Yes! I've done it again! XD Another chapter is up! Thanks to everyone for the great reviews! Bows

Hiei: (Is chained to a wall) (Eye twitches) You are so gonna die...

Me: Well don't kill me yet, let me finish this story first, and then I can die happy!

Hiei: Baka ningen onna! (Stupid human girl!)

Yusuke: And what's this about Kurama and me? (Glares)

Me: What? I think you two are cute together!

Yusuke: I demand you write a fic about Kuwabara and me instead and dump this!

Me Nope! Like I said, you two are cute together! And besides I can't let people down who have read this!

Kurama: (Blushes)

Kuwabara: Ha ha that's cute! (Grins)

Me: When did you wake up?

Kuwabara: Just now, wh- (Hears a clicking sound) (Looks down to see that he's chained to the wall next to Hiei) JADE!

Me: Ignore them! Enjoy!

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Chapter 3- the mission and the confrontation.

Kuwabara was nervous, really nervous as he walked to the park where he was meant to meet Yusuke and Kurama, He'd been up all night trying to figure out how to avoid a certain red-eyed demon. 'Its no use I'm gonna have to be in the same room as him either way, its best to try and bluff my self through this'

When Kuwabara arrived at the meeting point Yusuke and Kurama were already there, their arms wrapped around each other in a loose hug "Hey love birds!" Kuwabara said as he plastered a fake grin on his face, but when Yusuke and Kurama looked up at him, they didn't smile back. "Hey you look like shit, are you alright?" Yusuke asked obviously worried Kuwabara nodded and yawned. "I'm fine I'm just tired that's all, I couldn't get to sleep, and ended up staying up all night"

Yusuke frowned and pulled out of Kurama's hug and stood up. "Maybe you should go home then, try and catch up on sleep, I'm sure Koenma would understand" Kurama nodded in agreement as he leant back on the trunk of the tree he and Yusuke had been under. "Yusuke is right Kuwabara, you look like you need your rest" Kuwabara thought about this for a moment, the offer of going home and hiding in his room for the rest of the day was tempting, but Kuwabara didn't want to fall asleep, and if he fell asleep he was sure that he'd dream again...

Also Kuwabara was a proud person, there's no way he'd let Hiei mutter curses at him while he wasn't there, about how lazy he was for staying in bed, so in the end Kuwabara just shook his head "Thanks but no thanks, I'll be fine I promise I'll stay awake during this mission!" Kuwabara laughed and his friends smiled, but he could see the worry they had for him still lingering in their eyes.

"Well if your sure, we should go..." Kurama said, Kuwabara nodded and the three entered the portal. When they came out, They were outside Koenma's office, Hiei was already there sitting on the window still, he didn't move when he heard them coming, just continued to look out the window, which was fine to Kuwabara, who didn't want Hiei looking at him anyway.

Yusuke knocked on the door and after a sharp 'Come in' from inside, Yusuke pushed open the door and the four walked inside "Hey Pacifier breath how's it going?" Yusuke said with his usual smirk, Kuwabara noticed Kurama quietly grinning behind his hand as he pretended to stifle a laugh with a cough. Koenma merely rolled his eyes at Yusuke's comment as the four sat down; he was used to the teasing by now and paid it no mind. "I have a mission for you, some renegade demons are using the sewers in the human world, to kidnap unsuspecting humans from below, I want you to take them out and rescue the humans, there are four demons involved that must be eliminated, two are fire demons, one is a wind demon and the other is an earth demon, all are A-class, but I doubt that they'll cause you too much of a problem"

Koenma handed Yusuke a sheet of paper "Were not entirely sure of there whereabouts in the sewers, so I'm afraid you'll have to do quite a bit of searching first, this is the blueprint for the sewers of the city". Yusuke groaned at this and muttered something about how he was going to get Koenma back for giving them the dirty jobs. Kurama again had to hide a smile, Kuwabara also smiled, but he didn't put any feeling into it, and anyone who looked his way would know it was fake, unfortunately for Kuwabara he only person that noticed, was the person he was trying to avoid.

