This is definitely turning out different from anything else I've ever written. Thanks for all the support in my latest trip to insanity.

Sorry this is so short but I'm kind of stuck on what happens next. I want a Hiei jealous of Yusuke but haven't figured out how to write it without things going in the wrong direction. Any ideas would be great.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

WORLDS APART

Chapter 4

If Kurama thought he had it tough with Shiori that was nothing compared to what Hiei had to endure with Mukuro. Not only did she work him relentlessly during the day, at night she bombarded him with questions and endless possibilities about his relationship with Kurama. He tried to hide from her but she always found him. Today she had cornered him in his office.

Like Shiori, Mukuro didn't understand why they couldn't find a way to be together though she had a different motive for wanting them together. Mukuro wanted the powerful Youko at Hiei's side when he takes over as ruler of her territory. "That doesn't make any sense Hiei. Kurama has, both as a human and as a Youko, always had a preference for male lovers. Why in the three worlds would he suddenly take a female mate now?"

Hiei was tired of the endless discussion about Kurama. "You saw him with Shiori. He would do anything for his mother and she wants grandchildren. Something he can't have with me or any other male he might choose."

Frustrated Mukuro slammed her hands down on his desk. "Don't be a fool Hiei! There are plenty of orphans both human and demon in the worlds. I'm sure Shiori would be happy with any child or no child so long as Kurama was happy."

It was Hiei's turn to lose his temper. "Enough woman! Do you think I want this? Do you think I want to be here with you while I wait for my lover to replace me? Well I don't! This is the choice Kurama made! He chose to put everything in his life above me! Now leave me the hell alone!"

Hiei stormed out of the room. After he left Mukuro grinned. "That's better. You've lain down and taken it long enough my friend. I've got you fighting mad now lets see if I can get you fighting for Kurama."

For the next few days Mukuro left Hiei alone. Little did he know his reprieve wouldn't last. Coming down for dinner Hiei was surprised to find the main hall filled with about a dozen demons. Most were female but there were three that appeared to be male.

Just as he would have fled the scene Mukuro spotted him. "Ah Hiei, there you are. Come down and join us, as you can see we have company."

Glaring at her he reluctantly did her bidding. One by one the demons he passed all bowed. "Good evening Lord Hiei." "It's a pleasure Lord Hiei." "May I sit with you at dinner Lord Hiei?"

Ignoring them Hiei stopped before Mukuro. "What the hell have you done woman?"

She gave him an innocent smile. "Since you've made it clear that Kurama is officially out of the picture I've taken it upon myself to find you a mate. Before you are the ten best candidates my territory has to offer. Each has impeccable lineage and an exceptional power levels. Both qualities required of the demon that will be at you side when you rule my territory and necessary to bear you a powerful heir should you chose a female."

Just when Hiei thought things couldn't get worse he realized he must have died and gone to hell. "You've lost your mind if you think I'm going to mate with one of these… creatures."

Mukuro was hard pressed to hide her smile at the disgust in his voice. When she spoke however her voice was firm. "You will do exactly what I tell you to do Hiei. I gave you every opportunity to claim Kurama as your mate. Since that didn't happen I've had to take matters into my own hands. These demons will be staying here at the castle for one week. If at the end of that time, if you have not chosen one, I will chose for you."

Hiei just stared at her in disbelief as she continued. "Since I don't know much about your taste in lovers, other than Kurama that is, I've got quite an assortment for you to choose from. Most are female since I'm hoping for you to have an heir but there are a few males. Since you have a penchant for redheads and Youkos there is a male and female of each. There is also a fire demon and an ice apparition in the bunch."

He shook his head and made to leave. "You really have lost your mind."

Mukuro grabbed his arm in an iron grip. "You're not going anywhere and that's an order. You will stay and meet every demon in this room. If there are any you hate we can weed them out tonight and no you may not say you hate them all. Unless you come up with a better plan to find a mate you will chose one of them and be engaged in one week. Your mating will take place in one month."

Hiei barely spoke the rest of the night as demon after demon vied for his attention. He finally understood how Kurama must have felt in high school with his fan club. What he wouldn't give to have his fox beside him now to scare these power hungry vultures away.

Later that night as he lay alone in his bed he wished again that Kurama were with him. He glared at the picture of his fox's smiling face. "Why wasn't I enough for you Kurama? Why did you make me love you if you weren't going to keep me?"

In the Ningenkai Kurama had similar thoughts. He too lay in his bed missing his lover. "Why couldn't you wait for me Hiei? You once said you loved me and that you'd do anything for me. Why is the power you crave more important to you than me?"

Each lost in his own misery Hiei and Kurama were completely unaware that there was a whole conspiracy going on around them. Not only were Shiori and Mukuro making their lives miserable but Yusuke and Kuwabara had secretly joined in.

Though Yusuke was still being difficult regarding his feelings for Kuwabara the two were speaking again and their biggest topic of conversation was Hiei and Kurama. Kuwabara had gone to check on Shiori after finding out about her kidnapping and the conspiracy had begun.

Through Koenma they had arranged communication mirrors for Shiori and Mukuro. Shiori, after finding out about Mukuro's plan to make Hiei chose a mate, tried a similar tactic with Kurama. The last three times they had met for lunch Shiori had brought along a nice girl for Kurama to meet.

As the latest young lady left the restaurant Kurama confronted his mother. "Why are you doing this? You said you understood my feelings for Hiei."

Innocently she looked back at him. "Oh I understand Dear. You love Hiei but you can't be together. I'm just trying to help you move on. These are lovely, intelligent young women. Any one of them would make you an excellent wife and perhaps someday a mother to your children. Shuuichi, since your relationship with Hiei is over, there's no reason for you to be alone."

In the Makai Hiei had his hands full. Mukuro had suspended his training leaving him more time to chose his mate. No matter how much he argued with her she wouldn't be swayed.

Pacing in Mukuro's office Hiei tried again to get her to see reason. "I don't care how many demons you parade in front of me, I will not take one of them as my mate. Why are you doing this? You never took a mate, Yomi doesn't have a mate, Raizen never had mate. Why me?"

Mukuro sat in the chair behind her desk. "Hiei, Yusuke started something with his Makai tournament. Times are changing here in Makai and I believe the people want more stable rulers. Having lords over the territories shows power. Having that lord mated and producing heirs shows stability, something our world needs."

Hiei stopped pacing. "Then you take a mate because I'm not doing it! The only one I will ever accept as my mate is Kurama. If I can't have him then I won't have anyone."

Leaning back in her chair Mukuro hid her smirk. This is what she had been waiting for. "I am Makai's past, you are it's future. The one to take a mate will be you. If you can produce a more eligible candidate than the demons I have chosen then you may present them at your engagement party in four days."

Without further comment Hiei glared at her a moment before flitting from the room.

Mukuro grinned as she felt Hiei's spirit energy leave her territory. She then pulled out her communication mirror. "Shiori, I hope Kurama's ready because Hiei's on his way."

Shiori laughed. "Oh he's ready. You should have seen his face when he met the last girl. You'd think I was introducing him to an alien from another planet."

Mukuro chuckled. "Well, to a Youko that's exactly what a human female is."