"Tadaima!"

The word came out of old habits, but even as he uttered it Kurama knew the pointlessness of it. Since he had moved out from his mother's home, no "Okaeri!" would reply to his greeting. Even if Hiei were there, the little Fire Demon wasn't the kind of man to worry about such daily ningen rituals.

Not that Kurama minded that so much. Hiei certainly had his own ways of making him feel welcome after a long boring day at work.

When Hiei was there.

Quit pouting, Fox! the redhead chided himself as he took off his shoes and rested his tired feet in his cozy slippers. You have nothing to complain about. Mukuro was probably going crazy with her heir jumping through portals back and forth, doing everything in his reach to enjoy the best of two worlds. Even if she had supported Hiei's decision all the way, someday she might decide that the future landlord of a third of Makai should spend more time managing his destined legacy than hanging with his sister and friends and fooling around with his spouse. Until now she had been awfully generous, and Hiei wasn't saving her generosity for later -- he would be by Kurama's side whenever he could find an excuse for it.

Kurama even suspected that Hiei showed up in Ningenkai more often than he really wanted, just to please him. The Jaganshi would deny it always, of course. But he couldn't deny that he was happy in Daiichibara and proud of his work there. He probably longed for the day he would get to have Kurama and Makai together, at the same time, on a more permanent basis. But since their marriage, the Youko hadn't heard any reproaches about it from his grumpy little youkai. Well, maybe a few scowls every now and then, but not a word.

Hiei took their commitment very seriously. So Kurama did the same and suppressed the vain, selfish whim to ask him to stay longer in the Human World. Besides, he sort of enjoyed missing Hiei. It was a brand new feeling in his very old life, a roller coaster uniting the hell of loneliness and the paradise of an imminent re-encounter. There was no emptiness. His itooshi was always there, either with him or just a moment away.

Kurama had never dreamed that a human simple life could be lived so intensely. One of those little surprises -- one of the pleasant ones -- that Fate had kept safe for Youko Kurama in a locked box, to be opened when he was positive that he knew everything there was to know of hearts and souls.

And as he laid his heavy suitcase on the round dinner table, another pleasant surprise caught his eye: the wind blowing in through the terrace door -- that he was sure to have left closed when he left in the early morning --, rippling the creamy curtain in playful nudges. And if the lukewarm breeze seemed gentler now, there was proof that some naughtier blasts had rushed in earlier. In a domino effect, the sweeping fabric had knocked down the pair of black boots that someone -- a very special someone -- had placed by the glass door.

Kurama slid the glass door closed and put the boots back in their corner, smiling to himself. He had eventually tamed Hiei to take his shoes off before entering, but he doubted the Fire Demon would ever agree to use the lift or the front door. "I don't wanna carry keys in my pocket," he had grunted many times. "They jingle."

The redhead forced himself to move slowly-oh-so-slowly towards the bedroom. Hiei's ki signature summoned him as the most bewitching perfume, begging him to hurry and join him, but the torture of waiting felt so sweet. Like staring hungrily at a giant ice cream cup being neatly built before him, like breathing in the delicious smell of cinnamon bread coming from the oven, like hearing the first midnight bell at New Year's Eve and knowing that in eleven seconds the world would be turned into an ocean of hugs, kisses and laughter. Kurama savored each of the last moments of missing Hiei, before diving in the delight of devouring Hiei's presence, aura and, naturally, body.

The lights were off and only shy sunbeams made it through the slats of the venetian blinds, gently drawing the outline of a diminutive body lying prone on the large bed. Childlike face relaxed in deep sleep, arms hugging the pillow -- Kurama's pillow, the redhead noticed happily --, calmly paced breathing moving the muscles under the gray tanktop, black-clad legs stretched lazily, tiny shoeless feet just asking to be tickled... yes, apparently he was all there. The Youko unconsciously licked his lips as he concluded the quick checklist. Now it was time for a more detailed inventory.

Jumping on his prey... like a hound on a rabbit... was Kurama's usual approach. But his baby was sleeping so cutely and would react so grouchily if awakened by a sudden glomp attack... On the other hand, what could be more kawaii than the Jaganshi pouting and squirming and having a hissy fit on Kurama's lap?

Except that the baby could bite. Hard.

Wheedling Hiei until he "unpouted" was fun for sure, but damaging his dignity was always dangerous. The redhead was sure he was safe from being slashed by an angry katana or devoured by a voracious Kokuryu, but Hiei had proven time and again that he didn't mind using his fangs to punish his impish mate.

Playful bites were okay. But the Fire Demon was seldom playful when dragged out of his beauty sleep.