Hiei noticed Kuwabara's look and realized that the tall human was not his normal self, by now Kuwabara would be laughing annoyingly at one of Yusuke's comments or throwing sarcastic remarks in Hiei's direction, but this time Kuwabara sat in his chair completely silent, he had bags under his eyes and looked like he was on the verge of falling asleep in his chair.

Hiei wouldn't admit this to anyone, but deep down he cared about the red haired human, and was concerned to see him so withdrawn, the usual frown on Hiei's face deepened as he wondered what was going on. 'Hn, maybe Yusuke or Kurama knows...' Hiei thought, the two didn't seem all that concerned that there friend looked so tired, but Hiei could see the real concern in Yusuke's eyes whenever he glanced in Kuwabara's direction.

Hiei remained silent throughout the meeting, Kuwabara wasn't any better he had hardly said anything during the meeting and wouldn't meet anyone's eyes, and Hiei hated to admit it, but he liked it better when the human argued with him.' At least that alone lets us blow off steam and breaks the tension between us' Hiei thought as Koenma dismissed them; they were due to leave in an hours time.

Kuwabara got up, stifling a yawn as he did so, he knew everyone was concerned, but Kuwabara ignored the looks of worry an tried to smile a little "Well at least the smell of the sewer will keep me awake" Kuwabara joked, Yusuke smiled a little but in truth he didn't find it funny, he was worried, his friend just didn't seem himself. "Listen man I'm serious maybe you should go to bed..." Kuwabara shook his head instantly and smiled "Stop worrying like a girl Urameshi, I'll be fine" Yusuke mock glared at Kuwabara, but his smile was a little more genuine. "Alright...if your sure" Kuwabara rolled his eyes stubbornly; there was no way he was going back to bed, not even if his best friend pleaded.

"I'm sure" Kuwabara said, as he walked in between Yusuke and Kurama, Kurama looked at Kuwabara and nudged him, When Kuwabara turned, Kurama held up a small vial full if light blue liquid and looked a little sheepish "I want you to drink this, it will keep you alert during the mission" Kuwabara looked at Kurama, and was secretly thankful of his friends kindness and ability to make potions. With a smile Kuwabara took the vial and drank the contents, as soon as he did he felt more awake than he'd been for the past two days, and secretly wondered if he could persuade Kurama to make some more for him.

"Thanks Kurama" Kuwabara said his smile widening Kurama shrugged the taller boys praise off, but a pleased and relieved smile crept up to his face. Just then Boton walked up to them, in her usual attire of a pink kimono "Hey guys! Guess Koenma told you about the mission?" Yusuke nodded and made a face, which indicated that he was less than enthusiastic about it. "Yup, we have to walk through miles of sewage...great" Boton giggled and ruffled Yusuke's hair, which the dark haired spirit detective protested about "Boton not the hair!" The dark haired spirit detective said, clamping his hands over his head.

Boton giggled again before her face became serious and she sighed "Koenma thinks this is a big job so he's asked me to help you too, I'll be on my oar and scouring the city for any sightings of the four demons, I'll get into contact with you by these" Boton said and handed Yusuke two walkie talkies "Koenma suggests you spilt into pairs, you'll cover more of the sewers that way" Yusuke nodded and tossed one to Kuwabara who grinned.

"Anything else we need to know?" The dark haired spirit detective asked. Boton shook her head "Nope, just be careful Yusuke, just because Koenma said they wouldn't be a problem doesn't mean they won't have a trick or two up their sleeves" Yusuke rolled his eyes and nodded "Okay I get you, your giving me the 'Don't get you self killed again' lecture" Yusuke said as Boton flew down the hall on her oar in a huff at Yusuke's comment.

"But she's right Yusuke, what would we do without you?" Kurama said, but Kuwabara knew that Kurama was really saying 'What would I do without you?' Yusuke's face softened, as he realized what his red haired boyfriend was saying and nodded a small, loving smile on his face as he looked at Kurama. "Alright, I get the hint, lets go already..."

