Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho. Never have, never will.

"Will one of you freaking win?" Kuwabara growled, crossing his arms over his chest angrily. It had been over an hour since we'd moved outside and we were in the middle of our third game of war, but there was still no sign of the meeting ending any time soon.

"Just because you were the first one out doesn't mean you have the right to be an asshole," I snapped, flipping over a card. "Keiko's been out for nearly as long as you have and she hasn't complained."

Placing one of her own cards on the table, Yukina said, "I'm sorry, Kazuma. You may play for me if you'd like."

"No, my love. That's alright," Kuwabara answered, dropping his attitude immediately. He smiled at her warmly. "You won that hand."

He was so whipped.

I waited until Yukina had taken her winnings before flipping over my next card. "How long is this meeting going to last?" I asked, glancing over my shoulder at the kitchen.

"Hopefully not too much longer," Keiko said. "I need to start preparing dinner soon."

Even as Keiko spoke, the backdoor opened and Yusuke came bounding out, heading straight for us. Grinning, he plopped down beside me on the bench, forcing me to move over and make room for him. "What's up?"

"Are you okay?" I asked, eyeing the way he bounced up and down in his seat.

"I'm trying to recover from a prolonged bout of seriousness and responsibility. Is there something wrong with that?" he asked, throwing his arm around my shoulders and squeezing me. "By the way, I liked your musical choice."

I snorted. "That's good to hear," I said, patting the boom box that sat on the table top. It was still playing music, though I'd changed the song over an hour ago.

"So, what are you guys playing?" Yusuke asked, gesturing toward our card game.

"They," Kuwabara muttered, stressing the word, "are playing war."

"Stop whining," I warned him.

"What are you going to do if I don't?"

Ignoring his question, I glanced at Yusuke. "What are you doing out here? Aren't you supposed to be in the kitchen, taking part in the meeting you called?"

"Oh, we're done for now," he answered nonchalantly.

"For now?" Keiko asked.

"Yeah. We're taking an extended break and will commence once more in two hours time," Yusuke answered. "Those were Kurama's words, not mine."

Keiko sighed. "They'll be here for dinner?"

"Uh, I guess. Why?"

"I refuse to cook for over twenty people. It just isn't going to happen."

"We can order in," I suggested. "I'm sure our guests would be willing to pitch in for the ridiculous bill."

"Where could we get takeout?" Kuwabara asked.

"I don't know. That little town around the train station?"

Grinning, Yusuke gave my shoulders another squeeze. "That's perfect. For a whore, you're pretty smart."

Kuwabara and I burst into laughter. "How'd you know that we knew?" Kuwabara asked, trying desperately to contain his amusement.

"Your music was a pretty good clue, though I'm probably the only one who understood your not so subtle message. Plus, I already figured Kuwabara was going to listen at the kitchen window."

"How'd you know I was going to eavesdrop?" Kuwabara asked in utter confusion.

"I knew that you used to listen in during the peace negotiations. It wasn't particularly hard to guess that you would do the same thing now. The only thing I don't know is if Shy joined you and heard Yomi firsthand or if you told her."

"I joined him," I replied, grinning sheepishly. Remembering how he had defended me, my smile dropped away and I shot him a dirty look. "Next time you try to protect my honor, don't call me a prude. Got it, asshole?" I growled, smacking him in the shoulder.

"Don't hit me, Shy," he whined, rubbing the place where I had struck him.

Laughter sounded behind us and I twisted around to see that all of the demons had made their way out into the backyard and were laughing at Yusuke. "Being taken to task by a human girl, Yusuke?" Mukuro asked. She stood beside Hiei, who did a good job of keeping his face blank, but I saw his hand clench at his side. I caught his eye and smiled, trying to reassure him that I wasn't bothered.

"Yep," Yusuke answered without turning around.

"Deal me into the next game, okay?" Keiko asked, standing up. "I'm just going inside to get a drink." Once I'd nodded in acknowledgement, she turned and headed for the shrine, moving through the demons as though they weren't there.

"The next game is never going to come," Kuwabara moaned, tugging on his hair.

I rolled my eyes at his childish behavior. "Yukina, do you mind if we start a new game? Your fiancé is driving me insane."

"That is fine with me," she answered, handing me her cards. I shuffled the deck quickly, aware of all of the eyes on our little group.

