In Too Deep

**********


After waiting outside the door for a good long while and deciding it wasn't much more interesting than the floor in George's office,
Kurama finally worked up enough energy to knock. Very, very, quietly.

"What!?"

Yusuke certainly didn't sound like he was in a good mood... had good hearing, though. Taking a deep breath, Kurama resolutely
walked in, shutting the door quietly behind him, and slowly lost his bravery as he neared the bandaged human on the bed. He
looked drained from the energy burst, and a little scraped up- Hiei and himself were unharmed, and he only then realized that
Yusuke had somehow absorbed all the damage of that attack. But altogether he looked well.

In fact, he looked happy.

"I thought you'd never show up. It's not like I got the plague, or nothin'." Yusuke sat up in bed, patting an empty spot next to him.
"We need to talk, don't we?"

Kurama numbly walked to the bad and slowly sat down. Reality hit him and he nearly sobbed from the relief- Yusuke wanted to
talk, Yusuke was happy to see him- Yusuke didn't hate him. Despite himself, Kurama did start to cry, his body shaking from the
deep emotional impact. He was so happy, he could lay down and die, right in this man's arms. He'd never thought of Yusuke as a
man, until now, in the face of all that he really was, that he had just never taken the time to see.

Yusuke wrapped his arms around his shoulders, holding his body close to his own warmth. He drew up his knees and Kurama
rested his head on them, Yusuke resting his head on Kurama's murmuring nothings and planting soft kisses to his wild red
hair.

"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry..." It was an endless litany, and Yusuke accepted it all without interruption, merely holding and kissing
him as he said the words his heart so desperately needed him to say.

After a long time, the tears turned to dry sobs and the words turned to cracked whispers, and Yusuke held him still. When
Kurama ceased all movement, completely devoid of any energy, Yusuke urged him to stretch out along side him, sharing the
expanse of the bed.

"Kurama... I know that it wasn't... you." Yusuke finally spoke, an arm under Kurama's neck, the hand running idly through his
hair. Kurama felt the dire need to sleep, but fought it off. Yusuke had not interrupted him, and he would return the favor, though
he felt the need to protest bubble up inside of himself. "I know you think what you did was terrible, and... I guess it was, but I
know you. You're here now, this is you, not that person back there at that hellhole." Yusuke was feeling his horrible
relationship with words coming back to haunt him, and he searched for what he was really trying to say. "When I saw you, in the
room... I knew there was something wrong with you. You just looked... different. And then you were so sad..."

"But I hurt you, Yusuke. I wanted to hurt you, I didn't care what you felt- you were just a, a, a thing to me."

"It didn't hurt as much as you think it did..." Yusuke said more to himself than to his friend, though he heard it. "And I know you
didn't mean it, so I don't hate you, or look down on you. You're like, my hero, you know?"

Yusuke didn't know why, but Kurama began to cry again. He rolled them both onto their sides, facing each other and buried his
face in Kurama's hair, if only to hide the tears stinging his own eyes. He hated to cry- it made him feel weak. But Kurama
clutched at him, burying his own face in his neck, and they stayed that way until they fell asleep.

Hiei found them that way and couldn't suppress a smile.

'Looks like you've finally been convinced...'

Deciding he could be up and gone before anyone noticed, Hiei carefully lowered himself onto the bed, spooning Kurama. He
breathed deeply of the rose scented hair and felt himself drifting to sleep.

If only the rest of the world could be so calm...


**********


Yusuke started from the violent force of an unpleasant memory, rousing himself from a shallow, restless sleep, slowly becoming
aware of his surroundings. He groggily opened his eyes, blinking away sleep to focus on red hair and a pale neck. He smiled to
himself, snuggling deeper into the warmth and adjusting his arms.

'Interesting...'

His hands encountered another lean chest, pressed closely against Kurama, and it only took one guess to figure out who it was,
though he was honestly surprised the other demon had let his guard down enough to lay with them.

'Maybe he's jealous?'

'Funny, I thought you were the jealous one.'

'Shut your hole, I don't need this right now.'

'Aw, c'mon, you know you were lovin' it, havin' Kurama laying next to you, looking to you for comfort.'

'I was just being a good friend. He'd do the same for me.'

'Uh huh. And your thoughts were entirely innocent the entire time... Even when he laid down on you-'

'Shutupshutupshutup'

'You'd go through it all again, just to have Kurama in your arms.'

'So what! So... maybe I enjoyed that that, that thing that happened back there a little too much. I hate myself for it,
y'know! And like Hiei couldn't tell, when he saw me? I'm lucky I'm still alive!'

'Unless Hiei doesn't care as much about Kurama as you think.'

'Of course he does. They mean the world to each other.'

'Case and point- you're jealous.'

'... damn my conscience for sounding like Keiko- makes you all the more infuriating...'

'And besides, if they meant so much to each other, why did Kurama only seek comfort in you?'

'Huh-duh. Where have you been?'

'You saw the way Hiei reacted to you. He felt threatened.'

'No, he felt pissed because now he knows how I feel about Kurama. And you have no way of knowing he didn't talk to Hiei- no,
in fact, I know Kurama talked to Hiei first. He said so.'

'And you say you're not jealous.'

'Shut up. I'm... happy for them.'

'Please, we're in the same body. Not only can I feel the hope that Kurama likes you, but I also feel that little vomitty sensation
when you think that they're happy together- without you.'

'You think you're so damn smart! 'Vomitty' isn't even a real word!'

'You're avoiding the subject!'

'You're pissing me off!'

'You're also rocking the bed.'

'Huh?'

"Yusuke."

'Shit.'

'Just pretend you're asleep... Like you pretend they actually need you.'

'Dammit, I said shut up. You're supposed to be the one to make me feel better about myself!'

"Yusuke, are you awake?"

'You're the one in control, here.'

'Finally- we agree on something. See ya!'

'... oh hell.'

"Yusuke?"

Yusuke sighed, opening his eyes as Kurama pulled his warmth away, also just noticing Hiei's presence. He smiled. "I guess we
were all a lot more tired than we had thought." He scratched at his unruly mop and turned his gaze back to Yusuke, who smiled,
and from the look on Kurama's face, he realized it must not have been very convincing. "Yusuke, are you sure you\
al
alright?"

Yusuke just kept the ineffectual grin on his face and nodded.

Kurama, unsure, nodded in return as he began the delicate task of extricating himself from Hiei's grasp. "Well, I'll be right back.
We can talk when I return, if you like..." Kurama searched his eyes, but Yusuke revealed nothing, only nodding again, hiding it all
behind a big yawn.