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Kuwabara wanted to vomit as he peeled the disgusting cloths off of him, The mission had been a success and they had managed to save all the kidnapped people, and kill all the rouge demons, but that didn't make him feel any better about the raw sewage smell clinging to him like glue. 'I'm going to have to have about 5 baths to get rid of this smell' Kuwabara thought as he stepped into the shower to make himself clean again.

Kuwabara was at Genki's temple, Hiei, Boton and Yukina were also there, while Yusuke and Kurama had gone off together, and Kuwabara had a sneaking suspicion they might actually share a bath. Kuwabara blushed at this thought and shook his head as if to rid himself of it, and concentrated on at least not smelling like he'd dived into a pigpen.

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Mean while Hiei was waiting for Kuwabara, The tall human's behavior during them mission was beginning to worry the small fire demon more and more. Hiei frowned as he remembered the look of shock that passed Kuwabara's face when he heard that he was going to be paired with Hiei, but he covered it as quick as it had come, so Yusuke and Kurama didn't notice:

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Hiei noticed the shocked look in the dim lighting of the sewer but he didn't ask the red haired human what it was about after they had split up, he had the mission to think about, and that was more important at the moment. The two of them had been wading through the sewers for about half an hour and Hiei felt uncomfortable even though he didn't show it; Kuwabara hadn't said a single word to him, not even a complaint about the smell of the sewer, or a lame joke about how the sewer water was up to Hiei's waist, and for some reason, Hiei had the impression that the human wanted to avoid him.

Suddenly the walkie-talkie Kuwabara had clipped to his shirt pocket crackled to life. "Guys? This is Boton, One of the fire demons has just emerged up top on the south side of the city, near the Hong Nan bridge (1), anyone near there?" Hiei checked the map in the dimness and nodded to Kuwabara "Boton it's Kuwabara, were near there we'll take him out"

Boton giggled down the walkie-talkie "Better be fast Kuwa-Chan or he'll be out of town by the time you get there!" Hiei glanced at the map then up at Kuwabara, "Hn this way" Hiei said, and without thinking he grabbed Kuwabara's wrist and dragged him through the sewer, The red head wanted to open his mouth and say something, instead he tugged his arm out of Hiei grip, nearly making the small fire demon fall headfirst into the sewage. "Baka! What did you do that for?" Hiei snapped angrily, then regretted it almost instantly at the look on Kuwabara's face, in this light, Kuwabara looked old, and it suddenly hit Hiei then that Kuwabara wasn't going to live forever like he was, and that he was going to grow old and die. Hiei suppressed as shudder at this, he had never thought about Kuwabara dying, because he kept forgetting that Kuwabara was only human, Kuwabara had always seemed, quite tough and durable...But thinking about Kuwabara suddenly dying...Hiei suppressed another shiver and asked Kuwabara again. "I'm waiting Baka" Hiei said his face blank but his voice was a little softer this time.

He heard Kuwabara sigh, "Look Hiei, just shut the hell up, I can wade through here without your god damn help alright?" Hiei could hear a bit of anger in the red haired human's voice, but Kuwabara sounded so weak and tired, that the tall red head seemed to be pleading with the small fire demon, not telling him. Hiei just 'Hn'd' and continued on his way, Kuwabara following, but Hiei's worry had deepened a lot, something was seriously wrong with Kuwabara...and Hiei wanted to find out what.

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Hiei sighed to himself, that's why he was waiting, he knew Kuwabara would be in the shower for some time and he was going to confront him about his behavior, which had become very Un-Kuwabara like. Hiei frowned to himself, he didn't know why he got so worried over the human, but he did, he couldn't help it, since joining the spirit detectives, Hiei's heart had opened up to the security and warmth that Yusuke and the others offered him, he felt like he belonged, and he knew he cared about his friends even though he would never openly admit it in a million years.

