Boy do our two adorable demons need to work on their communication skills. If they don't quit sending mixed signals to each other soon they're going to screw this whole thing up. LOL.

Thanks again for all the great reviews. I know everyone wants H&K to hurry up and get together but that would mean the end of the story and I'm not quite ready for that yet.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

WORLDS APART

Chapter 6

It was late morning and Kurama was sleeping peacefully. He lay on his side, red hair fanned out across the pillow. Spooned up against his chest was Hiei, also asleep. Suddenly the door burst open and Mukuro came in. "Rise and shine love birds. We have a lot to do today."

Neither demon moved to acknowledge her presence. Kurama tightened his arms around Hiei, nuzzling his face down to nibble at his lover's neck. Under the sheet that barely covered them to the waist, Hiei wiggled his behind closer to Kurama.

Amusement could be heard in Mukuro's voice. "The tailor will be here in an hour to fit you with clothes for both the engagement party and the ceremony. We'll be serving both demon and ningen food so Shiori's meeting with chef to work on the menus."

At the mention of Shiori's name both demon's eyes popped open and their heads spun around. Standing at the foot of the bed beside Mukuro with a big grin on her face was Kurama's mother. "Good morning Shuuichi, Hiei."

"Mother!" Kurama turned and sat up. Blushing, he quickly grabbed at the slipping sheet. When Mukuro's grin widened and his mother turned away blushing he looked down to see that the soft, elegant sheets draped over his naked form like a second skin. Much to his horror it did nothing to hide the erection he got when Hiei's behind wiggled against him. Bending his knees he hugged them to his chest.

Hiei smirked at his lover's discomfort but just rolled over and curled himself around Kurama. Kurama shook his head at the bizarre situation. "Mother, what are you doing here?"

Since he had covered himself more modestly Shiori turned her gaze back to him. "Shuuichi, your engagement party is in tomorrow night and I came to help. I hope I didn't assume too much, I mean if you don't want me here…"

"No Mother, of course I want you here. It was just a surprise to see you standing there. Now what is all this about a party?"

It was Mukuro that answered. "Hiei didn't tell you about the party?"

Kurama looked accusingly down at the demon pretending to sleep beside him. "If you ladies would excuse us a moment perhaps Hiei will tell me about this party while we get dressed."

Kurama remained calm until the door shut behind them then he jumped from the bed and turned on Hiei. "What the hell is going on Hiei? They're planning our engagement party! You only said I was coming to get Mukuro off your back."

Hiei tried not to look amused at how cute his lover looked standing before him bare ass naked and ranting at him. At Hiei's half hidden grin Kurama must have realized how he looked and began dressing. Disappointed Hiei did the same as he tried to explain. As he dressed his mood quickly switched from amusement to aggravation. "I was still mad at having found you making out with two other people when I asked you to come. I guess I forgot to tell you about the damn engagement party."

Reaching for a brush Kurama's mood only worsened. "Damn it Hiei, it sounds like they're planning something big. Who all is coming to this thing?"

Hiei shrugged. "How the hell would I know? I wasn't listening when Mukuro babbled on about this stuff, I was trying to figure a way out of this mess. As the other lords of Makai probably Yomi and Yusuke and their top aids. Knowing they are important to you Mukuro will probably include Shura, Kuwabara, Koenma and Botan. She'll probably include the latest winner of the Makai tournament since he is her lover and any one else she thinks is important enough."

Kurama threw the brush back on the dresser. "How could you do this to me Hiei? Lying to Mukuro is one thing but now you expect me to lie to my mother and all our friends. What am I supposed to say when this is over? How do I tell my mother that what she witnessed this morning was just the aftermath of two horny demons? How do I tell her that our engagement was all a fake, that you don't really want me or even love me anymore?"

When he finished Kurama stormed out of the room. The hurt mixed with the anger in Kurama's voice tore at Hiei's heart. Alone in the room Hiei's whispered response went unheard. "I love you so much it hurts Kurama."