Choosing caution over inescapable bruises, Kurama tiptoed to the end of the bed and carefully left his slippers to stand on the mattress, moving gracefully not to rock the whole structure. Maybe he was too out of practice to try to steal the fortress of the Kayou Citadel in Reikai, but Hiei had become too used to Kurama's ki signature to be much of a challenge to his sneaking talents. The sheets didn't even wrinkle when the redhead straddled the slumbering figure and lay on the brawny back, arms wrapping the youkai's shoulders in the sweetest cuddle ever. "No bones..." he whispered.

"...bones?" mumbled a drowsy voice. Almost a purr.

Kurama drank from that low familiar timbre thirstily, amazed at how relaxed Hiei was. It was hard to tell if he was awake or just talking in his sleep. "Not one in your entire body, baby..."

Hiei opened an eye, suspicious. Then he flexed his fingers under the pillow, just to be sure. "Oi, of course I have bones, stupid Fox..."

The muffled grunt melted the Youko's own bones, transforming him in an amorphous cloud of warmth and love enveloping the little demon. "Maybe hugs are better than sex after all..."

"Hn."

Grooming the short thin hairs on Hiei's nape, Kurama filled his nostrils with the strong scent of the air and flora of their homeworld exhaled by the black spiky mane. "Do you still prefer hugging me than making lo..."

"I'm not even hugging you," Hiei cut him off.

"Aren't you?" The Youko's lips moved to play with the hairs around the youkai's ear, trying hard to focus on their work despite the smug grin that curved them up.

"I'd have thought you'd notice something like that..."

"Stupid me, ne?" Kurama murmured languidly.

Dizzy by fatigue and the seductive grooming, Hiei's mind started a glorious dive in a flaming ocean of rapture and peace. "...uhm-hmm..."

"But you don't prefer hugging an old pillow than hugging me, do you, baby?" The Jaganshi's earlobe was so fun to play with...

Deep breathing, a sigh. And silence.

"Baby?"

Hiei nuzzled the rose-perfumed pillow. "I'm thinking."

Kurama growled softly, rolled his eyes. "I suppose it's a very hard decision..."

"Uhm-hmm."

So irritating, the redhead smiled to himself, covering the little he could see of Hiei's cheek with wet smooches. "How much time you think you'll need?"

"Not much," said Hiei, entwining his legs with the Youko's longer ones. "A day or two..."

Too irritating. "You expect me to wait a day or two?"

"It's a really hard decision."

Kurama glared at his vicious rival -- his own scented pillow --, feeling the acrid taste of jealousy in his tongue. Even if his legs were being more than delightfully hugged, the redhead wanted more.

He wanted everything. Now.

"You've been away for five weeks," Kurama pointed out. "Maybe you forgot the way I hug."

He could see one of Hiei's eyebrows arching. "I think I remember."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm the one who taught you, Fox."

True. So irritatingly true. "Maybe I learned a thing or two while you were away. I've been practicing."

"With whom?"

The Youko bit his lip. "Yusuke."

Hiei's bones came back as he shrugged, then vanished again. "Yusuke can't hug."

Kurama stifled a chuckle and tried again. "Keiko."

"Just slightly better."

"Kuwabara-kun."

"Bet he doesn't know the difference between a hug and a teapot."

"Yukina."

"That's not funny!" Hiei warned threateningly.

"Shizuru?"

An annoyed huff. "Have you been hugging the whole Ningenkai?!"

Hardly... "Kaasan."

The youkai considered it. Shiori Minamino's embraces seemed to be strong enough to heal all the ailing souls of the three worlds. "She taught you how to be as fluffy as this pillow?"

It was becoming hard for Kurama to remain serious. "That's what mothers must teach their kids when they're about to start on their own path: how to be brave, noble, sensible, responsible, and fluffy."

Hiei took a minute to ponder about it, then let go of the pillow and rolled over to face his Fox's emerald eyes. "Show me."

Obediently, Kurama tied himself around the little demon, moaning sluggishly when muscular arms sneaked around his waist and shoulders, getting entangled in his crimson locks, moving constantly and dizzyingly, massaging tense muscles under the linen shirt. Their legs seemed to be forming a spontaneous, delightful knot on their own, and the Youko almost forgot he was supposed to be demonstrating his acquired boa skills.

Doing his best to catch up, he raised the little demon a few inches off the mattress, seeking the same mobility for his own arms -- and pulling his lover away from that traitorous pillow. He matched his breathing with Hiei's, inhaling when the other exhaled, making sure their chests moved together, never allowing an inch of free space between them. His fingers fondled the youkai's back, drawing intricate patterns between his ribs, teasing and soothing. Their hips rubbed slowly together; very, very slowly. Almost innocently.

