Alright, well I had to do some proof reading, but now chapter two is here! Will Kurama accept Hiei's proposal? You'll have to read to find out.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of the characters.

"Marry you?" Kurama looked stunned. Had Hiei just…proposed? "Do you know what that means?"

"I assumed it to be similar to demon mating," Hiei said. "I figured it meant we would be choosing to be together for our lives in some bonding ceremony." Kurama looked impressed. He hadn't quite realized how similar a marriage was to the demon custom of mating. "If you don't want to…" Hiei quickly looked away.

"No," Kurama interrupted. "No, it's not that I don't want to." Truthfully, Kurama had never given marriage much thought, or mating for that matter. Yoko had always been too wild to allow himself to be tamed by another and Shuichi was still a high school student. He wasn't quite opposed to the idea of marriage, just indifferent.

"Then what?" Hiei asked.

"Well…" Kurama thought for a moment. "Do you really think we're in a position to be married? If we were in Makai would you have asked to be mated?"

"Of course not," Hiei stated plainly. "If we were in Makai there would be no need. We could be together whenever we wished."

"Yes, I understand," Kurama said. "But marriage is not something to be solely done for convenience." Hiei's opinion did not seem changed by what Kurama was saying. "Do you want to spend the rest of your life with me?"

"I want to spend as much time as I can with you," Hiei said.

Kurama's confusion continued to grow. Hiei and he were in absolutely no position to be making a decision like this. They weren't even in a real relationship. Certainly it was more of a relationship than he had encountered before in his human life, but he had never thought they would wed. They'd never discussed their feelings for one another or plans once Kurama returned to Makai. They had lived this whole time entirely by ear and now Kurama was faced with such a difficult decision. Surely if he turned Hiei down the fire demon's pride wouldn't recover. The friendship they had formed would be over and they would perhaps never see each other again. But he couldn't accept just to keep Hiei in his life. He had to know that this proposal meant more than just time spent together. "How do you feel about me, Hiei?" Kurama asked.

"What?"

"How do you feel?" the redhead repeated. "You're asking that I agree to marry you, so I find it only fair that I ask about your feelings."

Hiei scowled. Why wouldn't Kurama just answer? He hadn't thought it would be this difficult to get the fox to agree. It had seemed apparent to him that they both wanted to spend time together. Kurama had been very angry every time he had to leave after such short visits. And now he had provided the solution to their problem. "What is it you want to hear?" Hiei asked. "I've already told you that it is because of you that I even come here. I despise this place and the people who live here, but I…" Kurama perked in interest. But he what? Hiei growled. "I don't see why we have to play these games. You know how I feel."

"Obviously I don't," Kurama said. "Why don't you tell me?" Hiei said nothing, scowl still plastered on his face. Kurama could see that this was going to be difficult. "I'm not going to answer until you do."

"Fine!" Hiei growled. He was silent for a moment. "You want to know how I feel about you?" Kurama nodded. "I care a great deal about you, Fox. I would have thought that was obvious by my presence here, but apparently you're not as bright as everyone seems to think."

Kurama thought nothing of this last remark insulting his intelligence. He knew that it was just Hiei trying to defend himself. No doubt he was unaccustomed to sharing his feelings. "Thank you," Kurama said.

"Hn, so will you answer me now?" Hiei asked.

"I assume that's only fair," Kurama smiled. Hiei waited for Kurama's answer, but was surprised that it didn't come.

"Well?" Hiei's voice was full of frustration. He didn't like playing these games.

"You don't want to know how I feel about you first?" Kurama asked.

The scowl returned to Hiei's face. "I just want to know if you'll be mine."

"I thought the only reason we were getting married was to ensure you could visit more freely," Kurama stated almost mockingly. "What does it matter if I want to be yours?"

"It matters a great deal," Hiei said, his energy pumping with rage.

"Why?" Kurama asked.

