Okay, chapter three! Yusuke's reaction and - what's this? A chat between friends turning slightly sour? Oooh!:P And what is wrong with Shizuru and Hiei - or is it just Hiei? Why's he ignoring his 'feelings'? Hiei might be a bit out of character but I don't know. Also - there is a bit of Kuwabara bashing in this story and you should know that I don't feel that way towards the kid. It's just Hiei's perception of 'the big (lovable) oaf'. Enjoy!:P

Yusuke looked at Hiei, his eyes wide and his mouth agape. He stuck a finger in his ear and twisted, cleaning it out.

"What'd you say?" He asked, his voice sounding shrill.

"I said I'm the father."

Yusuke let out a nervous giggle, looking from Hiei's serious face to Shizuru's. He jumped up, laughing hysterically.

"You're . . . You're joking, right?"

Shizuru sat down next to Hiei on the couch. The two avoided eye contact.

"Oh, man . . . no way." Yusuke ran his hands through his hair. "Wow . . . just wow."

"I should leave." Hiei said softly, attempting to look at Shizuru.

Shizuru looked down into her cup, not even batting an eye at Hiei's words. He started to get up when Yusuke put his hands out to stop him.

"No, no!" He said. "Dude, it's okay. I'll leave."

"Yusuke, don't tell Kazuma." Shizuru said, looking up.

"Shit, Shizuru!" Yusuke said under his breath. "With Hiei? Really?"

"Yes."

"Seriously?"

"Yes!' Hiei shouted. "Why is it so shocking to find out that I'm the father?"

"Well . . . 'cause it's you!" Yusuke said, gesturing out to Hiei with his arms. "I would have thought it would have been Kurama or maybe some guy we didn't even know!"

"Oh, thanks, Yusuke." Shizuru mumbled. "Thanks for making me out to be a slut."

"Wait, Kurama?" Hiei glared at Yusuke. "Why Kurama?"

"Well, I thought he and Shizuru had a thing going on . . . Actually, I thought you and him had a thing going." Yusuke said, pointing to Hiei.

"Wh- what?" Hiei sputtered, exaggerating the 'wh'. "Why would you think such a thing?"

"Well, you two are always together. I just assumed that you two were –"

"I am not gay!" Hiei shouted, sounding disturbed and insulted. "How dare you?"

"Hiei, jeez, dude - calm down."

"I should slit your throat . . ." He mumbled.

"Hey, Hiei. I'm not the only one who thought that! So don't blame me for it, okay?"

Yusuke put his hands on his hips, staring at the two on the couch. He inhaled and exhaled deeply, a cocky half smile on his face.

"So, how did it happen?"

Shizuru looked at him, her face twisted into 'you're-an-idiot' look.

"Do you want a play by play?"

"No, I mean . . . where were you guys? What started it?"

"It was at Genkai's." Shizuru sighed, crossing her legs. "It just happened."

Yusuke stared at them, his mouth almost nonexistent and his eyes wide.

"Oh . . . dude!" He said finally. "During the party? Did you guy sneak into Genkai's liquor cabinet?"

"No, we weren't drinking. It just happened." Shizuru mumbled. "It just happened."

"Wow . . . Hiei . . . this is probably a bad time, but way to go, Hiei!" Yusuke reached out to high five him. "Shizuru, you're seriously a babe. I wasn't able to say that before 'cause your brother would have tried to pound my ass into the ground."

"What makes you think I won't?" Hiei glared at Yusuke.

Yusuke laughed and stretched his arms up above his head, looking at Shizuru and Hiei. Shizuru's face was calm, indifferent but inside she was worried. She really didn't want Kuwabara to know – that was the big thing. She knew that he strongly disliked Hiei and that Hiei felt the same. She had no idea how her brother would react to this.

"Don't tell Kazuma." She warned, her voice sounded slightly threatening. "Please, don't tell him."

