I'm trying to stick to English as much as I can, but some slips do happen….:

Koorime: an ice maiden/demon (Hiei is half, so I'm using it)

−san: polite ending. This usually translates to Mr. or Mrs.

Youki: Every person emits some kind of 'ki', meaning 'life energy'. Humans have 'reiki' and demons emit 'youki'.

Ite: (really 'itai') It means that you're hurting. Some translates it 'It hurts', but this small version is just 'Ouch' or something the like. I thought I sounded better for the story than the English version.

Makai: The Demon World. Not hell, but the place where demons live in. I'm trying to be witty in this chapter.

I'm Going to Get You by rebecca85

Chapter 1: Love

Kurama massaged his aching temples. He hadn't had that good of a sleep. He had constantly been waking up, to see if Hiei was there.

What was he doing? He surely hadn't started to bee afraid of the fire demon? He can't have that. He could still put up a good fight if Hiei decided to... well... do something... wild.

Kurama shook his head vigorously. What was he thinking! Of course Hiei wouldn't do something like that..., right? The redhead sighed deeply and forced himself to pay attention to the teachers speak. He had to take control of himself! Otherwise he would be vulnerable than as it was. He had to be cool about this and act as if it didn't bother him. He should be able to laugh about this! And he would. No! He wouldn't! He wasn't that cold-heated. But cool was ok. Yes. He would treat Hiei the same. Maybe keeping his distant though. Yes. That is a good plan.

With that he pulled himself together and started to have as much as a normal day that he could possible have considering the situation.

"Minamino-san! Mi-na-mi-no-saaaaaan!" Kurama stopped and turned around to look back at the school from the gates. A group of girls were making hurriedly their way to him. The first one was obviously selected as the speaker, who was supposed to gather the courage to talk to him. She was a very pretty girl, with shining black rich hair, reaching her waist with bright blue eyes. I haven't noticed that she's beautiful before, was his little thought. The swarm of girls surrounded him, the brunette at the front; the chosen speaker.

"Minamino-san," she started excitedly, breathing heavily, but all the same smiling widely. "Please accept these. They are for you." All of then handed him a little package with exited eyes. Kurama raised slightly his hand and smiled ever-so-politely rejecting the offer.

"I really can't take all that."

"But you must. We have all made an effort to make these to do," the girl insisted.

"But I really can't possibly--"

"No! Please take them!" They all pushed the presents a little. Kurama was stuck. And cornered. If he'd take the gifts he would never get rid of the girls. They would hound him down like a rare fox (which he was) and make him give them more privileges. Such as to let them get close to him. That was a scary thought. And he couldn't possibly just run, could he? His reputation was in stake, you know.

Kurama was thinking hard for a polite excuse, when suddenly Hiei was there. He stood directly between the redhead and the fan-girls, in his usual stance, hands in his pockets.

"He says he doesn't want them," the fire demon stated glaring menacingly to the girls. The swarm backed up a bit, but then the brunette one spoke up. Kurama was still frozen of Hiei's sudden appearance. From his point of view, things had just gotten bad to worse. But he was slightly interested of the girl who could dare to speak to Hiei.

"He did not say he doesn't want these," she tried bravely argue with the suddenly appeared Goth Boy.

"He doesn't want them or need them, including you either," Hiei responded dangerously quiet. The girl took shockingly breath, but gathered herself quickly.

"And who are you to say those things?" She shot back, with a winning look.

"He's my boyfriend," the short boy answered, which almost caused a few heart-attacks among the girls. This finally broke the trance Kurama had been in.

"Hiei!" He shouted, startling the girls for his strong show of emotions. "How can you say that! I am not you boyfriend! I already told you that." (The girls breathed more at ease. The prince wasn't stolen, after all. Phew.) "And what are you doing here? Where you supposed to be at work?" Kurama finished, only mildly exasperated now.

"I'm on a leave." Hiei responded shortly, eyeing the girls in a battle mode, as if they were a deadly threat to his fox.

"Minamino-san? Is this a fried of yours?" the brunette asked politely.

"No, no! He's just a colleague of mine." Kurama started explaining hastily. (A/N: His compose is really gone. Wow. O.o)

"Just leave him alone," Hiei said quietly, ignoring the redheads chose of words, looking dangerously the girls. Kurama startled.

