As he participated in the traditions of the Christmas Festival, Hiei was feeling so many emotions at once, he was amazed he didn't explode. The first was how strange he felt after doing something he never thought he would do—coming out. It was a relief that he didn't have to hide anymore, bemusing that Yukina and Kurama had already guessed, and surprising that Yukina hadn't reacted the way he had expected her to. Anger, disappointment, shock, awkwardness, those were all things he had in mind. But happy? That was not what he had been expecting at all.

There was also the confusion. Kurama knew Hiei was gay. Hiei knew Kurama was bi. And if Yukina was to be believed, Kurama actually felt something for Hiei. The way Kurama looked at him? What was that supposed to mean? Even if both of them were attracted to guys, that didn't mean Kurama felt anything for Hiei in particular…did it?

Then there was Kurama himself. Two of Hiei's three deepest secrets had somehow been revealed to Kurama, the third being that Hiei was harboring feelings for him. Before he came to Kosetsu, Hiei would have said that his sexuality and the fact that he'd grown up in an institution would be the hardest to admit to a new friend. But now that he'd finished those…well, they seemed positively easy compared to a love confession.

Just don't say anything, Hiei told himself, every time Kurama smiled at him or gave his hand a little touch. Don't tell him. Don't ruin it.

Hiei wouldn't normally want to be around someone who made him flustered and nervous, but he always wanted to be with Kurama, and he knew that the only reason he felt nervous was because he was afraid he'd do something stupid and mess up whatever it was they had. When their eyes met, Hiei felt like warm hot chocolate was filling his insides, and his fingers and toes felt so pleasantly tingly. When their hands touched, it felt as if the soft skin had zapped Hiei's own hand with electricity. And when they were standing close to each other, Kurama's smell drifted like a love potion into Hiei's brain, making his knees weak, his head dizzy. Was this what love was? If so, it was the most confusing thing in the world.

And on top of all that, the days were sailing by, leading to one particular event that made Hiei practically break out in hives at the very thought: the Christmas Ball.

…

"Hiei, you were much more forward at the Christmas Ball than I thought."

"I'm just so in love with you." Hiei's entire body felt hot as he set his hands on Kurama's bare chest. His skin was so soft and buttery. "I had to touch you…and see what all of you looked like."

All Hiei could smell was Kurama's rosy scent as the man's wonderful hands slowly made their way down his body. Hiei realized he wasn't wearing the Christmas pajamas Yukina got for him; he was wearing nothing at all. And that was quite convenient for what Kurama was currently doing, something no one had ever done for Hiei before (provided doing it solo didn't count)—

But that was when Hiei woke up, and found that not only was he alone (and wearing pajamas), but he had been making out with his pillow. He grimaced when he realized these pajamas were also going to have to be washed now.

Come on, man, what are you, twelve? Hiei thought, irritated with himself as he climbed out of bed and headed for the shower. Hopefully, none of it got on Yukina's nice guest sheets. Hiei was far past the age where this sort of thing embarrassed him, but it was just as annoying as ever, and he hoped it wouldn't be an inconvenience for his sister.

Mostly, what was concerning was that he had subconscious thoughts like that about Kurama when they hadn't done more than touch hands. Wasn't this getting out of control? Besides, the Christmas Ball didn't start for another thirteen hours. It was six in the morning now, and the Ball started at seven in the evening! What on Earth was Hiei supposed to do until then?

Yukina got up around noon. Hiei was pacing around like a chained puma when she finally told him it was time for lunch.

"I can't eat," Hiei told her. His stomach felt nauseous.

"You have to eat," Yukina insisted. "Hiei, the Christmas Ball is supposed to be fun. You shouldn't be so nervous about it."

"Look, I kind of have a…a thing for Kurama," Hiei admitted, turning red. "I'm just worried I'll mess up."

"If he really cares about you, it won't matter," Yukina said serenely. "Trust me. Kazuma, if I made a complete fool of myself at the Christmas Ball tonight, would you still love me?"

"Of COURSE I would!" Kuwabara shouted. "You could never make a fool out of yourself in front of me, my love!"

