Please tell me what you think ne? ^_^V

 "Come on Hiei! It's just a party." Yuusuke intoned.

 "Hn."

 "Please Hiei, it's tradition."

 "No."

 Yuusuke lowered his eyes and turned away so Hiei couldn't see the clever grin creeping to his lips,
"Kurama will be disppointed. He has starved himself to pay for this party."

 The fire demon stopped in his tracks.

 "He's been talking about it for weeks. I've never seen him so excited. Kuwabara thinks he's going to finally tell us who the girl is."

 "Girl?"

 Yuusuke rolled his eyes, "Haven't you noticed how dreamy he's been lately? He's in love! But no
one knows with who."

 "Love. Hn. Baka ningen feelings."

 "Not just ningen feelings Hiei. But hey, I'll tell you all about the party ok? You don't hafta come."

 The Fire Demon looked Yuusuke up and down suspiciously, "What are you playing at ningen?"

 "Huh? Playing at? Nothing. Nothing at all."

 "I do not believe you."

 "Well then you'll have to come to the party."

 "Hn."

 "Weeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllllllll?"

 "I'll come." He said then flitted out of sight.

 Yuusuke grinned ear to ear and hurried to meet Kuwabara, "Got ‘im."

 The huge red head grinned, "They'll never know what hit them."

 Yuusuke nodded, "We are great. . ."

 "MATCHMAKERS!" They both struck a pose and ignored the odd looks it earned them.
 
 

 Hiei sat in his favorite tree, looming just outside of Kurama's bedroom window. He slept there every night he was in ningenkai, ignoring the nagging feeling that perhaps he should not be so predictable.
Someone had to watch over the stupid kitsune. Why not him?

 The kitsune in question had just finished his homework. He stretched tall and graceful, like a cat.
After turning off the lights he shed the ningen clothes he wore in the day and slid into the sensual night tunic that more closely resembled Youko clothing. Hiei watched it's flowing motions in facination and once Kurama was safely asleep, he flit into the open window and sat on the sill. //He shouldn't let his guard down like that.//

 Small, sword trained hands flickered through the papers on the desk, neatly arranging them and slipping them into the fox's book bag. He didn't know why he did this each night, maybe to allow the fox those few precious moments to sleep instead of readying his studies. Lately the ningen/fox seemed so tired, as if life was weighing on his shoulders heavily. It hurt to see the sad look in those bright emerald eyes.

 Silently, Hiei brushed an errant lock from the ningen's sleeping face and asked in a low tone, "Are
you in love fox? Will I lose our time together to some ningen onna?"

 Kurama shifted slightly in his sleep and frowned, "Hiei, you can't use the dragon. You don't have
enough ki left. Please don't leave me."

 A rare, true smile shifted over the Koorime's features, "Our friendship is stronger than love ne
Kurama." He would never have said it if the fox could hear him, but it was true, and even though it
seemed to contrast with his characture, Hiei valued Kurama's presence deeply. He tucked the
blanket more firmly around the ningen then flited out into the night once again. His mind a jumble of
thoughts. Still one thought dominated them. The same thought that had played through his musings
since the fox had healed his back in the Reikai prison rather than tend the sword wound Hiei had
given him. "Kurama."

 Everyone saw him as the stoic, angry, and mostly silent member of the group, but if the could have
seen his thoughts, his closest commrades would have trouble recognising him now.

 //I had not realised how much his presence had changed me.// Hiei gripped his katana tightly,
//These feelings are weak! This whole situation is full of weakness! I can not allow myself to be so
helpless. Makai is not a place of kindness or friendship and I am a creature of the Makai. Friendship is not an option!//

 He wanted very badly to kill something. //What has that stupid fox done to me!!!//
 
 

 Kurama woke the next morning and smiled at the sight of his bag, packed and ready to go. "Hiei." He smiled. It touched his heart to know that the Koorime worried about him. On a whim he reached out to the tree Hiei slept in and grew a beautiful rose for the demon, leaving it where he would find it as a thank you.