Kurama had imagined that this would feel more like a contest than it actually did. Their lovemaking still kept a competitive edge, with both of them planning strategies and constantly turning tables, just like their first time... so long ago, on Shiori's... Oh Inari-sama... kitchen table, with sunflower oil. But somehow this time the Youko just felt like floating peacefully on the sweet clouds of elation of that caring, obstinate holding.

And his mind had always manifested its reluctance to think and plan while his body was having so much fun with Hiei's hugs...

Eventually, Kurama lay his mate back on the bed, and put between them just enough distance so they could look at each other. "So..." he breathed. "What do you think?"

The youkai was panting. Heavily. "You've been better."

That was his Hiei. So goddamned irritating...

And so goddamned fluffy... "You've been away for so long, baby," Kurama said in a mock whining. "My body lost the data concerning the exact measurements of your shape, density and texture. I need some time to recover those numbers and load them into the system."

"You have been hugging the whole Ningenkai," the Jaganshi muttered, biting his mate's chin. "And you have been spending too much time talking to that dang machine too."

Luckily, that was one of Hiei's "kind bites". But Kurama shifted his position to attack the front of the little demon's neck with quick smooches, away from those treacherous fangs. Just in case. "I don't know why you dislike my dear faithful PC so much..."

"It gives you cramps and a bad mood."

"That's silly, baby."

"You spend the day in front of that thing and comes to bed moaning about viruses, bandwidth, spammers, illegal operations and I don't wanna know what else. That's not what I want you to moan about in our bed, Fox!"

Our bed. No one in either world could understand him, but for Kurama the best part of married life was hearing Hiei say "our bed". After all they had gone through, all the frustration and sorrow, those two words were their trophy, their scream of delight as they reached the top of the mountain they took a lifetime to climb. He kissed the Jaganshi's chest right over his fast-beating heart. "All I need is to re-explore my territory here..." His hands roamed up and down Hiei's sides, pinching his buttocks at every pass. "...and remember my way around. Give me a week and I'll give you such a hug that this sexy body of yours will turn into a permanently boneless, sexy, scented pillow. You'll see."

The Fire Demon yawned and grimaced. "Can't, Fox... Sorry."

"Why?"

"Gotta be back in two days."

Three barrels of freezing water splashed mercilessly on Kurama's lustful mood. "Now that's what I call a short leave," he murmured, not bothering to hide his disappointment.

"Actually this is what Mukuro calls a diplomatic mission," Hiei snorted.

The Youko propped on his elbows to stare down at Hiei's annoyed face. "You're here on business?!"

Ruby eyes dimmed a bit as the youkai caressed his spouse's hair apologetically. "Afraid so."

Kurama held him tight, whining softly and randomly in the Jaganshi's ear about the injustice of the world. He made a point of making it sound witless enough to assure his mate that he wasn't angry.

"I miss you too," Hiei admitted in a hoarse whisper.

"Mukuro seems to have lots of business going on Ningenkai. Considering that the treaty of non-aggression towards humans is still on and all..."

"We can't kill humans. No one said we can't do business here."

"Buying human flesh from youkai butchers residing here is also off-limits," Kurama scowled. "And I know there are still many of them around Ningenkai acting in the black market."

"Mukuro doesn't negotiate with them," Hiei guaranteed. "And she won't be kind if she finds out that one of her tenants or soldiers does it. She's taking the treaty seriously."

Kurama grinned at the defensive tone. Hiei would deny it always, but he was almost as protective of Mukuro as he was of Yukina. "Not a human eater, is she?"

"She can live without it, like most. I'm sure she enjoyed the taste though."

The redhead shivered. His flesh was very, very human. It was a strange thought to talk with people that might consider him food.

But then, he had met several demons that cherished youko liver as a refined and tremendously expensive delicacy. Yuck! "You never tell me what kind of errands she sends you to do here..."

"You never ask."

"I thought you didn't want to tell me."

"I thought you weren't interested."

Kurama rolled his eyes. "Maybe we should talk more..."

"That would imply fucking less."

"Not necessarily. We could just give up eating or sleeping..."

That owed him a pinch on his earlobe. "I'm not giving up sleeping. Not even for you."

"I know, I know... dreamless sleep, better than sex."

The Fire Demon grinned affectionately. "Seriously, I thought you were trying not to get involved with anything related to Makai."

Kurama kissed his spouse's cheek. Hiei made no secrets about what he thought of Kurama's attempts of shutting their homeworld out. But he respected his decision nonetheless. Just like he had never asked him to move into Mukuro's realms with him -- even before becoming Shiori Minamino's baby son --, he wouldn't touch a subject Kurama had declared "not for discussion". Well, not after that marriage at least.

He loved Hiei for that.

