Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

Sorry to leave everyone hanging for so long (Captain, you still there?) and muchas gracias for the kind words, comments and smiles. My favorite part of this chapter is the beginning with Yusuke and Genkai. I love you all a whole big bunch and hope to hear from you. TTFN!

Comforting Heat

Chapter 9

"You can't keep running away every time you two have a lover's spat."

Yusuke inwardly cringed at Genkai's choice of words. He thought that he would be able to hide out at the temple a little bit longer before the old woman confronted him about his sudden appearance. He knew she didn't believe his story, but he had hoped the peace would last for more than four days.

"I didn't run away. Hiei's at Mukuro's and I got bored. I told you this already."

"I know what you told me, but now I want the truth."

Deep amber eyes met her cool gaze from across the room and she could tell he was in pain. Whatever happened between Yusuke and Hiei had been big. And ugly from Yusuke's morose attitude the past few days.

"We can do this the easy way, or the hard way."

Yusuke sighed and leaned back against the wall, staring up at the ceiling, his legs stretched out before him, his hands laying limply in his lap.

"What would you say if I told you I'm…..gay?"

"Big deal. You want a cookie or something?"

Yusuke let out a bitter chuckle, his eyes still trained on the space above him. Leave it to Genkai to simplify things. Why should it be a big deal? She'd known demons her whole life and it was very commonplace in the Makai.

"Maybe later."

They sat there in silence for a few more moments and just as Genkai was about to say something, Yusuke spoke up again.

"I kissed Hiei. And…..I don't know….."

"What did Hiei do?"

Yusuke let his head fall and he met his concerned sensei's gaze. He frowned, trying to figure it out even as he spoke.

"He kissed me back but…..then all of a sudden he pulls away and gets all nasty and says I'm reading too much into it and that I'm not his type."

Genkai remained silent as she watched the young man before her struggle to figure out not only his own emotions, but that of an emotionally guarded fire demon.

"I don't understand how one moment you can kiss someone…moaning no less….and the next brush it off as if it was just a handshake. What am I missing here? Am I really reading too much into this?"

"Yusuke, I don't think Hiei would have let you even get close enough to kiss him if he didn't have some sort of feelings for you."

"So why did he--?"

"Have you ever known him to just come out and declare his emotions? He fights intimacy like he would any other physical opponent. You must give him time."

"I guess you're right. But what do I do in the meantime? Act like nothing happened?"

"Just continue what you've been doing. Make your affections known, but don't push it too far. Look how long it took him to confess to Yukina."

Yusuke's eyes went wide and he made a short strangled noise. "What! I can't wait that long!"

Genkai chuckled. "Always the impatient one."

"I'm not waiting two years for Hiei to realize he cares for me!"

"But isn't he worth it to you?"

Yusuke's retort died in his throat as he thought about Genkai's question. He bowed his head and thought of Hiei and all they'd been through and especially the more recent events that helped him to realize just how much Hiei meant to him. Two I wait for him that long? A smile started to slowly curve Yusuke's lips and he looked up at his sensei, a knowing and determined look on his face.

"Yes. Hiei is worth it. I'd….I'd do anything for him."

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Yusuke decided to stay at the temple for two more days before heading back to the Makai. He was disappointed to find out that Hiei had been summoned by Mukuro and there was no word saying when he would be back.

"The Master could be gone anywhere from a week to six months."

Yusuke saw the snide smile of the oni and he frowned. He didn't like the tone or the look on the oni's face. Something about the creature put him instantly on guard. Yusuke turned his attention back to his meal.

"Fine."

Silence reigned for several minutes before the oni spoke up again. His voice neutral, head bent over his meal.

"You and the master seem quite close."

Yusuke just shrugged and swallowed a mouthful of eggs. "We've known each other for awhile now. How long have you known him?"

"Oh, I've only known him for about two hundred years."

Yusuke almost choked on his juice. "Two hundred?"

"Yes. How long have you known the master?"

"Um….five?"

"Five hundred? Well that gives me a better idea of how old master is."

"No….I meant five years."

The oni's eyes widened and he just stared at Yusuke a few stunned moments before he narrowed his eyes at the toushin, trying to discern if he was lying to protect the master. But he could sense no dishonesty from the young youkai and he sighed, returning to his meal. How could master associate himself with someone like this in such a familiar way? Perhaps he's using the toushin for his power. That must be it.

"Well you must be someone special for the master to allow you to touch him all the time."

Yusuke raised an eyebrow at the oni who sat there, eating his meal. He thought he detected a note of bitterness in the servant's voice but he could just be imagining things. Although Yusuke was aware that the servants of the fortress weren't exactly his biggest fans.

Then Yusuke began to think about the comment. Do I really touch him a lot? Flashes began flooding Yusuke's mind: an arm being thrown around Hiei's shoulders, grabbing Hiei's hand and pulling him through the Makai to wherever he wanted to go, hands upon a solid chest to feel the fire demon's power within, a soft hand on his cheek, a smack, a push, a punch and one overheated wrestling match that left them both a little over stimulated.

Yusuke's cheeks flushed at the memories. After that little tussle they had parted ways to get cleaned up and Yusuke had the longest, coldest shower of his existence.

The meal was finished in silence and Yusuke left for his chambers. Although his talk with Genkai helped him to realize that Hiei probably didn't mean what he said at their last meeting, he still wasn't confident to face him again. So a small part of him was slowly becoming grateful for the fire demon's absence. But for now, even being around an angry Hiei was preferable to no Hiei.