"No problem, you guys can trust me. I can tell you guys aren't ready for him to know yet. Wait until the baby's born – he'll really get a kick out of that!"

Yusuke winked and Shizuru and Hiei groaned, rolling their eyes. Yusuke chuckled, smiling widely.

"I'll see you guys later. When you're brother comes home, tell 'im I came over."

"Sure. Bye, Yusuke."

Yusuke threw a two-fingered salute-like wave at Shizuru and Hiei them left the apartment, slamming the door behind him. Shizuru bit her lip, looking down into her half full cup of tea. Hiei rested his arm on the arm of the couch, propping his head up with his hand. He sighed deeply through his nose.

"He's not going to tell anyone, is he?"

"I certainly hope not."

Shizuru sat back, covering her face with her hands. She groaned, rubbing her face. She sighed, falling over onto Hiei. He froze, sitting very, very still.

"Can you just hold me?" She mumbled.

Hiei carefully and slowly lifted his arm and rested it around her shoulders. He smiled to himself. It felt nice to hold her. Shizuru rested her head on his chest, sighing as she smiled. It felt nice for him to hold her. She snuggled up against him, getting closer just to see what he would do. He tensed a little then relaxed, giving her arm a little squeeze.

It felt awkward. Very, very awkward. Why did it have to feel so awkward? They had been intimate with each other and he hadn't felt this way. He had been so close to her before at Genkai's – something had come over them – but now, it was strange. He wanted to be with her, but he –

'Stop it, Hiei!' He thought, his eyes narrowing at nothing. 'You don't feel anything for her! You don't feel anything!'

"Ow, Hiei!" Shizuru winced. "You're hurting me."

Hiei's eyes returned to normal and he noticed that he had been digging his nails in her arm. He loosened his grip on her then lightly shoved her off of him.

"Get off of me!"

"God, way to be a creep." Shizuru grumbled, sitting up.

"I have to leave." He stated; his words rushing together as he got up from the couch. "I have to leave, now."

"But –"

"Your brother will be here any minute. I don't want to deal with him."

"You're right." She sighed; she really didn't want him to leave. "You better leave through my bedroom window. If you go out the front door, he might see you and think something's up."

She got up and made a 'come hither' motion with her finger as she walked to her room. He followed her like a little lost puppy and he hated every single second of it. He stood in the doorway, trying to distance himself from her. He watched her struggle to open her window.

"Stupid thing . . ." She mumbled. "I hate when it sticks."

She shook it, grumbling and straining to get it open. Hiei's eyes slide down from the back of her head to her behind where they stayed. He watched her behind with wide eyes – it was amazing. He wanted to grab it, he wanted to –

"Stop it!" Hiei yelled out loud.

Shizuru stopped then turned to look at Hiei. She gave him a confused look as his face turned bright red. He stormed up to the window, pushing her out of the way. He jerked the window open then climbed out, being careful as to not trip. She grabbed his wrist, making him turn his attention to her.

"Hiei, wait." He looked into her eyes that seemed to be pleading for something. "It looks like it's going to rain tonight . . . If you need a place to stay, I'll leave my window unlocked."

He wanted so much to lean down and cup her face and kiss her deeply. He had been thinking of her lips since they had . . . He pushed that thought away and regained his composure. He grimaced and yanked his hand from her.

"Hn."

Shizuru watched him jumped from the window and flit away. She sighed and shook her head. The father of her unborn baby was a difficult, rude little demon . . . but he had the body of a Greek god. And even if he didn't try to show it, he really did care. He was a frustrating little devil but she loved him.

Yes, loved him. This wasn't some little schoolgirl crush – this was full-blown love. She was sure . . . she hoped. God, this was ridiculous. She shouldn't have feelings for someone who didn't feel the same. But then what was that earlier? The handholding? The face cupping? He was going to kiss her. What was that then if he didn't have feelings for her?

