Part Two: Something's Got To Give.

In the beginning of their partnership, Hiei and Kurama had come to an agreement. While neither of them had any want for a relationship, they couldn't deny their physical attraction to each other. Being demons had nothing to do with their decision; it had simply seemed like a good idea at the time. Having someone to go to for sex and knowing that it wouldn't be expected to go any further was as much freeing as it was mutually beneficial.

What they hadn't expected, however, was for their friendship to grow. Over the months they had come to build a tentative bond, something so subtle that neither demon had noticed till it was too late. Hiei's visit's were no longer filled with only hot kisses and fevered touches. Somewhere down the line they had started to spend their evenings just talking, or even sitting in comfortable silence.

They never talked about their coupling. Kurama had once joked that they were 'friends with benefits' and Hiei had flinched as soon as he'd heard the words. He would admit that he opened up to Kurama like no one else, but to be told that they were friends … He had no problem with being the fox's friend, his problem was with knowing that they couldn't be close and carry on being intimate. To do that would involve a level of closeness on par with a relationship, and he simply wasn't ready to bind himself to someone to such a degree.

When Kurama had began to hint that he wanted something more, Hiei knew that something had to give. It didn't take long for him to decide what. If he had to choose between having a friend he could trust completely and a convenient lover, the friend would win out every time. Trust was something so rare in Hiei's life that he couldn't bring himself to risk losing it.

Kurama had taken his choice in his stride, seemingly indifferent to it. But Hiei saw the hurt in the Youko's eyes that he couldn't cover in time. And it pained him, to know that he'd caused it. He only hoped that the fox would come to understand his choice in time.

From that day on, the only time they touched each other was in friendly gestures or helping the other after a fight. And for a while, Hiei had coped fairly well with it. He pushed his feelings for Kurama down, refusing to even think about them or give it a name. The lust wasn't as easy, since Kurama exuded sensuality in everything he did. Occasionally he would catch the fox looking at him with longing in his eyes, and it took all of his willpower to not walk over and say to hell with it all.

It became even worse when Yuusuke began looking at Kurama with the same expression. The boy was pathetically obvious in his feelings for Kurama, and they had both noticed it straight away. Kurama flirted with the half-demon from time-to-time, as was his nature, but Hiei had noticed when it became more.

It didn't help that he'd walked in on them kissing either. They were in Kurama's room, on his bed to be precise, and were obviously too wrapped up in each other to notice Hiei's arrival straight away. Kurama was the first to notice and broke from the kiss, sadness quickly replacing the lust that he'd seen in his eyes a second before.

Hiei couldn't stand it. He'd turned away, jumping back through the open window and ran as fast as he could. When he'd eventually stopped, he felt like kicking himself for reacting like that. Why the hell should he care if Kurama had another lover? He'd made it perfectly clear to the fox that he didn't want him like that. Kurama was his own person; he was perfectly capable of making his own decisions.

Hiei knew this, told himself over and over again that he didn't care, but nothing could squelch the feeling of betrayal and envy that flared up inside him. And he hated himself for it, knowing that it was a petty thing to feel. That didn't make it any easier to stop feeling, though. Nothing was ever that simple, especially where Kurama was concerned. He doubted if they would ever be.

-

Kurama knocked on the door to Yuusuke's house, waiting patiently for him to answer. He doubted that Atsuko would get up if she were in. The only thing he ever saw her doing was drinking or arguing with her son, and more often than not it was at the same time. He didn't have to wait long. Yuusuke opened the door, towel in his other hand and looking like he'd just jumped out of the shower.

"Come in," Yuusuke said, continuing to towel dry his hair as Kurama took off his shoes. They walked to the bedroom and Yuusuke threw the towel into the corner of his room. "So I guess it's time to talk, huh?"

Kurama nodded. "Come here," he said, holding out his arms. Yuusuke went willingly, resting his head on Kurama's shoulder and holding his arms loosely around his waist. Kurama smiled and tilted the half demon's chin up before leaning down for a kiss. He ran a hand through Yuusuke's hair, un-gelled, just the way he liked it, and still damp from the shower.

Yuusuke pulled away with a sigh. "Was that our last kiss?"

Kurama frowned. "What do you mean?"

"If you're going to break up with me," Yuusuke told him, turning his back and walking towards his bed, "then do it now."

"Funny, I was going to say the same thing."

