I just found my all time favorite review comment "men are stupid". Isn't that great?

I'm glad you're enjoying this. I'm glad you like Shiori and Mukuro teaming up to get our boys together. I thought it was a cute idea. This chapter is Shiori's turn but I could use some ideas for Mukuro to bug Hiei with.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

WORLDS APART

Chapter 3

Downstairs Hiei and Kurama found Shiori and Mukuro huddled together talking. Seeing them, the women's conversation immediately stopped and the two giggled. Mukuro smirked when both men stared at her in amazement. "What? You don't think I know how to act like a female?"

Before they could reply dinner was announced. In the dining hall there was a large table. Mukuro moved to one end indicating for Shiori to take the seat to her right leaving Hiei and Kurama to take the two places at the other end. Taking note of the large distance between the men and women Hiei raised a brow at Mukuro. "Why lie? I want to talk to Shiori without you two interfering. Besides, I'm sure you would rather be alone with your fox for a while."

They both blushed at her comment and reluctantly took their seats. At first Kurama was worried what his mother would think of Makai food but as dinner was served he was reminded of Mukuro's penchant for ningen food. The main course of spaghetti was served with Makai vegetables and bread.

Throughout the meal Kurama tried to hear his mother's conversation with the demon lord but even with his exceptional hearing he was unable to follow what they said. Mukuro saw to it that even with the help of the jagon Hiei had a similar problem.

Eventually they gave up and began enjoying each other's company. Each was disappointed when the meal ended knowing that soon they would be separated again.

Kurama moved to Shiori's side. "We really should go Mother. It's getting late and if we don't return soon Shuuichi might get nervous and tell Father what really happened today."

Shiori turned to Mukuro. "My son is correct, we really must be going. It's been an enlightening experience to say the least. Thank you so much for your hospitality."

Hiei looked agitated as the women said their goodbyes. As if he'd finally had enough he unceremoniously grabbed Kurama by the arm. "I need to speak to Kurama. We'll be right back."

Kurama looked back at his grinning mother as Hiei dragged him into the next room and closed the door. He barely had time to register it was an office before Hiei pressed him back against the door and claimed his lips in a searing kiss. Everything else was forgotten as they gave in to their passion.

Kurama moaned when Hiei rubbed their growing erections together. Feeling his lover's need Kurama reversed their positions until it was Hiei trapped against the door. "We don't have much time Dragon-Heart."

A moment later Hiei pressed the knuckles of one hand against his mouth to smother his own moans. His other hand was tangled in Kurama's hair as the redhead knelt between his legs. It didn't take long until Hiei released his pleasure into Kurama's talented mouth. Hiei's breath slowly clamed as Kurama buttoned his pants and nibbled up to his neck.

"Too bad there's not time for more Foxie." Hiei gave Kurama one last kiss and reached for the door knob.

Kurama held out a hand preventing the door from opening all the way. "Hiei, you can't leave me like this!"

Hiei smirked as he looked down. Kurama's own need was barely concealed by his tight jeans. "Hn. It's only what you deserve for leaving me again."

Pushing Kurama's hand aside Hiei opened the door and walked past him. A moment later when Kurama entered the room he was greeted by three grinning faces. All three laughed as Kurama glared at Hiei.

Still giggling Shiori stepped forward. Kurama could only blush as his mother reached up to straighten his disheveled hair. "Now that we've said our goodbyes Shuuichi, we should get going."

With Kurama on her left and Hiei on her right Shiori waved back at Mukuro. Silently they left the castle with an armed escort. It wasn't long before they stopped and Hiei, finding a weak spot in the barrier, opened a portal between the worlds.

Shiori gave Hiei a warm hug. "Thank you for saving me today Hiei-Chan. Don't be such a stranger, we miss you."

Stepping back she watched the awkward silence between her son and his best friend. Kurama finally gave a sad smile. "Thank you for taking such good care of my mother Hiei. Like she said, don't be a stranger."

It looked as if Hiei wanted to say something but in the end he gave only his usual response. "Hn."

The portal took Kurama and Shiori a wooded area on the edge of town about an hours walk from her house. It wasn't long before Shiori broke the silence. "Well of all the things I thought I'd do today, being kidnapped by a demon wasn't on my list."

