I can't believe how much everyone's enjoying the unlikely alliance of Shiori and Mukuro. Don't worry I'm not done with them yet.

Thank you everyone for the great reviews. With a little help I think I did okay making Hiei jealous, but of course in true Hiei stile he's going to be stubborn about it.

Enjoy and please leave me a review.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

WORLDS APART

Chapter 5

Hiei flitted through the city streets in search of Kurama. After only a few minutes he found the fox on the porch of a house near where Yusuke lived. Masking his ki he watched from the trees as Kurama spoke to a ningen female.

As Kurama turned to leave Hiei's jaw clenched when the woman took his arm stopping him. Hiei growled as she leaned up and kissed the redhead's cheek. Smiling down at her Kurama's fingers brushed her cheek before he left.

Seething, Hiei silently followed his fox, surprised when he headed to Yusuke's house instead of his apartment. Again Hiei watched from the trees. As if he were waiting for him, Yusuke sat on the porch steps drinking a beer. Seeing his friend, Kurama gave him a sad smile.

If seeing Kurama with that female made Hiei angry it was nothing compared to what he felt as he watched his fox move to sit on the step, in the circle of Yusuke's arms. The soft red hair that Hiei loved to touch was being stroked by someone he considered to be his friend as Kurama's head rested on his shoulder.

With an arm still around each other Yusuke and Kurama rose and went into the house. Hiei was so stunned he was frozen in place. Dropping to the ground he was torn as to what to do next, confront his so called friend and lover or return to the Makai alone.

Slowly turning away he was pulled up short by a familiar voice. "Are you going to run away like a coward or are you finally going to put a leash on that fox of yours?"

Hiei turned to see Kuwabara step out from behind a nearby tree. Hiei glared at his former teammate. "You're one to talk. I don't see you storming in there to claim what should be yours."

Kuwabara raised an eyebrow. "Let's do it together. You claim yours and I'll claim mine."

Unbelievably Hiei agreed with his former nemesis. "Deal." Together they strode up the steps to Yusuke's house. Without pausing Hiei kicked in the door and the two confronted the men they loved.

At the sudden intrusion Kurama jumped from the chair he sat in, surprised to see Hiei standing in the doorway. Unfazed, Yusuke sat on the sofa drinking his beer. "Hey Hiei, you owe me a door."

Hiei's signature "Hn" seemed to bring Kurama out of his shock and he smiled. "Hiei, I was just wishing you were here."

When Hiei spoke Kurama's smile faded. "Shut up Fox! I saw you kiss that ningen bitch then come here to your new lover."

Appalled, Kurama opened his mouth to reply but Hiei cut him of. "I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses Kurama! I've suffered this on-again, off-again relationship long enough. Get your ass home, we're going to settle this once and for all."

Gaping at his lover Kurama barely had time to glance at his grinning friends before Hiei grabbed his arm and shoved him out the door. Stumbling down the steps Kurama turned and tried to speak but stopped short when he felt the heat of Hiei's anger.

In the house Kuwabara went to the fridge for a beer before flopping down on the sofa close to Yusuke. He hesitated a moment before placing his free arm on back of the sofa behind Yusuke. "Well, what do you think?"

Yusuke's heart pounded uncertainly as he looked shyly at his friend a moment before resting his head on Kuwabara's shoulder. "I think they'll either work it out or die trying."

Kuwabara nodded. "That takes care of them, now what about us?"

Shrugging, Yusuke looked up at Kuwabara. "We'll see, but for now, this is kind of nice."

Pulling Yusuke a bit closer Kuwabara placed a gentle kiss on his lips before relaxing back with the brunette cuddled against him. "Yeah, very nice."

A few blocks from his apartment Kurama tried again to reason with the fire demon. "Hiei, can you loosen your grip a little? You're hurting me."

"Shut up Fox or you go over my shoulder." Hiei was still furious but did loosen his hold slightly.

The rest of the way home Kurama was silent but kept glancing at Hiei as if unable to believe what was happening. At the apartment Kurama quickly moved in front of Hiei when it looked as if he would kick in that door too. "Hiei please! I can't reach the key with you holding my arm."

Reluctantly Hiei allowed Kurama to let them into the apartment. Once the door was opened Hiei pushed Kurama inside and slammed the door. "I can't believe you Fox! I've been living in Mukuro's private hell and you're here having a grand time with both a girlfriend and a boyfriend!"

Incredulously Kurama stared at him. "Hiei, no! It's not what you think…"

Kurama stepped back at the heat coming from Hiei as he ranted. "I know what I saw Kurama! You were out with that female probably to please Shiori then ran to Yusuke's arms for comfort."

Thinking about Hiei's words Kurama couldn't deny them. "Well, put like that it is what you think but…"

Hiei growled. "Enough! As I said I don't want to hear your excuses. I came because I need your help."

His words grabbed Kurama's attention. Hiei never asked for help. "That bitch Mukuro has decided I need a mate. Without you there to protect me she's sicked a pack of demons on me and told me that unless I produce a better candidate I have to mate with one of them in one month."

Kurama smiled. "Hiei, are you asking me…"

"I'm asking you to pretend to be engaged to me while I try to find a way out of this mess." Hiei couldn't meet Kurama's eyes.

Crushed Kurama could only whisper. "Pretend?"

Turning his back to Kurama, Hiei walked to the window and opened it. "Of course. It's not like we'd ever really mate. Like you've always said, your life is here, mine is there."

His cold words were breaking Kurama's heart. When he didn't speak Hiei turned. "Will you do it or not?"

Kurama swallowed hard before he replied quietly. "Of course I will. I would do anything for you Dragon-Heart. Just tell me what you want me to do."