Kurama left and Yusuke shivered, wrapping his arms around himself, since Hiei had hogged most of the blanket. Hiei himself
seemed to notice the lack of a certain redhead and began to stir, opening his eyes to meet Yusuke's unwavering gaze.

Yusuke loved to fight, but he hated battles with himself- he could never seem to win. And now, he felt emotionally drained and off
course, ideas and emotions running rampant through him that he couldn't understand, let alone justify.

"... Why did you come for me?"

Hiei cocked an eyebrow. An alarm went off in his head. Yusuas, as, again, not acting like his normal, obnoxious, teen aged self.
"Because Kurama asked me to." That wasn't entirely true, he thought, but he didn't want to counter himself, even with the haze of
sleep to explain away his indecision. He just really couldn't tell this human how much he had cared.

"And Kurama? Why did he come?"

"Because Koenma asked him to." Again, not true, but the answer was mildly amusing.

Yusuke was not amused.

"Well, Ka fea felt that, after all you had done for him... for us, that we... owed it to you."

Yusuke nodded, closing his eyes and smiling an odd smile. It was all falling into place now. All the worrying and hoping was finally
over. They 'owed him.' Because as their leader, he had earned it.

Not because as a friend, he deserved it.

Not because he was maybe a little bit more.

The niggling little demons sounding off in his head, mocking him for months reared their ugly heads and laughed at him. He wasn't
sick, of course, the voices were merely that of all his fears, insecurities, and loneliness- the shadows he hid from even himself with
a sharp tongue and eager fists.

Kurama loved Hiei. Hiei loved Kurama. Yusuke was alone.

End of story.

Inexplicably, Yusuke began to laugh.

'Really, you are pathetic. It took you this long to realize what was in front of your face all along... Like they'd ever love you?
You're just a human! They were ready to destroy the entire world- like you mattered at all? Hiei still wants to take you down! And
Kurama's just like Keiko- too damn sensible to care too much about you. You're doomed to failure, you know? An early death- a
permanent one. You don't give a damn, so why should anyone else care.'

His dark thoughts were spiraling way out of control and any sense whatsoever, but Yusuke could do nothing but crush the heels of
his hands into his eyes and laugh.

'For God's sake, you liked it when Kurama fucked you. You liked the fact that you were with him- anyone!-
even just once, even if it meant nothing at all but a shameful memory to be locked away forever and ignored. You felt needed.
You felt lusted after. You felt worthy. You felt loved.'

He couldn't cope.

It was a universal joke.

Funny, funny, funny.

The next thing Yusuke knew, his arms were wrenched away from his face and Kurama and Hiei peered wide-eyed and worried
down at him.

"Yusuke! Yusuke, snap out of it!" Kurama cried.

Yusuke blinked several times, dark blotches of color obscuring his view, continuing to chuckle. "What the fuck is wrong with
you?"

"With us?" Hiei snorted, still gaping. "We're not the ones going crazy!"

"I have never been so sane." Yusuke grinned, tears streaming heedlessly down his temples, feeling deliriously liberated. It was
over- it was all over. He was free to stop dreaming. "I'm free." He broke out into a spontaneous song of 'Free Bird' before he
broke down again into giggles.

Kurama slapped both hands down on his cheeks, forcing Yusuke to sober up and look him in the eyes. "Yusuke, you're scaring
me. What's wrong." He wasn't asking this time.

Yusuke couldn't cope.

It was really too much, as if his current mental state in front of two of the most dangerous demons in existence wasn't
enough.

He frowned, forcing himself out of Kurama's grip, rolling onto his side to face the wall.

"... wish you'd just left me..."

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY!?" Hiei reared back a fist, but before he could finally let loose his anger, Yusuke
shook once, twice, sobbing, arms wrapping around himself.

Hiei dropped his hand and stared.

"At least they wanted me..." Yusuke sobbed, rolling into a ball and completely forgetting his company.

"Yu... Yusuk-" Kurama choked, covering his mouth with his hand.

Hiei began to feel like the world's official mascot for asshole. Well, of course Yusuke was still vulnerable. Kurama was a
strong person as well, and he was still affected by it all- and he hadn't had it nearly as bad as Yusuke. He never even stopped to
think what might have happened to him before they had arrived, what thoughts had run through his head. Perhaps he thought that
there would be no rescue at all? And when he finally asked, he had gone and coldly thrown his possible fears in his face.

Cursing himself, Hiei threw himself against Yusuke, wrapping muscular arms around his shaking body and holding him as close as
he could. Yusuke struggled weakly, but Hiei just turned his head, whispering apologies and pressing soft, meaningful kisses to his
temple, cheek, ear and jaw, his pride and uncertainties cast to the wind.

'You're loved.' He wanted to say. 'You're needed.'

But these were words he found hard to say to his lover, so he tried to convey as much as he could through his body. With a quiet
rustle of the sheets, Kurama was in his line of sight, burying his own tears into Yusuke's chest, arms wrapping around both his and
Hiei's bodies.

They had given Yusuke too much credit and in a bad way. They had assumed he would be unaffected, that all would be just as it
was. But he was human, and humans were weak. Humans needed to be protected, wanted, cared for. Yusuke, Spirit Detective
and leader of Team Urameshi though he may be, was no exception.

And this was the price to pay for their oversight.

And it was too much.

Their brave leader was broken- not by solid fists raining blows upon his body, not energy coursing and singing through every cell,
but by the ignorance of those he had thought were his friends. They had turned willful blind eyes to him. He could be the leader
and still be invisible.

The stress of the last oay cay crashed over him and crushed him, and as he finally became aware of himself, he felt more
mortified than he ever had in his entire life.

He had never intended either of his friends to know his feelings- what he felt and wanted would only get in the way of their
relationship and their job. Now he had told them both, in the most humiliating means possible. He felt nauseous and too hot, too
confined, but his struggling only made his friends clamp down on him tighter.

"... Guys, I'm okay. I'm just... a little stressed. I guess it all just waited to hit me until now. I'm fine, really." He thought he sounded
convincing, since he more than half believed it, but neither Hiei nor Kurama budged an inch. Yusuke sighed.

'I'm such an ass. Now they're all worried.nd Ind I don't even remember what all I was rambling on about.'

'Try telling them that.'

'I'm never listening to you again! You're no h you you only get me into trouble!!'

'Naturally. If you had a real conscience, would you be as bad as you are? Idiot.'

"Look... I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said. I'm really glad you came for me." No movement. "Well, more than glad, really, more
like piss-my-pants-and-crawl-up-your-ass ecstatic. And I know you're my friends... It's just... stress. Sorry for worrying you."
Yusuke waited, wng wng with all his heart they'd believe him- he meant every word, this time.