"If you touch him, I'll kill you. He's mine." With that he was gone. A silent fell over. All the girls transferred their stare, from the place the 'Hiei' man had been, into Kurama's eyes, questions almost readable from their faces. Kurama started to feel really uncomfortable, by then.

"Eh... Well I got to go home. Mom's probably already wondering where I am." He staggered off. When he was safely out of seeing distance, he broke to a run, before any of the girls would found their speaking abilities again and maybe even ask about what Hiei had said. The redheaded beauty would love to explain, but he wasn't sure if he knew him self. Okay, he did say he was going to make me his, but he is overly possessive about me already. And would he really do something that drastic as kill the girls, if they came too close? This was a puzzle he wasn't so keen on solving. He could only hope Hiei wasn't serious this time.

Suddenly he was at home. He had run all the way. His breath was uneven and he was panting. He wasn't in this bad of a shape now, was he? He would have to ask Hiei to train with -- Kurama shook his head. He could ask Yusuke. Yes, I can train with Yusuke. That would be better. Being close to Hiei is dangerous now. He straightened up, dusted some non-existence lint off his uniform and went inside.

"I'm home!" he yelled, but remembered then that his mother was still at work, Shuichi was still somewhere with his friends − Kurama didn't even care to remember where, Bowling, I suppose…: − and mister Hatanaka would be out of town for the week in some business trip. Sighing deeply he took of his shoes, put a pair of slippers instead and walked to the kitchen with his schoolbag. He dropped it to the table and proceeded to have a drink. He would go upstairs and get a quick shower, then do a little of his homework-leftovers − he chuckled slightly at the make-up word − and then go for the groceries for the dinner, before his mother would come home.

Ah... That leads us to the problem at hand: Hiei. And the dinner he was invited to. Kurama had a creepy suspicion that this was planned beforehand. That Hiei would confess him conveniently before the dinner, so that Kurama wouldn't be able to keep his distance. He grimaced at the thought.

The red haired beauty ascended the stairs, his bag with him, sipping his orange juice. He pushed the door open and leaned it close. He dropped the bag on his bed, drank the last of his juice and placed the glass on his desk. Kurama stretched and started to undress, proceeding as planned.

Hot water smoothed his facial expressions, when he enjoyed the pause in his day. Shower washed his troubled thoughts in to the sewer and he felt greatly refreshed and motivated after. If he did his leftovers quickly, he would have time to stop by at Yusuke's ramen-place to say hello to his friends at his shopping-trip. With this thought he wrapped himself in a towel and smiled happily as he went back to his room.

"What took you so long?" Kurama nearly had a heart-attack, and clutching his towel he took deep breath.

"Hiei..." he breathed out in recognition. The said fire demon was sitting casually on his windowsill arms crossed, other leg dangling inside and the other crooked in front of him.

"You scared me. What are you doing here?" Kurama said composing himself quickly as walking to his closet and starting to search for proper clothes. Kurama had been so in thought that he hadn't even sensed the boy. Or was he just keeping his youki in check?

"Can't a friend come to visit?" Hiei sounded mockingly innocent. Kurama narrowed his eyes at him seeing Hiei smirking on the sill. The fox demon didn't even bother to answer, just took clothes from the closet. He was almost removing the piece of towel at his waist when he suddenly noticed the short boy watching him intensely. All of a sudden Kurama felt irritated. Hiei could be a little more polite.

"Would you mind?" he asked annoyed.

"No."

"Could you just look the other way, please!" Kurama said calmly, through gritted teethe.

"Fine." Hiei turned to look out of the window. The redhead didn't quite trust him, though, so he kept shooting glances at the fire demon. He knew too well that he looked gorgeous. Everyone always said that, and in almost naked dripping wet, he was quite the sight. He hurriedly pulled the tight jeans and a light-green t-shirt on and proceeded to dry his hair with the towel.

"You can look now," he said offhandedly when turning to find his brush. He just assumed that the invitation had gone through, and continued drying his hair with one hand while the other fumbled his drawer for the missed item. There! Looking victorious, he took the brush and went to seat on his bed, facing the fire demon, placing his bag to the floor, for room.