 When he walked onto the school grounds all of the girls flocked around him and he almost groaned
in resignation as heeps of packages, flowers and cards found his arms and backpack. Even more in
his locker. A soft smile touched his lips as he addressed the girls in the crowed, "Thank you." He
smiled, "Thank you, but how did you. . ."

 "Happy birthday Minamino-san!" A group of boys converged on him now, sweeping him away for
their good wishes and gifts and Kurama held back a sigh. Every year on this day it was the same
routine. He dodged the well meaning ningen students until he couldn't anymore, finally accepted their
gifts and usually was asked very kindly be his teachers to go home since his presence was disturbing
the class. His pack was bulging with the gifts and his arms too were full as he kicked the door open
softly and walked inside.

 Shori smiled understandingly, "Happy birthday Shuu-chan."

 He dropped the meaningless boxes to hug his kaasan and she hugged him back but this was, he
knew, where this day would very from the others.

 "I'm leaving now for the week Shuuichi, are you sure you'll be ok? I can cancel, I hate to leave you
on your birthday."

 He smiled, "My friends are coming over later Kaasan, I'll be fine."

 "They are very lucky to be friends with such a marvelous boy." She kissed his forehead and hugged
him once more, "I am glad you have them."

 "So am I." He closed his eyes and let his Kaasan hold him for a moment, safe in the love she felt for
her ‘son'. Anyone looking in on the scene would have easily realized why he had been so ready to
die for the ningen woman. As it happened, Hiei was watching.
 
 

 Hiei blinked, processing what he witnessed in his mind. Times when he was witness to such scenes
made the blow of Kurama's betrayel much easier. Hiei could see in the way he held the ningen
mother that she was very dear to him. If Hiei's own mother had been dying he would have done the
same. Better for him to die and Kurama and his mother to live no matter what the fox would think of
him. //I understand fox.// He thought, //I finally understand.//
 
 

    Kurama looked outside and smiled, "One of my friends is here already 'Kassan."

    "Oh?"

    He nodded, "Come in Hiei, I know your there."

    The Koorime stepped inside, glowering, "Hn, cocky fox."

    Shori didn't know what to think, "Shuu-chan, who is your guest?"

    "This is Hiei." Kurama smiled and placed a hand on the smaller demon's shoulder.

    "Ohayo Hiei."

    "Hn."

    "Hiei!" Kurama groaned, "I am sorry Kaasan, Hiei isn't so good with manners yet."

    She nodded, "How old are you Hiei-san?"

    "Hundred and fifty."

    "Fi. . ."

    Kurama cut in, "He means fifteen Kaasan. Japanese is not his first language, he is still learning."

    "Oh, where are you from?"

    "Ma. . ."

    "Merica." Kurama substituted quickly, "America."

    "Oh! Lovely! I am sure you will love Japan Hiei. Have a good time at the party tonight.
Sayonara."

    "Sayonara Okaasan." Kurama smiled until the door was shut then turned to Hiei with a frown,
"Hiei! She doesn't know about Makai!"

    "You lie fox, I don't."

    "Well then tell bent truths, I don't want her to hate me. Please. . ."

    "She wouldn't hate you if she loves you."

    "I'm afraid. You of all peaople should understand."

    "Yukina is different."

    "How."

    "I made a vow."

    "And the one you made it to is dead, what's your excuse now."

    "I don't need one."

    Kurama nodded, "Let's end this conversation Hiei. How do you like working with the Tantai?"

    "Hn, 's too late to go to Hell anyway."

    "It isn't really that bad is it?"

    Hiei just gave him 'the look'.

    Kurama frowned and walked into the kitchen to fetch the snacks, "I am sorry we aren't good
enough to keep your interest Hiei. I really hoped you would like it."