Shizuru's thoughts were disturbed by the sound of the front door slamming and the familiar loud deep booming voice that belonged none other than her baby brother, Kazuma Kuwabara.

"Shizuru!" He yelled. "I'm home!"

She heard Eikichi meowing at Kuwabara, the bell on his collar twinkling. She heard Kuwabara drop to the floor and in a high-pitched voice squeal.

"Kitty!"

She sighed, closing her window. She left her room to get more tea and try to eat a little something.

Hiei sat in his favorite tree, knees pulled up to his chest. He growled, ripping a branch from the tree and tearing the leaves off of it until it was just a twig. He snapped the twig in half then threw it. He scratched his arm, digging his nails into his skin. He was frustrated – he didn't want to leave her, but he didn't want to be there.

"This is insane!" He hissed under his breath. "Why is this happening?"

"Hiei?"

He sat up, hearing Kurama's voice. He looked down to see the tall long red haired fox demon standing under Hiei's tree, looking up at him. Kurama smiled up at Hiei, shielding his eyes from the sun that was gradually disappearing behind large rain clouds.

"What do you want?" Hiei snapped.

"Just to talk." Kurama shrugged. "Is that all right?"

"Hn."

"Good." Kurama's smile widened. "It's good to know that I'm not disturbing you."

Hiei rolled his eyes and knew that Kurama would not leave until he had spoken to him. He hopped down and followed Kurama to a park bench. He grimaced as Yusuke's words came flooding back to him.

"Well, you two are always together. I just assumed that you two were –"

"Did you hear that Shizuru is pregnant?" Kurama asked as they sat down at the bench.

Hiei was silent. He was watching two little children – a boy and a girl - run around his tree, giggling as they tried to hide from each other behind it. They were identical twins. Kurama followed his gaze and smiled as the little boy and girl ran by hand in hand.

"I wonder who the father is."

Hiei's eye twitched. Kurama's voice sound taunting, like he knew that Hiei knew something that he wasn't tell him. He looked at Kurama in the corner of his eye. His head was turned slightly, watching those little twins frolic around the park. He had this knowing calm smile on his face. Or was Hiei imagining it? Was he going insane?

"Do you have any idea who he might be?" Kurama sounded very curious. "She said it a friend of hers or something along those lines."

Kurama was expecting a rude comeback from Hiei; he knew it. Hiei straightened his back, glaring at a rock at his feet.

"Do you know what Yusuke thought about us?"

"What?"

"He thought that . . . we were . . ." He grimaced in disgust. "Together."

"Well, that's understandable." Kurama said, shocking Hiei. "We're friends and you are always at my heels like a little lap dog –"

"How dare you refer to me as a lap dog!"

Kurama ignored Hiei's interjection and continued, not even batting an eye.

"So it's simple normal for anyone to assume that we're lovers."

"Don't say that!"

"Say what?" Kurama asked quizzically, tilting his head to the side as he looked at Hiei. "Lovers?"

"Yes!" Hiei tossed his arms up into the air. "Do not ever say that word when you're talking about us!"

"Why are you getting so defensive, Hiei? I wasn't saying that we were!"

"Good!" Hiei sulked into the park bench, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't want people hearing that, she might start to believe it."

"Who?"

Hiei froze again. His heart began to pound in his chest and his armpits tingled as they began to dampen. Crap. He had screwed up. He had to cover it up somehow.

"What?"

Good move, Hiei! Great job! Way to change the subject. He mentally beat himself for saying something so stupid.

"You said 'she'," Kurama said softly. "Who is 'she'?"

"I didn't say that."

"Yes, you did. I distinctly heard you say 'she might start to believe it'."

"I didn't say anything like that."

"But Hiei –"

"Enough!" He snapped. "Did you want to talk to me about something important or did you just want idle prattle?"

Kurama sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. Why was Hiei being so difficult – more than usual? He was so defensive, as if he were hiding something.

"Hiei," Kurama said softly, uncrossing his arms. "Is something the matter?"