"So Hiei. What's up? You're not supposed to be here until eight o'clock. Is there something you want?" Kurama started conversationally brushing his hair at the same time and looking at Hiei.

"You." He was serious. Kurama frowned.

"Well I'm not on the market at the moment. Anything else?" he asked dryly. Hiei just shrugged and looked out the window again.

"Ite…" Kurama uttered a soft sound suddenly. Hiei immediately shot a look at Kurama.

"What's wrong?" He asked frowning.

"Ah... My brush just got tangled up," Kurama shrugged with a dismissing tone. He turned his gaze to his hair and he sighed inwardly. At this rate, he wouldn't have even enough time for homework. He extended his slender fingers, keeping a concentrated frown on his face, to untangle the mess. Suddenly Hiei was in front of him.

"Let me," he said quietly. "You'll strain your neck like that ." Kurama was startled from the offer and tried politely turn it down but Hiei was already kneeling on the bed behind him doing surprisingly good job, soon getting the evil brush from his hair.

Then Hiei started brushing the red locks straight without further ado. Kurama would've like to told him off his back where he couldn't see the boy, but just when he was opening his mouth a wave of tiredness and comfort rushed trough him. He just gaped a while saying nothing, then gave up and closed his eyes.

No one had before brushed his hair. He wasn't a girl, so it probably never occurred to his mother to put a brush and his hair in a same concept, plus he had always been very independent. It was a first time someone had been this close to him, this way. It was a whole new feeling and he enjoyed it fully.

A little sound of awe whispered in his mind that Hiei was being surprisingly gentle. Something Kurama had never expected of him. But soon he wasn't thinking anything. Smooth strokes through his hair were heaven. Suddenly Hiei stopped. Kurama snapped awake, straighten up and turned to look behind him with a questioning look. Why had he stopped when it was just getting so nice? He founded the fire demon smirking at him.

"What?" Kurama asked, frowning to Hiei, immediately answering to the grin with defence.

"I really should have thought of this before," he said, obviously pleased with himself, twiddling the brush in his fingers.

"What are you talking about?" Kurama was getting more annoyed by the minute.

"Well..." Hiei started slowly, (obviously) enjoying Kurama's discomfort, smirking wider when noticing the foxes' suppressed curiosity. "Well, you were making certain noises..." Kurama's eyes widened. He had!

"What -- What kind of 'noises'..?" he asked swallowing hard trying desperately to stay cool about the matter. Hiei looked absolutely mischievous. That sent ominous chills through Kurama's spine.

"Let's just say that you obviously enjoyed it," he said leaving the subject there. Kurama wasn't even sure if he wanted to know after all. Who would've thought that Hiei was such a perv? Good thing Yukina doesn't. Kurama turned to leave, but didn't quite make it up when Hiei suddenly pulled his arm so that the redhead fell down on his back next to Hiei. The koorime mounted on top of the fox, took his wrists and pinned him down.

Kurama's hair was spread over his head like a blood-red halo, his emerald green eyes wide of shock and that pale, smooth skin of his slightly coloured with a little flush. Absolutely... delicious... Hiei thought and leaned over the beauty.

"Don't I get a reward?" the fire demon whispered and descended to kiss the almost-scared-to-death Kurama. The kiss felt so... real, - lack of the better word - that the fox automatically closed his eyes and tipped his head a little parting his lips slightly. Hiei took the opportunity immediately and deepened the kiss by letting his tongue explore the newly opened region. Kurama shot his eyes open as he realized in a shock what was happening and started to struggle the fire demon off of him - without success. He was definitely stronger, plus, he was on top. Finally Kurama turned his head to his side breaking the kiss.

He was scared now. He was totally at Hiei's mercy. It didn't look good.

The shorter boy released one of his hands to take a hold of Kurama's slender jaw and turn the beauty to face him. Kurama didn't want to know what Hiei would do to him next and immediately took this opportunity and pushed Hiei hard on his shoulder so that the boy rolled over him, caught in surprise.

The fox quickly stood up and turned to look at Hiei. Kurama was panting a little and both of their cheeks were slightly flushed.

"Don't..." Kurama whispered shaking slightly. Hiei arched a brow.

"Don't what?" He asked innocently, eyes sparkling. He had made another step of progress. The fox had answered the kiss. Well, not fully, but that was just nitpicking.