Kurama couldn't help but chuckle at her attempt to lighten the mood. "I was proud of you Mother. With everything you saw and learned today you were very brave."

Linking her arm through his she smiled up at him. "I get it from my son."

Over the next few minutes Kurama answered any questions she had about the things she discovered today. He was surprised when it took her almost twenty minutes to get to the subject of him and Hiei. "Shuuichi, why did you never tell me about you and Hiei? You know I love him like a son."

Kurama drew a deep breath. "I know you do Mother. At first we kept our relationship a secret from everyone not just you. Later, it seemed it was over almost as quickly as it began. Looking back I think it would have been easier to tell you I was a demon than to tell you I was in love with a man. You might hate me for being a demon but I was terrified of disappointing you. I know how much you wanted me to marry and have children."

Shiori gave a little laugh. "And here I thought you were so smart. Shuuichi, all I've ever wanted is your happiness. I've suspected almost from the beginning that you might have feelings for Hiei but when you started college and he moved away I figured I must have been mistaken. Just tell me that I'm not the reason you broke up."

He shook his head. "No Mother, you're not. We live in different worlds that's all. Even though he loved me and had you and our friends here, Hiei hated the time he had to spend here in the Ningenkai. He's a demon and he belongs in the Makai."

Kurama paused to consider what he said next. "In my heart I'm still a demon but I've changed so much. I don't belong in the Makai any more. My life is here with my family and friends. I love school and I have a great job that I enjoy. We finally agreed that if we didn't want to end up hating each other we had to end it. Some day we'll each move on, until then we get to see each other sometimes without the burden of knowing we're letting the other down."

She looked at him sadly. "Too bad neither of you realize that you are each holding on just enough that neither of you will ever move on. Just enough to make you both miserable."

Approaching her house he was saved from answering by the sight of his stepfather on the porch. Seeing him Shiori ran to greet him. Skeptically Hatanaka looked between his wife and stepson. "Shuuichi tells me you had some things to talk about. He seemed worried."

Shiori winked at her son before answering her husband. "Shuuichi's just having a little trouble in his love life and wanted to talk to his mother, that's all. I'll go call Shuu-Chan right now and tell him everything's alright. Good night Shuuichi."

Shiori blew Kurama a kiss and tried to pull her husband into the house but he hesitated. Not ready to discuss his situation with his stepfather Kurama smiled and waved. "I'm sorry I kept Mother out so late Father. Good night."

Turning away Kurama headed down the street but not towards his apartment. A little while later he stood on the porch of a small house. He hesitated before knocking softly on the door. As if changing his mind he turned to leave but before he reached the bottom step the door opened.

Seeing Kurama's sad state Yusuke just held out his arms. Kurama only hesitated a moment before slowly moving forward and stepping into Yusuke's waiting arms.

As the door closed neither saw the tall figure in the shadows as it turned away.

Over the next two weeks Kurama made a point of spending time with his mother. He wanted to make sure she didn't suffer any trauma from her first demon encounter. Today they talked over lunch.

Shiori looked at her son incredulously. "Shuuichi, I can't believe you think that about Hiei and Mukuro."

Confused he shook his head. "Why shouldn't I mother? I've always felt he chose her over me. It would only be natural for them to eventually become lovers."

She still couldn't believe his line of thinking. "Shuuichi are you blind? Mukuro thinks of Hiei in terms of a son, not a lover. Didn't you hear her when she invited us to dinner? She wanted to talk about 'our stubborn children'."

Kurama frowned as he considered her words. "It still doesn't change anything Mother. Whether he has another lover or not, we still can't be together."

Shiori growled in frustration. "Ohhh, men are so stupid!"

Taken aback he could just stare at her. "Well it's true! You and Hiei have found something special. Something some people wait their whole lives for and never find. For someone with two lives worth of experience I don't understand how you can just throw it away so callously."

Her words hurt. "Do you think this is easy Mother? I love him so much it hurts but my two lives of experience have taught me that all we would end up doing is hurting each other more. I'm sorry, we'll have to finish this another time Mother I have to get back to work."

Kurama worked in a specialized nursery that grows exotic flowers. He didn't want to be late because he had plans tonight and wanted to leave on time. Kuwabara had become very withdrawn and Yusuke said he wouldn't talk to him.