"Now I really am ied ied about you." Kurama mumbled, sniffling. "You just apologized twice and thanked us."
Hiei chuckled, albeit a bit nervously, and eased off of Yusuke, sitting closer to the edge of the bed, looking over at them. "Though,"
Kurama added as he sat up and looked down, even with Yusuke too embarrassed to meet his eyes. "I don't think it's as simple as
that. Perhaps we need to talk?"

Yusuke sighed and tiredly scrubbed his face. "Yeah..."

"Hn." Hiei snorted. "Don't get too excited, now."

"Very funny."

"You should be glad you're corrupting me. I've been cracking jokes all the while you've been gone."

"..." Kurama glared at Hiei. "Open mouth, insert foot, Hiei?"

Yusuke waved it off.

Kurama reached over, brushing loose strands of inky black hair out of Yusuke's eyes, startling the younger boy. "You can tell us
anything, Yusuke. We'll listen and try our hardest to help you. You know that, right?"

Yusuke nodded and swallowed hard, keeping his eyes locked on Kurama's. Many quiet minutes went by that way.

'Mush mush mush.' Hiei complained to himself as he closely watched the tender touches and the ensuing blush, impatiently waiting
out the bloated sce. ce. 'It's obvious what the kid's problem is- just bed him and get it over with.' Though, not really the best
course. Yusuke didn't need a one night stand, and Hiei would be damned and double-dipped if he'd allow Kurama to do that
anyway.

Kurama was his.

Of course, that was not to say Yusuke couldn't be too.

His villainous ways were slowly returning to him, and he smiled darkly with glee, remembering his earlier teasing in the bathtub
tryitrying it out again with a little more serious intentions. 'I takes what I likes and I likes what I takes.'

'... damn. Kurama\ightight- too much tv.'

Hiei played it over in his mind- screwing his boss would have itadvaadvantages... First, a constant opportunity to harass the little shit.
Second, he'd have Kurama to dangle over his oversexed little head should he become too unbearable, as he undoubtedly would- on
a bi-weekly basis.

'And if he only wants Kurama?'

'Tough shit- we come as a pair, or not at all. Besides, he didn't allude to Kurama specifically.'

'So, you mean to tell me you've been corrupted enough by these humans to just throw yourself at whatever strikes your fancy. Hi,
I'm yours, want to sit on my face?'

'Hardly. More like, Bow down, you're mine, I'm going to sit on your face.' Hiei grinned again, but then frowned. 'Why the
hell does my conscience sound like Koenma??'

'Not the point. How long would it last, though? You're not exactly an open-arms kinda guy.'

'No, but I'm open minded. We'll just have to see... this is something that perhaps we all need.'

Kurama continued to smile down at Yusuke warmly, slowly losing himself to mirth as it became increasingly apparent Yusuke had
no clue what to say next. There was a lot to say, surely, but it was difficult, as was dealing with his emotions.

He loved Yusuke, he knew he always had. And he loved Hiei so, so much. But now, he was at a loss- his heart told him
something he couldn't possibly listen to. No matter how much it painim, im, Hiei was his first love and his only lover. He would not
betray him.

"I'm sorry." Kurama smiled sadly.

It took only a moment for Yusuke to understand and another moment for Hiei to deflate.

'And here I was just getting warmed up to the idea... Kurama, you fool, you love him, I lllll... lllll... me too, he feels
something. Now you're just complicating things again with that damnable human logic of yours.' He shot Kurama a look
that promised he wouldn't kill him, though it could hardly be described as friendly. "Don't you try to protect my feelings, idiot,
I'm not vulnerable."

Kurama was speechless, with a blush quickly rising as Hiei winked.

'Noooo way he means what I think he means.' Kurama returned his gaze to Yusuke, just in time to see the other sit up and slide
away towards the wall, returning their distance to 'we're just friends.'

"Shit!"

Yusuke looked up startled, and Hiei choked on ugh,ugh, sliding closer to his red-headed lover. 'Guess I'll have to start being more
specific to distinguish which 'lover' from now on.' He was starting to feel like a cat that just caught two canaries. 'Who knew
perversion could be so exciting?'

Kurama sweatdropped, laughing nervously as now it was Yusuke's turn to stare at him oddly.

"You alright, there? Is it catching, or something?" Yusuke chuckled.

With one last glance at Hiei, Kurama leaned forward and brushed his lips experimentally across Yusuke's.

Yusuke drew in a sharp breath, lng bng back away from Kurama's advances until his head hit the wall. "G-Guess so." He shifted
his gaze nervously to Hiei, waiting for the kill.

Which Hiei supplied with a well placed nibble on his bottom lip.

Yusuke paled for a second before all the blood in his body was divided into two separate body parts, one being his face. "Eh?"

"Is that all you have to say?" Hiei asked huskily, hovering over Yusuke's outstretched legs.

"... eh??" Yusuke sat wide eyed, about to burst a vein or two, looking from one friend to the other, confused beyond all
reason.

Hiei cocked an eyebrow and turned to Kurama. "I think I rather like this reaction- no talking!"

"Red light, green light, just what the hell is going on, here!?" Yusuke bellowed, his chest and his pants far too tight to play around
anymore.

Hiei turned back to Yusuke, frowning. "Again with the noise. We'll just have to do something about that, won't we Kurama."

Kurama's face was transformed into a seductive yet ultimately frightening grin. Yusuke swallowed.

'... I don't think I'll ever understand what's just happened here... but damned if I'm gonna complain, either!'

With a devious grin of his own, Yusuke barreled forward, colliding with Hiei and sending them both ontop of Kurama. He closed
his eyes and took a deep breath, just squeezing them both as tight as he could, as if he'd never have the opportunity again. The
embraced was returned twice fold, and he felt so overwhelmingly happy, he could have cried.

But enough with the smentmental, teary eyed, wussy crap- where were those kisses??

They were all about to work that particular problem when the door burst open and Botan ran in, out of breath. She rested her
hands on her knees and tried to catch her breath, suddenly catching sight of three boys frozen in time, blushing and obviously
engaging in something private. Blushing to the roots herself, Botan laughed like a mad rodent, dropped a large file on the table by
the bed, and since she had such a hard time controlling her voice when she was embarrassed, she screamed something about
Koenma and vacation and ran from the room faster than she could have flown.

The door slammed and something fell off the wall, and all was once again silent.

The boys did not move.

"... I am going to murder her."

"No, don't do that." Kurama patted Hiei on the shoulder. "I called her first."

"Um, guys?" Yusuke winced, leaning on his arms and looking down at the other two.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Hiei asked with a sly grin.

"I am if you're thinking we need to take this 'vacation' someplace more private." Kurama winked and pinched Hiei on the
rear.

