Hey there everyone! Well, this a new story that I decided to post up, seeing as how there aren't many stories about Kurama's stepbrother, Shuiichi. I know there are some, but I haven't seen many, and I wanted to write one of my own. Okay, I'm done jabbering now. On with the story!

Just Step-Brothers

            Things were pretty busy around the Hatakana household that morning.

            "Hurry, Kazuya," Shiori called, "or we'll be late!"

            "I know, I know!" Kazuya replied. "Shuiichi, have you seen my keys?!"

            "Not here dad!" the brunette boy replied to his father.

            Kurama sighed, as he froze in his tracks before colliding with his step-brother and step-father. He watched as the two of them searched every drawer that they could find, tossing out papers and such to look for the missing keys.

            The crimson-haired boy glanced across the room, seeing his mother shake her head and sigh, retreating into a room, possibly to grab another suitcase and haul it to the car. He followed her.

            Entering the room that she and Kazuya shared, Kurama watched as the woman picked up one of the many valises. "Need some help?" he asked, reaching down to pick some up. Whether she said yes or not, he was going to help her.

            She looked at him, smiling softly. "I could use some, seeing as how Kazuya is too busy looking for the keys. Have you seen them?"

            The teen followed her to the car waiting in the driveway, shaking his head. "No." He chuckled softly. "Did he check his pockets?"

            She chuckled as well, opening the trunk of the car. "They might be there, huh?"

            "Maybe. You never know." He placed the luggage he was holding into the back space of the car. "You two are very late, you know."

            "I'm aware of that. I told him to make sure he had everything, and he told me he did. But you know how he is……"

            Kurama nodded. Checking his wristwatch, he noted that they would his mother and step-father would have to be leaving soon if they were going to catch their plane.

            Shiori and Kazuya were supposed to be on their way to America, to visit Kazuya's relative who was getting married. Kazuya was asked to be the best man, and he had agreed to go.

            However, the wedding was planned during the final week of school for Shuiichi. Because they didn't want to disrupt his studies for final exams, and his preparations for high school, they felt that it was better for the young boy not to attend the wedding. Since he wasn't old enough to stay by himself, they felt it would be best if Kurama were to stay and watch him.

            On another note, Shiori and Kazuya felt that it would be a chance for the two boys to get to know each other. They hadn't really had time to get to know each other since the two had gotten married, and they felt that it wouldn't be easy for them to connect. But this would be the perfect opportunity for the to take time and bond, just the two of them.

            Shiori wasn't worried about her son. She knew that he was a very agreeable person to get along with, judging from all the phone calls he got from classmates at his school. The two boys seemed to get along well enough, but she and Kazuya thought that this was a chance for them to get closer. She felt that her son would do his best to be a good older brother.

            She and Kurama then watched as Kazuya and Shuiichi made their way out of the house, carrying baggage and placing them in the trunk.

            Shiori smiled as Kazuya closed the trunk of the car. "Find the keys?" she asked.

            Her husband blushed slightly, holding the keys in his hand. "Yeah……They were in my pocket."

            She shook her head, glancing at her teenage son, who hid a chuckle behind his hand.

            After reviewing certain household rules, and making double sure that their children would be okay in the house by themselves (after Kurama had to convince them that they would be alright for two weeks), Shiori kissed both boys on the cheeks, and got in the car as Kazuya was starting it.

            Kurama and Shuiichi took a few steps away from the car as it began to back up, out of the driveway, and into the street.

            "Goodbye boys!" Shiori said. "Love you!"

            "Love you too!" they both replied simultaneously, waving goodbye.

            "Be good, you two!" Kazuya called. Then he added, "Try not to kill each other!" And the car disappeared down the street.

            Kurama looked at his young step-brother. "Now why would we do something like that?" he asked mischievously, a slight gleam in his emerald eyes.

            "Of course we wouldn't," Shuiichi said, just as so. "I mean, we're pretty good, aren't we?"

            The crimson-haired teen chuckled, ushering the young boy inside the house.

            "Have you finished all your homework, Shuiichi?"

            "Almost. I just have a little to do."

            "Well, finish that up, okay?"

            The chocolate-haired boy nodded, going over to the work table. He didn't like doing his homework, but, in order to get into the same school as his step-brother, he had to get pretty good marks in school.

            When he first met his step-brother, Shuiichi thought that he was one of the coolest people he had ever known. His poised, fluid movements, in almost everything he did, sophisticated looks and charm, polite intelligence, the refined impression that just seemed to hang around him wherever he went, leaving people that he talked to the feeling of security.

            He glanced over at his step-brother, who sat on the couch. Even the simple act of reading a book looked classy as he held the book in one hand, the other resting on his crossed legs. His back was straight as he sat, yet he still managed to look comfortable as his emerald eyes absorbed the world that the book he read created for him.

            The phone rang suddenly. Placing the book down, Kurama stood and crossed the room, taking the receiver off of its cradle.

            "Hello?" he said.

            "Hey, Kurama. This is Yusuke."

            "Oh, hi, Yusuke."

            "Hey, are you busy right now?"

            Kurama blinked at the question. "Why?"

            "We're all getting together, and we figured you might want to come along."

            "I appreciate the offer, but I'm watching Shuiichi today. Our parents just left for America, so it's just the two of us."

            "So? Bring him along. We won't mind."

            "Well, Shuiichi's studying, and…"

            Shuiichi, who happened to be listening to what Kurama was saying, and guessing what was being said on the other end, turned around in his chair. "Hey, Brother?" he said.

            Kurama covered the mouthpiece of the receiver so Yusuke wouldn't hear him. "Yes?"

            "Can I go with you to meet your friends? Please?"

            "Shuiichi, you need to be studying."

            "I need a break. Please?"

            Looking at the young boy, Kurama sighed with a small smile on his lips. Removing his hand from the mouthpiece, he said, "Shuiichi and I will meet you guys there."

            Shuiichi silently cheered, shutting his book loudly.

            "Cool," Yusuke said. "Meet us in the park, okay? Later." And the line went dead.

            Kurama placed the receiver back in its cradle. "Let's get going, Shuiichi."

            The young boy nodded, getting up from his chair and following his step-brother. He waited as Kurama locked the front door, and the two of them walked down the street together.

TBC

Well, there ya go!! Please review, and I'll continue!! ^_^