"Change the song," I told Yusuke, bumping him with my shoulder to make sure he was paying attention.

"First you hit me and now you bump my injury. You're a cruel, cruel girl, Iraheta."

"Shut it," I snapped, laughing at his behavior. I swayed to the music, making sure that I bumped Yusuke's shoulder each time I leaned in his direction. Keiko returned and I started dealing cards out to each person, stopping only once the whole deck was gone.

"How much have you guys accomplished?" I asked, jerking my head back to indicate the demons behind us and flipping over my first card.

"Pretty much nothing. When everyone isn't squabbling over stupid things, they're disagreeing about what we should do. At this point, I can't help but feel that calling them all here was pointless."

"I'm sure you'll work things out," Keiko said, reaching across the table to pat his hand reassuringly.

Kuwabara took the first set of cards, winning the bunch with a king. "Oh, hell yeah. Who is the best war player ever? Kazuma Kuwabara, that's who," he gloated, greedily grabbing the cards off the table.

"Sometimes he worries me," Yusuke whispered in my ear.

"The feeling's mutual."

I stared at the massive pile of dishes and groaned. Why the hell did I volunteer to clean up after dinner? The takeout had gone over relatively well, but it had required the use of more plates, utensils, and glasses than I had realized. Resisting the urge to sigh, I shoved a lock of hair behind my ear and grabbed the sponge.

I grabbed the first plate and set to work. The shrine didn't have a dishwasher, which meant I would need to wash every dish by hand. The meeting was set to begin in half an hour and I wanted to be done by then. Finished with the first plate, I set it on the drying rack beside the sink and grabbed another. I was going to have to wash a bunch of dishes, dry them once the rack was full, and then wash another set.

The door to the kitchen opened and there was burst of noise from the living room before the door clicked shut once more. "I'd like a water."

I didn't have to turn around to know that the voice belonged to Mukuro. For a fraction of a second, I contemplated stopping what I was doing to get her some water, but in the end I banished the idea. I was busy and, no matter who she was, I wasn't going to let her boss me around. "Water bottles are in the fridge. Feel free to grab yourself one."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm busy and you're perfectly capable of getting yourself a water. It really isn't hard, I promise."

There was a long silence that was finally broken when Mukuro walked to the fridge, laughing softly. I raised an eyebrow. Quite frankly, that wasn't the reaction I'd been expecting. After retrieving a water from the fridge, Mukuro turned to face me. She watched me in silence, speaking only after what felt like an eternity. "You aren't what I imagined you would be."

"Is that a good thing?"

She chuckled and placed her water down on the counter. "Do you need help?"

"With what?" I asked, not sure where that question had come from.

She motioned toward the growing pile of dishes on the drying rack. "I could dry these for you."

Deciding to accept help where I could get, I said, "That would be great. Thanks."

Nodding, Mukuro reached for the towel that hung from a hook on the side of the fridge and picked up a glass. "In answer to your previous question, yes, it is a good thing. I've had few dealings with humans and those I have encountered tended to be shy, timid, and fearful in the presence of demons. You're friends are some of the few exceptions I've ever met. I guess it shouldn't have surprised me that you too would be an exception."

"Oh." It was all I could think of to say and immediately I felt color spread to my cheeks. She had just shown herself to be eloquent and well-spoken, while I had appeared a stuttering idiot.

"Although, it seems I may have spoken too soon," she said good-naturedly.

Finally finding my voice, I said, "I'm sorry, it's just that you caught me off guard."

"Is that a good thing?" There was no mockery in her voice and I wondered at her sudden change in behavior. She had ignored me the entire day, except when using me in an insult or, like with the water, ordering me to get her something, but now she was being cordial and pleasant.

"I'm not really sure. You're sudden attitude change has me confused."

"Well, then it's my turn to apologize," Mukuro said, reaching to pick up yet another dish. "You see, I've spent the day trying to determine how well you would deal with the discrimination you will face from most demons you meet. As I'm sure you have realized, we are an arrogant people, who look down on those weaker than us. I was assessing your ability to deal with insults and disrespect."

"And how'd I do?"

"Far better than any of your friends."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm afraid that even Hiei reacted to not only my own comments, but also those of Yomi and our advisors. On the other hand, you seemed unfazed, as though you hadn't even heard us. I thought for sure Yomi's comments would get to you. Being called a whore is offensive in any culture, yet you remained calm."