Hiei also knew he'd feel the same way if it was Yusuke or Kurama that was behaving strangely, but at the same time he wouldn't...Hiei couldn't place how he felt about Kuwabara, his feeling's for the human were different somehow. "Hiei?" Hiei blinked and turned to see Yukina, his frowning face softened a little and nodded to show he was listening. "Would you like something to eat? Me and Genki are making something for Boton and Kuwabara..." Hiei thought about this, and realized that he had been so deep in thought he hadn't realized how hungry he actually was. "Yes...I would...thank you Yukina" Yukina smiled her radiantly kind smile at him and nodded "I'll tell Genki then" then she hurried off out the door and out of sight

Hiei sighed, recently he had a sneaking suspicion that either Yukina was nervous around him, or she had figured out that he was her brother and was keeping it to herself, Hiei opted for the first reason and sighed sadly, it hurt to know she would probably never know who he was, but it was for the best, for both their sakes...

Just then Kuwabara walked in, a yawn on his face, his red, coppery hair hung about his head with shoulder length curls, and stuck to his damp face, Kuwabara was already half dressed in a pair of jeans and a white shirt, the shirt however wasn't buttoned up yet. He hadn't noticed Hiei was in the room either, and only when Hiei spoke was Kuwabara aware of the fire demons presence. "We need to talk human" Hiei said Kuwabara jumped a mile and spun around to see Hiei, and the fire demon noticed that he paled again, but then his face flushed with anger "Don't sneak up on me like that you little shrimp!" Kuwabara yelled, with what Hiei noticed a lot more strength and anger behind it than is did back in the sewers. Hiei just snorted and walked toward Kuwabara who sat down. "So what do we need to talk about?" Kuwabara asked calmly, but inside he was nervous and on the edge of panic.

Hiei Just 'Hn'd and sat across from him on the windowsill "Your behavior during the mission...it was...different...why is that?" Kuwabara jumped a little in his seat, his eyes wide 'Damn! He did notice!' Kuwabara thought panicking, not sure what he should do next. Hiei looked at Kuwabara with and intensity he'd never seen in Hiei's red eyes before, the red head felt his stomach flutter for a moment, then Kuwabara snorted and stood up, ignoring the feeling. "It doesn't matter, besides why the hell do you care?" Hiei opened his mouth, he wanted to wipe the irritated look of the human's face and tell him that actually he DID care about him, but he didn't, he knew deep down inside that Kuwabara would never believe him.

Instead the small fire demon scowled "I only care about weather its going to effect the missions" Hiei snapped angrily, Kuwabara rolled his eyes and shrugged "Don't worry yourself shrimp, it won't" Hiei snorted and crossed his arms; He knew Kuwabara was hiding something from him, from everyone, but he was refusing to tell, If Kuwabara was a normal human, Hiei would have read his mind, but he knew that as stupid as Kuwabara could be sometimes, he was extremely strong willed, and his spirit awareness would alert him as soon as the red eyed demon tried to read his mind and would block his connection before Hiei had a chance to find what he was looking for.

'Hn, who else would know?' Hiei frowned as he tough about this, it was obvious that neither Yusuke or Kurama knew what was wrong and Kuwabara would have had have made some story up for his friends to dismiss it like they have done, but their worry was kept inside themselves. Hiei went through all the possibilities until he came up with one name.

Shizuru.

Hiei smirked to himself, he'd have to see the human's sister now while Kuwabara was here, the last thing he needed was Kuwabara trying to intervene. Hiei stood and began to walk out of the room when Kuwabara called him. "Wait Hiei! I wanna ask you a question now" Hiei looked up at Kuwabara who was trying to move the locks of his hair from the front of his face. "Is Yukina your sister?" The red haired human said it so casually; that Hiei jumped in surprise; that had to have been the last question Hiei ever thought was going to come from Kuwabara's mouth.

Hiei nodded the shocked look gone from his face as fast as it had come, and Kuwabara smirked "I thought so... who knows?" Hiei blinked and looked up at Kuwabara, then he scowled "Hn.what does it matter? What matters is that Yukina doesn't know!" The red haired human rolled his eyes in despair "Hiei...I'm not going to go around telling everyone, its not my style...but I need to know who knows so I don't blab to the wrong person! So do Kurama and Yusuke know?" Hiei paused then nodded again "Koenma must know obviously...anyone else?" Hiei shook his head and scowled "Hn I'm surprised it took you so long baka"

Kuwabara frowned and rolled his eyes "Yeah well it might have taken me a while but at least I figured it out on my own" Kuwabara said scowling back at Hiei, The small fire demon glared from his place at the doorway "Baka ningen!" He snapped.