And not only for that. "I'm involved with you, baby."

The youkai smirked. "I said you were trying not to get involved. I never thought you were having much success in it."

"Well... You have to put up with my cramps, my bad mood about viruses and illegal operations..."

"Don't forget that secretary that keeps borrowing your pens and never returning them, the chair with a broken arm in your office, and your daily complaints about the coffee they serve there..." Hiei recited patiently.

Kurama grimaced, but accepted the amendment. And the coffee was terrible. "So I guess I should put up with your complaints about your job too. To even things between us."

"I don't have complaints about my job."

Now that was hard to believe. Everybody had complaints about their jobs. "None at all?"

"None important enough to bring to bed with us."

"Any you'd bring to dinner table?" Kurama suggested playfully.

"No..."

"To the low table in the living room then, when we're watching TV and eating popcorn?"

Hiei thought about it. "Depends. What are we watching?"

"Soap operas. With microwave popcorn."

"Eww. Fine, I could bring some of my complaints then."

The Youko beamed. "Great! So... what do you think? I still have the tape with those episodes I recorded for Kaasan while she was in Nagoya. I'll turn on the TV and put the volume very loud, and leave some popcorn exploding in the microwave... and we could stay right here and you'd tell me all your complaints about this diplomatic mission Mukuro threw at you."

"Stay here? Shouldn't we move to the low table?"

"With the TV on and the sickening smell of artificial butter popcorn, we'd be at the low table in spirit."

Hiei's tiny nose was wrinkling. Apparently he hadn't liked the idea.

But it was so clever!... "It's just that the bed is a lot more comfortable, baby... and if I have to comfort you after hearing about all the nasty things you have to go through to make Mukuro happy, well..." He shrugged and offered him one of his most "innocent" grins. "We'd be here already!"

The Fire Demon was making a herculean effort not to laugh. "I won't dispute your logic, Fox. The problem is, I really don't have any complaints about this mission. And it won't be so hard to complete it to Mukuro's content."

Kurama pursed his lips. "Really? No complaints at all? Not one?"

"Nope."

The redhead pouted. And this time Hiei couldn't hold his chuckles anymore. "Kurama, why all the scheming? Just ask me what the mission is about! Is it so hard for you to admit that you're curious?"

"Of course it is!" Kurama fell on his back beside him, folding his arms. "If I admit that I'm curious you're gonna mock me for the rest of our lives for being a curious fox..."

Hiei lay his head on his mate's shoulder, entwining their hands together. "I'm gonna do that whether you admit it or not, my stupid, curious Fox."

The Youko melted. Okay, so we have weird ways of renewing our vows... "I just can't figure out why Mukuro would send you, of all people, in a diplomatic mission."

"That's the only thing you can't figure out?"

"No, I also can't figure out who Mukuro would want you to be diplomatic with."

Hiei yawned and nuzzled the redhead's shirt. "That's what I thought when she first mentioned the assignment."

"And I'm sure you worded your objections in the most respectful way," Kurama snickered.

"Mukuro is smart enough to know that mellow words have nothing to do with true respect."

She'd better know. Not even I get many mellow words from Hiei-cutie... But the young Jaganshi did respect her. She was probably the one he respected the most in the three worlds. "Anyway. She convinced you."

"As it turned out, the whole thing actually made sense," Hiei confessed. "I only wished she had gone straight to the point right from the start. Sometimes I think she actually enjoys pushing my buttons..."

And who doesn't? Kurama thought to himself. Was it possible that Hiei didn't know how cute he was when he was pissed off? "Are you ever telling me what is this mission about?"

"Yusuke, of course."

The Youko blinked. "Yusuke?"

"You didn't think Mukuro was actually trusting my diplomatic skills, did you?" the Fire Demon snorted. "Nah, she only thinks I'm the only one with any chance of convincing Yusuke to go to Makai to do other stuff than breaking some youkai heads."

And she's probably right, the redhead mused. "You mean... she wants Yusuke to get involved into politics?"

"Yep."

"She's nuts."

"Hn. That's what I told her."

"But you just said it made sense."

"We really have no choice, Fox," Hiei sighed. "That thief gang in Eopu Kumarun is causing us more trouble than we can afford."

"I thought it was a small gang," Kurama frowned. "I met the leader a bunch of times in my previous life. She practically begged me to join my group."

"You met Iregiho?! You never told me that!"

"I'm telling you, we gotta work on conversation..." the redhead laughed. "Yeah, I met her. Decent thief. Good fighter, average brains, awful temper. My group would have eaten her guts for breakfast in the first week."