"See?" Yukina grinned at Hiei.

"That's different!" Hiei snapped. "You've been married for years to a man who is utterly devoted to you. I've only known Kurama for a couple of weeks, and for all I know, I mean nothing to him."

"Hiei," said Yukina gently, "I already told you. I've seen the way he looks at you. I know that sounds cliché, but I can just tell. You should ask him on a real date."

"I will not," Hiei said stubbornly. "I'm glad you think he likes me, Yukina, but I don't agree."

"It's pointless to argue with you, brother," Yukina said sadly. "But I did get you something to wear."

"You…you did?"

"Yes." Yukina smiled a little. "Check in your closet when you get ready."

…

Hiei was angry that he couldn't focus on work, and he finally settled on some mind-numbing television to pass the time. He still couldn't concentrate, but at least he didn't have to try to use his brain, and it was better than just pacing around and gnashing his teeth. At a quarter to six, he decided to start getting ready. Even if he did make a fool of himself somehow, at least he could do it while looking nice. After he took another shower, brushed and flossed his teeth, and put on strong antiperspirant, Hiei, wearing his black bathrobe, opened the guest room closet to see what Yukina had gotten for him.

To his surprise, it looked like a regular black business suit, except the jacket was Christmas-red instead of black. Hiei wore the red jacket and black pants with a white shirt and a black tie, put on some cologne, brushed his teeth again just in case, and headed downstairs. There was a lot of laughter upstairs, along with the sound of things moving around, so Hiei figured Kuwabara was still helping Yukina get ready. No matter what happened at the Christmas Ball, Hiei was sure of at least two things. Whatever Yukina wore, she would look beautiful, and whatever Kuwabara wore, he would look ridiculous.

Was I right, or was I right? Hiei thought to himself, as Kuwabara came downstairs, helping Yukina walk as he did so. She looked beautiful in an ankle-length, Christmas-red maternity dress, cast and all; she also had a sprig of holly in her hair, and though she didn't normally wear a lot of makeup, tonight she was wearing sparkly eye shadow and red lipstick. She also had a beautiful Christmas manicure, and she was wearing red flats. Kuwabara, on the other hand, was wearing an obnoxious red-and-white striped tuxedo that made him look like an oversized candy cane. Hiei burst out into laughter.

"I knew you were a fool, Kuwabara, but I didn't know you were blind," said Hiei, wondering how on Earth his sister had fallen in love with this man.

"That's not very nice of you, Hiei," Yukina gently scolded. "I think he looks wonderful."

"Well, the heart wants what the heart wants, I guess," said Hiei. "Ready to go?"

"Yes." Yukina smiled. "Yusuke and Keiko are going to drive us. Yusuke Jr. is coming too."

…

At about 6:45, Yusuke and Keiko arrived. Hiei was both excited and nervous, so much that he could barely walk on the way to the car. Yusuke and his son were both wearing tuxedos like Kuwabara's, except they were all red, and Keiko was wearing a pretty green sheath dress and green high heels.

They arrived at the Christmas Ball a little early, but Hiei was immediately scanning the room, searching for Kurama. He didn't hear the Christmas music playing in the background. He didn't notice any of the decorations, the garland and wreaths and ribbons and bows, the food on the buffet table, or the flowers that were everywhere. He was only waiting for a whiff of roses and pine, beautiful emerald-green eyes and red hair, soft, smooth skin, with a faint pink blush always in his cheeks…

And then, there he was, and Hiei almost melted, his pounding heart lifting right out of his chest and drifting right into Kurama's gentle hands.

Kurama was wearing an emerald-green tuxedo that matched his eyes exactly. Standing out in the sea of green was a red rose in Kurama's lapel. His long red hair cascaded down his back, shining under the many Christmas lights. Maybe it was just Hiei's imagination, but the flowers seemed to enhance Kurama, almost bending to his will, and the crowd seemed to clear a path for him as he made his way across the room, his head held high, the picture of elegance and grace. It wasn't just the way Kurama looked that Hiei loved so much; it was the way he talked, walked, carried himself, everything. He may not have had all his ducks in a row, so to speak, but you'd never know that just by looking at him.