After everything Yusuke did for him when he missed Hiei the least Kurama thought he could do was talk to Kuwabara. Maybe his friend would tell him what he wasn't able to tell the man he loved.

It was almost six when Kurama knocked on the front door of the Kuwabara house. He smiled in greeting when Shizuru opened the front door. The woman wasn't known to be one of the friendliest people he knew but the greeting she gave him was downright frigid. "What are you doing here?"

He looked at her in surprise. "Hello Shizuru. Actually I was hoping to see Kuwabara."

She glared at him. "I won't allow my brother to talk to a backstabber."

When she would have shut the door on him he stepped forward blocking the door. "Wait a minute. What's going on? What do you mean backstabber? Shizuru, have I done something to offend you?"

At the commotion Kuwabara stepped out of his room. "Shizuru, is everything… oh it's you. What do you want?"

At his friend's accusing tone Kurama was even more confused. "Alright, what the hell? I have obviously done something to upset you both. If we can just talk about it I'm sure we can straighten this out."

The Kuwabara siblings had always had a soft spot for the soft spoken redhead. Shizuru looked at her brother. "Maybe you should hear him out Kazuma. Kurama's always been a good friend and I don't think he's ever lied to you. What if it was all a misunderstanding."

Kuwabara wasn't convinced. "What was there to misunderstand? I know what I saw!"

Kurama didn't give up. "Please Kuwa-Kun, we've been friends a long time. I deserve a chance to defend myself."

When Kuwabara didn't protest Kurama continued. "I came because Yusuke says you've been acting strange the last couple of weeks and I though maybe I could help. Now it sounds like maybe I'm the problem. What did I do, what did you see?"

When Kuwabara didn't respond Kurama tried to put it together himself. The time frame was two weeks ago. It was something he saw that he made him feel Kurama had betrayed him. Then the flinch he gave a moment ago at the mention of Yusuke's name.

Suddenly it all made sense. "I think I understand. The day my mother was kidnapped, you saw me go to Yusuke's didn't you?"

Momentarily putting aside his own problems the big hearted human focused on only one thing. "What do you mean Shiori was kidnapped? Why didn't anyone tell me? Is she alright?"

Happy that he had finally broken through, Kurama quickly told him about Shiori's adventure in the Makai. Kuwabara sat on the sofa listening intently. "Wow, so your mom knows about you being a demon. Sounds like she took it pretty well."

Kurama smiled hoping what he said next would help Kuwabara understand what he had seen. "Turns out that wasn't the hard part. My mother hit it off wonderfully with Mukuro and the two of them are trying their hand at matchmaking with me and Hiei. Mother just doesn't understand that even though Hiei and I still love each other it would never work. She also doesn't seem to realize how much it hurts to talk about something that can never be."

Shizuru had sat quietly letting the two boys talk. When her brother didn't respond to Kurama's heartfelt words she did. "We've always suspected that you two were still in love. This must be hard on you."

Kurama smiled at her sadly. "I miss him so much. Sometimes I wish that I could just spirit him away and leave the Ningenkai, Mukuro and anything else standing in our way behind. I'd take him deep in the Makai forest and hide where nothing would come between us again."

Kurama barely heard Kuwabara's soft reply. "I know how you feel."

Moving to sit by his friend, Kurama put a hand on his arm. "I know you do. Please hear me out Kuwabara. There's nothing going on between me and Yusuke. He's my friend, my shoulder to cry on when missing Hiei becomes too overwhelming to bare. He knows how it feels to be separated from someone he loves. I swear to you, it isn't me he loves."

Sad eyes turned to look into green ones. "Kurama, will he ever get over Keiko enough to be able to love me?"

Kurama smiled. "Kuwabara, he's been over Keiko for a long time. If he wasn't, I'd knock him into next week for stringing you along. He's just afraid of hurting another person he loves the way she was hurt."

With a shy grin Kuwabara used his shoulder to nudge Kurama's. "I'm sorry Kurama. I should have known you wouldn't betray me."

Smiling Kurama nudged back. "Never my friend, we've been through too much together."

Disgusted with them both, Shizuru grunted. "I can't believe the four of you. Every one of you pining away for a man who's pining away for you."

Kurama laughed. "My mother summed it up pretty well today at lunch. 'Men are so stupid.'

Together the three of them laughed.