Hiei grumbled, squirming in an awkward frustration. Kurama kept his head tilted to the side as he stared at Hiei.

"Kurama . . . What I'm about to tell you . . . you mustn't tell anyone." He raised his head to look Kurama in the eyes. "Especially that idiot Kuwabara."

"What is it?" Kurama was on the edge of his seat. "Is it about the father of Shizuru's baby?"

Hiei nodded, twitching when Kurama gasped. He put his hand on Hiei's shoulder.

"Who is it?"

"It's me." Hiei said softly yet very, very clearly. "I'm the baby's father."

Kurama sat there with wide eyes, his mouth almost nonexistent – the same look Yusuke had made earlier when they had told him.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Why is everyone hard of hearing all of a sudden?" Hiei snapped. "I said I am the father."

"My goodness . . ." Kurama put his hand to mouth. "Who else knows?"

"Yusuke. That's it. Do not, don't you dare tell Kuwabara."

"I won't, I promise."

"Good. Good."

Something dropped on Hiei's cheek, something wet. He wiped the side of his face with his hand, dreading that it was bird poop. If it was, there were going to be a lot of dead pigeons. There was nothing in his hand. He looked up as raindrops began to fall on him and Kurama. They sat, blinking, at first not believing that it was raining. The raindrops began to quicken, quickly covering the cement path in the park. They covered their heads as people around them did the same, running around. The twins were still giggling, playing in the rain.

'Where are their parents?' Hiei thought. 'Don't they care about their children at all?'

Out of nowhere a worried looking woman ran up to the small children, scooping them up into her arms and scolding them for not coming when she called for them. Kurama stood, both arms over his head.

"I've got to go home." He said. "Do you need a place to stay?"

"No thank you, Kurama." He grumbled. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Kurama asked; his eyebrows arched in concern. "I wouldn't want you to spend the night out in the rain."

"I'm all right." Hiei waved him away. "Go home, fox."

Kurama smiled a 'good-bye' then shrugged before walking home. Hiei sat under his tree, his clothes dampening more and more with every second.

Shizuru looked out the living room window from her spot on the couch. The rain was pouring down hard and her thoughts kept drifting back to Hiei. She knew he was going to be stubborn and decline her offer of a place to stay that night. She sighed and nibbled at the sandwich Kuwabara had made for her – the only real food she had and could keep down.

Kuwabara was playing some video game in front of her and wasn't paying any attention to anything but the television.

"Damn . . . damn . . . damn . . ." He would chant every time he would mess up, always resulting in him throwing the controller down and whining "Damn iiit!"

She sighed as she stood. She walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder then leaned down to kiss him on the temple. He didn't budge, just kept at his game.

"You going to bed?" He asked when she walked past.

"Yeah, I'm really tired."

"G'night, I love you."

She stopped at turned back to him, watching him jerk the controller around and clumsily jab at buttons and toggles. Her eyes watered over; yes, he always said that before she went to bed but tonight – it felt different.

"I love you too, baby brother." She said softly before walking into her room.

She slowly closed her door behind and locked – just in case Hiei did decide to drop by, she didn't want Kuwabara to barge in on them sleeping in the morning.

She hung her lavender bathrobe over the back of her desk chair then lifted her shirt up over her head. She tossed it halfheartedly into a corner of her room then unbuttoned her jeans, letting out a sigh of relief. Was it just her or were her jeans a little snug? She knew it was just her – it was way too early for her clothes not to fit her anymore. She dropped her pants then stepped out of them.

She pulled back the thick warm blankets on her bed and slide in, smiling as she covered herself up and snuggled into the blankets. She reached out and turned off her bedside table lamp, the dim light that had illuminated most of her room vanishing into darkness. She sighed deeply, wondering if Hiei would show up.