    "It isn't you Fox, it's the other ningen. They are fools! How can you stand it?!"

    "Perhaps you should stop looking for weakness." Kurama smiled softly, "And try to see the good
in them."

    "Good." Hiei sounded skeptical.

    Kurama smiled, "They are not so dumb as they seem Hiei."

    "Hn." was Hiei's only reply, but he thought about what Kurama had said. He thought about it well
into the party after everyone had arrived. //Why not.//
 

    Once the party was in full swing Hiei was finding it very hard to see any good in the ningen around him. That baka Kuwabara wouldn't leave his sister alone and the baka's sister was getting far to cuddly with Kurama.

    "Come on!" Kieko motioned to everyone excitedly, "Time for dancing!"

    Kurama smiled and placed a flat, round stone inside an odd looking box and pushed some buttons. Hiei blinked in interest as music came out of it. "Hey Kurama."

    "Nani Hiei?"

    "How do they fit?"

    "What?"

    "The ningen playing the music, how do they fit?"

    Kurama smiled, thanking the Gods Kuwabara and Yuusuke hadn't heard and started something. "This is one good thing about the ningen world Hiei." Kurama held up another of the stones.

    Hiei looked again, no, not a stone, maybe a shell?

    "It's made of plastic Hiei. There are tiny little indents on the bottom burned into it by a lazor and the stereo reads those marks and makes them into sound."

    "What are you playing at fox? You can't put a song on plastic."

    The ningen/youko's smile grew, "Ningen can."

    "Hn."

    "Dance with me."

    ". . ." Hiei eyed him dubiously, "There isn't enough room for dancing."

    "If you dance like ningen there is."

    ". . .?"

    Kurama took Hiei's hands and placed them on his hips then encircled the Koorime's shoulders with his own arms, "Now you just move to one side and then the other, one two three."

    Hiei blinked at the fox incredulously, "Ningen dance like this?"

    "Uhuh." He smiled and glaced at Yuusuke and Keiko, "See?"

    Hiei studied the other two and leaned his Head against Kurama's abdomine as Keiko lay hers on Yuusuke's shoulder. It felt good. Warm. Safe. He like this. . . dancing.

    "That's perfect."

    "Aa."

    "Ne, Hiei. . . arigato." Kurama smiled and let the spiky black hair tease his chin.

    "Hn?"

    "For coming today, for watching out for me, it means a lot to know that you're with me. I don't think I could face ningenkai alone."

    Hiei snorted, "You love this place fox."

    "I did, before. . . but now. . . I miss the freedom of Makai. I miss my den. I miss my body."

    "This one is fine." Hiei mumbled.

    Kurama smiled, "Why Hiei, was that a complement?"

    "Believe as you will."

    The redhead stopped dancing and knelt to Hiei's height, "Arigato. Hiei."

    The fire youkai didn't try to evade Kurama's hug. He didn't respond to it, but he didn't evade it. This was one part of Ningen life he could appreciate. Touching. Ningen seemed to love to touch and be touched. In Makai that never happened. Hugs were a sign of weakness or stupidity there.

    ". . . you mean so much to me Hiei." Kurama smiled, burrying his face in the thick cloth of Hiei's cape. "Please, promise me, even when we go back to Makai, that you will still be my best friend."

    "Hn, kitsune no baka." He snorted, but his face wasn't harsh.

    Kurama nuzzled closer, "Hiei."

    "OI! Come on! Cake! Cake! Cake!" Kuwabara yelled and recieved a mallet bash from his sister.

    "Big mouth! They were having a moment!!!"

    "Itai Oneechan!"

    Kurama giggled softly and Hiei smirked mockingly, "Baka."

    "Who're you calling a baka shrimp?!!"

    "You see any other bakas around?"

    "Temeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!"

    Yuusuke snatched Kuwabara's collar and pulled him into the kitchen, "He's right though, lets eat!"

