AN: A big thank you to all who reviewed. I enjoyed reading them. Things get a little heated in this chapter folks, just to spice things up a bit. Just a little lime flavor in this one.

Chapter Four

"Why would I be happy to see you Leiko?" Kurama asked as he advanced on her You're the reason I was banished in the first place," Kurama replied. Hiei glared at the vixen. "So that's the bitch that got Kurama in so much trouble," he thought angrily as he watched Kurama stalk her like prey. The tall silver yoko's golden eyes were as hard and cold as the metal their color was said to resemble. Hiei knew Kurama was very angry. He'd only seen his beloved eyes devoid of warmth like that twice before, once when he had greatly angered the yoko in a moment of hurt and when the yoko had viciously killed Karasu. Hiei just hoped he wouldn't have to save the foolish vixen from Kurama's wrath. If the fox killed her he'd be banished for good this time.

"If you had only married me like you were supposed to you would have never been banished," Leiko responded. Kurama's eyes narrowed. "I didn't marry you Leiko because I didn't love you. I never did," Kurama said coolly. His eyes flicked to Hiei's reading the malice in his fiancé's ruby orbs. Kurama nearly smirked. "So, Hiei doesn't like her either," he thought with amusement. "Yet, he's worried I'll loose my head and do something stupid. I can feel it," he mused. His gaze softened as he held eye contact with Hiei for a brief moment. "Then again perhaps I should thank you, because you were too dense to take the hint that I didn't want you I have found someone I do wish to marry," Kurama said extending his hand to Hiei who took it and let the yoko pull him close. Kurama kissed Hiei's cheek and nuzzled his neck affectionately, silently assuring him that he would not loose his temper an do something he would later regret. The yoko gave him a loving kiss, which he quickly returned. Leiko stared at them in shock. Hiei gave her a cold smirk. "You asked who I was. I am the one who will soon be his mate," He said.

"You're kidding me right. You can't marry that little…whatever he is. We were meant to be together," she cried. Hiei chuckled evilly at that. "You were right Fox, she is dense," He said. He then stared directly into Leiko's eyes. "Dense as you are, I'm only going to say this once. Kurama is mine not yours. In fact he never was yours in the first place. If he had, he would have never given up being with his family or his dream of becoming a healer so that he wouldn't be forced to marry you," He said to her. "Go, and leave him in peace," he concluded.

"The fire apparition is right Leiko," came the soft voice of the priestess as she entered the room. Hiei's eyes flicked to her and stayed, transfixed at the impossibly lovely priestess. She made Leiko look hideous in comparison with a grace and dignity he had only seen in Kurama and his family. "You will come with me child. It is time you took responsibility for the wrong you have caused," the priestess said.

Leiko's eyes grew wide and fearful. "You're not going to make me become a priestess are you?" she asked. "No child, you have not the heart to be one of us. You shall be an attendant of the temple, serving the priestesses and attending to the cleaning and upkeep of the temple. From the moment you enter the gates you will no longer be allowed off the temple grounds," the priestess replied. Leiko paled. "Please no," she whined pitifully. "You brought this upon yourself with your selfishness my dear," the priestess said. "You have caused Kurama and his family much pain because you did not wish to see the truth he was too gentle to speak aloud. It is time you made amends," she told her sternly.

Two more priestesses entered and gently took Leiko by the arm. As they led her out of the room the vixen whimpered and cried in protest. No one paid any heed to her cries.

Even as they left the house and walked the long path to the temple, everyone they passed along the way turned a deaf ear to her cries and pleas. She was taken to the temple where she was to remain for the rest of her days a servant of the priestesses.

"You must be the one Makino sent for," Hiei said. "Yes, Hiei-san, Makino-dono did send me. I am Nadeshiko, the head priestess of this clan's temple dedicated to Inari-sama," she replied. Kurama bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you Nadeshiko-dono," he said. "We have met before Kurama-kun have we not?" Nadeshiko asked. "We have seen each other before, yes, but we were never formally introduced," Kurama replied. Nadeshiko smiled. "Well, since we have been formally introduced, shall we get started on planning the ceremony?" she asked. "Of course," Kurama replied. "Would you like something to drink?" he offered. Nadeshiko smiled. "No dear," she replied. Since his guest was not in need of anything Kurama sat down upon the sofa, facing the priestess. Hiei sat next to him and the planning for the wedding began.

Kurama gently massaged Hiei's back. The fire apparition was enjoying the treatment his fox was giving him. It was a reward of sorts for putting up with the large party that had occurred in their honor that night. Word of their upcoming marriage had spread like wildfire through the village and by evening a party in celebration had been thrown. Hiei had to not only endure the large gathering but also the seemingly endless questions and curious looks he got all evening. Despite it all, Hiei and Kurama had both enjoyed themselves greatly. That still didn't stop them from sneaking away to be alone the first chance they got.