Hiei watched as Kurama's beautiful eyes lit up, a stunning smile gracing his features, and he felt a little faint as Kurama walked over and the smell of roses drifted around him, always giving him that same high.

"You look nice," said the pleasant, soothing voice from far away. Hiei thought at first Kurama was speaking to Yukina (he couldn't possibly have been speaking to the human candy cane), but then he realized that the handsome man was addressing him!

"W-What?" said Hiei, whirling around.

"Red is a good color on you," said Kurama with a smile.

"You too," Hiei blurted out, stumbling over his words, and then he remembered Kurama was wearing green. "Um, I mean, it would be, if you were wearing it. I-I mean, green is…green is good too…"

Oh, shut up, Hiei told himself, wondering if one could die of embarrassment—if the heart just stopped beating or something. But Kurama's smile only grew wider as he strode past Hiei to get to the punch bowl. Hiei didn't know if he should eat anything, not only because his stomach still felt a little sick, but also because what if it made his breath stink? But then, why would that matter? It wasn't as if he would get very close to Kurama…would he?

"Hiei," said Yukina, who was smiling too, "your face is about as red as your suit jacket."

"You need to calm down, man," Kuwabara added, giving him a weird look.

"I-I'm going to go eat some cookies," Hiei mumbled, running off to the buffet table. He wouldn't make eye contact with Kurama.

As the night went on, it was kind of sweet to watch the couples dance together, even Kuwabara and Yukina, the way he held her up while they danced, keeping the weight off her ankle. Hiei was supportive of their relationship, not because he liked Kuwabara, but because he had never seen his sister so happy as when she was with him. What Hiei wouldn't give to have something like that with someone…

Instead, he joined Yusuke Jr. by the punch bowl. Yusuke Jr. was taking advantage of his parents' distraction by shoving cookies into his mouth, then drowning them in the fruit punch without even swallowing first. Hiei ate some of Yukina's coconut dream bars and the powdered dough cookies he'd helped make, remembering the way Kurama wiped the powdered sugar off his nose. In retrospect, had he been flirting?

Most of the songs were fast, and Kurama was an amazing dancer. Yusuke Jr. joined in the fast songs too, and it was adorable to watch him moving along to the music like nobody was watching, something that only a child could really get away with. Yukina sat out during the fast songs, but Kuwabara and Yusuke danced despite not being particularly good at it. Hiei had never done this sort of thing before, and he didn't want to get out onto the floor and embarrass himself…even if it did look a little fun.

"Come on, Uncle Hiei!" Yusuke Jr. shrieked excitedly, running back to the buffet table where Hiei was still passing the time by eating sweets. "Dance! This is a really good song!"

"I-I don't dance, Yusuke Jr.," Hiei reminded him.

"Come on, please?" the little boy begged. "Dancing is so fun!"

Hiei looked at the dance floor. Kurama smiled and gestured with one hand.

"Oh…all right," Hiei grumbled. Yusuke Jr. cheered and took his hand, leading him over to Yusuke and Keiko.

"Looks like you got roped into dancing, Hiei," Yusuke said with a smirk. "Let's see what you've got."

"I think your kid is way too hopped up on sugar," Hiei shot back. He was very uncomfortable here on the dance floor, not knowing what to do with his body as the townsfolk threw themselves into dancing all around him. And that was when a familiar hand came out of nowhere and grabbed Hiei's. It was Kurama.

"Come on, Hiei, dance like you mean it," he said with a grin. Hiei didn't even know what kind of dance Kurama was leading him into, but his awkwardness and fear soon gave way to the sheer pleasure of moving his body to the music, with Kurama there to guide him and keep him from looking stupid. Hiei enjoyed himself so much, in fact, that he stayed for the next song and the one after that, high on the thrill, the smell, the sights, the sensation of Kurama's warm hands in his. They even did a couple of twirls, just like on the pond, except quite a bit more dignified. At a lull in the music, Kurama held Hiei so close that Hiei could feel the other man's heart beating, and he was sure Kurama could feel his, as speedy as it was.

