Author's Notes

I've been playing around with this idea for approximately two weeks ever since I started re-watching the series. It will use certain plot mechanics from an already existing storyline (think Chapter Black) but it'll add to it in the most logical way possible to keep it realistic. I dislike the Hiei and Mukuro pairing, but the story calls for it due to their involvement in the manga, hence why you see the mention of her wearing his Hiruseki stone. But I guarantee that this will be purely yaoi in essence and will eventually play out like so.

Have fun!

The ceremony was held a misty Saturday afternoon under a canopy of clouds within Genkai's land. Botan, eager to fulfill her duties as Keiko's maid of honor, excelled at decorating and livening the compound with the help of Yukina and a sluggish Shizuru, who often disappeared amidst the chaos to smoke a cigarette or two and gripe at her bridesmaid dress. Kuwabara had been massively useless by engaging Yukina in conversation while she balanced on top of a ladder attempting to hang lanterns. Kurama had furnished the flowers, infusing a myriad of seeds with his power to promote growth and had a variety of them adorning the aisle. Whereas Yusuke had been consumed by anxiety and resorted to pacing about the place with Koenma fervently chasing after him.

Yusuke's insecurities had abated once his gaze fell on Keiko, and the procession itself was simplistic in substance and therefore ended very quickly. The audience erupted in cheers at the kiss, with Jin and Chu even slipping away from their chairs to fist bump the groom. The crowd reconvened inside the venue where Keiko's father had doubled as caterer and had supplied the food, but Chu had taken care of the alcohol.

With tinted cheeks, a tipsy Yusuke ducked under Keiko's gown to retrieve the garter as she fumbled about, twiddled her thumbs and shied away from the crowd's eyes. She became increasingly furious as Yusuke struggled to remove it, instead gnawing at her bare thigh while simultaneously hiccuping.

"Oi," Chu called out obnoxiously, heaving for air as he struggled to maintain his composure amidst laughter, "Mus' be nice dow' there! 'ere lemme help!"

"Sit, boy." Touya exasperated, holding the aussie back.

After several minutes, Yusuke emerged victorious with unsteady steps as he spun around and hurled the garter through the air. The garment hit Kuwabara square in the face, and he sprung up momentarily beckoning whoever targeted him to fight prior to acknowledging the item. Clutching Yukina's hands, he delivered, "Yukina, baby, I promise to love and cherish you until the day I die."

She innocently ogled him, mouth ajar to retort before being ushered away by Botan to participate in catching the bouquet and succeeding in doing so, further cementing the idea into Kuwabara's head.

"Easy, baby brother," Shizuru admonished, flipping the cap of her lighter to ignite her cigarette, "Let the poor girl be."

"Shut up, Shizuru!" Kuwabara raised a fist in her direction, irked by her reaction, "Just because your ugly mug can't find a boyfriend doesn't mean Yukina doesn't love me, too!"

Deadpanned, she chuckled, "Way to stay within context, bro."

From afar, Kurama lounged against the robust trunk of a tree and watched the party unfold; the girls nearly toppling on top of each other giggling when the cork of the wine bottle they spent ten minutes trying to pry open went flying across the field, while the boys surrounded Yusuke and Kuwabara, alternating between whistles and hoots as the groom and his best friend fought for dominance in their arm wrestling. He delighted in the environment, raising his glass to his mouth, the whiskey barely dampened his lips as he slowed to an abrupt stop and surveyed his surroundings, catching a whiff of an unmistakable scent.

At the zenith of a tree, Hiei watched Kurama intently. His heart, one that didn't remotely beat in a conventional sense, throbbed once when the red head's slow and deliberate gaze steered his way. In his absence, Kurama had grown significantly older. His skin was pale against the sunset's warmth, his features sharp and defined, but still retained a feminine softness. His hair had lengthened considerably and remained a hue of red that shamed the freshest of blood.

His emerald eyes lacked luster as he extended his hand out, "Join us, Hiei." The fire demon flickered away from his perch and appeared in front of him. "You've arrived just in time. Yukina has caught the bouquet, you may already be well on your way to becoming Kuwabara's brother-in-law."

"Ch." Hiei furrowed his brow and sharply looked away, "Can't say I missed your asinine quips."

Tightening his lips, Kurama guzzled his drink, "And you, abrasive as always."

"Then I'll leave." Hiei threatened, eyes narrowed.

"Hiei, don't," His shoulders sagged as he released a breath he hadn't known he had been holding. Vermillion eyes were fastened to his own, the intense stare unnerved him, "Stay."

"HEY, HIEI." Yusuke's voice breached through their stupor, "Can't believe you made it! Thought for sure you'd stay in the shadows like old times."