"You know I could get used to this," Hiei murmured as Kurama moved upwards to massage his shoulders. "Don't get too used to it Darkfire," Kurama purred as he planted teasing kisses along Hiei's neck. "It's my turn once I'm through," he said. "You need it after all that dancing you did tonight," Hiei responded. "That nice hot bath you drew for us felt really good after that you know," Kurama replied. Hiei smiled. They hadn't been able to keep their eyes or their hands off each other during that bath. For the first time both of them were ready for a bit more than kisses and caresses. Hiei's smile widened as his mind wandered to what had occurred only a short while ago…

Kurama's captured Hiei's lips with his as the fire apparition used his foot to pull the plug in the tub. They stepped out of the tub still connected at the lips. Though dripping wet they exchanged kisses almost desperately. Hiei dried them off with his spirit energy as Kurama backed toward the door, pulling him right along with him. Reluctantly Hiei pulled away and ran his hand through Kurama's silky silver hair. As though missing the feel of his fiancé's lips on his Kurama sought another kiss. Hiei placed a single finger across the yoko's petal soft lips to stop him. "Fox, wait," Hiei said.

"What's wrong?" Kurama asked. "If we keep this up you know what it may lead to," Hiei replied. "Do you want me to give you my body?" Kurama inquired as Hiei's hand continued to absentmindedly stroke his hair. "Are you ready for that?" Hiei questioned. "Is that what you want?" he asked the yoko. "Right now what I want is to give you pleasure," Kurama answered. "If that means you take me then so be it," he said.

Kurama was truthful. He wanted to please Hiei badly, but he was still a bit wary about Hiei actually taking him. The last time they had been that intimate it had not ended well. "I don't think we're ready for that yet Fox," Hiei said. "Though we could do something about our mutual problem," he continued as he gently caressed Kurama's heated flesh with a wicked smile. Kurama soon shared that wicked smile as Hiei showed him mental images of exactly what he meant. The yoko had to admit sometimes having a telepath as your beloved did have its advantages.

Though they did not join their bodies as in the usual form of lovemaking, they did use their hands, lips, teeth, and tongues to drive one another wild with passion. They had grown a bit closer because of it. Their bond had strengthened as they leisurely explored one another's bodies and satisfied their desire.

Kurama nibbled at Hiei's ear, something he knew the fire apparition liked. "Don't go to sleep on me Fire Baby. It's your turn to do me," Kurama said. Hiei smirked and sat up as Kurama let him up. Hiei gave his fiancé a quick peck on the lips. "Lie on your back," he instructed. Kurama looked at him in confusion. "Why?" he asked. "You want me to do you right?" Hiei replied huskily. Realizing his poor choice of words Kurama blushed. Hiei gently lowered the yoko onto his back and parted his legs.

Slowly Hiei caressed Kurama's muscular chest, knowing the fox was sensitive there. The yoko moaned softly and Hiei worshipped his powerful thighs with kisses and nips. Soon, Kurama was panting heavily, writhing and moaning under Hiei's touch. Before he began begging Hiei to stop teasing him and finish him off the fire apparition turned his attention to the one area the yoko desired him to the most.

Kurama's soft moans became louder as Hiei pleasured him. His cries of pleasure were effectively muffed however when Hiei's impressive manhood brushed his lips. Somewhere in the back of Kurama's pleasure fogged mind he was surprised he never realized Hiei had changed positions. The yoko hadn't even realized that he'd closed his eyes. Without further thought the fox took the treat he was offered into his mouth and sucked it gently, running his tongue over the sensitive head. Hiei moaned, the vibration adding to Kurama's pleasure. Hiei let the heated flesh he'd been sucking on slip from his lips. He nibbled on it very gently before running his tongue along the underside and dipping it into the slit at the tip. Kurama moaned around the succulent flesh he was sucking on sending waves of pleasure through Hiei's body like wildfire. The fire apparition took that as a challenge and did all he could to make his fiancé come first. In the end neither won, both reaching their climax at the same time.

Hiei shakily disentangled himself from Kurama and turned his body around so that he could lay in the warmth of Kurama's arms. As they lay there intertwined panting heavily, Kurama captured Hiei's lips in a long, lingering kiss. Their tongues caressed playfully in a mock battle for dominance. When they broke away Kurama yawned and pulled Hiei close. "That was wonderful Darkfire, but you still owe me a massage," he murmured softly. Hiei smiled in amusement and closed his eyes.