Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

Rujutoshi: Don't be embarrassed for Yusuke, be jealous! A half-naked fire demon dripping wet and clueless about his lustful thoughts? We should all be so lucky!

Skittles the Sugar Fairy: I like reviews that have the word magnificent in them. I thought of you the other day when I bought a box of Sour Skittles at the grocery store. They rock and so do you! And stay off the roof! Go inside and watch football. It's much safer and waaaay more entertaining.

Captain Starseeker: Damn it! I blew a perfectly good chance at getting a box of Lucky Charms! I just couldn't get my act together enough to update quick enough. Oh well, guess I'll just have to get a box the old fashioned way.

Thank you to everyone who is reading, reviewing and enjoying the story! It does my writer's heart good. Was that last sentence bad grammar, or is it just me being weird today? Anyway….this chapter is where the proverbial shit hits the fan.

Comforting Heat

Chapter 8

Yusuke whistled as he walked the corridors of the fortress. He hadn't been this happy and content in a very long time. He thought living with Hiei was going to be a difficult adjustment but they seemed to get along even better than before and he could tell the fire demon was really opening up to him. He wasn't sharing any deep revelations or anything, but he was joking with Yusuke and he seemed to have more patience for his antics. And he'd been showing Yusuke "the ropes" so to speak. Teaching him about the Makai itself, something no one ever bothered to do when he was here the last time.

He's lived in the Makai a lot longer, understands how the world works and he doesn't pull any punches when it comes to how things really are. Ever. The only time Hiei held back anything was when he was sparring. Even then the only thing he held back was the death blow. He'd pound you to within an inch of your life, but he wouldn't kill you if you were "sparring"

Once Hiei goes back to Mukuro, I guess I'll be on my own for awhile. Yusuke felt a sudden twinge of jealousy and he lost his smile. I've got to stop thinking like this. Hiei is not mine. He's pledged himself to serve Mukuro. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. She really helped him out. She helped him come to terms with his past. Hell, if it weren't for her, they might not be such close friends now.

I wonder if they've slept together? Hiei isn't the superficial type so he wouldn't reject Mukuro for looking less than perfect. Yusuke could feel the jealousy was threatening to become full blown at the thought of Hiei sleeping with Mukuro and he shook his head vigorously, quickly banishing the thought. It's none of my business! But I want it to be my business. Shit! I want Hiei to be with me, not her!

Yusuke stopped dead in his tracks and stared blankly ahead. Did I just say that! A hand went up to his chest and he felt his heart pounding against his rib cage, vibrating his hand. Lustful dreams were one thing, but this feeling…..this was something different. Something much stronger.

"I want Hiei to be with me."

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Hiei closed his eyes, freeing his mind of all thoughts and trying to relax and lose himself in the blackness of the night. He'd left the fortress in favor of a tall, lush tree with small white, fragrant blooms. He came here whenever he wanted to escape. It was about four hours from the fortress at top speed and as far as he knew, nobody knew of this spot.

He sat there on a branch, reclining against the mammoth trunk, hands resting in his lap, one leg dangling as if tempting some unknown prey, Just as he sank further into his position, his body becoming boneless and fitting perfectly against the uneven tree, a face appeared in his mind's eye. Yusuke.

Hiei growled and opened his eyes, knowing he would not be able to relax with his mind preoccupied with the toushin. Things were becoming complicated quickly and if he didn't figure out what to do, it could cost him Yusuke's friendship, and that was something he held dear.

He needed someone to talk to about this. But who? Kurama? He could easily envision sitting down with the redhead and discussing his problem. He was very trustworthy and he'd never judge him. But the kitsune couldn't be trusted with anything and he didn't want the master thief to know any of his personal business.

There was Genkai. She was wise, she wouldn't judge him and she knew Yusuke very well. Maybe a little too well. Hiei had seen firsthand how meddlesome the old master could be and that was the last thing he needed.

Yukina? Out of the question. He loved his sister and she was the first person he'd ever opened up to, but there were some things he was unwilling to share even with her.

So there he sat, alone in his favorite tree, trying to squash his growing feelings for the young toushin because he could fathom no other viable solution. Giving into them was out of the question. He shuddered involuntarily as the repercussions came crashing into his mind. But he didn't want to turn Yusuke away either. He liked having him around and he wanted to guide him towards whatever destiny he chose, but he hadn't anticipated the prospect of being attracted to him. I can handle this. He doesn't have a clue about how I feel so that should make it easier.