"Because I want you for my own," Hiei growled. "I've wanted you all these years and now, given how upset you've become with my absence, I thought maybe you'd want me too. If I was wrong please tell me so. But I know very well how you feel about me Kurama. Now answer my question!"

Kurama couldn't help but press Hiei further. "How exactly do you think I feel about you?"

"I'm not going to do this, Fox," Hiei's hands were in fists at his sides. His body was shaking. "You answer my question now. Or I go back to Makai and I don't come back. Not even for you."

"Oh please, Hiei," Kurama said casually. "We both know you're not going to do that."

"Hn," Hiei made his way to the window.

"And if you were going to you wouldn't be giving me so much time to answer," Kurama said stopping Hiei in his tracks. "I will marry you Hiei, but only after you admit it."

"I'm through with your games," Hiei said, still facing the window. "What is it you want me to admit?"

"Your feelings," Kurama said. "You more than care deeply about me, but you're too frightened to say so."

Hiei scoffed. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said.

"I see I'll have to go first," Kurama said. "I love you, Hiei." Hiei's head jerked to look at him. His garnet eyes searched Kurama's face which remained perfectly still. "It's not a game, Hiei. I will marry you, only if you admit you feel that same."

There were no signs of deception as Kurama spoke. It was not a game. Hiei was unsure what to do. "How are you so sure I feel the same?" he asked defiantly.

"I know you don't believe in friendships," Kurama said. "So clearly what we have goes beyond that. You said yourself that you care deeply for me and you've made it quite clear that you'll go to great lengths to be with me despite the location." Hiei's face hardened. "Don't feel bad that you've given yourself away verbally Hiei, I could tell before this conversation even began." Hiei's eyes filled with speculation. "I can feel it in your touch. I know you try to be rough, but you're more tender than you know. You always make sure I'm satisfied and that goes beyond pride. I know you love me because I'm sure you would never give anyone the time and consideration you've given me these past years if you didn't." Kurama paused to observe Hiei's reaction. The speculation had disappeared from his eyes and was now replaced with a calmness that Kurama didn't know how to interpret. "Am I wrong?" He knew he wasn't, but asked to gain any response.

However, Hiei remained silent. Kurama sighed. If Hiei wasn't going to admit his feelings there was nothing he could do. It was easy to understand the demon's apprehension given his past, but Kurama had spelled out that he already knew of Hiei's feelings. All he had to do was say the words. But the words did not come. Hiei stood there in his bedroom, not even looking at him. Kurama shook his head, walking past the smaller man to his bed. There, he slowly began unbuttoning his uniform jacket. "Fine," Kurama said. "I will marry you." He pulled the jacket off. "Now, I'm very tired. You may stay if you wish, but I'll be going right to sleep." Hiei was silent, still not moving from where he stood. Finally, Kurama was undressed. He got into his bed and prepared for sleep. He couldn't believe he was engaged to be married to a man who wouldn't even admit that he loved him. He looked to Hiei, who finally moved. The fire demon sat on Kurama's bed, but still didn't speak. Kurama felt a twinge of guilt. Perhaps he had been cruel in his scheme to get Hiei to confess his feelings. He sat up and placed a hand on his lover's thigh. "I'm not angry with you. I shouldn't have tried to force you into saying it. You don't have to share anything you're not prepared to."

"There's no need for you to be sorry," Hiei said. "It's in your nature to plot to get your way." Kurama smiled, but his smile faded as Hiei continued. "As it is in my nature to withdraw." Hiei finally looked at Kurama. He saw the familiar kindness in Kurama's eyes as he stared back at him. "Have I really been so transparent?"

"Well if I'm as dumb as you seem to think," Kurama teased. He could see that Hiei was in no mood for taunting. "Truthfully, it took me more time to realize than I'd care to admit. You hid your feelings well, Hiei." Hiei nodded. "Shall we sleep?" Kurama smiled, glad that it seemed they could move past this issue. Hiei nodded again. "Good."