    Keiko sighed and glanced apologetically at Kurama, "He only thinks of his stomach."

    "I don't mind Keiko-chan."

    Once they were all gathered around at the table Yuusuke pulled out the candles, "Ho wmany do I put on? How old are you?"

    "721."

    All of ningin at the table facefaulted.

    "You're so young Kurama-chan!."

    Another round of groans was heard.

    Yukina smiled, "I thought you would be much older, you've made such a name for yourself!"

    Kurama blushed.

    "Ne, kurama. . . I don't have that many candles!" Yusuke frowned, "And if I did, They wouldn't fit on the cake!"

    "How about 17 then, that's that age of my ningen body."

    Yuusuke grinned, "Ah! Better!"

    "Aa." Yuusuke put the candles on and lit them, "Ok Kurama, make a wish."

    Kurama closed his eyes and blew the candles out then cut the cake for everyone, "Thank you all, for coming today."

    Kuwabara shrugged, "You're our friend! It's manditory!"

    "Manditory?" Yuusuke blinked, "Where'd you learn such a big word?"

    "Television!"

    Everyone laughed but Hiei, who was staring at the cake in front of him.

    "Hiei?"

    "What is it?"

    "Ningen cake."

    "It's white."

    Yuusuke laughed, "cake can be all different colors Hiei!"

    "Hn." He poked it carefully.

    "It's not alive Hiei." Kurama laughed.

    "It's fluffy."

    Kuwabara rolled his eyes, "It's cake! Eat it would ya?!"

    "Shut up do-ahou!"

    "Who are you calling stupid you little. . ."

    Yukina's eyes were wide, "Kazuma-kun, please don't fight."

    "Hai Yukina-chan." He grinned and blushed bright red and Yukina smiled.

    Hiei watched them angrily until something was shoved between him lips, "Hey! What'd you. . ."

    Kurama handed him the plate with the rest of the cake, "See, it's good."

    "Aa." Hiei nodded and finished off the rest of the cake."

    "Uh. . . Hiei. . . won't that make you sick?"

    "No."

    "Oh."

    Yuusuke grinned, "So Kurama. . . tell us!"

    "What?"

    "Who you like!"

    "I like all of you."

    Yuusuke made an annoyed face, "you're doing that on purpose, come on! Who's the girl that's got you floating in the clouds lately huh? huh?"

    Kurama smiled and shook his head, "I have no interest in any girl."

    "Ok." Yuusuke still pressed, "So who's the guy?"

    "Nani?!"

    "Come on! You can't fool me!"

    Kurama smiled, "I am not in love with any ningen Yuusuke."

    Seeing Kurama wasn't going to tell, he backed down. //At least we've made some progress today.// He smiled and went back to devouring him cake, //progress is good.//
 
 

    When the party was over and everyone had gone home, Kurama turned to Hiei and smiled, "So, did you find anything to like about ningen Hiei?"

    Ruby eyes looked at him sharply, "Cake."

    The fox laughed lightly, "Cake?"

    Hiei thought again, "Dancing, and Hugs."

    "Oh Hiei. . ."

    "Friendship."

    Kurama wiped a happy tear away and hugged the fire youkai, and this time, with no witnesses,  Hiei hugged him back.

    "And you."

    Happy tears dampened the youkai's scarf and he blinked, "Fox are you injured?"

    "No Hiei, ningen's eyes water when they're extremely happy, and when they are hurting."

    "Why're you so happy?"

    "Because you're here."

    Hiei looked incredulous but he hugged the ningen/youko closer, tighter, "Hn, stupid fox." He smiled slightly and closed his eyes.
 
 

    Yuusuke put down the binnoculars and gave Kuwabara a high five, "Yes! We are perfect. . ."

    Both struck their poses, "MATCHMAKERS!!!!"

    A boot slammed into Kuwabara's face, "Quiet down there! Some people are trying to sleep!"
 
 
 
 

~Owari~