I didn't bother to pretend that I didn't know what she was talking about. "How did you know I heard him?"

"I was seated closest to the window. Demon hearing is far superior to that of humans. You and the other human would have needed to be much quieter in order for me not to hear you. I'm sure Yomi would be annoyed to realize that he helped me with his comment," she said, appearing amused by her thoughts.

"How did he help you?"

"As I said, I was testing you and, I must say, you passed with flying colors. If you become Hiei's mate, you will be required to spend time in the Makai, often in the presence of scornful dignitaries. It would not do for you to get flustered and upset. Yomi insulted you, but you were unbothered. If you can withstand the contempt of a demon lord, I'm sure you will be able to handle anything thrown in your face."

I placed the last dish onto the drying rack and squeezed the remaining water out of the sponge. Tossing the sponge into the sink, I grabbed a second towel from the side of the fridge and joined Mukuro in drying the remaining dishes. "So I've passed inspection?"

"I like what I've seen, yes, but the decision really isn't mine. Hiei is courting you; it is his inspection you must pass. I will tell him that you have met my requirements, though I know he would have mated you with or without my permission."

Mukuro studied me for a few seconds in silence. "There is, naturally, one person whose permission does matter."

"Whose?" I asked, unable to hide my confusion.

"Yours," Mukuro replied. "You are aware of that, aren't you?"

I frowned slightly, considering Mukuro's question. Of course, I knew that I had a choice in whether or not we mated. That was the point of dating him, so that I could decide if I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life. Hiei's decision was made, although I wasn't sure what had him convinced I was right for him. I was the one who was unsure. "Yeah, I know that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," I insisted, "I am."

Mukuro dried the last dish and placed it on the counter, before moving to the table and taking a seat. "I simply wish to make sure that you realize that you do indeed have a choice." Mukuro tapped her robotic fingers on the table, seemingly contemplating how to phrase what she said next. Finally, she said, "I want you to understand why your relationship with my heir is so unusual. Hiei has never entered a courtship with the intention of getting mated. He will treat your relationship differently than all those he has previously had."

When I said nothing, Mukuro continued. "Demons treat their potential mates far differently than their lovers. If they begin a courtship knowing that it will end in a mating, they will refrain from sleeping with their potential until the time of their mating. Do you understand what that means?" she asked.

I swallowed hard. "You're saying that Hiei will only sleep with me once we've become mates?"

"In essence, yes."

"In essence?"

"He will mate you, as in leave his mark on your neck, the first time you sleep together. That will be the only time you sleep together without being mates."

"I don't really know all that much about how demon matings or markings work," I admitted, grabbing the stack of plates and returning them to their place in the cabinet.

"I am not the person to ask such questions," Mukuro stated calmly. "I would suggest speaking to Kurama, Yusuke, or even Hiei himself if you have any questions about matings. I'm having this conversation with you because I want to make sure you wait until you are certain that you want to be Hiei's mate before you let him mark you. Do not sleep with him because you want to prove your devotion or make your relationship intimate."

"I wouldn't do that," I said, blushing.

Continuing as though she hadn't heard me, Mukuro said, "Make sure you want to be with Hiei for the rest of your life before you sleep with him. If you are right for him, he will be willing to wait." She stood up smoothly and turned to the door that led out into the living room. "I want Hiei to be happy. Hopefully you want the same." She left the room without another word, leaving me confused as to what had just happened.

She'd been friendly enough, but her parting words seemed laced with a hidden threat. Did she think I wanted to hurt Hiei? Didn't she realize that I would never be his mate if I didn't love him?

Sighing, I finished putting the dishes away and cleaning up the kitchen, making sure it was ready for the meeting. I left the kitchen just as the demons began to make their way back in. Yusuke grinned at me as he passed, Hokushin at his side. Kurama smiled quickly before following Yomi into the room. Hiei was the only one to pause beside me.

"I want to talk with you later," he said, speaking quietly.

"Okay. Is something wrong?"

He shook his head and turned on his heel, closing the kitchen door behind him.

"Thank the gods that they're leaving soon," Kuwabara muttered, throwing himself down on the couch. "I'm really sick of the dirty looks and snide comments."