"And I'm thinking I've got a cramp and really can't move my legs right now..."


**********


Just as they were about to leave, they ran into George, who looked haggard. Kurama had the mind to ask what exactly had
happened to Notaru before the ogre managed to escape for the day.

"You didn't hear?"

"Uh, no, that's why he asked." Yusuke testily replied.

George, used to that sort of treatment, went on unaffected. "Well, after Lord Koenma failed to rescue you, he returned just in time
to see Notaru and his men all heading towards the palace!"

"Then he was serious, when he said he was going to take Koenma on." Kurama said, more to himself than to the others.

George nodded. "Unfortunately, Lord Koenma is a quick thinker."

"Admit it." Hiei snapped, growing impatient and wishing he'd just get to the point. "He panicked and cried while someone else
came up with an idea."

George sweatdropped, looking around nervously before continuing, ignoring Hiei's statement. "Lord Koenma knew that team
Urameshi, combined with his own powers might be enough to fight off such an attack, but he couldn't do it alone. So, he had us rig
up another back door leading straight from the front gates."

"Hm, clever." Kurama nodded, already knowing where this was headed, though Yusuke looked completely lost.

"They came barreling through the gates- we had to set up a token resistance, just to make it believable- and they all found
themselves facing not Lord Koenma, but Emperor Yama." George smiled proudly before deflating a bit. "Uh, we did suffer a few
casualties, but I'm sure those scum will get what they deserve. The Emperor was all ready to leave for his vacation, only to find an
army of bloodthirsty usurping demons in his living room." He laughed nervously. "I can't begin to imagine what happened to them-
he has an awful temper, you know, and he was stressed enough as it was. That's why he was going on vacation... But it got rid of
most of the problem, I should say, though probably not all of it."

"To stop the dog's tail from wagging, you cut off the head." Hiei mentioned over his shoulder, long past bored.

"Er, right. I'm thinking we really just cut off three or four legs- I can hardly see a dog wagging it's tail after that... But it makes the
situation much easier to deal with. And I suspect that's going to be the first order of business when you return."

"Gladly!" Yusuke punched his fist. "Thanks for the filler. See ya around." He waved and headed out, limping, though Kurama soon
stepped up to help support him.

"It's nice to know it all worked out then." Kurama said. Yusuke just nodded, staring ahead as they walked.

"I'm sure they got just what they deserved- more than even we could do to them." Yusuke looked strangely relieved, as Hiei
watched him struggle a little with his walking.

He supposed despite all the hatred and anger and righteous vengeance Yusuke felt, he really didn't want to see Notaru again- to
have to think of it all, relive it. Best just to know it would never happen to anyone else and move on. Hiei nodded to himself. Just
the kind of thing their leader would think- another reason Yusuke was in charge. He could be quite sensible, when he didn't know
it.

"Enjoy your break!" George hollered as he waved at the retreating forms of the three detectives. "Wish I could have a break..."
He moaned to himself.

"OGRE!"

"YEEA~AH!" George jumped three feet in the air and spun to see Koenma's projection.

"Oh good, you haven't left yet- I have a few more tasks for you to do. Settle in, we're going to be here for a while."

The orange ogre from before just happened to walk past then, and later, as he was filing more papers, George would feel a little
guilty for giving him two black eyes in one day.


**********


Kurama turned on the hallway light and left his companions to find their own way, walking into the kitchen. Behind him he heard
Hiei shut the front door and Yusuke toss his shoes haphazardly by the door. With an appreciative whistle, Yusuke hefted his duffle
bag onto his shoulder.

Kurama shot a meaningful look at Hiei, who tried to play innocent, but at the dangerous tottering of their guest with every step, he
couldn't hold up the act for very long. With a long suffering sigh, Hiei brushed past Yusuke, taking the bag without any preamble,
and lead the way to the room. Behind, Yusuke muttered a thanks, still taking in the surroundings of Kurama's home.

"Nice place. Big."

"Thank you. Are you hungry?" Kurama looked over his shoulder when he received no answer, in time to see Yusuke's head stop
shaking. He smiled. "I can't hear your head rattle, Yusuke."

"That's because there's nothing in it." Hiei called out from the bedroom. Yusuke flipped him the bird, but Kurama doubted he'd
seen it.

'Why oh why did I think this would work?' Kurama sighed and shook his head, sticking all the ingredients he'd just pulled out of the
fridge back in. No need to be slaving away in the kitchen since no one seemed to be hungry anyway.

After they'd all left the palace, Kurama suggested they stay together, to better work on their 'relationship.' Since Kurama's mother
was still away, he suggested his own place. Besides, it would be easier to move one person than two. Yusuke agreed, said some
unkind things about his mother, wadded a few things into a, ch, changed, and there they all were.

Despite the fact they had been through much and spent a lot of time together, Kurama didn't doubt this would be awkward. While
Yusuke had been roughly shoving clothes in his bag- Kurama wincing with each crumple- Hiei had given his own 'sage' advice as
to how they should begin the healing process.

it wit was a lot less than 'sage.'

'Hiei can mock me as a romantic all he wants.' Kurama thought as he joined the others in the bedroom. He shook his head and
laughed, watching Yusuke bounce on the bed. 'But we need to take this nice and slow. Plenty of time for all the fun stuff once he
gets acclimated.'

"The bed's so squeaky... It could keep me awake." Yusuke absently complained, missing Kurama and Hiei's sudden blush.

"It only squeaks when you bounce on it." Kurama blushed deeper, remembering how very much bouncing the bed had seen.

Hiei coughed behind his hand, kicking Yusuke's bag into the closet. "Who said you'd be sleeping on the bed anyway?"

Yusuke stopped bouncing and shrugged, walking over to look at pictures sitting on Kurama's desk. "No one. I wouldn't have to be
in the bed for it to keep me up." He looked over his shoulder with a lascivious grin, chuckling at Kurama's discomfort. "All the
blood rushing to your head... I figured you two were hard-core perverts. Didn't think I could embarrass you."

Hiei frowned as Yusuke returned his gaze to several family photos, plus a few of the team. "You're only embarrassing yourself,
Urameshi."

Yusuke suddenly broke out into hysterical laugher, resting his head on the desk and pounding it, confusing his new roommates.
"Man, that was great! I slipped in a dirty joke and I didn't even know it!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Hiei stared closely at Yusuke, checking to see if any of the madness from the palace had
followed them home.

Home.

Damn Kurama's romanticism. He caught more from that damned red-head than flypaper would insects.

Somewhere, in the haze of mild confusion, irritation, fatigue and a returning headache, Hiei remembered the nice long vacation
granted to them- namely himself- and how he had planned on spending it all along. Now, there was a little twist.