"Don't kiss me! And I mean ever. Don't ever kiss me again!" the red beauty breathed angrily. The fire demon's face darkened.

"I can't promise you that," he stated solemnly.

Kurama suddenly felt like crying. The situation was getting more and more difficult for him. He of course would never show his tears to him. There was just enough problems as if was with Hiei, he couldn't brake down here.

"Why?" He asked weakly and raised his hand to cover his eyes. The headache was making its way back. The spiky haired boy rose from the bed and approached Kurama who immediately tensed up eyeing his movements. Hiei extended his hand to touch Kurama's cheek. Kurama winced first but then let him do so.

"You are too beautiful to be only watched," the fire demon whispered back. Somehow those words didn't hurt him as they normally would. He was sick and tired of getting females' attraction only by looks.

But now… Maybe because it was Hiei saying these things, it felt comforting, when he knew those words were meant only for him, were spoken the first time and would never come out again for someone else.

Just when he had relaxed under the boys touch, Hiei suddenly moved his hand to Kurama's neck and pulled their faces more close, so that the lips were in his reach, and kissed the fox again. This time tenderly, softly, like he was careful not brake his fox. Then he let go and allowed Kurama to straighten up.

"You promised!" Kurama in a huff but blushing deeply.

"What?"

"You promised not to kiss me!"

"I promised nothing such." Damn.

"Then would you please?"

"Please what?"

"Promise me that you won't kiss me again?"

"No." Kurama sighed and gave up. He just had to be careful around the short demon, from now on. Very careful.

"So what are we doing today?" Hiei asked, chancing the subject and getting the redhead back to reality.

"I have to do my homework and go get the groceries before mother comes back. Why?" he asked back cautiously.

"What time your mother comes back?"

"Six thirty. And again: Why?"

"The clock just seems to be getting near five," Hiei shrugged.

"What!" Kurama looked the digital clock at his night-table, which showed '16:48'.

"Oh, no! Where did the last hour went to?" The fox exclaimed finding his bag. Then he realized what he just had said and that he knew the answer too. He blushed heavily and looked at Hiei who was smiling mischievously. He quickly resumed to his homework-finding task, going through his bag.

"It's not here," he suddenly said stopping abruptly his search and raising his gaze. I was so confused today that I forgot it in my desk. Kurama mentally slapped his forehead. How could I've been so stupid! Sighing he put down his bag and ran a hand through his hair.

"Guess that leaves just the shopping then," he said. Suddenly his hand stopped in his hair as he realized. His hair was dry. He stated feeling his locks. They were soft and smooth and not a single tangle in them. Nothing like they were after the blow dryer.

"Hiei... You dried my hair," Kurama said slowly, almost stunned.

"So what?" The spoken fire demon shrugged. "I used a little of heat while brushing them. No big deal."

"Well... Thank you," the fox demon uttered softly. Hiei shot him a look, but then smiled a trifle.

"No need to thank. I got my reward already." Kurama blushed to bright red at this comment and quickly looked away, wishing that he hadn't understood what 'reward' Hiei had talked about.

"We-well... I have to go to get the groceries now" he said, changing the subject motioning to his door. Hiei frowned.

"And what about your homework?"

"Ah. I forgot the papers at school so I won't be able to do them."

"And why is that?"

"Because they are special chores only for me, so I can't call to someone and ask a copy."

"No, I meant that why did you forgot them? You never forget anything."

"Ah, well... I had something on my mind at the time, so... It's quite human to forget things!" Kurama's flush deepened when he tried to find an excuse without telling the real reason.

"Oh, yes. I think it is. At the state you were in, anyway," Hiei smirked. He loved this. Seeing the always calm fox sweating in his shirt and making up pathetic excuses, avoiding eye contact, and such, was a sight. The fire demon was paying back all the things and suggestions the redhead had played on his expense. Who would've known that it was so easy to tease him? And on the way Hiei was making his own progress. Two birds with one stone. This was just too much fun! He was doing things way easy, letting Hiei to be so close. I guess he's trying to act normal but is too polite to shoo me off. The fox's over-politeness is going to cost him dearly.