"Iregiho's gang isn't exactly the problem," Hiei explained. "She only had the really bad idea of pillaging Sukyasuka's lands. The richest and harshest of Mukuro's tenants. The one who spent a year wearing mourning garments when the peace treaty between the three kingdoms was signed. One who makes Zaitaa the Slaughterer look like a blossoming daisy in comparison."

Kurama didn't know Sukyasuka. But he knew all the stories about Zaitaa, and none of them should be listened after meals.

He bit his lip, failing to stifle his tender smile. It was impossible for him to hear that name now and not to think of Zaitaa K'raus's goblin helper...

"Wipe that smile off, Fox," Hiei growled, easily reading his thoughts.

Kurama tried. He really did. "I'm sorry, baby."

The youkai glared at his clearly amused face. "Somehow I doubt that."

Shifting in bed to hold his little spouse in a half embrace, the Youko cleared his throat. "So. Iregiho messed with the wrong people. What's that got to do with Yusuke?"

Hiei sighed for the irreparable loss of his pride and returned to the topic. "Where do you think Iregiho keeps her headquarters?"

Kurama groaned. "I see. Yusuke's realms."

"Smart Fox," the Jaganshi patted his head.

This was what humans euphemistically called an "international incident". If that Sukyasuka person decided to give Iregiho a brief display of his infinite kindness, Mukuro would be accused of breaking the peace treaty. No wonder Hiei had been so defensive about it. "Can't Mukuro and you keep this Sukyasuka at bay?"

"Sure we can," Hiei assured him. "But he's already disappointed with Mukuro for making peace with Yomi and Yusuke, and I'm sure he's not very fond of me either. He's been spreading rumors, suggesting that I'm the bad influence behind Mukuro's "bad" decisions."

"That's ridiculous!" Anyone who knew Mukuro could tell she was not one to be easily influenced.

"Of course," Hiei nodded. "That's what everyone else is saying. That Sukyasuka is old and paranoid, a fossil that can't accept the new Makai. But if we start repressing him..."

"...some people will start wondering if the reason you're repressing him is because he's right," Kurama murmured. Politics... Subtle, dangerous and filthy, no matter if we're talking about humans, demons or spirits. It was his luck to have married a Makai fledgling politician.

"And Sukyasuka isn't the kind of guy you want for an enemy," the youkai agreed.

"Can't you ask for Natsume's help? Isn't that what the king status is for?"

"Natsume would be the natural answer, yes," Hiei nodded. "If her brother Kujou hadn't been Iregiho's sweetheart for seventy years."

Kujou and Iregiho?! "I never knew they were an item!"

"Me neither. Seems it ended a few decades ago, before I was born. And they were discreet about it. Thankfully Kokou got drunk in one of Yomi's mega-parties and spilled the beans before anyone had a chance to ask for Natsume's interference."

"It would be quite a pretty scandal..." The Youko commented with a shudder. One that could weaken Natsume's position. And that would be bad news to all the defenders of the peace treaty.

"That's why Mukuro is looking for alternative solutions."

"Yusuke."

"Yeah."

Kurama kissed the Fire Demon's brow over the bandanna, noticing the fatigue in his ruby eyes. "I don't know... Yusuke might help... but he also might make things a lot worse."

"That was why Mukuro sent me. She hopes I can keep him still until he hears the whole story and understands the whole picture. Or else he is going to fly to Makai and bash Iregiho and Sukyasuka's heads together, and we can say bye-bye to the treaties."

The redhead giggled. "I'm afraid I like Yusuke's solutions too much to be a good politician."

Relaxing in his Fox's arms, Hiei let out a loud, vibrant laughter. "Yusuke has style. No one can argue that."

Kurama traced the outline of the white starburst in his lover's hair distractedly, wondering if an old Youko like him would ever learn the new tricks of dealing with this new-sprung, weirdly changed Demon World. Honestly speaking, he wasn't sure he wouldn't end up committing the same mistakes the foolish Iregiho did. In a way, the new Makai reminded him of Ningenkai. Not the warm, refreshing Ningenkai of loving mothers, faithful friends and peaceful routine, but the Ningenkai of blind intolerance, political intrigue, social injustice, widespread corruption and endless wars.

They were still demons, still predators. Only now they used napkins after devouring their prey. "Don't you ever wonder if Sukyasuka is right, baby?"

"About me and Mukuro?"

"About the peace," he sighed. "I don't know, we lived in fear of the war for ages, knowing it would be so horrible that it'd certainly annihilate our world thoroughly... but... things were clearer then. We knew whose side everyone was, and the traitors were easily spotted and discarded. This Sukyasuka would have gotten rid of Iregiho's gang, Raizen would have killed just as many men of Sukyasuka's army for good measure, and it'd be all over, because neither Raizen or Mukuro would want to start a conflict that would weaken them, or else Yomi would conquer them both..."