Hiei had watched her undress in the dim light of her room, basking in her semi-nude beauty. He groaned then shivered, holding himself as the rain poured down and drenched him. He reached out and tried to open the window – the damn thing was stuck again! He let out a tiny frustrated whimper as he struggled to open the window. Finally, he gave up after a few minutes. He stood there for a moment, shivering uncontrollably and thinking what to do. He wasn't going to break her window, he didn't want to damage her room or freak her out or have someone call the police, reporting a burglary. As his last resort, he reached out and scratched at the window like a house pet would when they wanted to be let in.

Shizuru jerked, hearing something scratch at her window. She sat up, seeing that familiar shadowy figure outside in the pouring rain. She leaned over and turned the bedside lamp back on. She squinted, her eyes adjusting to the light.

"Hiei?" She said groggily.

He was shivering – the poor thing! She jumped from the bed and forced the window open. He stumbled in, falling to the floor this time. She closed her window then helped him up. He groaned then let out a tiny sneeze. She could help but smile at how cute he was and feel sorry for him at the same time.

"C'mon, sweetheart." She said softly. "Let's get you out of those wet clothes and into bed."

She reached out to pull his cloak off when he slapped her hands away. She was taken aback, startled.

"I can undress myself, woman." He stammered through his chattering teeth. "Get back in bed."

"Fine."

Shizuru shrugged then got back into bed, covering herself with the thick warm blankets again. She reached up to the lamp, turning the light off again.

Hiei stood there for a moment, shivering. That bed looked so warm and inviting – especially with Shizuru in it. He growled lowly then stripped, discarding his drenched beyond belief clothes in a pile in a corner of her room.

"Is your underwear dry?"

Her voice had startled him, he thought she had fallen back to sleep.

"What?"

"I said, is your underwear dry?" She asked again, her voice a little louder. "I don't want you sleeping in wet underpants or in the nude."

"I'm fine, thanks. They're completely dry."

They actually were – which was a tad strange – the rain hadn't even touched his Jockeys.

"Well, come to bed, you jerk." She said softly, he could hear a hint of tired frustration in her voice. "I want to go to sleep."

He grumbled, sulking and shivering as he made his way to the bed. He pulled back the blankets and climbed into bed. His foot accidentally brushed against Shizuru's leg as he was getting situated in bed. She jerked, startling him.

"Oh!" she gasped.

"What?"

"You're feet are freezing!"

"I've been out in the rain for hours, what did you think my feet would be like?"

"I didn't think you were going to touch me with them!"

"Well, excuse me! It was an accident!" He rolled over onto his side, facing the wall with his back to Shizuru's.

"Good night, Hiei."

"Good night." He grumbled.

Shizuru smiled to herself as she started to drift off to sleep. Now, she could sleep in peace without worrying about Hiei being out all night in the freezing rain that poured down. She was almost asleep when an icy cold arm wrapped itself around her. She jumped, feeling Hiei's cold body so close to hers.

"Hiei, what're you doing?" She asked in a rushed whispered. "You're freezing!"

"I know." He whispered back; she could hear that little smug smirk in his voice.

He scooted closer to her so her back was against his torso. He moved a strand of her hair from the side of her face then licked his lips, moving closer to her ear. She could feel his hot breath on the side of her face; her heartbeat began to speed up.

"Warm me up, Shizuru." He whispered in her ear.

His smirk widened when she tried to squirm away from him. He pulled her closer only loosening his grip on her to let her roll over to face him.

"You're extremely bold right now, Hiei, considering that I could just throw you back outside in the rain."

"That's just a chance I'm willing to take." He pulled her closer to him, entwining his legs with hers. "You wouldn't throw little old me out there, I know you."

"Keep your voice down," She whispered, getting closer to him and wrapping her arms around him. "My brother's still awake, he might hear us."

Oooh, it seems Shizuru and Hiei are falling for each other - or are they? So, Kurama knows now. Is anyone going to tell Kuwabara? Why does he have to be left in the dark with everything?:P Find out in the next chapter!:P