Chapter Four- Confession

"Hiei, this is great!" Yukina exclaimed happily. "You've already been acting female. All you have to do is love someone and have him or her love you back."

"Hopeless," Hiei stated. "No one would love me that way and I…I-have-no-romantic-interest," she spoke the last part in a rush.

"If that is so, then why are you blushing?" Kurama asked.

"Because I'm being female, that's why," Hiei snapped, the blush fading.

"Hiei," Yukina said gently. "Do you love someone?"

"N-n-no," she stammered as the blush returned.

"All right," Kurama said, thinking that Hiei might love him and decided to make the first move. "You do not love someone, that's fine. Just let me say this: Hiei, I love you."

Hiei blinked and gaped at the fox. "What?" she managed to get out.

"I love you. I have for two months now. I came over today to tell you and I do not care what you think. I wanted to get it out in the open so that I can think in peace."

"Your love for Hiei was disrupting your peace of mind?" Yukina asked before smiling softly. "That's so romantic."

That's pathetic, Hiei thought. The way he talks, it sounds like what humans call lovesick. Why is Kurama allowing himself to fall prey to such human nonsense?

Kurama felt disappointed. He told Hiei how he felt and she said nothing. She does love someone. Her blush was proof of that. Why is she denying it? Does she want to stay female?

"Hiei, don't you want to be male again?" Yukina asked, sounding a bit confused.

"Of course I do."

"Then, tell the one you love how you feel. He or she many love you back." Personally, Yukina was sure Kurama was the one Hiei loved. She had happened to see Hiei practically staring at Kurama this morning. It is possible that Hiei's hormones are making her think she loves Kurama and that would be why she's denying her feelings. She shouldn't deny them. The solution states that she should act female and she's been doing that so declaring and receiving romantic love is all that remains to it.

Hiei lowered her gaze to her lap. She did love Kurama, or at least she thought she did. She was sure her hormones made her see Kurama in a different light. She then thought back over their years as teammates and came to the realization that there had been subtle hints of attraction on both of their parts. I've always been attracted to Kurama. My current form just brought it out into the open.

"I should add that you'll have until sunset tomorrow to regain your male self. After that, you'll be trapped as a woman and change to male every fifteen years," Kurama said. It was a lie, of course but he felt the pressure of a deadline would prompt her to act. He was about to fabricate an instance of such an occurrence when Hiei put up a hand.

"Fox, there is no need to say anything more." She looked right into his eyes. "I am happy to hear that you love me. I had thought that I didn't feel the same way, but I thought back over the years and realized that we both gave subtle hints of attraction to each other. My being female just brought it out. Kurama, I love you too."

Kurama smiled gently at her. I knew she loved someone and I'm glad it's me. Perhaps, we could begin a true relationship from this point on. He moved closer, leaned down, and kissed her, feeling Hiei wrap her arms around his neck. Her soft lips suddenly became less soft and Kurama opened his eyes to see a male Hiei.

The feel of Kurama's lips on her own was warm and gentle and she savored this feeling even as a burning raced through her body and the absence of her female hormones indicated that she was male again. He opened his eyes to see Kurama's eyes were open and when they parted, both smiled slightly at each other.

"We beat the deadline," Hiei said, his deep voice sounding strange after almost two days of speaking with a higher one.

"Hiei, there was no deadline mentioned in the file," Kurama admitted. "I made it up."

"What? You…lied to me?"

"Yes. I had hoped that the pressure of a deadline would prompt you to act. You did say you wanted to be male again."

Hiei felt his anger fade at Kurama's easy response and he smirked. "All right. I did say that and it's fine that you lied like that." He patted the floor and Kurama knew that was an invitation to sit and he did so.

"So, what else wasn't true? Like maybe the ability to change genders when I want?"

"No, that's true. You can be female when you want."

"I don't intend to until I have to." Hiei felt his true personality resurface and he welcomed it happily. His time as a woman had been forced and he didn't like being forced to do what he didn't like.

Kurama kept his disappointment buried deep down. He had hoped that Hiei's time as a woman had broken down his emotional barriers in both forms. It would seem his hope was in vain. Hiei is a fire demon with a cold heart, an icy one. It is possible that his past influenced his heart. He only knew a life of fighting and any other aspect of life is an alien concept and one he pushes away as it is unfamiliar to him. I can show him love as he has already shown me love. I can accept his decision to never voluntarily be female. I fell for Hiei before he became female. His female side, while attractive, is not the side I fell for and I will not. Out loud, he said, "Of course."

Yukina silently watched the exchange and interpreted the body language of the two men. She listened to Hiei's refusal to use his new ability and while his voice and face supported this statement, Yukina saw the opposite in his eyes and the slight clenching of his fists. He would prefer to deny his ice apparition side except when he has to take it. I can understand that but if I could change genders, I would use it and enjoy what I learn about being male. I would have a unique perspective of both genders. I would know what men want from women and that would help me be a better woman.

Yukina had an easier time reading Kurama as his eyes spoke of his real feelings and so easily too. He loves Hiei's female side as much as his male side. He respects Hiei's decision to only be female when forced to be, but he would rather that Hiei embrace both sides of himself. Perhaps, I can convince him.

"I need to go," Kurama said as he stood. "I have work to finish for my stepfather." His voice softened as he addressed Hiei. "I hope to see you soon." The redhead left the room and headed for the stairs.

"Hiei," Yukina said gently. "I feel you should not deny this new power you've gained."

"I am male, Yukina. I was born that way and will live as one."

"I'm not disputing that, but all I know is that if I had such an ability, I would use it. I would have a better understanding of men simply be being one and it would likely make me a better woman."

"And you're saying that I would have a better understanding of women by being one and for a lot longer than I have been which would make me a better man." And maybe make me a better lover, he added silently as he looked in the direction Kurama had gone. I will definitely see him tonight and talk to him.