"Mind games are worse than looks and comments any day," I said, moving his feet and sitting down. Leaning my head back, I stared up at the ceiling and allowed him to put his feet in my lap.

"What do you mean?" Keiko asked from her spot on the loveseat.

"Mukuro helped me dry the dishes and she was really… nice. It was strange and then, right before she left, she threatened me, but didn't really." I sighed. "See? I don't even know what happened."

"What did she say to you?" Kuwabara asked.

"Basically, what I already knew. 'Don't mate Hiei until I'm ready,'" I said, air quoting the sentence.

"How'd she threaten you?"

"It was bizarre. Her words were harmless, but her tone wasn't. She told me that she wants Hiei to be happy and she hopes I want the same."

"Weird," Kuwabara said.

"Yeah, pretty much," I replied. "I'm going to go take a shower since I didn't take once after running. I'll probably go to bed after that." I patted Kuwabara's feet and he lifted them so that I could stand up.

"Goodnight," Keiko murmured, flipping through channels on the television.

"Goodnight. Tell Hiei I'll be in my room, okay?"

"Sure," Kuwabara said, covering a yawn with his hand.

I flipped the page in my book, glancing at my alarm clock. It was nearly eleven and there was still no sign of Hiei. At this rate, I was going to fall asleep before he came to see me. I blinked hard and rubbed my eyes, trying to ward off sleep. Pushing myself up so that I was sitting instead of lying down, I tried to focus on my book.

It was nearly ten minutes later when I heard voices in the hallway and another fifteen on top of that by the time there was a knock on my door. Laying my book aside, I called, "Come in."

Hiei opened the door and slipped inside, shutting it behind him. He walked toward me and I moved over on my bed, making room for him. I patted the covers, indicating that he could sit down. He took the seat without saying a word. Acting strangely, he wouldn't meet my gaze.

"Hiei, are you alright?" I asked softly.

Ignoring my question, he said, "I will understand if you no longer wish to court me. The others behaved far worse than I had believed they would. You need not face such treatment."

I interrupted him before he could continue. "Don't be silly, Hiei. If we break up, it isn't going to be because of other people. The only way you are going to be able to get rid of me is by driving me away, okay?"

His response caught me off guard. In one quick, fluid movement, he shifted so that he was straddling my waist. My eyes widened and I frowned. "Hiei?"

"You're sure? You don't want to back out now?"

"Yes, firefly. I'm sure."

"Hn." He leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine as his hand reached up to tangle itself in my damp hair. Hiei's free hand gripped my hip and from there slid up under my shirt, splaying across my stomach. I gasped when he bit my bottom lip and he used the opportunity to deepen the kiss further. When he finally broke away, I was out of breath and blushing deeply.

Averting my gaze from his, I fiddled with my blanket. "How was the rest of the meeting?"

"Productive. All areas of the Makai are to be notified that Epsilon is a wanted criminal and Enki will be alerted to what is going on. The hope is that Epsilon will be apprehended and this issue put to rest."

"Is Epsilon powerful?"

"His energy is that of a B class demon," Hiei answered.

"Meaning what?"

"He is not strong. In fact, Mecca, who is an A class demon, is much stronger. But we think that the hebi's class may be misleading."

"Why?" I asked.

"When the shrine was attacked, Yusuke fought Epsilon and was unable to damage the hebi. Why he escaped unharmed we do not know, but we have every intention of finding out."

"Oh." My breath caught in my throat when Hiei leaned forward once more and kissed me softly.

"We can continue this conversation in the morning. For now, I suggest that you go to sleep." Smirking faintly, he added, "We will have a busy day tomorrow."

I bit my lip when I realized what tomorrow was. It would be Friday, the day of our first date. "Where are we going?" I asked.

"You will see." He kissed me one last time before swinging his leg over my waist and standing up. "Goodnight, Shyle."

"Goodnight, firefly. See you in the morning."

"Hn."

AN: Did Mukuro act like you expected or not? Next chapter is Shyle and Hiei's date so that should be interesting.

I recently got All Time Low's new CD and I absolutely love it. I was listening to it while I wrote this chapter. My favorite song off the CD (excluding Weightless, which I've had for awhile) is Break Your Little Heart. It's kind of sadistic, but it's awesome.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed. You guys make my day. Tell me what you thought of this chapter. Where do you think they'll go for dinner?