Disclaimer: I have no right to anyone or anything in the YYH World.

A/N: Ok, so I tried to go back and watch a few episodes to get the scenario and actions correct but the best laid plans...blah, blah, blah. So if I messed up something I apologize. But I did try. The rest of the story is from my imagination anyway.

No Matter What

Chapter 3

Yusuke stood there, arms crossed over his chest with a stern look on his face as he watched his friend on the large screen. He knew he couldn't allow his true feelings to show to anyone around him, so he stood there, scowling. Kinda like somebody else I know.

The thought of his friend's perpetual annoyed look pulled at the corners of his mouth until finally he was showing the smallest of smiles. How do you do it, Hiei? How do you keep everything locked in so tightly?

The crowd roared and Yusuke focused his attention back to the screen to see Hiei and Mukuro exchanging blow after blow, their bodies becoming blurs they were moving so fast. When they broke apart, he could see that Mukuro was talking to Hiei. Give it up, Mukuro. It'll only piss him off if you talk instead of fight.

But much to Yusuke's surprise, Hiei didn't get angry. He listened and responded. Not only that, they seemed to be having a rather intense conversation. At one point it seemed one-sided and Yusuke just scoffed. What's she doing? Telling him her life story?

After several minutes with no action, the crowd became restless and started shouting. Yusuke tuned them out as he stood there and stared intently at the two figures on the screen. Something big is going on between them. Hiei would never act like this in a battle. What could he possibly find so fascinating?

Ultimately, the two combatants laid it all on the line and Hiei lost. But instead of looking humiliated in the face of defeat, Yusuke could have sworn he looked…..satisfied. The cameras cut from the battle, but not before zooming in to show Hiei's peaceful face lying on Mukuro's shoulder. Yusuke clenched his fists as a wave of heat crashed through him, igniting something within him that he couldn't identify.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yusuke managed to escape the hordes of demonsand find out where they were treating Hiei. As he walked the darkened hallways, he thought about how much life had changed in such a short time. His team was no more. All three that had returned to the Makai had pledged themselves to different camps. Kurama with Yomi, Hiei with Mukuro and himself with Raizen.

He could understand Kurama and Yomi. From what he'd learned, the two had a past together, so the powerful demon ruler asking for Kurama's assistance seemed natural. And Raizen, for better or worse, was related by blood. But Hiei and Mukuro…..now that puzzled him. They had no past and shared no familial ties. So why did he pledge himself to Mukuro?

Yusuke felt that intense heat wash over him again and he swallowed hard. He approached the roomthat he was told Hiei was recovering in and he hesitated before opening the door.

So much is changing. What's going to happen after this tournament? Kurama will no doubt return to the Ningenkai. I'm doing the same. I did make a promise after all. But what about Hiei? He hates the Ningenkai so I guess he'll stay here. Will he stay with Mukuro? Will I ever see him again?

Yusuke took a deep breath and knocked on the door. He heard a mumbled answer and opened the door to find Hiei sitting on a cot, his back against the wall, katana and rock in hand. Yusukeclosed the door behind him and leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. The two just stared at each other for a few silent moments as Yusuke fought to find his voice.

What should I say? Should I just talk about the fight? I want to know about Mukuro but…..would he tell me?

"So….what happened out there? Seemed pretty intense."

Narrowed crimson eyes regarded his friend, looking for a hidden meaning behind the inquiry, but he saw none. He's too open with his emotions to hide ulterior motives. Hiei turned away and continued with the task of sharpening his katana by slowly running the rock along its edges.

"That's what happens in battles of this magnitude. You should understand that by now, Detective."

"I wasn't referring to the fight."

Hiei's hand hesitated only slightly before resuming. "I don't know what you mean."

Yusuke bowed his head and smirked. I should have known it wouldn't be that easy.

"She's really helped you come to terms with some stuff, hasn't she?"

Hiei did nothing to acknowledge Yusuke's words. The toushin regarded his stoic friend and smiled. I'm so selfish. It doesn't matter who helped him. The point is he has someone now. I just wish….

Yusuke pushed off the wall and headed for the door.

"Well, I'm happy for you, Hiei. I'm glad you found someone….you can confide in and turn to when you need help. You two….you seem….good for each other."

"Yusuke." Amber eyes turned to meet crimson. "You haven't seen the last of me."

Yusuke smiled and felt that telltale warmness spread through him again. But this time it wasn't sudden or violent. It was gradual and felt….pleasant.

"I'm counting on it, Hiei."

As Hiei watched the door quietly close behind Yusuke, Mukuro's words came floating, unbidden into his mind. "What you really want is to belong to something."

To be continued…..