Disclaimer: I don't own YYH or the characters

I meant to post this over the weekend, but studying for finals and my masters exam took precedence. Anyways, here it is, the final chapter of this short story that took like….3 years? Lol! I hope you all enjoy it, and thank you for reading and sticking with it all this time.

It was the day of Kuwabara's and Yukina's wedding when everyone next gathered at Genkai's temple. Everyone was extremely excited for the couple, and Yusuke made it clear he was ready to party. It was a bright, sunny day with a light breeze, prefect weather for an outdoor wedding. Two members of the group, though, were not outside during the ceremony. They were watching, however, from a room upstairs in the temple. The happy couple outdoors knew they were there, watching from the window. They smiled to each other as the ceremony began, delivering their vows with such love and promise that everyone around them could just feel.

"So you're really okay with this," Shizuru stated, though she still sounded quite surprised as she watched Hiei smirking slightly as he watched his sister.

He looked over to her and said, "He loves her," as if that was the only answer he needed. It was strange to think that he had become so comfortable with the concept so quickly, but he couldn't deny that there was actually merit to it. Though he had always thought Kuwabara and his declarations foolish, the "Warrior of Love," as he liked to call himself, managed to teach Hiei about something he never believed in and never thought existed. Part of him had still had his doubts when he had gone back to Shizuru but, as he spent more time while being open to the idea, he was beginning to find comfort in having the ability to feel, something he used to pride himself for being immune.

Shizuru leaned back against the chair onlooking her brother's wedding and sighed in contentment. A soft smile adorned her features. "So, my baby brother finally won you over," she teased. "I never thought I'd see the day."

Hiei deadpanned and rolled his eyes. "I didn't hate him that much…"

"Right," Shizuru replied smoothly while taking out a cigarette. Before she even got a chance to light it, it disappeared from her fingertips. She shot a heatless glare over to her lover and saw him disintegrate the cigarette with his flames, glowing as the ashy remains hit the floor. "How often are you going to do that?" she asked blandly. "I need to plan how many boxes I'll need to get if you keep destroying them."

"I don't like you smoking that garbage," Hiei stated firmly as he looked back out into the yard. "Our lifespans are already so different. I don't want you shortening yours."

Hiei wasn't watching Shizuru in that moment, so he didn't see the uncharacteristic look of shock on her face. His words, though stated nonchalantly, held such weight. The fire demon had just admitted to caring about her life and presence in his. She had known about the lifespan issue. Her brother had mentioned it to her a few times when he was pursuing Yukina. It wasn't something she minded. After all, if she was going to spend her life with Hiei, it would be for the rest of her life. She never once thought he even cared or thought about that, but here he was, basically saying he wanted time with her and did want a stupid habit to interfere with that. Also, indirectly, he indicated that he actually wanted to spend her life with her, even though he'd eventually lose her through time.

When she didn't say anything, Hiei glanced over to her and caught her dumbfounded expression. "What?" he asked, smirking once he spoke.

Shizuru snapped out of her thoughts and returned his smirk with her own. She rummaged through her pockets for a moment and took out her box of cigarettes, tossing them to Hiei, causing the fire demon to eye her strangely.

She simply said, "Might as well get rid of 'em all now, right?"

Hiei's expression softened and he grinned at the human woman, demolishing the box in his hand without leaving a trace. "I can get used to destruction like this," he remarked in humor.

Shizuru rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Yeah, keep that in mind," she chided. "I'd hate to have to bail you out of jail. By the way, any criminal activity, leave me out of it so I can't testify."

Her acceptance of who he was amused him immensely. He knew he didn't need to say anything, but to acknowledge that he agreed to her terms, he let out a quiet "hn," and the two of them looked back out to the ceremony.

"By the way," Shizuru stated as she watched her brother and almost sister-in-law exchange rings, "what you said…it really moved me. I don't even know what to say."

The Jagan flashed under Hiei's headband and he crossed his arms and chuckled. "It's fine. I already know."

Shizuru's attention snapped to him and he looked toward her with a contented smile. He looked so comfortable in her presence, and it amazed her how far he had come in the relatively short span of their relationship. He reached out his left hand and entangled it in her hair pulling her face towards his. "I love you, too, onna," he admitted before he sealed that promise with a kiss.

Almost immediately, the unlikely couple heard cheers, clapping, and catcalls and assumed the ceremony was now over. They looked back out into the yard and were both surprised to see everyone's attention zeroed in on them. Even Yukina and Kuwabara were watching them, both looking incredibly happy. "Oh boy," Shizuru muttered out before she looked to Hiei. "Don't hurt them too much."

Hiei smirked. "I make no promises."

He disappeared into the yard and Shizuru chuckled softly as she leaned against the windowsill. Almost a year ago, she would have never pictured she'd be in this position, nor would have ever thought about a relationship with the fire demon (not to mention how she called him kid until he corrected her). The whole thing was completely unexpected, yet she felt a joy that she could not completely describe. She had felt an immediate connection with someone once before, but the joy she felt being with Hiei completely differentiated the actual feelings. This was definitely love, and Hiei must have finally figured that out, possibly when he read her mind.

The fire demon seemed to mostly be going for Yusuke, probably because the ex-spirit detective made a perverted remark. He was, after all, the one who catcalled. Everyone laughed at the amusing altercation, including the fire demon himself. Shizuru felt strangely lighter. It was a good thing.

And now, all their secrets were out.