'It's good to be the king.'

Hiei cursed himself again, swearing that he would watch less television.

Kurama closed the door behind him, moving further into the room. Hiei watched his lovely fox move to the center of the room and
sit on the bed. He caught his eye and they shared a smile, Kurama gesturing for Hiei to come to him. So as not to seem as though
he was not the one in charge, he waited a good minute before he complied.

Judging by Yusuke's stiff posture overoverlong study of pictures, he was aware of their every move, hiding his insecurities as best
he could.

"Honestly. We literally threw ourselves at him and still he insists on playing coy..." Hiei whispered to Kurama.

"I don't think he's playing. Remember, he's new at this." Kurama whispered back, nuzzling Hiei's hair.

"Who's this?" Yusuke asked, pointing at a young girl standing next to Shuuichi. His finger was pulled away from the picture and
used as a lever to turn him around, facing his captor and Hiei, who was now nowhere in sight.

"Just a girl. Not important." Kurama smiled, releasing Yusuke's finger for his elbow, holding his body close to his own, but not
touching. "Yusuke..." Kurama looked down, at his feet before chastising himself and looking his friend straight in the eye. He lifted
a hand and feathered Yusuke's hair lovingly. "How long have you liked us? As more than friends?"

Yusuke fidgeted, playing with the bottom button hole of his jean jacket. "I dunno." He mumbled into his chest. "A while."

Kurama smiled and cupped the back of Yusuke's head, squeezing gently. 'A while' was quite some time to be alone and miserable.
"You seem so young. Maybe you're too young for this."

Yusuke's head snapped up. "No! I mean, naw, I'm-I'm good." He nodded his head to emphasize the point. "I just, uh, never did this
before." He shrugged, looking back down at his feet, blushing, too insecure in this territory to even be offended.

"No... you're far too cute..." Kurama teased, biting his lip as he dared press his body closer. Yusuke backed up to the wall and
Kurama paused, but Yusuke just leaned back for support. "Far too shy." He brushed his fingertips over the pink cheeks.

What he felt for Yusuke before felt nothing like this. It was lust, pure and simple. This... this was love. It wasn't different than the
love he felt for Hiei, as he had earlier thought, it was just the sensation of loving two completely different people with all his heart.
The feeling of two souls that matched his own, in their own unique w

Hiei was his serious, stubborn little demon that melted in his arms, teased him and protected him. Who took as much delight in
pleasing him as he did being pleased by him. He roused the stronger, more daring side of himself, and their lovemaking was always
an adventure, leaving them both satisfied and completely exhausted.

Yusuke was all warmth and light, and a charm that ensnared all who met him. He was strong and fearless, and he protected those
he cared about with all that he was, willing to die for any of them without a hint of hesitation. He evoked feelings of protectiveness
in himself, and a sense of needing and being needed. Yusuke was soft now, not at all like the fighter he normally saw. His hair
loose, wearing a jean jacket, a too big t-shirt and baggy jeans, Yusuke looked very vulnerable and innocent- a seductive mixture
that promised an experience quite different than with Hiei, but just as enjoyable. As the heat from Yusuke's body poured off his
smaller frame, warming Kurama to the core, Kurama was quite sure he was ready to find out the particulars of the differences
and similarities between these two he loved.

He stepped closer, holding his body flush against Yusuke's. The younger boy's breathing hitched, coming faster and more shallow,
his pink lips open and panting, invitingly wet. Kurama's breath to quickened at the sight. "Oh Yusuke... Why did you wait so
long..." Kurama leaned down, taking Yusuke's full lower lip between his own, enjoying the feel of it and the shudder that tore
through his smaller body. Kurama angled Yusuke's head up, covering his mouth with his own, eagerly sliding his tongue in to
explore. The kiss was wet and deep, each boy moaning into it as it grew in intensity, Kurama wrapping an arm around Yusuke's
waist to support him when his knees buckled. "Why did we all wait." He murmured as he spread the warm, wet kisses along
Yusuke's chin, down his jaw to his ear. He sucked in the lobe and gently bit down softly, letting it slip from between his teeth as he
mouthed the tight skin of his neck as Yusuke's head rocked back.

Yusuke turned his head to the side with a lost sound deep in his throat, allowing Kurama more easy access. Desperate for another
kiss from the long hidden object of his affections, Yusuke buried both hands in Kurama's fall of hair and turned his head, capturing
his mouth again with hungry lips. Yusuke pressed his hips against Kurama's, and Kurama pushed back, lifting him up onto his toes
as he rocked, the heat pooling between his legs almost painful. Words were lost between the clash of their tongues, Yusuke
beginning to take a more active role in the act even as he whimpered and pulled Kurama's hair, begging for more.

Kurama was happy to oblige. He slid his hands down to the front of Yusuke's jeans and quickly had them opened and pooled
around his ankles, along with his boxers. Finally breaking the kiss, Kurama knelt.

"Mn'ohgod, Kurama." Yusuke turned his head to the side, eyes shut tightly, unable to watch as Kurama settled on his knees.
Kurama whispered up an offer to stop, and Yusuke could only stiffly shake his head. With a chuckle, Kurama lifted the edge of
the shirt and gently traced the underside of Yusuke's cock. His breathing halted and the swollen organ bobbed. He mewled as
Kurama licked the fluid at the tip, lavishing the aching flesh with his tongue.

Kurama lo up up at Yusuke's face, tight with concentration. He watched closely as he tightly squeezed each trembling thigh
where they met his body and slid the head into his mouth, sucking.

Yusuke all but screamed as he tossed his head, face flushed and sweaty as his entire body shuddered. Reluctantly, guiltily,
Kurama released his sex and, grabbing Yusuke's wrists, he pulled him down onto his lap and hungrily kissed him.

Yusuke felt like his entire body was being consumed by fire as he pushed himself deep into the kiss, his groin pressing firmly
against Kurama's belly as he fought hard not to touch himself or rock against the cloth and muscles beneath him. Kurama broke
the kiss only long enough to pull Yusuke's jacket and shirt over his head, keeping his arms elevated by the wrists as he attacked his
lips and tongue again, the other hand disappearing from Yusuke's view.

Yusuke felt long, warm fingers tracing down his spine to the cleft of his ass, sliding between and down to prod behind his balls,
before sliding back up to his entrance. One slowly slipped inside, a cool wetness presenting itself as the tiny muscle was worked,
massaged from both sides.

