For Real

Disclaimer: I do not own YYH.
Note: Random idea on a random day. Pretty plotless...just felt like doing a Yusuke fic for once.
Kurama's a pretty unusual person-- who else could be a perfect teenage son....

perfect student...

perfect teammate...

and....perfect friend?

That's how he's always seemed, always so...perfect. His fighting was always deadly and precise, his manner polite and reassuring.

But it's all a mask.

I'm not exactly the most perceptive person around, but let me tell you this: Kurama is like the most popular person in your school. He knows how to please the teachers, charm your friends, and get along with absolutely everybody. And, of course, he can hide his flaws.

Today was no different.

Koenma called us in and he arrived exactly on time (as usual). He came in with the same cheerful smile and teasing voice. Everything was exactly the same.

Except...

All of us were tired and more than a little cranky, so Kurama, good natured as always, offered to give us a ride home (though of course Hiei refused, as he doesn't exactly have a 'home'). First Kuwabara, then my house.

But right as I was about to step out, Kurama reached out.

Softly, he said, "Thank you, Yusuke, for being my friend."

And he hugged me.

It was everything you'd expect. Warm, comforting, and a little scary.

I grinned slightly, muttered a quick, "Welcome." and hightailed it out of there. It unnerved me how sincere he sounded.

It's all a mask, I said to myself.

He's pretending. Trying to gain your trust. Don't let yourself get worked up about something like this, Yusuke, I thought to myself.

Because I knew if I did, I could only get hurt.

But I wish, more than anything, that the hug, the thanks, was for real. Not just some stupid game, or an action born out of pity.

I barely slept that night.

The next day I saw Kurama again. By chance encounter, really; the gang had no plans to meet that day.

I swear, whatever higher beings are up there are getting back at me for all the times I skipped school.

I trudged past Kurama, hoping he wouldn't see me.

"Yusuke!" Sigh. Too late.

I smile, work up the courage to speak.

"Hey Kurama. Just finished school?"

"Yup," he grinned.

He seemed to have no recollection of yesterday's events. Or he could just be pretending it didn't happen.

"What's up?" I ask.

"Nothing really. Trying to avoid my female classmates, and failing, as usual."

I laugh. He's probably the only boy who actually doesn't -want- a fan club.

Soon we are walking side to side with a companionable silence between us. I hum a tune-- click my pen-- knock the wood. I'm not good with silences.

Pretty soon we reach Kurama's house.

"Well," he said, smiling, "I'll see you around."

"Yeah," I reply, "see you."

But before he goes I reach out and hug him. Say that I'm his friend.

I'm not quite sure why. I just want him to know that I'm there for him, that he's real.

Maybe I want him to know that...I don't know, that he's wanted.

Immediately I withdraw and start using my juvenile delinquent lingo.

"See ya 'round Kurama, old pal." I say, and saunter off.

"See ya, Urameshi." he answers.

"For real," I say softly to myself as I walk away.

-Owari

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