Hiei yawned again. "It was simpler," he agreed. "But it's gone. Buried with Raizen's remains. Yusuke wouldn't fit that system."

"Yusuke doesn't fit this system either!" the redhead protested. "You said it yourself; you'll probably have to chain him to the Tokyo Tower to make him listen to the whole story. And slap him awake every four minutes. His specialty is the direct approach, quick and explosive."

"So is mine," the Fire Demon reminded him.

That's true, Kurama admitted. But Hiei had Mukuro. And she was determined to make him her successor, or die trying. And because of her, of what he felt for her, he had proved to be willing to try to learn and change. The least he could do for one who had opened arms and heart so easily to a Forbidden Child.

Yusuke, on the other hand... "You think he can change? You think he would?"

"Hard to tell," Hiei agreed. "But you see, you and I know Yusuke doesn't fit because we know him. Mukuro knows because she knows what I know. No one else has really realized that yet, and they won't find out until Yusuke moves to Makai and start managing his territory on his own. Until then... if we can make the new regime stable enough so it won't depend so much on one man's decisions..."

"...Yusuke will either change or be devoured by the political sharks." Kurama glared down at the youkai. "This is awful. To hell with politics; he's your friend, Hiei."

The Jaganshi looked at the redhead for a long, quiet moment. There was sadness in his vivid eyes, worried lines in his young features. "I'm not a shark," he whispered at last.

The Youko gulped, feeling guilty for rushing to conclusions. "I didn't say you were."

"There's only one way with Yusuke. We don't change him. He changes us."

Kurama hugged him, nuzzling the crook of his neck. It wasn't fair to doubt Hiei like this. And it was pointless to try to predict Yusuke. They could only prepare for the worst and pray for the best; just like they had done when the three of them had been summoned by the three kings of the Demon World. In the right time Yusuke would show up to blow all their plans to hell and lead them to success through a path only the brassy half-human could conceive.

That was why they loved him so much after all.

"If you're trying to spare Yusuke for the time being... is it wise to get him into the fire so soon with this affair with Iregiho?" Kurama asked in a low voice, capturing Hiei's hands to lick his fingers. "Is there no other alternative?"

"Sure there is," the youkai groaned. "Negotiating with the Almighty Prince Regent."

Kurama smirked. "Somehow I think you don't like Hokushin all that much."

"I don't dislike him either," Hiei argued. "He's a dang protectionist. He keeps Yusuke's territory safer and more guarded than his family jewels. And he's definitely not a shark. Good for Yusuke, but he won't agree with a thing Mukuro and I tell him, because we're on the "wrong side" of the borders."

"He doesn't trust Mukuro?"

"It's more than that. It's the old-fashioned thinking: a kingdom's strength is its capacity to be self-sufficient and independent. He's afraid of showing weakness by negotiating with us. And he won't do a thing about Iregiho, because he doesn't want anyone saying he's doing it out of fear of Sukyasuka."

The Youko rolled his eyes. "So what does he plan to do?"

"Wait for Iregiho to pillage Yusuke's side of the borders and become his enemy as well, and wipe out her whole gang."

That would save Hokushin's pride alright, but... "What if she doesn't attack Yusuke's side of the borders?"

Hiei shrugged. "Sukyasuka won't wait anyway. That's why we need Yusuke. Now."

"Keiko-chan won't be happy..."

"She..." the youkai started, but trailed off with an exhausted scowl. "You know what I think."

"Yeah," Kurama sighed sadly. "I know." Straddling his lover's lithe body, he sought another sheltering hug, silently cursing all those damned confining borders in his and his friends' lives. "Why must things be so difficult?"

"We wouldn't have any fun if they weren't." Hiei's bones weren't there, but now the redhead suspected it had more to do with his fatigue than anything else. The trip from Daiichibara to Tokyo was long and hazardous, even without political problems crowding your head. "Please take care of yourself, baby..."

"That's why I came home, stupid Fox... I was hoping you would take care of me for a little while..."

Home... our bed... hug me, my baby... "I'll do my best..."

"Hn. Let's hope I'll survive."

Impulsively, Kurama kissed him hard, biting his lips, sucking his tongue, stealing his breath, punishing him. "You're horrible. I hate you."

"It's okay," Hiei murmured, stretching his arms and leaning his head back. "I still have this pillow."

"No way! That's my pillow!"

"If your name’s written here somewhere I’ll hand it to you," the youkai hissed, mimicking Youko Kurama's voice and arrogant tone. "What’s your name, runt?"

The play would have broken Kurama's heart a couple of years before. But now he was more used to his mate's perfect memory and his unique perspective of their past. "Don't mess with me or I'll tickle you to death."