The brunette blinked between the two, his mirth waning as neither demon acknowledged him. But Hiei severed the connection, turning to face him with a smirk, "It was a challenge to stay away, considering all the irritating mail I was getting."

"Everyone's here, come say hi."

"I can sense that oaf somewhere in the vicinity. I'd rather keep my food down, detective."

"Yep!," Yusuke doubled over sniggering, "Same old Hiei. Attitude and all."

"You'll have to excuse me...," Kurama interrupted, slipping past Yusuke and into the compound.

Looking sheepish, Yusuke queried, "Did I interrupt or something...?"

Kurama lingered at the entrance of the building, as if expecting the smaller demon to entice him back. Hiei callously averted his eyes, "No."

The party culminated around midnight with an aggravated Genkai ordering everyone still present to help with the clean-up process, much to a grumbling Yusuke's chagrin, before they went their separate ways. Yukina and Genkai had been gracious enough to allow Kurama to remain the night and simply catch the first train out of the province tomorrow morning, and he had been far too courteous to refuse. However, his earlier encounter with Hiei had left him restless, so he slipped out of the grounds discreetly and commenced his descent down the stairs of the estate.

"Where do you think you're going?" Hiei queried, leaping down from a nearby tree.

"Walk with me?" He quietly requested, completely unfazed.

The fire demon hesitated for a moment, seeming contemplative, then offered a curt nod as he fell into step alongside him. Kurama would occasionally glance at him, the impish features that betrayed his maturity and made him look like a child had vanished along with the crease that frequently marred his forehead, he had also grown several inches taller while remaining lithe and compact.

"Is there a point to your obnoxious staring?"

"Time has been most kind to you. The change has done you well."

Hiei snorted, "I can't seem to be able to say the same about you," He reinforced his statement by tossing Kurama a pointed look, "You look like you're ten inches away from death."

A grimness veiled Kurama's face, easily distinguishable through the darkness of the night, "I haven't been trying to conceal it. I was hopeful you'd catch on, for lack of subtlety."

"Such gestures are wasted on me, Kurama," Hiei ceased his stride, "You know that."

"I suppose so," Kurama motioned with his hand, beckoning him to continue the walk, "Will you be staying long?"

"No." He answered sternly as he resumed his step, adamant about not meeting his companion's gaze.

"Yukina has missed you, you know."

Lifting an eyebrow, Hiei spat accusingly, "And why is that?"

"Perhaps you should give the girl the credit she deserves, Hiei."

"I've already had that old hag inform me, I don't need you berating me as well."

"Fair enough."

Arriving at the shore near Genkai's compound, Kurama hunched downwards to remove his shoes and place them over a small wooden row boat that had been anchored onto the sand, before threading his feet through the water that washed ashore intermittently, and closing his eyes submissively to the crisp breeze that hit his face. Hiei leaned against the boat, watching him serenely.

Kurama turned to face him, and the light wind 'caused his hair to swirl and curl, framing his face, "I missed you."

Hiei regarded him with a blank expression.

Feeling apprehensive, Kurama wrapped his arms around himself to stop his shirt's billowing due to the wind, and sat down next to the unresponsive fire demon, who scrutinized his every step.

"It's not necessary for you to say anything. I understand," His voice lowered to a barely audible whisper, "I always have."

"Doesn't seem like you have. You're here babbling your mouth off to me."

"In truth, I find comfort in doing so."

"It's a useless habit that you've felt entitled to maintain."

In spite of himself, Kurama let out a mirthless laugh, "You may be right."

"Then stop." Hiei's words lacked the finality he meant to convey.

"I can't."

"Yes..., but why?"

"You've never allowed me to."

"All I've ever done was discourage you, as it should be."

"That's where you're wrong." Kurama rose to confront him, reaching out to lovingly caress his face, with the fire demon tensing under his touch and inadvertently recoiling, "You did so out of fear of rejection, not because it's what you desired."

Hiei staggered backwards, venom in his voice, "Stop pretending that after all this time you know me."

"But I do," He slowly lowered his hand back to his side, "And I also know that Mukuro does, too."

"What is your point?"

Calmly slipping his shoes back on, Kurama shook his head, "None. We've ventured off topic. I should get back, it's nearly morning, after all."

"Coward!" The fire demon dematerialized, reappearing before him to obstruct his path.

"On the contrary," Kurama side stepped him, brushing his shoulder against him.

Distraught, Hiei barked after him, "I'm not sure why I even bothered coming back to this revolting place."

"Think, Hiei. You owe it to yourself," Disappearing into the woods, his words were but a susurration, "And to me."