Kurama moved to lie back, but was stopped by Hiei's words. "I do love you, Fox." Hiei's eyes were full of an emotion Kurama couldn't quite name. It was almost if Hiei were ashamed to be saying the words. "Very much so."

Kurama smiled. He knew it was difficult for Hiei to admit, but he was glad he finally had. "Thank you," he said. Hiei's eyes were full with a vulnerability Kurama had never seen present in them before. Softly, he kissed the fire demon. "I know you haven't given your heart to anyone before, but I promise I will not break you." Hiei nodded, hoping the words the fox spoke were the truth. "Now, take off your clothes and come to bed." Kurama pulled away from Hiei to finally lie back on the mattress. Hiei nodded and removed his clothes leaving him in only a pair of onyx boxers as he joined the redhead in bed. Kurama quickly maneuvered to wrap himself in Hiei's muscled arms. The two men lay face to face, silently breathing in synchronism. "You know you'll have to meet my mother. We have to tell her you've proposed."

"You can't tell her on your own?" Hiei asked gruffly.

"Hiei!" Kurama laughed. "I think my mother deserves to meet the man who's marrying her son."

"Hn," Hiei scoffed. "I suppose I could manage."

"Good," Kurama snuggled in closer to Hiei's body. "Then you'll meet her tomorrow after school." He nuzzled his lover gently before closing his eyes and drifting to sleep.

Hiei, however, did not find sleep so easily. Gaining approval from Kurama's human mother was one challenge, but gaining it from Mukuro was going to be a much more difficult feat. It had been hard enough to get her to agree to let him return to see Kurama so quickly after his last visit, now he was going to have to tell her that they were to be married and demand more time away from his duties. He shut his eyes and tried to put thoughts of the situation from his mind, holding Kurama's sleeping body tightly to him to remind himself that whatever the outcome was it would be worth it.

xxxxx

Kurama hurried on his way home from school. This was it; Hiei was going to meet his mother. The man he loved was going to meet the woman who was his whole world. What would he do if Shiori didn't like Hiei? It wasn't as if he was an easy man to like. He hoped that Hiei would be on his best behavior, but knew that he was a wild card and that he had to be prepared for anything to happen. As he neared his house, he quickly recognized Hiei's dark figure in the shadows of the trees. "Are you ready?" Kurama asked.

"I don't see what there is to be ready for," Hiei said coolly. He saw in Kurama's face how nervous he was and tried to put him at ease. "I'm as ready as I can be."

Kurama nodded as they walked to his house. "Remember, I am Shuichi here, not Kurama," he reminded Hiei at his doorstep. Hiei stared at the door; he had never entered the house this way. Had never been a traditional guest in this home. Suddenly, he realized he may be nervous too. Kurama recognized the realization and grabbed Hiei's hand. "You'll be fine." The redhead smiled. "Follow my lead." He opened the door and the couple entered the house. "Mother? Are you home?"

"In the kitchen, dear!" Shiori called back.

Kurama looked at Hiei quickly before pulling the smaller man further into the house. "Hello mother," Kurama said as they entered the kitchen.

Shiori turned to look at them. Her eyes immediately went to the small, darkly clothed man who stood next to her son. "Oh," she said with surprise. "Who's this, Shuichi?"

"Mother, I'd like you to meet Hiei," Kurama said presenting his lover. "My…um…"

"His fiancé," Hiei said. Both Kurama and his mother looked at Hiei with shock.

"Fiancé?" Shiori asked. Kurama didn't answer. "I didn't even know you were seeing someone." Kurama thought of what to say. Honestly, he hadn't known he was seeing anyone either. "Shuichi?"

"I'm sorry Mother," Kurama apologized. "I didn't realize things were so serious, but yesterday Hiei proposed…and I said yes." Shiori stood in disbelief and Kurama couldn't really blame her. He had been in the same state last night. "I know this is unexpected. Believe me, I too was surprised. But I've known Hiei for some time and…and I love him."

