All these characters and materials are used without permission, and I'm not profiting from this piece of fan fiction.

It was a big day, a momentous occasion of celebration for one couple.  But even as one pair of loved ones were brought together, this event was the last straw to send another pair apart...

"Keiko..."  Her name caught in his throat as he stared at her, resplendent in her bridesmaid dress.

"I'm sorry, Yusuke.  But I can't wait any more."  Keiko told him softly as she turned away from him.  She let out a small gasp when she looked up to catch sight of Kurama's startled expression.  It was without a doubt that the Red-haired boy had heard her last few words to Yusuke.

"Keiko, maybe..."

"No, Kurama.  Not anymore.  I can't take this anymore."  She brushed past him quickly.  But added in softer tones.  "Please... take care of him."

Kurama watched the girl walk away from him before he turned towards his friend.  "Yusuke?  I--just wanted to let you know that Koema was going to be a little late, so--you didn't have to rush to get ready."

The boy waved his hand nonchalantly at his words, not even bothering to turn around.

"Kuwabara's still nervous, but his onnisan is with him.  Still... he's going to need his best man, Yusuke."

"Shouldn't you be out there making sure that Hiei doesn't gut the groom before the wedding?"

"Hiei's promised to behave.  Besides, he's with Yukina and he can see how radiant she looks waiting for this to start."  Kurama strode across the room to pick up the bow tie from the table.  "Here, why don't I help you with this."

Yusuke sighed before turning to face his friend and allowing him to fasten the bow tie in place.  "K-Kurama?  Do you love me?"

"Nani?"

"Do you love me?"  Yusuke looked pleading into his friend's emerald green eyes as he finished off with the tie and frowned at him.

"Do I what?"

"Do you love me?"

"Do I love you?"  Kurama's hands gripped Yusuke's shoulders as he stared into his eyes, reading the pain and loneliness in the depths... and something else.  "Yukina's getting married, Hiei's raising trouble in town.  Keiko can't wait and you're all strung out.  Step aside.  Go lie down.  Maybe it's indigestion..."

Yusuke shook his hands off in irritation.  "Kurama, I'm asking you a question.  Do you love me?"

"I'm your friend!"

"I know... but do you love me?"

Kurama's expression was thoughtful as he pondered the question. "Do I love you?

"For 25 months, I've watched your back, fought beside you, listened to your crap. Took Hiei's sword for you, betrayed him instead."  He winced slightly at the memory of being run through by the Kouma no Ken, and the look of shocked betrayal in Hiei's eyes just before he threw a handful of blood at him to blind him.  "After 25 months, why talk about love right now?"

"Kurama,  at our first encounter, you almost died..." Yusuke's eyes grew distant as he remembered Kurama kneeling before the Ankoku Kyou, preparing to give up his life in payment for his mother's recovery. "I was shocked..."

Kurama remembered his amazement when Yusuke knelt beside him and extended his hand over the mirror as well.  "I was surprised."

"I was nervous."

"So was I."  Kurama gave him a small smile at the memory of their relief when they woke up beside each other, still alive.

"But Koenma and Botan said we'd learn to trust each other.  So now I'm asking you, Kurama.  Do you love me?"

"Baka."

"I know that, but... do you love me?"

Kurama turned away for a moment as a flood of images started to inundate him.  "Do I love him?"  Memories of their great many battles flitted through his mind.

"For 25 months, I've worked with him, fought beside him, supported him."  Kurama felt a catch in his chest as he recalled the episode when Yusuke had died, and he had changed into his youko form to charge into battle with Hiei to avenge his death.  "For 25 months, my life was his."

A smile drew at the corners of his mouth at the memory of the almost hysterical elation he and Hiei had displayed later when they saw that Yusuke still lived.  "If that's not love, what is?"

"Then you love me?"

"I suppose I do."  Kurama turned back towards him and laid a hand on his shoulder.

Yusuke gave him as small smile as he remembered one particular moment during the Ankoku Bujutsukai, when he had knelt beside his injured friend and helped him to his feet to walk out of the arena.  "And I suppose I love you too."

The taller boy drew him into a comforting hug.  The pain and loneliness began to fade from Yusuke's eyes as they say together, "It doesn't change a thing, but even so... After 25 months, it's nice to know."

Yusuke's tears started flowing as Kurama's arms tightened around him in consolation.