"Anyway, I have to go now." Kurama was standing at his door and now pulled it open. Hiei followed. Kurama walked downstairs and to kitchen. Hiei followed. This was really creepy for Kurama, having Hiei were he couldn't see him, but he was too polite to say anything. Stay cool about this. Cool, remember? He calmed himself and walked to the kitchen-counter. He took the money on top and stuffed them in to his pocket and eyed the list. That followed the money then and Kurama walked out taking his keys from the bowl at the entrance on the way out. Hiei followed him suit. The fox started to walk his way to the store, Hiei walking by his side. They didn't speak. Well, this is almost like the old days, Kurama breathed, relaxing a bit.

"So how's your 'school' thingy going?" Hiei asked suddenly. Kurama stared the boy in disbelief. Was Hiei actually trying to start a conversation? Was there a sudden winter in Makai that Kurama didn't know of? He knew miracles tend to happen, but this was considered more like the eighth wonder of the world.

"It's going okay. I'm still the top student."

"And how is that human mother of yours?" the fire demon asked politely. Oh, my god! He is making a conversation! Kurama gasped in his thought. Cool it Kurama. This might be a good thing.

"She's doing fine. Her company was very understanding and helped us in many ways. Now she's doing a lot over-time to make up for her absents, though... But she's very happy with her new life with my stepfather. Actually she hasn't even had a cold after the wish." Kurama chuckled, remembering the happiness-wish.

"And what's so funny with that?" Hiei asked gruffly. "You almost died in there." The fox looked at the fire demon. Hiei was glaring at him under his brows.

"But I didn't," Kurama uttered softly. "And that's all thanks to Yusuke."

"Hn. Got to thank him yet."

Kurama was surprised of all the new discoveries of Hiei he had shown in the few days. He's obsessive, jealous, persistent, a pervert! ...but also caring, gentle, -- Whoa! Stop right there! Kurama was shocked of his thoughts. And a very good kisser, a little voice added. Where the hell did that come from! He shook his head. Don't think like that! Okay, now, something else. Then he thought of a very good question.

"You said you love Mukuro?" Kurama asked. Hiei shot him one of those looks. The fox was sure that the fire demon would tell him off. Instead, a smile crept on the man's lips.

"So there your thoughts were," he stated. Kurama suddenly realized that he had just revealed him that he had thought of last night. Mentally hitting his head he only sweatdropped and gave a lop-side smile. What was wrong with him! Wasn't he thinking anything, anymore?

"Well," Hiei started. Kurama was in shock. Was he really going to answer? "When we talked with Yukina a while ago, the subject came to you. I described to her my... symptoms. She came to the conclusion that I may be in love with you.

"She also explained that this wasn't the same thing as it was with her. I only want Yukina to be well and happy. Being with her all the time isn't necessary. I thought I'd be shocked, but it actually settled my troubled mind a bit, realizing my deep liking to you. At the same time Yukina told me that I may love Mukuro too. By her words I had a deep respect for the woman that might be more. That I may consider her the mother I never had; that I loved her like a mother. That really made me think.

"The next time I saw Mukuro, I told her all about this. She said she would be happy to be my mother. It was a weird moment, believe me. But she is probably the first one to ever give me motherly advice."

Kurama just listened in awe. This was the longest speech Hiei had ever made. It's true then. Love does change people. Or demons in this case.

"What kind of advice did she give you?" The red-heads curiosity had climbed almost to its peak. It was interesting seeing Hiei this open.

"To go after you," he stated shortly, looking straight to the widening bright green eyes.

"She told you to go after me?" Kurama said in disbelief and a little terrified.

"Hn. After hearing my feeling, she putted me on lay-off, threw me out and warned me from coming back without you. She also said that he had noticed the attraction between us almost immediately. If I'd come back without you, she said she would kill me for showing that Mukuro, a lord of the underworld, was wrong." Hiei shrugged casually. "I think I'll just stay here, thanks."

The fox-spirited man chuckled. Mukuro was still stronger than Hiei. Then he noticed that they had already walked to the central city and looked around for a good groceries shop. But the fire demon just took Kurama by his hand and started to lead him somewhere. Soon they stood in front of a big store.

"Here. We go here," Hiei said simply and led the amazed beauty in.

"How did you know this? And why did you decide to bring me here?" Kurama asked looking around the great selection. He had one or twice came here, but didn't like its spaciousness. He always felt really alone. Well, he usually was alone, but that wasn't the point.