"Wanna find out if my Dragon is ticklish?"

"Don't cheat, Hiei! Just you and me in a tickle fight. No Kokuryu, no Makai Mimosa."

"Not interested."

"Chicken!!!"

"No rematches, remember?"

"This is not a rematch! It's a brand-new challenge!"

The youkai groaned. "No, please. Not you too."

Red brows knitted together. "What do you mean, me too?"

"Guess who showed up at Mukuro's door last week."

Kurama twitched his lips. "What? No hints?"

Hiei thought about it. "Friend of that dark-haired weirdo whose name you forbid me to say."

"I forbid?" Kurama bit the inside of his cheek in concentration. One small problem in dealing with Hiei's perfect memory was that it allowed him to quote sentences said years before as if they had just been spoken. But soon a bell rang in the back of his mind. "Karasu?!"

The Fire Demon huffed. "Why can't I say his name if you just go and do it anyway?"

The redhead ignored him. "A friend of Karasu's? Who?"

Hiei pulled one of his sidelocks. "Ch. The only one that survived, stupid Fox."

The impressive figure of a tall, brawny, azure-haired, sober, handsome man with a purple scar between the cobalt eyes gleamed in Kurama's memories. "Wow."

"My reaction too," Hiei admitted.

"So he does want a rematch after all!"

The short youkai pulled his hair again. "I didn't say he came for a rematch."

"Ouch! Cut it out!" Kurama pulled his red sidelocks back and over his shoulders, away from his mate's reach. "Why did he show up then?"

"Looking for a job."

"With Mukuro?"

"Indirectly. He wants to work for me."

The Youko gasped. "I don't believe it. I don't believe it!"

But Hiei was giving him a strange look. "Don't get excited..."

"I always wondered if we'd ever hear of Bui again... He didn't show up in any of the two Makai Tournaments."

"He said he isn't interested in any tournaments."

Kurama folded his arms, glaring at the walls. "I wonder what he is interested in then..."

"Fox..."

"The nerve of the guy... does he know we're married?"

"How should I know that?"

"Were you wearing your ring?"

"I promised to wear it always, didn't I?"

"Did he see it?"

"I didn't rub it in his face," Hiei snapped. "What difference would it have made? I don't think he's familiar with ningen customs..."

"What was his expression when he looked at you? What was his tone of voice? Were his eyes shining? Did he lick his lips?"

In dismay, the little demon covered his eyes with the left arm. "Fox..."

"Did he flirt with you?"

"Of course not!"

The redhead scowled. "Why not?"

"Oh gosh..."

"How could he not notice you?! Is he blind or what?"

Hiei was freaking out. "I swear, I really don't understand that Youko thing of yours."

Kurama arched an eyebrow and smiled. "Which thing? Tail? Ears? Wisdom? Sensuality?"

"Total lack of self-criticism."

The youkai's soft-skinned belly was pinched in retaliation. "Be serious!"

"I was serious, until you interrupted me with your astounding humbleness..." Hiei protested.

The redhead showed him the tongue. "What is it that you don't understand about me?"

"The way you keep throwing me in other people's beds, while at the same time you threaten to cut the hands and feet off anyone who dares to look at me."

"There's nothing strange about that."

"No?"

"They can look. They can even touch. They can do whatever they want as long as you're willing. But first they gotta know you're mine and that they must return you to me afterwards just as perfect and healthy and passionate as they found you."

Hiei grated his teeth. "Great..."

"Besides, I never threw you at anyone's bed."

"Oh no? And what is this thing about Bui?"

Kurama smiled, almost blushing. "Okay... So I had a wild dream about you and Bui the night after the Dark Tournament finals."

"What?!"

Emerald eyes gleamed down at him. "That fight was such a show, you and him, auras blazing, breaking through the roof, dancing in the air..."

"You were watching the view," Hiei muttered.

The redhead blinked, again taking some time to remember a years-old private joke. "I suppose I was."

"Do I want to know what kind of lewd things Bui and I did in this wild dream of yours?"

"Remember that time in the Botanical Garden? You and I on the stove roof?"

The Jaganshi paled. "No."

"But Hiei..."

"No."

"At least let me tell you my whole dream."

"No!"

"Baby..." Kurama whined.

"Forget it. It was embarrassing enough with you. I'm not doing it with anyone else."

Divided between disappointment and appreciation, the redhead pouted a little bit and took his cranky spouse in his arms again. "But he's so..."

"No, Fox. That's final."

Oh well... at least I had my dream... "So he'd better not let me catch him ogling you with those deep blue eyes of his, or I'll be forced to grow nettles inside his armor."

The Fire Demon shook his head. "I give up. You're hopeless." He twined their legs together though.