Despite his attempts to stay still, Yusuke bucked and groaned at the unusual sensation, trying to relax and adjust. Once the rhythm
was lost to his senses, all his attention focused on the play of Kurama's lips on his neck, another was slipped in, causing him to
buck again, instinctively trying to get away. Kurama shushed him, nibbling on his collarbone, releasing his wrists to bury his hand in
Yusuke's soft hair.

Yusuke moaned appreciatively as Kurama licked and nibbled from earlobe to earlobe. A third finger stretched him almost
painfully, but before his cry made it past his lips he arched back, teeth gritted and tears burning the corners of his eyes as an
indescribable pleasure jolted his entire body, making him see stars and swear he was coming and dying at the same time.

He found he was doing neither as the fingers scissored painfully before apologetically touching him there again, causing
his body to shudder again, pulled tight as a bowstring. He gasped open mouthed as the fingers continued to move in that rhythm,
his hair soothingly brushed from his face, his upper back supported as he bent back, his belly gently massaged.

All things considered, Yusuke picked up on the fact that there were four hands on him relatively quickly.

"What the-" Yusuke whipped his head to the left, seeing Hiei's face out of the corner of his eye. He had nearly forgotten about
him, but Hiei gladly reminded him with another purposeful stroke of his fingers, Kurama gripping the bulge between Hiei's legs.
Yusuke blinked hard, Hiei's shoulder appearing under his neck to support him as his lips were slowly nibbled upon.

Kurama removed himself, the hand at hack ack and hair gone, and Yusuke felt his pants being tugged away from his body. He
unfolded his legs and they were removed, leaving Yusuke naked on the floor as Hiei removed his fingers, giving him one last kiss.
Yusuke opened his eyes to see Hiei, shirtless, before him and offering his hand. Yusuke took it and was helped to his feet. Hiei
pulled him toward the bed and pushed him down onto it. Yusuke slid up to the pillows, covering himself with his hands with a
blush. He was distrd frd from Hiei by Kurama undressing by the side of the bed long enough for the smaller demon to sneak up to
him, on his hands and knees, straddling his hips. He reached down and pulled Yusuke's hands up, eyeing his groin, causing the boy
beneath him to struggle and blush, turning his head away and staring at Kurama's curtains.

With a chuckle, Kurama turned off the lights, leaving only a lamp on his bedside table on and joined them on the bed, gently
shoving his lover off Yusuke.

"Don't forget he's new, Hiei. Be nice."

"Hm. It's going to be very difficult to cure him of that if he doesn't even want to be seen naked..." Hiei complained, resting back
on his elbows, Kurama between his spread legs.

"Mm-mh. Maybe looking is a good place to start..." Kurama whispered huskily, glancing at Yusuke who was watching and
covering himself again, trying not to look like he was watching and trying to cover himself.

With another grin, Kurama turned his gaze back to Hiei's muscular chest, shining in the dim lighting of the room. He leaned over
his small lover and nipped at one caramel colored nipple, then the other. Hiei rested his head back, eyelids heavy as he watched
Kurama closely.

Once each nipple had been anointed, Kurama wetly kissed a trail from one to the other, dipping down Hiei's side, down to his hip
and back up to his shoulder and all along his bicep, beforetchitching to the other side. Kurama nuzzled the firm flesh trapped
beneath Hiei's black pants and slowly undid his belt as he tickled and suckedhis his navel, earning a few groans from his lover. Belt
gone, Kurama's hands delved expertly into the depths, pulling out Hiei's swolleaft.aft.

To his far right, Yusuke made a small sound.

With a smile, Kurama licked the tip, teasing, before slipping the head into his mouth. He swirled his tongue around the head and
Hiei moaned again, slipping a hand into his red hair. Kurama met his dark eyes before sliding the length all the way down his
throat, working the organ with all his expertise, making Hiei writhe on the bed and moan, losing himself. Kurama slid his pants
further down and wrapped his long fingers around Hiei's scrotum, working the orbs firmly, kneading them together and pushing
one finger behind them, probing at Hiei's ass.

Hiei moaned again, eyes never leaving Kurama as the digit slipped in, mimicking the motions of his cock sliding in and out of his
pretty pink lips. His ivory skin was flushed, red locks sticking to his neck and cheeks as he pumped the heated flesh, moaning as
he swallowed it to the very base and to the top, nearly completely releasing it before moving back down. Hiei's body jerked once
and Kurama moaned, eyes tightly shutting as he squeezed his balls tighter, pushing harder and deeper into the tight heat of Hiei's
body, and Hiei jerked again. Kurama released the cock, letting it slip from between his swollen lips, licking to the bottom, nibbling
at the soft, hairless flesh, then returning to suck on just the head. Hiei's eyes closed and he moaned long and low, his body
shuddering. Kurama pumped his cock and swallowed, some semen slipping between his lips to drip down over his fingers. He
continued to suck and pump until Hiei wailed, arching his hips high off the mattress, fingers digging deep into the comforter as his
trapped legs wrapped around Kurama as best they could, trying to still his motions. With an agonized expression on his face, Hiei
rocked his hips as he was sucked beyond completion, sweat breaking out on his skin.

Kurama finally released his sex and Hiei slumped back bonelessly onto the bed, fumbling with his pants, trying to get them off
before dropping them over the side. His arms flopped to his sides and he breathed deep, a satisfied smirk on his face, though his
cock was angry and red, tight and hard against his belly.

Kurama wiped his seed from his chin with a finger, slipping the wetted tip into his mouth suggestively, sucking it clean and
releasing it with a wet sound. Crawling on fourfours, Kurama resettled himself so he was laying on his back, head on his pillow,
between Hiei's inert body and Yusuke's own silent, still form.

A look over revealed Yusuke to be blushing and breathing hard, his eyes half-lidded and his cock proud and eager between his
thighs. With a seductive grin, Kurama reached out and grabbed Yusuke's hips, pulling him close. Hiei sat up and turned to the
bedside table, sticking his fingers into a jar as Kurama pulled Yusuke onto his lap, then moving to sit on Kurama's thighs behind the
younger boy. Kurama's own shaft jutted up next to Yusuke's, equally eager for attention. With slightly unsteady hands, Yusuke
reached down and touched them both, rubbing them in a slow rhythm. He moaned and closed his eyes, opening them again as
Hiei's cock pressed into the small of his back. He moaned as Kurama rubbed his nipples with the pads of his thumb until they
were tight and erect as his sex. He arched his back, his head turned to the side, rocking slowly with the movement of his
hands.

Hiei bit his shoulder blade shar wra wrapping his arms around his slim waist and gripping his wrists, pulling them away to splay on
Kurama's belly before placing his own hands over only Kurama's sex, covering it in lubrication. Once it was thoroughly covered,
his hands moved to Yusuke's sex. Yusuke grunted as his cock was sharply tugged and pumped, his body jerking against the
movements of Hiei's hands in both an attempt to dampen the harshness of the attention and to intensify it. So unsure of what his
body wanted, Yusuke concentrated on just keeping still, one hand moving behind him to rest on Hiei's thigh.