"Your mother comes here more often than the other stores," Hiei said simply.

"You know which stores my mother uses?"

"Well, I haven't been in the human world for this long not to know some things. I just spotted your mother here twice or trice and got curious. I thought it would be handy to know about her," he shrugged.

"You... You followed my mother." Kurama said. Hiei looked a little up, at him. "For how long?"

The fire demon shrugged again.

"About three weeks."

"Three weeks!" Kurama almost yelled. "Since when did you have so much time? Wasn't Mukuro against it?"

"I wasn't working for Mukuro then," was the simple answer. Kurama was in shock.

"When exactly you did this?" he asked with a held breath, his green orbs searching the man's features.

"Before my first theft."

"You mean before we stole the three grand treasures of darkness?" he breathed. Hiei only nodded.

"Did you by any change follow me too?" Another little nod.

"For how long?" He had to know. But he feared the answer.

"Three months."

"Three months!"

"That's how I knew to ask you along. I knew of your mother's condition. Though, my plan wasn't including you to actually use it. I was going to."

"You didn't know the price, did you?"

"No." Then Kurama noticed that they had been standing quite a while at the entrance of the store, holding hands. They were actually getting some looks by now. The redhead could only wish they looked like relatives. He then tried to pull his hand off of Hiei's as unnoticeable as possible, but the brunet only tightened his grip.

"Um, Hiei... Can I have my hand back now?" The fox-man finally asked calmly, but actually he was really nervous. Hiei took a glance at Kurama then at their hands and back to the man. The he looked away.

"No," Hiei simply said.

"Hiei, I have to shop now. I need my both hands," the beauty tried to reason with the fire demon, sounding desperate. "I'll buy you ice-cream," he said as his last resort. Hiei seemed to think this awhile then released his grip. Kurama took his hand away, so that the shorter man couldn't have it if he suddenly changed his mind.

"Thank you. Is chocolate okay?"

"Hn." Hiei looked away. "So what do you need?" he asked. The fox reached in his pocket and fished out the list.

"The first would be... The meat. That would mean that we have to go to the meat-desk, obviously. Let's take a cart and get going."

The shopping went fine after that and Hiei even gave a hand at finding things, though Kurama had to tell him not to use his Jagan. When they walked outside of the shop, the fire demon was strangely quiet. Or quiet again. But still he seemed to be angry about something.

"What's wrong?" the fox finally decided to ask, when he couldn't take it anymore.

"They were staring at you. All of them."

"Who were?"

"Drooling all over you and checking your ass. Stupid humans…" Hiei trailed off, mumbling to himself, and fuming.

"Hiei, what are you talking about?"

"Those stupid human females! Looking at my fox! I should just kill them all..."

"Hiei, don't you dare! There's nothing wrong just looking. Better that having to talk to them. So just drop it. And," Kurama continued little sharply, "I'm not yours."

Hiei just looked at the redhead but decided to say nothing. But soon he noticed that something was wrong with the picture.

"Where are we going?" the fire demon asked when their walk took them somewhere else than back to Kurama's house.

"I'm going to stop by to see Yusuke and Keiko," the beauty said and flipped his red locks out of the way with an elegant swish.

Hiei growled to anyone looking at Kurama. This was really getting to him. Why does he have to be so damn beautiful!

Their walk proceeded in silence then. Hiei wasn't used to talking so much. Luckily they soon reached the ramen shop and Kurama walked in smiling. The shop was half full.

"Welcome!" Yusuke came from the back and then noticed who his customer was. "Kurama!" he yelled, a wide smile splitting his face from ear to ear. He ran to the fox and hugged him excitedly. Over Kurama's shoulder he saw the other visitor. "Hiei!" He let Kurama go and led them to sit by the counter, though the redhead tried politely to refuse. Yusuke firmly seated them and yelled at the back of the shop.

"Keiko! Came to watch what the wind brought in!" He hurried behind the counter and turned for the two. "So, what can I get the two of you?"

"I can't absolutely take anything. Mother is cooking tonight," Kurama said apologetically. Yusuke dismissed the apology with a swish of his hand and turned to Hiei.

"Do you want anything?"