"What kind of job is he looking for?"

A proud, satisfied pause preceded Hiei's answer. "He said he spent a couple of weeks in Daiichibara and was very impressed. He wants to help to build it up."

The Youko kissed him happily. He could actually feel his diminutive lover's aura expanding in warm content and new-found self-esteem. Daiichibara was his ever-growing work of art, his mark to posterity. The loud, undeniable yell at all those ignorant bastards that claimed that a Forbidden Child could only bring evil and destruction to the worlds. "Will you take him?"

Hiei glowered. "I just said...!"

"Oi, that's not it, baka! Will you have him working with you?" Kurama tapped the youkai's nose. "My one-track minded baby."

"Hn. Kiren insisted that Bui should be tested, so he'll be spending four or five months frying Kiren's soldiers with his Battle Aura before being officially introduced to Mukuro."

"But you know him already. Can't you vouch for him?"

"I don't want to."

"Why?"

"I don't want anyone questioning his merits or my judgment. Let him prove himself. He'll enjoy that. He probably needs that."

The comment was enigmatic, but Kurama didn't question him. There was something between Hiei and Bui, some connection he couldn't quite figure out. The tall, azure-haired man had been one of the very few adversaries Hiei had shown respect to, and that alone said a lot about him. The Youko remembered the way his lover -- then only his friend and teammate -- had talked about Bui on that crucial morning they left the Kurikukuri Hotel after the Dark Tournament. His reluctance in revealing what he knew about the Toguro Team fighter, the veiled explanation about why he had decided to spare his life after the combat, the barely disguised sorrow in Hiei's low voice as he asked Kurama to drop the subject...

Bui was physically attractive, yes. The clash between his Battle Aura and the Kokuryu had indeed been astonishing, spectacular, unforgettable. But there was more behind Kurama's licentious dreams concerning him and the short half-koorime. Something subtle, fleeting, and at the same time deeper than the lowest level of Makai.

Something he would probably never grasp, with Hiei's refusal to play along. And that made the Youko terribly jealous and unbearably curious. "It doesn't have to be on the stove roof, you know..."

The Fire Demon was showing his fangs. Bad sign. "What part of "no" don't you understand?"

"The part about how many exclamation marks you're putting after it."

Hiei chuckled. "As many as the silk shirts in your closet."

Kurama sighed, hopeless. "That many?"

"Come on, Fox... I agreed with most of your crazy fantasies... but there are limits. I have limits."

"What do you mean?"

"Between you and Mukuro, I don't really have the energy for another lover," Hiei moaned. "And let's not mention the occasional visits of our wavering Yusuke."

"Hiei! You're making me feel like a leech or something..."

The Jaganshi rolled over the redhead, wrapping him completely in his snake-like embrace. "You are a leech. An ugly, slimy, disgusting, stinking, abominable leech..." He kissed him, lips and tongues fighting for dominance. "...that tastes awful too."

"Kisama..."

Leaning back, Hiei glanced at the clock on the bedside table. "And that came home really early... What are you doing here, Fox? Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Tousan assigned me for a research of potential suppliers of..." Kurama noticed again the tiredness in Hiei's face and cut his boring explanation short. "Anyway. It's something I can do at home." Why can't my work be as interesting as his?

"Kuso..."

"Kuso?! Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Not so early."

"HIEI!!!"

"Why do you think I got here in the morning? I was hoping I'd have the chance to sleep a few hours before you come and proceed with your Youko welcome rituals of ravishing me until I faint."

The Youko fisted the black spiky mane and brought Hiei back down to another kiss. "Bad boy... you can't escape Youko welcome rituals..."

"Do you have to be so enthusiastic about them?"

"Enthusiasm is a prerequisite for the rituals."

The short youkai looked even smaller as he cringed in anticipation.

Hiei was very tired. The trip, the preoccupation, and Inari knew what else... If Kurama insisted, he would acquiesce, using all the strength he had left to please his ever hungry-for-action lover. But...

...Hiei looked so tired...

"What if for a change we leave the Youko welcome rituals aside and set for a ningen traditional welcome instead?" he proposed.

The youkai frowned. "And that would be...?"

"Giving you a nice hot bath, washing your hair, massaging you gorgeous little body, getting you in cozy sweatpants and a cotton T-shirt, feeding you with my best okonomiyaki and banana soufflé, while updating all the gossip about our friends and family."

Hiei's lips curved in a slight, subtle, but very unmistakable pout. "No ravishing?"

The warm wave of tenderness was almost too much for Kurama's unaccustomed heart. "Ravishing later," he promised.

The Jaganshi lay down on the Youko's body, hiding his contented grin on his chest. "Hn."