Yuusuke snorted, sitting himself down. Kurama followed and sat at the end, facing Yuusuke. "'It figures. So why did you do it?"

"Honestly? I don't know. I wasn't thinking at the time, it was pure instinct. I know you want a reason, but I can't give you one."

Yuusuke nodded. "And what does Hiei think about it?"

"He pushed me out of the way and called me an idiot. I haven't seen him since."

Kurama kept silent and watched as Yuusuke digested this new information. He knew what Yuusuke had thought Hiei would do. He thought that the fire demon would take Kurama saving him as a sign that he really wanted him, not Yuusuke. Yuusuke probably expected that Kurama had come tonight to say that he'd changed his mind about the relationship. He would have laughed if he didn't think Yuusuke would take it the wrong way.

Yuusuke sighed. He was tired, both mentally and physically. So much was swimming through his mind that he just wanted to sort something out, and quickly before it drove him insane. "Look, I've said it before and I'll say it again, if Hiei's who you really want, then go be with him. No, don't say anything yet," he added, seeing that Kurama was about to protest. "I see the looks you give each other. I'm not blind. I'd just prefer you figured out what you wanted to do now, rather than later. If you don't then it won't be fair on all three of us. If this keeps going on then it's going to affect our friendship, and probably Reikai stuff too."

Kurama nodded, looking thoughtful for a moment before turning completely serious. "Is that all you wanted to say?" he asked, not waiting for a reply. "Good, now it's my turn. What I did meant that you nearly died. I know that, but I can't change it. I'm not here out of any obligation or because I feel I need to apologise. I'm here because I want to be."

He stopped for a moment and moved closer to Yuusuke, picking up his hand and twining their fingers together. "Hiei and I could have been a couple, but he chose differently. I can't deny that I sometimes think about what could have been, but do you really think I would stay with you this long just to throw you away at the first chance Hiei gave me? I hope you know me better than that. You're the first real partner I've had in a long, long time, and that means a lot to me. But I can't stay if you're always going to be waiting for the other shoe to drop. I need to know that you can trust me."

Yuusuke didn't answer for a moment, but squeezed his partner's hand gently. "I guess we both have things we need to sort out." Kurama nodded. "I'll find Hiei tomorrow. It's probably best if I talk to him alone, at first."

"Though we should all talk together at some point," Kurama added. He had no doubt that Yuusuke could pull through this, but until the three of them were comfortable around each other then it wasn't going away. Simply pushing something to the side and hoping it would go away never worked, he knew. The best way was to tackle it head on.

"Sure," Yuusuke said and then yawned. He'd been fighting his fatigue, knowing they had to get the talk over with. Now that they seemed to have covered some ground he felt ready to just collapse on his bed. Preferably with Kurama beside him. "I think I'm gonna take a nap. You staying?"

"If you want me to," Kurama replied, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "You need to regain your strength." Yuusuke nodded, pleased, and began taking his shirt off. Kurama watched as his skin was bared, noting his skin where the blast had landed. It was slightly pink, like after having sunburn and your skin peels. He guessed that it would stay that way for a couple of days until it completely healed. His skin would return to its normal colour, but he'd never get rid of the scars.

Kurama gently ran his hand over them, tracing the pattern. Yuusuke blushed. "I was kinda just hoping for sleep, you know."

"I know. Maybe later," he added, before removing his own clothes. Soon they were both clad only in boxers, and had lay down under the blanket. Yuusuke sighed, leaning his head on Kurama's chest. They weren't through the woods yet, but at least they were still together.

-

The next morning Yuusuke was busy getting ready for school when there was a knock on the door. Kurama had left several hours earlier, so he knew it wouldn't be him. He walked to the door, feeling even more puzzled as he felt a familiar presence on the other side.

He opened the door to see Hiei there, looking like he didn't know why he was there either. "Not that I mind," Yuusuke said once Hiei had walked in "but what are you doing here this early in the morning?" And using the door, he added mentally. He wasn't sure that Hiei would appreciate him saying it out loud. He looked annoyed as it was.

"We need to talk."

Yuusuke nodded. He'd been planning on looking for the fire demon later for the same reason; he didn't see why they couldn't do it now. "So talk."

"You're going to school. I'll walk with you," Hiei told him, noting that Atsuko was awake and watching television. He'd rather not do this in front of Yuusuke's mother. It was bad enough he was doing it at all, he didn't need the added weight of humiliating himself in front of a woman.