Shiori's demeanor seemed to soften. "Well, then we should all have a talk. Get to know each other a little better." She smiled with the same kindness ever present in Kurama's grin. This put Hiei somewhat at ease as he followed them to sit at the table. "Would you like anything to eat or drink, Hiei?"

"No," Hiei said. He could feel Kurama's eyes on him, as if willing him to act appropriately and with humanity. "Thank you."

Shiori's smile stayed fixed. "So, where did you and Shuichi meet? At school?"

Hiei wasn't sure how he was supposed to answer this question, but he knew he was absolutely not to tell the truth.

"Actually, no," Kurama interjected. "Hiei and I worked together."

"Oh, so you worked with Koenma as well?" Shiori asked.

Hiei froze in confusion. How did Shiori know about Koenma? He thought that Kurama had kept his second life entirely a secret. "Yes," he said almost as a question.

"So you must know Yusuke and Kazuma," Shiori stated.

Hiei turned to Kurama, who quickly realized he should have briefed the fire demon better for this meeting. "Yes," Kurama said. "We all worked together on several occasions as a team."

"So you go to school with Kazuma?" Shiori asked.

"I don't go to school," Hiei said.

"At all?" Shiori asked. "University?"

"No," Hiei said.

"Oh," Shiori nodded. Kurama worried as the room fell silent. He had worried that they would fall into small talk; knowing how much Hiei hated small talk. "So do you live with your family?"

"I don't have family," Hiei admitted.

"What?" Shiori asked. There was a sadness in her voice that Hiei recognized as sympathy.

Kurama opened his mouth to speak, but Hiei spoke first. "I've never had a family," he admitted. "My mother wasn't supposed to have me, so I was cast out. Since then I've been on my own." Kurama was surprised. He hadn't expected Hiei to share anything personal with his mother. He never shared anything with anybody. However, Hiei understood that Shiori was a major part of Kurama's life and therefore knew that he was to be as honest as possible during their meeting. He felt at ease speaking to her. She was very warm and welcoming, much like his fox.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Hiei," Shiori said. "I'm sure your family's missed out on having a fine young man in their lives, especially if my Shuichi's agreed to marry you. You must be very special."

"He is," Kurama's smile mirrored his mother's. He was glad that this introduction was going so smoothly, all his anxiety was completely alleviated. He reached out to lightly rub Hiei's arm as if to transfer his calm into his lover.

"Well, I don't know when you two are planning on getting married, but it'll be nice to get to know you Hiei," Shiori smiled. "Please, don't be a stranger."

"Actually, I was wondering if Hiei could stay here during the engagement," Kurama suggested. "He'd sleep on the couch of course." Hiei looked at Kurama. This was not part of the plan. He knew that he was going to have to meet with Kurama's family, but he had not realized that he would be required to stay in their home. And he absolutely had no intention of staying on a couch, so far away from the object of his desire.

Shiori saw the way Hiei was glaring at her son. She could see that he was not completely on board with this idea. "Why don't you two discuss it some more," Shiori suggested, reaching out to touch Hiei's hand. "But you are more than welcome to stay here if you'd like, Hiei."

Hiei's eyes widened. He was surprised by her touch. "Thank you," he managed to say.

Shiori smiled, squeezing his hand lightly. "Now Shuichi," she directed her attention to her son. "Kokoda's going to be home from school soon. I'm sure he'd like to meet Hiei too."

"Yes, of course," Kurama nodded.

Shiori rose from where she sat. "It was lovely to meet you, Hiei. I'll leave you two to discuss things." She smiled at the couple once more before leaving them alone.

"Well that went rather smoothly," Kurama said with relief.

"I didn't know I was expected to live here, Fox," Hiei said.

"Oh, come Hiei, will it really be that bad?" Kurama asked.

"I'll have to sleep on the couch," Hiei stated. "Why can't I sleep with you, in your bed as I have been?"

"I hardly believe my mother would be comfortable with a man she's just met sharing my bed," Kurama pointed out. "It won't be so bad." Hiei scoffed. "Besides, you can still sneak in to see me."