Though Kurama looked calm Hiei had his doubts. "Come with me to Makai and get Mukuro off my back. After that you can come back here and do as you please but I won't be back."

Kurama swore his heart stopped beating. Thinking a moment he finally nodded. "Give me tomorrow morning to clear my schedule and talk to my mother then we can leave in the afternoon."

"Fine, I'll be back for you then." Before Kurama could stop him Hiei flitted away.

Kurama stared after him for several minutes before going to his room. Sadly he looked around as if lost. Still dressed, he laid down on his bed to spend a sleepless night alone.

From the tree across the street Hiei too spent a sleepless night as he watched Kurama.

In the morning Kurama went in to work and arranged to take a leave of absence. At his apartment he put a few things in a backpack and watered his plants. He was just finishing when Hiei flitted in his window. "You ready Fox?"

Hiei couldn't help but notice the smile Kurama gave him didn't reach his eyes as he nodded. "We just have to stop at Mother's on the way out of town."

She immediately misunderstood his going to help Hiei with a problem as them getting back together. "Shuuichi, Hiei, that's wonderful. I'm sure you'll work everything out just fine."

Rather than explain the real situation Kurama let her fantasy continue. "Mother, I'm just helping Hiei, that's all. Don't get your hopes up."

Hiei remained silent as Shiori continued. "You love each other don't you? Remember that and nothing can keep you apart."

As she gave Hiei a warm hug she whispered in his ear. "Fight for him Hiei, he's worth it."

Hiei blushed giving her a slight nod. She smiled at him fondly before turning to her son.

Hugging and kissing Kurama she whispered to him too. "You love him Shuuichi, don't let anything come between you."

After waving them off Shiori went inside to call Mukuro. "They're on their way but I think there's trouble in paradise."

"Don't worry Shiori. We knew getting those two suborn demons together wouldn't be easy but we're not done yet." Mukuro smiled. She had a few surprises in store for them when they got back.

Arriving at the castle after a silent journey Hiei and Kurama were met in the entrance hall by Mukuro. "Ah, the happy couple. Hurry and change, dinner is in half an hour."

Since Kurama usually stayed in Hiei's room when he visited both Mukuro and Kurama had trouble hiding their shock at Hiei's next words. "What room do you want to give Kurama?"

Recovering quickly Mukuro smiled. "In your room of course. Besides the other guest rooms are still taken with your potential mates."

Hiei growled. "Quit calling them that! Woman, there are over two dozen rooms in this castle, surely there's some place you can put him."

Unfazed she replied. "Every habitable room is taken. You'll just have to make due. You're wasting time, dinner is now in twenty-five minutes."

Kurama remained silent as she walked away. Hiei glared after her before turning to march up the stairs. Kurama gave a big sigh and followed him.

In his room Hiei went straight to his closet and selected something to wear. Looking around Kurama couldn't stand the silence any more. "If sharing a bed with me bothers you so much Hiei, I'll be happy to sleep on the sofa."

"Hn."

Seeing the simple but elegant black outfit Hiei was donning Kurama looked nervously down at his jeans. "I'm sorry, I didn't bring anything suitable for a formal dinner."

Hiei paused from buttoning his shirt to look at the redhead. "It might be better if you change into your Youko form for this anyway. Those vultures won't be intimidated by a human. Besides your gauzy white outfit will due fine."

Kurama inclined his head. "As you wish."

Transfixed, Hiei watched as Kurama raised his energy and transformed into the beautiful Youko he loved so much. Kurama checked his hair in the mirror before turning to Hiei. "Shall we go?"

From the top of the stairs they could see Mukuro's guests had all gathered in the main hall. Kurama gave Hiei a weak smile when the fire demon held out his arm. Kurama looped his arm through Hiei's and they descended the stairs.

At they reached the bottom the room fell into silence. Suddenly, before either of them could react, a petite silver Youko female threw her arms around Hiei. "Lord Hiei, I missed yo…"

Before she could finish she yelped and found herself lifted away from Hiei by long clawed fingers wound in her hair. Kurama's deadly calm voice had her trembling. "Vixen, if you value your live you won't ever dare to touch my lover again."

Hiei smirked at the look of pure fear in the female's eyes. When Kurama released her she scurried into the crowd. Moving behind Hiei, Kurama ran his hands over Hiei's shoulders to caress his chest in a very possessive gesture. "Would anyone else care to challenge my claim on Lord Hiei?"

The crowed parted as the male fire demon began to step forward. Before he took two steps he was stopped by a wide eyed female's hand on his arm. "Are you insane? Don't you know who that is? That's Yoko Kurama."

The fire demon looked at Kurama then at the look of fear in the eyes of the demons around him before retreating back into the crowd. Obviously pleased Mukuro stepped forward. "Excellent! Hiei, Kurama, would you lead everyone in to dinner?"

Hiei seated Kurama to his right as the others took their seats. Dinner was uneventful with their guests now vying for each other's attention instead of Hiei's. Kurama, keeping to his role as Hiei's lover, touched and flirted with the fire demon all evening. Enjoying Kurama's attention, Hiei forgot about their pretend engagement and as soon as was acceptable dragged the Youko up to his room.

Once there they fell into each other's arms for a passionate kiss. The trip from the door to the bed took forever as each touched, kissed and stripped every inch of the other. Finally naked they tumbled onto the bed. They spent the next few minutes wrestling on the bed as they each fought for dominance.

In the end four words from Kurama declared him the victor. "You owe me Hiei."

Conceding to the Youko, Hiei pulled Kurama over him and pleaded. "Make love to me Foxie. Make love to me like you still love me."

"I will always love you my Dragon-Heart." Kurama spent the next few hours worshiping Hiei's body. Telling him without words just how much he did love him.