"I'm eating at Kurama's also," he responded. Yusuke raised an eyebrow at the straightness. Just then someone waived to him requesting for the check.

"Just a minute, I'll be right back." With that he took the bill and went to deliver it. Then some beautiful woman came to the counter, leaning with one elbow beside Kurama.

"Well, hello there. Do you mind if I sit here?" She smiled seductively and pointed the seat next to Kurama's. Kurama smiled politely and was about to answer, when a low voice next to him spoke.

"Yes, we do mind. Go somewhere else." Hiei said growling at her. Keiko came at the same time finally from the back and froze at the strange situation. The woman frowned to the boy and came around from the read head's side to look at him firmly. Hiei turned at his seat to look her straight in the eye.

"Excuse me, but I thought I was talking to him," she said putting her hands at her hips and tilting her head a little. "So mind your own business, shorty." Kurama tried to get between them, but Hiei gave him a menacing stare, which pushed him back to his seat, and looked again at the woman.

"He is my business," he frowned at her. "So you bug off."

"Oh?" The woman laughed. "So who are you? His over protective little brother?" she mocked.

"No," Hiei stated gruffly. "Of course not. He's my boyfriend." The woman looked shocked.

"Hiei!" Kurama said loudly to the shorter man. "I am not your boyfriend! How many times do I have to tell you!"

"Hn. My mistake," Hiei answered and turned again to the woman. "He's my soon-to-be boyfriend," he corrected. The woman looked at him wordless, but then smiled a little wickedly.

"I like that. Good luck, kid, and don't give up," the woman said and left. Hiei turned again to the counter. Yusuke had came back just in time to hear the rest and he and Keiko looked at them in awe, frozen at their chores.

"I am not his boyfriend," Kurama said with a firm and a little angry voice. "And never will be," he shot daggers at Hiei. "So stop staring!" he said loudly, again to Yusuke and Keiko. Keiko totally ignored the fox and moved to talk with Hiei. Yusuke and Kurama just stared and the koorime lifted his gaze to meet Keiko's.

"Do you really mean that?" Keiko asked seriously from Hiei. The demon only nodded. "Why?" she continued curiously.

"I love Kurama," Hiei stated seriously. Kurama winced at the words. It sounded almost as if he was in love with Hiei also, but just retarded at the subject. Keiko's face suddenly lit up, and Kurama swore he saw little hearts fluttering in the background.

"Well congratulations!" she smiled. Kurama mentally fell over. She really made it seem like it. Hiei blinked at her a few times but then smiled slightly.

"Thank you." Kurama watched Hiei like never before. This smile of his was genuine and happy, though small. He had never seen it.

"I wish you the best of luck at getting him. He's a great catch," Keiko winked at Hiei. Hiei's smile turned to mischievous and he looked at the fox sitting close.

"I know." Kurama shivered at the promise - or threat - in Hiei's eyes. He really didn't want to be alone with him any more.

"Yeah. This is great news. I always thought you two look good together," Yusuke said encouraging.

"Oh, no. Not you too," Kurama buried his head in his hands, the red locks falling like a closing curtain. "Everybody's against me," he said hopelessly.

"Now, now, Kurama. You'll do just fine with Hiei. Don't worry," Yusuke patted the beauty's shoulder, over the counter.

"Hiei," Keiko said, gaining attention. "Could you come over here for a second?" she asked motioning to the back of the store. Hiei looked at her with a blank expression that could only be read as a slight rise of an eyebrow. "I need to talk to you," Keiko explained. And then she added at the curious looks from the other men, "Alone."

Hiei nodded and moved to the back with her. Kurama could hear the start of the conversation before Keiko shut the door. "So do you have any plans…?" The redhead could only guess what they were talking about.

Topics, logically speaking: They had never talked before, and they wouldn't be talking of Yusuke or weapons, taking the others interest's in note. Those were the topics, separately, that he could think of. Could they be talking about food? But then there was no reason to leave. Their only topic in common, that they couldn't let him hear of, would be… him.

Feeling quite depressed, Kurama rose from his seat and bit farewell to Yusuke, saying that Hiei could follow him when he was ready. The fox took the groceries and left, totally forgetting to ask Yusuke to train with him, in the lights of new evidence. He sighed.

This evening's dinner would be a long one.