"Hn, and why does your mother know Yusuke and that oversized oaf?" Hiei asked.

"Well…" Kurama hesitated. Even he found it strange that his mother knew Yusuke and Kuwabara, but not Hiei when Hiei had always been the one he had the closest connection with. "They've come to visit on occasion."

"For what purpose?" Hiei asked.

"Sometimes we go to the arcade, we see movies, we just hang out," Kurama explained. "Things that wouldn't interest you." Hiei looked displeased. It was true that he had no desire to engage in any of those activities, but it bothered him that the three of them had such an open relationship while he was stuck in the shadows. "And Kuwabara attended my mother's wedding."

The displeasure in Hiei's eyes was replaced with jealousy. "Why would he attend?"

Kurama loved seeing Hiei jealous. It was a rare treat to see him show any emotion other than anger and superiority. "I asked him to attend as my guest. Someone to keep me company."

Hiei scowled. Why would Kurama want Kuwabara to keep him company? Had he sought his company in other ways? His brow tensed angrily at this thought. If Kuwabara had so much as touched Kurama Hiei would kill him. "If you'd prefer the company of that fool perhaps you should have him in my place."

Kurama chuckled quietly. It was so easy for him to ruffle the fire demon's feathers. "I have no intention to have anyone take your place. Especially not Kuwabara." Kurama placed his hand tenderly on Hiei's thigh. "I love you." The jealousy in Hiei's face quickly dissolved. "I would have loved your company at my mother's wedding, but you were about to leave to join Mukuro and I knew you would not have wanted to attend." Hiei couldn't argue with that. Attending a human wedding wasn't exactly his idea of a perfect day. Kurama squeezed the thigh lightly. His face was soft and warm, the way his mother's had been earlier when she had squeezed his hand. "But you were greatly missed. Seeing my mother and her husband share in their love for each other…there was no one I wanted to share in the moment with more than you." Kurama smiled, leaning in to kiss Hiei. Their lips met and all of Hiei's questioning instantly melted away. Kurama parted his lips as Hiei's tongue explored his mouth. The fox moaned against his lover's mouth, his hand moving higher up Hiei's thigh.

"Hello," a voice came out of nowhere.

Kurama turned to the doorway to see his stepbrother, Kokoda standing there. "Kokoda," Kurama sat up trying to regain his composure. "How was school?"

"Who's this?" Kokoda asked, ignoring his stepbrother's question.

"Oh," Kurama was flustered. "This is Hiei…my fiancé."

"Oh," Kokoda nodded his head. "Cool." He quickly moved past them to go to his bedroom.

"Kokoda…!" Kurama called.

"School was fine," the boy said. "I'm tired and going to bed now."

Kurama sighed. "Your stepbrother I assume?" Hiei asked.

"Yes," Kurama said. "Not the way I was hoping he'd meet you."

"What should you care?" Hiei asked. "Your mother's the one to impress."

"Yes," Kurama agreed. "But she's not the only one whose opinion matters. You'll be entering the lives of Kokoda and my stepfather as well." Hiei said nothing. This engagement was becoming more complicated than he could have possibly imagined. "I suppose I'll have to have a talk with him at some point."

Hiei could see that informing his family of this engagement was also difficult for Kurama. "I'll stay here if it's important to you, Fox," he said. "I am here to be close to you after all."

"Thank you, Hiei," Kurama said before kissing Hiei again. He was happy the fire demon was being so agreeable in all of this. He knew that it had not been his intention to meet these humans and become a part of their lives, but if he wanted to marry Kurama he would have to join his family. Hiei, although he didn't much care for humans, was willing to do whatever it took to be with his fox. However, given the reaction of Kurama's stepbrother, he was no longer sure if acquiring Mukuro's approval would be the greater hurdle.

Well there was chapter two for you folks. Looks like Hiei and Kurama are going to have a wedding :) Please review and let me know if you liked it or hated it. Flames are always welcome!