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For so many years Yusuke thought he would marry Keiko and settle down in the Ningenkai, work in her family's restaurant, have a few kids. A nice, normal, stifling and boring life. Then one night they'd come to their senses and realized their fates weren't meant to cross that way. They were meant to be friends, not husband and wife. That night he'd felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders.

After they broke up, Yusuke didn't worry about finding anther girlfriend. He didn't want one. Besides, it wasn't fair to ask any ningen girl to put up with his less-than-conventional and oftentimes dangerous life. No, he figured that someday he would find a woman in the Makai. But never, ever, would he have thought that the person he would want to be with would be the dark haired youkai sitting next to him.

I'm attracted to Hiei. Huh. Yusuke had let the shock of his attraction to a guy sink in for a few days. Oddly enough he hadn't thought it weird or confusing. Just surprising. Didn't even know I was gay. Maybe I'm not. Maybe I'm bi. I still find women attractive. But I've never felt so drawn and reacted so strongly physically to anyone like I do Hiei. Yusuke looked over at Hiei and frowned. But there's no way he'd ever….would he?

"Yusuke. You're staring again."

Yusuke smiled. "Sorry. Can I help it if I find you so fascinating?"

Crimson eyes turned and glared at him. This was the kind of behavior that he needed to cure Yusuke of. This could not continue if they were going to live together. This was one of the reasons those stupid servants thought Yusuke was his future mate. And it doesn't help me either.

"Tell me, Yusuke. Do you say such things to Kuwabara?"

Yusuke was a little surprised at Hiei's question. He seemed a little irritated and Yusuke expected that. You can't tease a fire demon and not expect some level of hostility. But what's this have to do with Kuwabara?

"Um, no, not really. "

"Then you should not say them to me. You should speak to me as your friend, not your….."

Yusuke listened and watched intently as Hiei struggled with his words. Suddenly, he wasn't playing a game of Enrage The Fire Demon. He was now facing a serious conversation and that was not something he was prepared for, but he was willing. This has to come out sooner or later. It's driving me insane. Maybe now is as good a time as any.

"My 'what', Hiei? My enemy? My sensei? My roommate? My…..boyfriend?" Crimson eyes widened and that told Yusuke everything he needed to know. Hiei was clueless as to how Yusuke felt. I guess I should have expected it. So how do I make him understand it's not just a physical thing?

Yusuke dropped his head and began to play with blades of grass. He could feel the crimson eyes burning into him but he resisted the urge to flinch.

"Hiei…..look, I don't know what's going on right now, ok? I know that I like you and I like being with you. Yes you're my friend, but not like Kuwabara or Kurama. You're….special. I feel different when I'm around you. Does that make sense?"

Yusuke waited for a reply as he intently concentrated on the three blades of grass he was winding around his finger. Gods Hiei say something! He sat there, in agonizing silence until he couldn't take it anymore. He turned to face Hiei head on.

"Look! You have to---"

Yusuke blinked a few times and the only thing he was aware of was his pounding heart.

"Hiei?"

He looked around and saw no sign of the fire demon. Yusuke stood up and stretched out his senses, trying to pick up any trace of his missing friend. Suddenly he felt a surge. It wasn't Hiei, but one of the oni at the fortress. Only Hiei could have caused a spike of fear like that. Yusuke's fists were clenched and he yelled out into the night, fully aware that he was letting his ki go unchecked.

"You son of a bitch!"

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Hiei felt Yusuke's energy and he cursed himself. Never, in all his years had he ever run from a confrontation. He'd faced death hundreds of times and never once considered backing down or running away. Yet that's exactly what he did to Yusuke when the toushin revealed his feelings. What the hell is wrong with me!

He grabbed the nearest thing and flung it across the room. As he paced in his room, his eyes fell on the shattered object. Shit! Yukina gave me that vase. Hiei continued to berate himself when his door flung open. He looked up, not surprised to see Yusuke standing there, but he cringed at the look on his face. It was twisted with anger, hurt and confusion all at once.

"Coward." Yusuke spit the word out at Hiei as he stood there, torn between attacking the fire demon and kissing him. "Do you have anything to say for yourself? Any excuse for running away from me?"