When the fourth fast song song in a row ended, a slow one began to play. Hiei didn't know much about music, but he knew enough to recognize a waltz when he heard one. Hiei's heart leapt into his throat as he started to make a quick escape to the buffet table again, but before he could, he felt a tap on his shoulder—Kurama again.

"Hiei Jaganshi," he said politely, "may I have this dance?"

It was shocking. Kurama had sat out all the slow songs before this (not that there had been a lot of them). But now he was actually asking Hiei to dance with him?

"I-I don't know how to waltz."

"That's all right." Kurama stepped a little closer; his gaze softened, enticing Hiei. "I'll lead."

Kurama's outstretched hand reminded Hiei of their conversation not so long ago, back in the shop, where he had reached out his hand in almost exactly the same way. And when he took it, nothing bad had happened. It had just been scary and new, but it had also given forth to something wonderful.

"Okay." Hiei held Kurama's hand once more.

When he was taken into the waltz, Hiei was terrified at first. He didn't know what to do with his hands or his feet. But Kurama set one hand on Hiei's upper back, moved one of Hiei's hands to his shoulder, and held Hiei's other hand in a gentle but firm grip. Hiei felt like his feet were going everywhere at first, and he was watching them, until he realized that if he wasn't the one leading, he didn't have to do much at all. So he turned his face up and stared into Kurama's eyes, losing his balance in the beautiful green.

The beat picked up a bit, and they started moving across the dance floor, Hiei holding onto Kurama for dear life, losing himself in the one-two-three, one-two-three that Kurama effortlessly matched with his steps. Hiei realized that he wouldn't be able to enjoy himself with this unless he stopped being nervous, and that he really needed to stop getting in his own way. So he just let Kurama guide him along, loving how close their bodies were.

Hiei was sorry when the waltz was over and they had to separate. Instead of another song starting, everyone heard the DJ's voice.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming to the Christmas Ball," he said. "We couldn't have done it without the committee, especially our special visitor, Hiei Jaganshi, who stepped up to take his sister's place when she needed him most. Let's give it up for Hiei!"

Hiei felt himself blushing as everyone clapped and cheered.

"This is the last song of the night, folks," the DJ continued, "so grab onto the one you love most and hold them close. This is 'O Holy Night.'"

Kurama smiled at Hiei again, and no words were necessary. Hiei smiled back, a little shyly, and nodded.

As the beautiful song began, Hiei knew it wasn't a waltz, but neither was it a fast song. Kurama guided Hiei's hands so that one was around his neck, while Kurama set one hand on Hiei's lower back, just above his hips. Then, just like in the waltz, Kurama's left arm held onto Hiei's right, with Hiei's left arm on Kurama's neck, and Kurama's right hand around Hiei's waist.

Since it wasn't a waltz, they didn't "dance" in that manner, but they did move slowly back and forth to the music, becoming even closer than they had been during the waltz. Hiei shut his eyes, sinking into the cushion of music, breathing in the soothing scent of roses and love in the air. He leaned his head on Kurama's chest, not feeling nervous at all anymore, just peaceful and safe, knowing somehow that this was one man who would never, ever hurt him.

The music was still slow, but louder, grander. Hiei opened his eyes and his gaze met Kurama's. It was true, Kurama did smile a lot around Hiei, but this was different. It was a smile you didn't give to just anyone. It was passion, tenderness, and joy, all wrapped up in one perfect package. Hiei felt no fear, no nervousness, no awkwardness, just contentment and the feeling that there was no place on Earth he would rather be than right here, right now, in the arms of the man he loved. And he knew. He knew it was meant to happen. It had to happen. It was going to happen.

And it did. Hiei stood up just a little taller, grasped Kurama's hand just a little tighter, they both closed their eyes, and finally, finally, the space between their lips was gone. They stood there, together as one, sunlight and warmth streaming through Hiei's body, still rocking ever so slightly in time with the last song of the night.

Yes. This was love. And it wasn't confusing at all.