"Shrimp!" Kuwabara yelled back, this argument went on for some time and Hiei almost felt like things were back to normal, but he knew deep down it wasn't. Just then Yukina entered the room. "Ah there you are Kuwabara" Kuwabara turned to her, the scowl instantly melting from his face and being replaced with a gentle smile. "Hello Yukina, is dinner ready?" Yukina nodded then scoured the room for Hiei. "Oh where has Hiei gone, he said he was staying for dinner..." Kuwabara spun around, but no one was there.

Hiei had disappeared.

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Shizuru was in her room, reading a magazine and smoking a cigarette, when Hiei tapped on her bedroom window. She looked up, her eyebrows rose in surprise, before she got up off the bed and opened the window for the small fire demon and gestured him inside. "Hiei? Well, this is a surprise...but I'm sensing that this isn't a social call" Hiei glared at her, but Shizuru merely smirked and sat back down on her bed while Hiei perched himself on her windowsill. "So...What's up Hiei?"

Hiei sat on the window sill and glared at Shizuru, not sure what to say, "You know...about Kuwabara..." The fire demon said, hoping she knew what it meant, Shizuru looked up surprised and stared at the small fire demon still perched on her windowsill; she hadn't expected Hiei to be that blunt about her brother, that...and he was the last person she had been expecting to turn up, worried about her little brother's behavior. 'But then again...' Shizuru thought frowning 'Knowing my brother, he's probably told Yusuke and Kurama some cock and bull story and they've believed him, but Hiei's smarter than that and he's seen right through it, but if that's so...I didn't know he cared enough to want to know what's wrong' Shizuru smiled to her self for a moment, then looked up at Hiei as she finished her cigarette.

Hiei watched Shizuru carefully as she sighed and crushed her cigarette in the ashtray then rubbed her head with her fingers "Hiei...I know your worried about Kuwabara" Shizuru saw Hiei opening his mouth to protest, but she interrupted him with a glare "Don't deny it, because if you didn't care, you wouldn't be here asking me what was wrong with him" She looked at Hiei who clamped his mouth shut and glared at her, Shizuru thought about what to say to Hiei for a moment before she shook her head "I don't know much Hiei, Kuwabara is keeping all this from me now as well, and I'm afraid I made him a promise not to tell, if anyone asked, I'm his big sister and I have to keep that promise"

Hiei scowled and growled in irritation, Shizuru wasn't helping him at all, Shizuru sighed she knew that he couldn't tell Hiei the truth...but she could give him a hint right? "Look all I can tell you is that he's been having some strange dreams and he hasn't been getting any sleep, other than that I can't tell you anything" Shizuru said, hoping Hiei would figure out a plan to find the truth.

Hiei rose an eyebrow at this new piece of information and nodded "Hn.fine...don't tell Kuwabara I was here" Hiei said before jumping out the window and leaving Shizuru alone, Shizuru chuckled and lit up another cigerette a small smile on her face "Sweet...Hiei really does care for you Kuwabara, even he doesn't know how deep..." Then Shizuru closed the window and continued reading her magazine, deciding to let fate take its course.

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Okay! I'm done! I really hope you guys liked it! Another dream sequence will be up next chapter Mwahahaha! I just love this...

Kuwabara (Trying to stay as far away from Hiei as possible, while still chained to the wall) this isn't fair!

Hiei: Hn! Now you know how I feel ¬¬U

Yusuke: (Takes a picture) Ha ha! This is the perfect blackmail material! XD

Kurama: (Nods) Indeed! (Grins and takes pictures on his camera phone)

Yusuke: What's that for?

Kurama: Back ups, just in case (Winks)

Hiei: (Glares) I heard that! I'll burn every last picture you take Urameshi and I kill you along with it! You to Kitsune!

Me: Ah be quiet Hiei! You two look so cute together! Okay! I'm off now! Until next time! Bye!

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