Hiei wasn't sure what he could say for himself that would calm Yusuke down. Telling him his true feelings was out of the question. Simply saying 'no thank you' was clearly not an option. I have nothing to say for myself. I am a coward.

"I…..I have no excuse, Yusuke."

Hiei quickly looked away, hoping Yusuke would be angry enough at his response to flee the room. I need time to think this through. I can't think with him so close.

Yusuke saw something in Hiei he'd never seen before. Fear. What is he afraid of? Me? My feelings for him? Or could it be…..is he afraid of his own feelings? Yusuke felt his anger drain away, leaving him with an eerie calm. He started to close the gap between him and Hiei, his intent clearly written on his face. Hiei….I want us to be together. I'll show you it's not something to be feared.

Hiei stood there, frozen in place by the rich amber eyes that were closing in on him. His mind screamed at him to back away, tell him 'no', anything but allow what was about to happen. Instead, he watched as Yusuke approached and his lips descended upon his own. The brief contact sent a jolt through his chest and his hands formed tight fists of useless defiance.

Yusuke could still see the fear in those crimson eyes, but the fire demon didn't move away so he continued to get closer, finally leaning in and giving Hiei a hesitant kiss. Without pulling back he spoke, barely a whisper.

"You don't have to be afraid, Hiei."

Once again Hiei could hear his inner voice yelling No! Stop looking at me like that! Just go away! But his body overrode his mind and he felt his cheeks go flush. He stared into the big amber eyes, trying to keep his body from shaking from the turmoil inside.

When he didn't get an answer or a fist to his face, Yusuke kissed Hiei again. This time he pressed the kiss a little further, coaxing Hiei's lips open and allowing him access to the warm cavern of his mouth.

Hiei tried to fight the pleasure coursing through him even as his eyes closed and he began to return the kiss. It's just a kiss damn it! But it has to stop! We can't do this! He brought his hands up to Yusuke's chest, his plan to push the toushin away, but he ended up grabbing fistfuls of his shirt instead and moaning into the toushin's mouth.

Hiei felt Yusuke's hands slide down his sides, his hips and eventually they snaked themselves around his waist, bringing their lower bodies together, and that sensation brought Hiei out of his moment of weakness. He turned his face away and let go of Yusuke's shirt, pushing them apart.

"Stop! We can't do this. This….this can't happen."

"What? Why? Hiei……" Yusuke took a step towards Hiei and reached out for the fire demon's hand, but Hiei stepped back, his eyes showing his determination.

"It just can't." He couldn't stand looking at the hurt and confusion he caused in those amber eyes so he turned away, trying to stay focused. "I'm sorry, Yusuke."

"Don't apologize. Give me a reason damn it! I wasn't the one moaning just now."

Yusuke saw Hiei's back stiffen at his words and it made him more determined than ever to get the truth from him. Hiei had wanted the kiss as much as he did, but now he wanted to deny it. Why?

"What aren't you telling me Hiei?"

When Hiei turned around he was cold and his face showed no emotion. He couldn't afford to show anything to Yusuke. He had to make him believe the lie he was about to tell. "Look. You just caught me by surprise. The kiss was nice, ok? But don't kid yourself, it was just a kiss. Sorry Yusuke, you're just not my type."

Yusuke felt the pain in his chest and he didn't bother to hide the hurt or anger in his voice. "I see. My mistake." He backed up and finally turned around, leaving the room and heading straight to his quarters.

Hiei's fists were clenched so tight small trickles of blood were flowing from them, creating tiny puddles on the floor. I'm sorry Yusuke. I care, I really do and that's why I had to turn you away. If I were to ever give in to you…….. Not wanting to show his emotions to anyone, Hiei flitted out the window and into the Makai in search of a private place where he could vent his pain and anger.

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By the time Hiei returned the next day, Yusuke was gone. He had no idea where he went, if he was coming back, or anything. And just as Hiei was about to go in search of the toushin, just to know he was ok, a summons sphere appeared through his window. He sighed as the image of Mukuro appeared.

I have been patient in letting you handle your private affairs, but it is time you returned to me and your responsibilities. I will expect you here and ready to serve me within two days.

Hiei growled and incinerated the sphere. He knew she was right but it didn't make it any easier. He would have to wait to locate Yusuke. Maybe if we don't see each other for awhile, he will have had enough time to forgive me.

To be continued….