Disclaimer: I have no right to anyone or anything in the YYH World.

A/N: Ok, so this is my latest foray in YusukexHiei land. The chapters are going to run at varying lengths because I've decided to post them by time frames. That way, there won't be any confusion about when something is happening. Every chapter is its own time.

No Matter What

Chapter 1

Yusuke entered the quiet room, his eyes immediately going to the unconscious figure on the bed. Koenma had Botan look after Hiei and make sure he would be ok, and the pair seemed to think the stubborn fire demon would make a full recovery, but they just weren't sure how long that would take.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and gazed down at the sleeping figure. He marveled at how peaceful Hiei looked. There was no sign of the defiant fire demon he'd come to know and respect and even fear a little.

"I'm so sorry, Hiei. If Toguro hadn't bullied me into this stupid tournament, this would have never happened."

Yusuke hung his head, his fists clenched in his lap, images of Hiei seemingly being eaten alive by the darkness dragon still fresh in his mind. Getting angry now isn't going to help any of them. This isn't some schoolyard fight. Their lives are on the line.

"If I lost you….any of you…."

He looked up again and thought back on his and Hiei's relationship with a smirk.

"Why is it that most of the people I care about started out as my enemies? Kurama, you, even Kuwabara. But especially you. You honestly tried to kill me, Hiei. But I forgave you because….because I sensed something about you. Something that told me I just needed to give you a second chance. And once I trusted you, and you saved us from being crushed in Maze castle, I knew. I knew you would be a very important presence in my life."

Yusuke chuckled and shook his head slowly, internally chiding himself for his confession to the unconscious fire demon.

"I wonder, Hiei, did you feel the same way? Why did you save us, really? Was it for Kurama and I just happen to be there too, or was it something else?"

I'd like to think it was something else.

Yusuke let out a tired sigh and stood up, taking one more long lingering gaze at the fire demon. He reached out, fingertips ghosting along Hiei's jaw line.

"Don't ever scare me like that again."

Yusuke left the room, quietly closing the door behind him, completely unaware of the crimson eyes watching his departure.

To be continued…..