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

Wow. Apparently the last chapter really rocked. Yay me! And thanks for telling me so. Yay you! Here's the next chapter in this little YusukexHiei story of mine. Enjoy!

No Matter What

Chapter 7

"Isn't there a wedding today that you should be attending?"

Hiei didn't bother to acknowledge Mukuro's question. He just lay there, staring into nothing. He felt insistent fingers pulling at his shoulder, trying to roll him over so he would be forced to face his bedmate, but he remained unmoved.

"Don't you think he'll be upset if you don't show up, Hiei? You two are close friends after all."

If it had been anyone else in the three worlds, he would have sliced them from stem to sternum for such a callous comment that was dripping with sarcasm. But Mukuro was not just anybody. They understood and accepted each other, darkness and all. He did not love her, not in the conventional sense, but they offered comfort to one another upon occasion with an understanding that it was just that: a moment of comfort.

"He does not need me to hold his hand."

Mukuro's lips lost their smile and she stopped trying to cajole Hiei into moving. She slipped out of the bed and put on a robe.

"You're right. What he wants is his friend by his side."

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Yusuke was trying to enjoy himself. He was trying to pay attention to the little details so he could recall them later in life and smile. It was his wedding day after all and he should remember and cherish every moment. But his mind kept wandering off to worry about a certain dark haired demon that had yet to show up. Does he think this is easy for me?

"Yusuke, it's time!"

He looked away from the window to see Kuwabara standing in the doorway, beaming as if he were the one getting married. Yusuke had never told his best friend about his feelings for Hiei and doubted he ever would. This wasn't something Kuwabara would understand. He'd considered going to Genkai, but he felt as if he would somehow be disappointing her. So he kept his feelings to himself, only baring them to the person who was the cause of them. Hiei….

Kuwabara approached his best friend, noting the faraway look on Yusuke's face and threw his arm around his shoulders and led him out of the room towards the altar.

"Hey! Don't worry! It's normal to be nervous!"

Yusuke offered up a weak smile and chuckle as he let himself be led towards his future.

"Yeah, normal." Everyone doubts their choice to marry their childhood sweetheart because they may be in love with a demon. Normal. Absolutely normal.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hiei stood on a rafter, high above the congregation and watched as the man he loved married another. I have to do this. I have to bear witness so I can let go of him. He silently watched the ceremony, saw the smiles, heard the shy laughter from the bride and felt his heart break as Yusuke slipped the silver band onto Keiko's finger.

He didn't know why he stayed to watch the whole thing, other than believing that it would give him some sort of closure. But as Yusuke and Keiko made their way down the altar as man and wife, amber eyes looked up and locked onto crimson for the briefest of moments. Hiei's heart pounded within in his chest and suddenly he had to be near Yusuke.

It didn't take much for Hiei to follow the limo to the reception site. He waited until the guests had arrived and the party was in full swing before he stealthily made his way into the hall, seeking out the groom.

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Yusuke could feel Hiei's presence. Or so he imagined as he stood up at the altar, holding Keiko's hand. It's just my imagination. He would never come here. Why should he? But as they walked back down the aisle, Yusuke glanced upwards in a leap of faith and was shocked to his very core to see crimson looking back at him. Hiei…..oh gods, he came.

The reception was one big whirl of smiles, laughter, wine and dancing. When it began Yusuke had been searching for Hiei in the crowd, in the shadows and at the windows, but he caught no sight of the elusive fire demon. Finally he just gave up, assuming he only came to the ceremony.

But as he made his way from the restroom back to the party, he was suddenly grabbed from behind and pulled into a dark confined space. Before he could get his alcohol-impaired reflexes to work, he was spun around to face his kidnapper.

"Hiei."

They just stared at each other, neither knowing what to do or say. Suddenly Hiei reached out, timidly, and let his hand cup Yusuke's cheek. The toushin closed his eyes and leaned into the caress.

"I'm so glad you're here. I've been---"

Yusuke's words were cut off by warm lips capturing his own in a desperate, hungry kiss. Without a moment's hesitation Yusuke wrapped his arms around the fire demon's neck and returned the kiss, a plaintive mewl escaping.

Neither was sure how long their grope session within the closet lasted, but both knew it was over when Kuwabara's voice could be heard calling for Yusuke. The two separated, just enough to look into each other's fevered eyes.

"I….should….go."

Yusuke's whisper was choked with emotion. How had he gotten himself into this mess? He knew he should feel like the lowest creature on the face of the earth for making out with Hiei in the closet on the day of his wedding, but somehow he just couldn't hate himself enough to pull away from the overheated fire demon within his arms.

Kuwabara's voice gets closer and the two stiffen. Not until they hear him walk past and reenter the reception hall do either dare to breathe.

Hiei backs away as far as he can, pulling his hands from around Yusuke and shoving them in his pockets.

Yusuke runs his fingers through his hair and looks around the small dark space.

"I apologize. I never should have come here."

Yusuke looked up at the burning crimson eyes that didn't seem to lose their fire, even in darkness.

"If you hadn't, I would've never forgiven you."

He offers Hiei a lopsided grin as he lets his fingertips brush over the fire demon's slightly parted lips. He leans in, placing a reverent kiss on Hiei's kiss swollen lips. Without any further words between them, Yusuke hangs his head and slips out of the closet without looking back, his willpower too weak to withstand such an act.

Hiei remained in the closet until he regained control over his trembling body. He refused to let his anger, frustration and anguish take over. Finally he was able to escape into the cool night and return to the Makai, where he would never have to see Yusuke again.

To be continued….