Ewww you are all so wicked. It seems you like the idea that Kurama might break Hiei's tender little heart. Then there was more sympathy for Kurama's dilemma than there was for Hiei's possibly broken heart. I know all of this because you wonderfully wicked people sent the ten fastest and some of the longest reviews I've ever gotten. What this means is I think I'll do something I've never done before, torture Hiei a while. This wasn't supposed to be a long story but I'm having fun, I hope you all are. Now you know your reviews really can influence what I write so let me know what you think.

FYI: If you've never read the YYH manga you won't know that Shiori has scars on her arm from saving Shuuichi from falling on broken glass when he was little.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

LONELY HEARTS

Chapter 7

After leaving the temple Kurama spent the next two days pacing his apartment trying to decide what he should do. If history told him anything he figured he had until tonight or maybe tomorrow before Hiei returned. Looking out his window for the umpteenth time he finally decided he'd had enough waiting around. Leaving the apartment he headed for the park.

Consciously he would deny he had an agenda for choosing the path at the south end of the park. When his mother called out to him from across the playground he had to admit subconsciously that he wouldn't mind some advice.

After crossing to the path that lead her home from work he leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Hello Mother, this is a nice surprise."

Shiori had the gall to laugh at him before chastising him. "Now Shuuichi, you successfully lied to me for almost twenty years about being a demon, something must be wrong for you to lie so miserably now."

Kurama blushed and shuffled his feet. "It's pathetic that I've become so transparent. What gave me away?"

Placing her hand on his arm Shiori continued toward home. "I've taken this path home at exactly this time for years now. Besides, what other reason would you have for being at the playground? Now how about you come for dinner and we can talk?"

Kurama covered the hand on his arm and squeezed. "Thank you Mother."

A short time later the two were in Shiori's kitchen preparing dinner. "Alright son, spit it out, what's bothering you?"

She raised an eyebrow when once again he blushed. "I.. um… have this friend…"

"You mean Hiei?" Shiori laughed at the shocked expression on her son's face. "Shuuichi, who knows you better than your mother? Your feelings for Hiei have been apparent for a long time."

Kurama shook his head with a chuckle. "Keiko was right, apparently the only one I managed to fool was Hiei. At least this will be easier since you already know my friend is Hiei. We've been… I guess dating is the most appropriate word. The problem is that Hiei seems to be taking our new relationship a bit more seriously than I'm ready for."

Shiori paused to think a moment before she spoke. "Shuuichi, I know you care for Hiei but do you love him?"

Kurama sighed impatiently. "How the hell would I know? I'm not even sure I know what love is!… Oh Mother, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap like that. I've just been so frustrated these last few days."

She smiled. "Love will do that to a person. Son you love me and you told me once that as a Youko you had someone you loved. How can you say you don't know what love is?"

A sad expression crossed Kurama's face as he reached out to touch the scars on her arm. "Mother, it took you getting hurt while protecting me to realize how much I loved you. Kuronue died never knowing I loved him because I didn't know what love was. What if I do that to Hiei? I'm afraid of losing him without telling him how I feel. I'm also afraid of committing to him if what I feel isn't really love. What if I'm just using him so I won't be lonely?"

Quietly Shiori spoke. "It sounds like you have a lot to think about. Since you came to me for advice I'm going to give it to you. Even when he's not with you, is Hiei one of the first things you think of when you wake in the morning? Is he one of the last things you think of before you go to sleep? Do you consider him or his feelings when you make decisions? Can you see yourself with Hiei in the future? Can you imagine your future without him?"

Kurama didn't know what to say. He could answer yes to all her questions except imagining his future without Hiei. "Mother what if I make the wrong choice? Unlike a human marriage a demon mating is for life and demon's live a very long time."

"I don't know what else to tell you Shuuichi except to talk to Hiei. Maybe together the two of you can work this out." She gave him a hug before they sat down and had dinner.

It was late as Kurama walked home through the park. He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't notice passing anyone until he spoke. "If I were an enemy you'd be dead Fox."

Kurama spun around to see the object of his thoughts and desires leaning casually against a large tree. After several moments of just staring at each other Hiei's eyes widened in surprise when Kurama sprinted to him. A moment later Hiei found himself pinned bodily to the tree with Kurama kissing him passionately.

When the kiss ended both were breathless and aroused. Hiei smirked as he tucked his face into the redheads neck. "Hm, that was a nice welcome Fox. I guess that means you missed me just a little."

Kurama slipped one of his knees between Hiei's, increasing the friction on both their arousals as he growled into the fire demon's ear. "I missed you much more than a little Fire-Fly. Let's go home and I'll show you just how much I missed you."

When Hiei seemed reluctant to follow, Kurama leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss. "Don't worry Hiei, I know you're not ready to make love yet but I was hoping you'd let me pleasure you with more than just kisses and touches tonight."