"Sure, I'll just get my bag." They walked out when Yuusuke was ready, and he shouted over his shoulder that he'd be back later. His mother didn't reply. He hadn't expected her to. "So, would it be stupid of me to ask what this was about?"

"Kurama," Hiei replied. "He feels that you're threatened by me."

"Well, I wouldn't put it like that …" Saying it like that sounded like Yuusuke was scared of the demon. Well, if he was honest, to a certain extent he was. No sane person would want to put themselves on the wrong side of Hiei's dragon, and Yuusuke liked to think he had at least a little sanity left. "You guys have history, is all. Even I get jealous sometimes."

"I gave up Kurama. All we have now is history." He sounded a little sad when he said that, Yuusuke thought. But before he could say anything, Hiei was carrying on. "I'm not going to do anything to harm either of you. Not in that way."

"Well, that's good to know," Yuusuke grinned. "I know we have our differences, but I like you. I wouldn't want to give up being your friend because of it."

Hiei snorted, though Yuusuke knew he wasn't doing it to scoff Yuusuke's statement of friendship. The little fire demon had proven his loyalty many times, something that Yuusuke was glad for. He didn't want to lose that. "You should come by my place tomorrow night; I think Kurama's got some Makai liquor." He grinned down at Hiei who smirked in return.

"I'll think about it," he said, before disappearing. Yuusuke knew that he was off to find Kurama, and he stopped himself from feeling any jealousy. Although Hiei hadn't said it, he knew that he wanted Yuusuke to trust him. They both did.

Instead he shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He was nearly at school and could see Kuwabara walking a little way ahead. "Yo, Kuwabara!" he shouted, running up to the orange-haired teen. "Can I borrow your math homework? I forgot to do mine."

"You should have done it yourself, Urameshi. You're not the only one with a life, you know."

"Pfft, if you remember I was lying in a hospital bed unconscious. It's kind of hard to do any work when I'm near death, you know. You should cut me some slack."

"Somehow I don't think the teacher will believe you," Kuwabara laughed. "You should tell him though; I could do with a good laugh."

"Some friend you are."

"I know."

-

Kurama was leaning against a tree outside of school when Hiei arrived. "I thought I'd be seeing you this morning," he said in greeting, idly tracing patterns on the bark with one hand. "Did you speak to him?" He didn't need to say Yuusuke's name, they both knew who he was talking about.

"He mentioned something about liquor," he replied, which Kurama correctly interpreted as 'Yes, I did speak to him'.

"There's no better method of bonding than excessive drinking," the fox joked, smirking down at Hiei. "I was thinking of taking him to Pier. Are you coming?"

Hiei shrugged. "Depends. Is that why you're getting him drunk?"

"Partly. I don't think he'd appreciate going sober, the first time at least."

If Hiei remembered correctly, Kurama had also gotten him drunk the first time they went to Pier. Once he'd seen what it was like, he'd quickly decided that he'd rather be drunk every time he went. He had no problem with the things that happened there, but he knew that Yuusuke would more than likely feel a little uncomfortable.

"If all goes well, we could make it a regular thing," Kurama told him, looking at the school children walking by. He felt detached, he and Hiei on the one side and all the humans on the other. It was vaguely satisfying; to know that even on Ningenkai he still fit in with someone.

Hiei didn't answer, but Kurama knew he was considering it. "It'll get easier with time," he told him, speaking softly. Hiei raised a brow. "Hast thou no faith in me?" Kurama chuckled. "Seriously Hiei, we'll make it work." He couldn't loose either of them, not now. They were both an important part of his life.

When the bell signalling the start of school rang, Hiei still hadn't answered. Kurama hadn't really expected him to, Hiei didn't have to speak for Kurama to hear him. He pushed himself from the tree, walking forward a few steps before turning back to Hiei who was still standing there, watching him.

"Don't stay away next time," Kurama said, and continued walking to school. He could feel Hiei's gaze on him all the way to the doors.

To Be Continued.

Notes: Why didn't Yuusuke smack Hiei and tell him to keep away from his man (or vice-versa)? What's Pier? Why do they have to get Yuusuke drunk? And why the hell hasn't there been any smut yet, damn it? Good questions, all. I'll tell you the answers when I figure them out myself. I made it past my ten page goal, so I'm pretty damn happy about that (I feel all accomplished). Still don't know what I'm writing, but that doesn't really matter, does it? p