Kurama felt slick fluid drip onto his belly, and sure now from the unabashed pleasure on his leader's face that he was ready, he
slowly and carey liy lifted Yusuke, so as not to interrupt Hiei's ministrations. Once Yusuke was balanced obliviously over his turgid
sex, Kurama slowly lowered him. Yusuke jerked in surprise at the pressure, but Kurama kept his des slo slow and controlled,
pausing after the head slipped inside the tight ring, Yusuke crying out in pain as Kurama cried out in pleasure.

Hiei not not his first lover, nor was he Hiei's- Kurama had never felt anything so wonderfully tight as Yusuke as he shuddered
and his muscles spasmed, clutching at his sex. Their earlier joining was nothing compared to this moment. Once Kurama had
himself more under control, though his arms shook as he held Yusuke safely above him, he waited for Yusuke's mewl of
discomfort to be replaced by breathy moans as Hiei continued to feast on his neck and pump his cock, twisting and pinching his
balls until Yusuke's entire body shook. His hands balled into fists as Kurama slid him farther down, inch by inch until his ass rested
on a nest of red curls and soft, creamy thighs.

Kurama held them together as closely connected as he could, allowing Yusuke enough time to adjust. He couldn't force himself to
wait long, however. Hiei thrust his hips, rubbing his trapped organ against Yusuke's spine, causing Yusuke to move over Kurama's
cock, and all control was lost. With a moan, Kurama lifted Yusuke's hips and thrust deep into him, both crying out in unison as the
pulsing, tight heat swallowed Kurama's cock, which in turn stabbed Yusuke in just the right place. Kurama savored the slide and
pull for a moment before lifting Yusuke's slight weight and snapping his hips as he pulled him down, both groaning again, Yusuke
losing his balance and falling overamarama's body. Hiei pressed down on his sides and thrust his cock between his thighs, to the
side of Kurama's length as he plunged in and out of Yusuke's supine body, Hiei's tip pushing against then past Yusuke's balls to
brush the length of his unattended organ, ripping another moan from. Th. Their rhythm was perfect as they met and separated and
met again in a mass of heated flesh and sweat.

Hiei leaned down, still firmly gripping Yusuke's sides as Kurama moved them up and down, licking at the base of his neck and
burying his nose in the sweat slicked strands of black hair. The soft skin beneath his own burned and shuddered, the body jerking
hard twice as Kurama thrust and rolled his hips.

Yusuke threw his head back with a low groan, fingers digging into the sheets as his body was rocked and impaled, crushed so
gloriously between Kurama and Hiei. He couldn't even control his body enough to touch his neglected cock, teased as it was by
Hiei's quick brushes against his own. Kurama leaned up, breath short, and captured Yusuke's lips, his knees pushing up to press
against Hiei's rear as he balanced himself. Yusuke's mouth was slack and unresisting as he sucked his tongue into his mouth,
lightly biting it and sucking hard as he bounced them all, the bed protesting loudly as his orgasm built at the soles of his feet, rushing
to his head then pooling in his groin.

His grip on Yusuke's hips turned savage as he fucked the boy, his thrusts short and sharp, hitting just the right angle each time.
The heat surrounding him tightened even more, impossibly hot. Kurama tossed his head back onto the pillow, mouth open with a
choked cry as his body teetered on the edge. Yusuke's body jerked several times, then shuddered as he collapsed in on himself, his
legs pushing out against the bed as his arms drew up to wrap around his belly, and he cried out loud and long, tears leaking
between his tightly shut eyelids. One final thrust from Hiei and grind from Kurama and Yusuke's orgasm shot through him, his
come splashing against his arms and belly, his body shaking uncontrollably. Kurama's cock was trapped, and he gasped for breath
as his seed shot into the hot body surrounding him, the muscles milking him for all he had. He continued to rock, squeezing Hiei
between their groins until he bit down hard on Yusuke's shoulder and thrust hard four times, coming soundlessly between their
bodies. He froze, riding the waves as Kurama slowed his rocking, finally relaxing completely, hands sliding from their death grip on
Yusuke to bury themselves, one in each lover's hair.

The room was filled with the sound of the three trying to slow their breathing. Kurama closed his eyes and focused himself, trying
to stay awake as his fuzzy senses threatened to shut down.

Hiei was the first to move, sliding free and flopping down next to Kurama, face down. Kurama chuckled and turned his head,
angling his neck painfuuntiuntil he finally caught Hiei's lips. They shared a long kiss until the hot breath on his chest evened out.
With one final noisy kiss, Hiei allowed Kurama's tongue freedom and the redhead looked down, pulling Yusuke up, laying him on
his other side. Yusuke lay dazed on the pillow.

"... whoa."

Kurama laughed and Hiei smirked.

"You put that quite succinctly, Yusuke."

Yusuke turned his head to look at Kurama. "I sucked what?"

With an exasperated but affectionate shake of his head, Kurama kissed Yusuke as well, with a loving passion. Now, even his lips
tired, Kurama wrapped an arm around both his lovers, holding them close as Hiei yanked on the blanked until it slipped free, and
tossed it over them. Yusuke hooked an arm across Kurama's stomach and Hiei wrapped his hand around his neck- a habit that
always puzzled Kurama, but seemed to comfort Hiei.

Finally heeding the call of his body, Kurama fell asleep to the sounds of Hiei's even breathing and Yusuke's quiet snoring.


**********


Hiei watched thege mge mouth open and close, open and close, incredibly wide for such a thankfully small amount of noise it
produced. He hadn't thought of it, but he really didn't know what he would have done if Yusuke had been a real snorer.
As it was, he only looked ridiculous in his sleep. His chest really didn't even move that much- he didn't know why he
seemed to gulp air when he slept. In any case, it was something that he found was quickly growing on him. Kurama was
completely motionless. a porcelain doll when he slept. Except for the drooling. He hadn't the heart to tell him he drooled.

Hiei thought back to his thoughts the last day, of how completely different he and Kurama were- night and day. So, what did that
make Yusuke, then?

'Morning, noon and night.' He amended, playing with it until it seemed to fit perfectly. He himself was night, dark and foreboding,
swallowing- he chuckled here- the light of day and taking control. Kurama was noon, a perfect balance of light and dark. Hiei
frowned, remembering this all sta bec because he wasn't quite perfectly balanced, but near enough as a human-born could
be, and since it really was the reason he was laying there, watching Yusuke saw logs and Kurama drool, he wouldn't hold that
against him. Yusuke would be morning, then. At the very beginning of life, new and inexperienced, bright and cheery.

