Disclaimer: I do not own anything even remotely connected to Yu Yu Hakusho...except a few Shonen Jumps.

Learning to Love

The mission was over. Everyone sat in Kurama's room, exhausted. Yusuke and Kuwabara were sitting on Kurama's bed with their backs against the wall, eyes closed but not asleep. Hiei was lounging on the enormous windowsill and Kurama himself was sitting in his desk chair, turned to face the other three.

"Ha! Another chance to make Yukina proud of me, her strong protector!" Kuwabara exclaimed.

"And, we wish, her silent one as well..." Yusuke threw back.

Kurama only smiled, and Hiei sensed his sadness and was puzzled by it.

/Fox, what's troubling you now? We just completed a difficult mission. Even the oaf has enough sense to be pleased./

Kurama's eyes darted over to meet Hiei's, expressionless.

/Nothing's wrong, Hiei./

"Kuwabara, come on, let's go to the arcade." Yusuke said suddenly.

"Yea!"

/By the way guys, I have mastered telepathy, you know./Yusuke's voice rang through both Hiei and Kurama's heads. And to Kurama he added silently /Tell him now!/

As Yusuke went out the door, Kurama turned around sharply to see him giving him an encouraging smile.

Hiei, never one to talk, closed his eyes and stretched his legs out on the windowsill. Kurama just sadly gazed at him. He used to think Hiei was only deathly attractive. That's how it started. He used to feel comfortable around Hiei, back when the only thing he thought about him was how good-looking he was and that he was an excellent fighter. Then the changes came. Hiei grew beautiful, and Kurama was preoccupied by it. He was, after all, still a yoko. Then he saw how good a friend and brother Hiei was, how loyal and courageous he was. And so he spent more time talking to Hiei, getting to know him better and better. He never even thought of Hiei any other way until one day he caught himself staring at Hiei's lips, imagining how it would feel to kiss them. He never knew he was in love, though, until one fight, a long time ago, when Hiei nearly died. It was then he felt he would give his life for Hiei to be better, for Hiei to live. He knew then that he loved Hiei. He knew he had to tell Hiei; he deserved to know that someone actually loved him. But he kept putting it off, and finally the day had come.

"Fox, are you just going to sit there and stare at me or what?" Hiei asked sarcastically.

"I could stare at you all day Hiei..."

Hiei calmly raised an eyebrow. Kurama got up from his velvet desk chair and walked slowly over to the windowsill, which was above the bed. He drug Hiei off until Hiei was between the bed and Kurama. Kurama wrapped his arms around Hiei's waist and rested his head on his shoulder, letting them both fall to the bed. Hiei hadn't done anything, which Kurama only expected.

"Don't worry Hiei. I would never hurt you. Not in any way. I love you too much to hurt you..."

Hiei gasped in what must have been surprise. Kurama lay there on top of a silent Hiei for a few moments before he thought might as well go out with a bang.. He lifted his head to stare into Hiei's confused eyes, the expression in them soon turning to shock as Kurama gently bit Hiei's lower lip. Hiei opened his mouth to ask Kurama what he was trying to do, but never made it. Kurama took advantage of Hiei's open mouth by placing their lips together, kissing him like there was no tomorrow, tightening his hold on Hiei's waist. Hiei couldn't sense anything other than sadness and determination coming off Kurama in waves. Soon enough, Kurama rolled off of Hiei, and they both stood up, Hiei silent and Kurama panting slightly. Kurama placed his hand on the hilt of Hiei's sword and unsheathed it.

"What the hell are you doing? And what the hell was that?"

"That was a kiss Hiei.. Here, take your sword," Kurama said, handing to Hiei the hilt. Kurama placed the point on the blade against his heart, saying, "Hiei, I know that you could never love me. And I can't stand to always be so near to you all the time, aching for you. Would you do something for me Hiei? If I die, I'll revert back to my yoko self once more. I won't be bothered by these petty feelings, by this pain. Hiei, could you kill me?"

Hiei was at a loss for words. He had never known Kurama wanted to die. He willed his hands to give his friend his wish, but they refused to stab him. Finally he resheathed his sword and looked at Kurama.

"Kurama, if I told you I loved you, would you stay like this?"

Kurama hesitantly nodded. "But I would have to know you meant it. You would need to love me as much as I love you, Hiei."

"I don't know how to love fox." Kurama sighed shakily. "That's ok, Hi-" he started to say before Hiei cut him off. "So teach me." Hiei stated simply.

"Yes. Teach me how to love you."

"But why? You always wanted me to be a yoko again Hiei."

"But not a coward Kurama. You would be a coward if you killed yourself, especially over some petty feeling for me. Teach me to love, Kurama. If you can't, then I'll consider killing you."

Hiei looked away from Kurama, who was smiling a small, sad smile. In a flash, he disappeared.

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Sorry It's so short...I have another chapter almost done, so I'll get that up soon. Please review!