going to kill me."

Kurama just shook his head. "I'm not sure myself Yusuke. He's been acting a little weird lately."

Before anyone else could speak Yukina walked up and seemed to be smelling Kurama. Suddenly she smiled. "I think I know what's going on. Kurama, are you and Hiei… um… involved?"

Kurama nervously looked at each of his shocked friends before looking back at Yukina. With a blush he nodded. "We're sort of dating I guess."

Yukina smiled and gave a little giggle. "I think Hiei sees it as a bit more than dating. When a Koorime chooses a mate they get very protective and fiercely jealous. It's instinctive for him to act the way he is. Once you're mated he'll relax a little but not much."

Kurama's eyes where as big a saucers. "Mated? Yukina we're just… I mean we…awe hell."

Yukina's smile faded, her voice suddenly serious. "Kurama are you and Hiei lovers?"

Kurama closed his eyes briefly and sighed. He hated that this conversations was happening in front of all their friends. "We haven't actually made love yet if that's what you mean."

Confusion crossed her brow. "But you have his scent on y… oh, I think I see. Kurama let me explain something to you about Koorime. We don't take casual lovers. The only person we give our body, our heart and our soul to is our mate. Unless I'm gravely mistaken Hiei has chosen you as his mate. If you don't feel the same way about him break it off with him now. If you do though, understand that you'll probably be breaking his heart."

With that Yukina walked back into the temple. Kurama looked around at his friends, surprised when Kuwabara was the one to speak. "I don't know if you remember this butafter I asked Yukina to marry me she got a little weird like that. Even Shizuru couldn't get too close to me without Yukina getting bent out of shape. Once we got married though she stopped acting like that around you guys. It still shows sometimes with others though. Like if a store clerk pays too much attention to me I can hear her growl. It's so cute."

Yusuke was about to slap him on the back but stopped, looking around as if to see if Hieiwas going tojump out of the bushes. He just laughed instead. "Hey fox boy I guess this means we need to give you a bachelor party if you and Hiei are getting married… or mated… or whatever. Man it's about time though. You two have been dancing around your feelings for each other forever. It was kind of cute to watch though."

Kurama seemed to have regained the ability to speak. "You mean you knew how we felt? I thought I hid my feelings so well and I know Hiei did, at least from me."

Keiko looked at Kurama. "Sure we knew. You guys were only hiding it from each other. Now you need to decide what you're going to do Kurama. You looked scared out of your mind when Yukina said Hiei chose you as his mate."

Kurama's heart was pounding. "I wasn't thinking about Hiei as my mate, just my lover. I'm a Youko for crying out loud, I just wanted to get laid!"

Everyone stayed silent at his outburst and Kurama was grateful. "No, that's not true. I do want Hiei as my lover but not just my lover. Damn it, I don't know what the hell I want any more. I know I want Hiei. I'm just not sure I want to be mated to him. That's not something I ever saw my self doing, not as a Youko or a human."

Hiei obviously wasn't around so Yusuke put a hand on Kurama's shoulder. "Well, since Hiei split it looks like you've got some time to think about it. I know demons don't usually think like this Kurama but you are part human. Maybe you should ask yourself if you love him. Be careful though, Yukina's right, rejecting Hiei will break his heart."

Walking home all Kurama could think about were Yusuke's last words and how much they seemed to hurt his own heart. "Rejecting Hiei will break his heart."