As if his new likeness was finally intruding on himself, Yusuke furrowed his brow against the light leaking in between Kurama's
curtains, making a snort sound before burying his head under Kurama's side. This slowly roused Kurama, and Hiei watched raptly
as his lover opened his emerald eyes, wetting his lips and wiping all traces of leakage from the corner of his mouth. He stretched,
though a bit uncomfortably, thanks to his new appendage, and smiled down at Hiei.

"'Morning."

Hiei smiled in return. No need to be brusque and guarded, not here- not with these two. "Good morning." Like a yawn, the need to
stretch was contagious and Hiei did so as well, sitting up and sliding to the edge of the bed, lifting his arms above his head and
popping his back with a satisfied groan.

Kurama rolled onto his side and looked down at Yusuke's sweet face, idly thanking the stars that he didn't make nearly as much
noise as one would think. He smiled softly and chuckled to himself.

The last time he had woken up next to this lovely person it had been much different, and he was thankful for that, in some small
way, as he wouldn't be where he was now, but he cast that memory aside and planted this one in his thoughts, forever. "Time to
wake up, Yusuke."

"...mm..."

Kurama gently poked him on the tip of his nose, but Yusuke just wig it. it. Kurama sighed and looked over at Hiei, who looked
back with a bemused and not at all sympathetic grin. "I should have known from before that he wouldn't be easy to wake..." He
turned back to his sleeping companion. "Wake up, Yusuke." He said more forcefully. Kurama smiled as Yusuke's brow furrowed
and he seemed about to wake.

"Give me five more minutes, mom." And then he rolled over and continued his soft snoring.

Kurama face-vaulted, groaning as he buried his face in his hand. "Oh, what are we going to do with you..."

"Well, I know what we could do to him." Hiei offered, making Kurama moan again.

"It's too early. I'm still exhausted."

Hiei quirked a brow and stood, the sun glinting off all his naked glory. "So much in common, you two, it's a wonder it took you this
long to get together." Kurama cocked his head and Hiei's smirk returned. "Neither of you can 'get up.'"

Kurama's jaw dropped in indignation, before he decided he didn't have the energy to argue, either. "Little mouse..." Hiei shot him
an equally indignant look. "Well, you're part of this group too, you know."

"Yes, but I'm nothing like either of you. That's why we've all managed to stay sane, insofar."

Kurama shook his head, letting it drop with an amiable smile. "Well, did I call it, or what?"

"What?" Hiei asked over his shoulder just before he disappeared into the bathroom.

"I told you we'd be home in no time... And now, we get out vacation." Kurama sighed dreamily and flopped back against the
pillows. The springseakeeaked ominously again, but Yusuke was unfazed. Kurama rested his hand next to his face, reaching over
to idly play with his lover's dark hair as sounds of Hiei running bath water met his ears.

He still couldn't believe this had happened. He'd gone from having a very good friend, to almost losing that friend, to getting him
back and as a lover, too, all in one day.feltfelt a bit of unease, still a little unsure as to Yusuke's forgiveness- even if he had
harbored feelings for him, what he had done to Yusuke was not forgivable. His mind nagged at him that he had been
forgiven long before they'd even left the mansion, and that he should be happy and forget about it. He agreed with himself, letting
it all go and feeling lighter and freer than he had all day. With a jubilant grin, he hopped back up into a sitting position and wrapped
himself around Yusuke's body, digging his fingers into his sides.

With a jerk and a howl, Yusuke crumpled, rolling into a protective ball and cursing as Kurama continued to tickle him, long after he
had awoken. Finally releasing his captive at the threat to piss all over his sheets, Kurama roughly fluffed his hair and vaulted over
his still balled-up form, heading for the bathroom as well. He glanced over his shoulder at the bed. "Want to join us?"

Yusuke sat up and frowned fiercely and growled, his hair sticking up in spikes. Kurama was so reminded of Hiei he had to laugh
out loud.

Yusuke did not share his mirth.

"Mnot gonna b'able go b'k ta slp..." He mumbled, scratching his head and making the spikes worse. He ambled off the bed and
shuffled toward Kurama, who just laughed behind his hand at him.

"Not a morning person?" He chuckled as they entered, Kurama shutting the door behind them.

Hiei was already in the tub and looking quite strangely at Yusuke's new 'do.

"'Not a morning person' doesn't even fucking begin to cover it." Yusuke growled as he filled the pail with water and splashed it
over himself, getting done and in the hot tub as quickly as he could. He shivered and sank up to his chin in the steamy water, Hiei
resting his neck on his shoulder, wrapping his arms around his waist under the water's surface The The rapidly warming flesh against his own well heated skin felt good. Yusuke wrapped an arm around his shoulders and it felt
even better. Across the room, Kurama finished washing up and walked to the tub, chuckling. "I don't know what reason you'd
have to be grumpy, Yusuke. You got a great workout before bed, and from the sounds of it, I'd think you slept well." He winked
as he settled in beside Hiei.

Yusuke cocked an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked defensively, sizing Kurama up.

Kurama shrugged negligently. "You snore."

"I do NOT!" Hiei was tossed from his perch and glared at first one boy then the other.

"Isn't it a little early for a civil war?" He bit out, stretching his legs into Kurama's lap and pushing Yusuke back until he could
comfortably rest his head on his chest. They could yell at each other if they wanted, as long as he was comfortable. Afterall, he
was the one in charge.

"You do so, but don't worry. I think it's cute." Kurama smiled again, in the face of Yusuke's mounting ire.

"Too bad your slobber ain't so cute." He countered. Kurama's eyes widened- as did Hiei's.

'Warning. Warning. Danger, Will Robinson.'

'... DAMN!'

"I do not drool! Do I, Hiei?"

Hiei coughed. "It's getting pretty late, shouldn't we be doing something?"

"Hiei, tell him I don't drool!"

"You do so, but don't worry. You didn't get me too wet." Yusuke mocked, smiling as he finally found some humor this
early in the morning, as Kurama became increasingly flustered and adorable as he threw a fit.

"I just remembered something we forgot to do yesterday."

"Hiei!"

"It's just a lot of spit production, ya know, for later- with Hiei!" Yusuke grinned hugely.

"I think I hear the communicator..."

"HIEI!"

SPLASH!


~~owari~~

Yusuke is my sex-puppy. ^_^

If you read this with a magnifying glass and a fine-toothed comb, you can find a little 'Third Time's a Charm' reference. And if
you actually *read* the terrible fics, you know what I'm talking about- have a cookie.