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Mukuro felt the spike in ki and recognized the two signatures immediately. She went to the window and looked out to see Hiei facing off with her most valued captains. The size difference was comical if taken literally. Hiei, standing at 5'6", was facing off against a demon who easily stood 7' with two protruding horns on his head that gave him another foot in stature. He had dark blue skin and carried a mace as his primary weapon. But that was merely the physical aspect of the opponents. Power wise Hiei eclipsed the giant captain. What Hiei lacked in physical strength, he more than made up for in speed, strategy, swordplay and ki. Kijin was a great strategist, but he wasn't the quickest of thinkers and his speed was nothing compared to the fire demon's.

What are they arguing about now? I warned Kijin not to antagonize Hiei. Mukuro had noticed how on edge Hiei was when he returned to her about a month ago. His disposition hadn't improved and she'd warmed several of the demons under her command to get out of Hiei's way. Everyone knew how volatile a temper the fire demon possessed.

The two demons clashed for a few moments and Mukuro knew both were holding back. That's a good sign. Hopefully this will blow over without further---

A blur of black, a flash of silver, and the large captain was left standing without any arms. His screams could be heard reverberating through the castle halls.

That hotheaded bastard! Mukuro jumped down three stories and landed before the gathered group of soldiers. She glared at Hiei who didn't seem to care, then turned her attention to Kijin who was now on his stomach, breathing his last breath. She kneeled down and placed her hand on his head, taking away his pain.

"You have served me well, Kijin. Thank you."

She stood up and walked away, back to her personal rooms. She sent Hiei a jarring mental jolt and he knew to follow her without question.

Once they were behind closed doors in Mukuro's personal quarters, the Makai ruler let her displeasure show. She didn't yell, but her voice held an acidic tone that Hiei knew carried her extreme displeasure.

"I don't know what has gotten into you, Hiei, but you had better handle it quickly or I will be forced to handle it for you."

Hiei just stood there, crimson eyes meeting the one visible eye of his boss. He was seeing, but he wasn't. His mind was a jumble of conflicting emotions and images and he was having difficulty regaining control. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain on his cheek and he found himself on the floor, blinking rapidly to clear the stars from his vision.

"I will not be ignored."

Hiei stood up and gave Mukuro a slight bow. He wouldn't apologize and Mukuro knew this, but she was surprised that he offered the bow. What is going on with him?

"Hiei. I would prefer not to force the answers to my questions from you. Now either tell me what in the seven hells is going on or we're both in for an unpleasant experience." Mukuro was relieved when Hiei looked up to meet her gaze and she saw the fire within the crimson eyes. It was a good sign. He was with her now. Listening. Comprehending. "Well?"

"It is personal and I do not wish to share the details."

Hiei and Mukuro stared at each other silently for a few more moments, the concealed woman waiting patiently for her disciple to continue. She knew he wasn't done yet. He was trying to figure out what he wanted to tell her and how he wanted to say it.

"There was…..an altercation…..with an associate. I am still unsure of how I want to handle the matter."

"You always did have a hard time dealing with situations that were the result of your own misjudgments."

Wide crimson eyes and flushed cheeks told Mukuro she hit the nail on the head. Whatever happened with this "associate", Hiei considered it his fault. I wonder if this associate is the someone he felt the need to help awhile back. Could he have hurt this individual he cares for? She knew the fire demon would not reveal any more information without a very violent confrontation and she didn't feel the need to risk it at the time.

"So how do you plan on repaying me, Hiei?"

Hiei had regained control of himself and Mukuro was now presented with the usual cocky smirk and dangerous eyes. "I don't. Consider it a favor."

"A favor? My my, we do have a high opinion of ourselves, don't we?" Mukuro sat down and stared at the fire demon, hating what she was about to do, but having no choice. He'll keep that arrogant façade during the whole ordeal, no doubt. My strong, proud fire demon.

Hiei knew what was coming. Mukuro had no choice. She had to punish him for killing Kijin. He didn't care at this point. Maybe it would do him some good, having to focus his mind on not letting the pain take over. It would definitely get his mind off of Yusuke.

"Shall we?"

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Mukuro watched, unwaveringly, as Hiei struggled against the pain of the void where he was currently trapped. As predicted, he kept his demeanor calm and assured as they approached the room deep within her stronghold. He relinquished his katana to Mukuro and stepped onto the platform and nodded. Mukuro raised her hand and it began to glow with a golden light, then suddenly Hiei was engulfed in a field of golden light emanating from the platform. He grimaced, growled, clenched his fists and eventually fell to his knees after enduring a half hour of the torture.

Hiei fought the pain with every fiber of his being. He swore he would outlast Mukuro's sense of justice, but as he fell to his knees he began to doubt himself. His entire body felt like it was being ripped apart, shred by shred. If he opened his eyes and saw his flesh hanging in tattered pieces from his bones he would not be surprised. That was how he felt right now.

I will endure this.

Hiei's mind was clouding over and it was becoming increasingly difficult to focus. The pain was taking over. He was losing.

I….can't take….anymore….

Hiei let out a scream that Mukuro swore half the Makai could hear and collapsed on the platform. Mukuro raised her hand and the golden light disappeared. As she sat there next to the unconscious fire demon, gently stroking the damp hair from his face, she enjoyed the quiet moment. He is so vulnerable right now. So unguarded. Such a peaceful look on his face. As she gently ran her fingertips over slightly parted lips a feeling of intense longing washed over her and a name suddenly crystallized within her mind. Yusuke.

The feelings came unbidden into her mind and she flinched. Can it be? Is Yusuke responsible for what is happening to Hiei? Mukuro stood up and gazed down at the fire demon. As much as she wanted to know more about Yusuke's and Hiei's relationship, she would not take advantage of Hiei's unguarded state. There was no doubt in Mukuro's mind that Hiei's mind and body were so drained that he didn't have enough to keep his barriers in place, making it easy for her to be able to use her spirit awareness to read his emotions. But I will not stoop to such low measures.

Sleep well, my fire demon."

To be continued….