Suddenly angry again Hiei flitted after Kurama catching him by the arm near the bottom of the stairs. Hiei took a deep breath trying to calm himself before he spoke. "How dare you! You know damn good and well that I've never stopped loving you!"

Unable to bear the hurt in Hiei's eyes Kurama looked away trying to hide his own pain. "I know Dragon-Heart, I love you too."

Standing above him Hiei took Kurama's chin turned his face up for a tender kiss. They only pulled apart when they heard Shiori giggle. They looked uncertainly at each other before joining her. Shiori knew they were up to something but decided not to let on. "I'm so happy you two finally came to your senses and realized you belong together."

They exchanged a guilty look before following her into Mukuro's office. The room was large with the furniture arranged into a separate office and sitting area. Shiori took the chair beside Mukuro while Hiei perched on the arm of Kurama's chair.

As they discussed the plans for the engagement party and Mukuro confirmed the guest list, Hiei could practically feel the tension coming from his fox. Not happy that Kurama was upset Hiei did the one thing he knew would calm him down. Slowly and subtly so as not draw attention to his actions he began stroking Kurama's hair. When the redhead leaned slightly into the caress he added a little pressure massaging his scalp.

Shiori and Mukuro smiled when Kurama started losing track of the conversation. A few moments later Kurama forgot the others as he closed his eyes and leaned into Hiei's caress. When Shiori and Mukuro tactfully withdrew Hiei leaned down and claimed Kurama's lips.

Kurama completely relaxed into Hiei's touch and kiss. It wasn't until Hiei's hand stilled and his lips moved away that Kurama became aware of his surroundings again. Seeing that the women were gone he turned questioning eyes to Hiei. "I won't have you that upset Foxie."

Looking away Kurama nodded. "I appreciate that Dragon-Heart but you shouldn't have done it. It will only encourage them and make it that much harder when this is… over."

Hiei heard the break in the redhead's voice but didn't comment. "Let's get something to eat Fox before we meet with the tailor."

Standing Kurama shook his head. "You go eat Hiei, I just want to get this over with."

The rest of the day the demon's found themselves involved in preparations for their impending engagement party. Though he did everything to prevent anyone from knowing it, Kurama was becoming disheartened by his relationship with Hiei. The fire demon seemed to be the only one who knew something was wrong. Keeping a close eye on his fox Hiei could only watch as Kurama quietly withdrew.

Only a few of the demon's from the previous night remained, hoping they still had a chance of becoming Hiei's mate. Though he remained in his human form Kurama faithfully stayed at Hiei's side as protection from them.

There was so much activity that no one but Hiei noticed that Kurama remained quiet, only speaking when spoken to. He didn't even flirt with Hiei as he had the night before. Since Kurama skipped lunch Hiei tried unsuccessfully to coax him to eat at dinner.

When dinner ended and everyone began going to their rooms Mukuro called Hiei into her office to discuss business. Hiei didn't immediately follow, hesitant to leave Kurama alone. Seeing the uncertainty in Hiei's eyes Kurama reassured him. "Go on Hiei, I'm going to see that my mother is safe and settled then go to bed myself."

Hiei accepted Shiori's hug goodnight then watched them go upstairs. He spent almost two hours with Mukuro before joining Kurama. Quietly he entered their room expecting to find Kurama in bed. Instead he found his fox asleep on the sofa. He had on a pair of pajamas and had taken a pillow and blanket from the bed.

He didn't know how long he stood there staring at his lover's sleeping form. Secretly he had hoped after spending time together in the Makai Kurama would realize that their relationship could work and that their pretend engagement would become real. After today he was slowly losing that hope.

Moving to the sofa Hiei pulled back the blanket and gently lifted Kurama into his arms. Sleepily Kurama turned into him murmuring without waking. "Hiei."

Slipping Kurama into the turned down bed, Hiei tucked him in then tenderly kissed his cheek. "Goodnight My Fox."

Opening the door to the balcony Hiei spent the night sitting on the stone railing watching Kurama sleep.