Hiei blushed not quite able to meet Kurama's gaze. "What did you have in mind Fox?"

Hiei shivered when Kurama nibbled around his ear as he whispered seductively. "I want to taste you Hiei. I want to take you in my mouth and see how loud I can make you scream out your pleasure. Will you let me love you like that Koibito?"

Hearing Kurama call him his Koibito brought on more shivers. "You think you can make me scream Kurama?"

Hiei gasped loudly as Kurama rubbed himself between Hiei's legs again. "I know I can Koi, it's only a question of how load I will make you scream. Please Hiei, I've wanted to love you like that for so long now."

Hiei pushed Kurama away. "Hn. You have to catch me first Fox."

Laughter drifted through the park as a black blur followed closely by a red blur could barely be seen flitting in the direction of Kurama's apartment.

Hiei pulled a pillow over his head to block out the sunlight streaming in through the window. As sleep slowly escaped him he became aware that he was alone in the bed. With a sigh he threw the pillow aside and looked around for Kurama.

The room was empty but on the other pillow was a sheet of paper and a rose. Hiei took the rose, holding it briefly to his nose before reading the note.

Good morning Koibito, I hope you slept well. I have class today but I should be home by early afternoon. I left you breakfast in the microwave, just push the start button and take it out when it beeps.

Thank you for last night Fire-Fly. It was so beautiful watching you. I told you I could make you scream. Maybe later I'll make you scream even louder.

Gotta go Koi, see you later.

Your Fox.

Hiei blushed as he remembered what Kurama had done to him last night and just how loudly he had made him scream. With a grin he decided he'd have to pay better attention next time so he could return the pleasure the fox gave him. He hadn't meant to leave Kurama unsatisfied but he was so sated when Kurama had finished with him that he had just curled up in the redhead's arms and fallen into a deep sleep.

Rising from the bed Hiei walked naked into the kitchen. He might as well see what the fox left him to eat. By the time he got a shower and a nap it would be almost time for Kurama to come home.

Kurama was apprehensive as he approached his apartment. Last night with Hiei had been unbelievable. The little fire demon had been even more responsive to his ministrations than Kurama could have hoped for. Hiei would make a incredible lover and Kurama couldn't wait for more.

This scared the hell out of him. Kurama knew that to be Hiei's lover it meant being his mate. Hiei had become very open to kissing, touching and now even more intimate forms of foreplay. However even after last night Kurama knew that making love with Hiei meant mating with him and spending the rest of their lives together.

After his talk with his mother and the way he felt when he saw the fire demon last night, Kurama could admit at least to himself that he did love Hiei. There was a problem though, his Youko instincts told him to take his pleasure with Hiei and be done with it. His human heart however refused to do anything that would hurt his newfound love. 'What in the seven hells am I supposed to do?'

Entering his apartment he smiled as he saw Hiei curled up on the sofa sound asleep, clutching the TV remote. On the TV the anime Inuyasha was playing. Ironically Kurama recalled the main characters were a demon and a human who struggled with their budding feelings for each other.

Deciding to let Hiei sleep Kurama went silently to the bedroom and began his homework.

An hour later a sleepy Hiei slipped his arms around Kurama's shoulders as he sat at his desk. "You should have woken me when you got back Fox."

Kurama was so wrapped up in his work he hadn't noticed Hiei come in. Reaching back Kurama slipped his hand into Hiei's hair and pulled him down for a brief kiss. "I'm sorry Hiei. I got really behind on my school work recently so I decided to let you sleep. I'm going to be at this for a while, if you're hungry I'll order you a pizza."

Hiei tried not to show his disappointment. "I'm not hungry, I've eaten my way through just about everything in your kitchen trying to keep from being bored today."

Smiling, Kurama kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry you're bored Hiei. I guess I'll have to go shopping tomorrow. I still have a lot to do here so why don't you go watch some more TV. There are several good anime shows on in the evenings."

Reluctantly Hiei nodded, kissed Kurama one more time and went back to the living room alone. A few hours later Kurama was still hard at work and barely noticed Hiei come in to bed.

If Kurama had been paying attention he would have seen the longing in Hiei's eyes as he watched his fox's back. Though Hiei tried to wait up for Kurama sleep finally claimed him.

Some time later Kurama turned to watch Hiei sleep. He felt guilty that he had hidden behind his homework tonight. He also felt guilty that if he decided he couldn't be Hiei's mate then he had no right to take advantage of him either.

Knowing he would probably leave before Hiei woke, Kurama decided he'd get up early so he would have time to go out and pick up a few things for Hiei in the morning. He had to finish the assignment he was working on for his first class tomorrow so with one last look at Hiei, Kurama turned back to his work