It was late summer. The grill was hot and hamburger patties sizzled as Shizuru Kuwabara flipped them half way though. It wasn't often than everyone gathered like this. After the whole Yusuke coming back from the demon world, normal life seemed to rain in on them. Kazuma Kuwabara was still studying hard. Yusuke was getting his noodle shop together. Kurama and Hiei... Well, they weren't doing anything new to Shizuru's knowledge. Keiko and Yukina were there at the party as well.

Shizuru took a puff of her cigarette and surveyed the party goers. Yusuke was chatting animatedly with Kuwababa, Hiei, and Kurama. Every one of them had a drink in hand, save fore Hiei, who was never caught doing anything human. Kieko was helping herself to snack food and talking to Yukina. Shizuru smiled. It felt like old times again. Their relaxed little group was perfect in her mind. She reflected on Keiko and Yusuke's break up for a moment. It happened a few months ago after Yusuke had come back. It was adorable when it it began, but it soon trickled into petty arguments and they broke up for the better. They were much better friends than in a romantic relationship. Shizuru looked back to her burgers and listened to Keiko and Yukina, enjoying the girl talk.

The boys were having their own discussion but the subject changed from times of fighting demons and saving the world to Yusuke's soda binging. Yusuke finished his soda with a few gulps and Kuwababra commented, "Easy on the pop, that's your third one already." Yusuke dropped the can on the table and ran his arm over his brow. He was sweating heavily and was already stripped to his tank top. Kuwabara was lounging at the picnic table with Kurama, both of them had their backs to it. Hiei was sitting ON the table. They were still fully dressed and all of them knew the brunt of summer was over; they were wearing their long sleeves, Autumn was going to begin soon. Hiei and Kurama exchanged curious and knowing looks while Kuwabara puzzled over Yusuke's behavior.

"It's hot as hell out here," Yusuke complained, his tank top starting to get damp from his wet skin, "and I'm dying of thirst."

"Soda will only make you more thirsty." Kuwabara informed him, "there should be water inside." Yusuke mumbled a quick thanks and headed into the Kuwabara residence. Kuwabara turned his attention right, where he heard Kurama commenting.

"He is showing the beginning signs of it." Kurama spoke softly, looking at Hiei.

"Who's showing signs of what?" Kuwabara asked and Kurama paused. Kuwabara got the distinct feeling of 'demon business', but didn't revoke his question. Hiei looked annoyed at Kuwabara speaking, but Kurama was more willing to give an answer. Or at least a partial one that satisfied the human curiosity.

"Too soon to say really," He said, "Yusuke is acting completely independent of the weather. We're just concerned that he's going through some... adult demon changes. Fluctuations in temperature is a sign of it." Kuwabara thought for a moment, trying to figure out what Kurama was getting at. It wasn't as though he didn't understand Kurama's meaning, he'd been studying hard and more sophisticated conversations weren't beyond him like in middle school.

"So... He's got some sort of demon puberty to go through?" Kuwabara asked and Kurama blinked, as if surprised that Kuwabara came to that conclusion so quickly, "What?"

"Oh, um..." Kurama touched his cheek, rubbing an itch, Hiei even looked mildly surprised, "That's exactly it, actually."

"You didn't think I'd get it, did you?" Kuwabara frowned and Kurama shrugged, not answering.

"Nope." Hiei chipped in and Kuwabara glared at him. Hiei glared back. Kurama sighed, and thankfully the tension was only momentary.

"So... what kind of changes are going to happen?" Kuwabara ventured, looking to Kurama for the answers. Though this time, Kurama focused on his drink, tentative to speak of it too early.

Yusuke detoured to the bathroom after drinking about 5 glasses of tap water. He groaned uncomfortably and his hands grabbed the sink. He felt like he was boiling inside. His skin was flushed as though with a fever and sweat had already soaked the front and back of his tank top. He looked in the mirror and groaned. His face was red and his hair was so wet the gel wouldn't keep it slicked back. He was thirsty, but the more he drank, the more he felt hot. And the more hot he got, the more thirsty he became. The vicious cycle caused his head to spin and he had to hold tight to the porcelain counter to keep upright.

"Get a hold of yourself, Urameshi." Yusuke said to himself, shutting his eyes tight, "It's all in your head. It's all in your head. Get a grip..." He groaned suddenly, in pain, his forehead sinking to the cool surface. It was like his first transformation, power ripping out of him to envelope his body. He had suppressed it after the Sensui incident. But this... this was different. This felt... less than a power struggle over his own body and more like... Well he didn't know what. But it felt, inevitable.

He groaned lowly, loudly. Primitively. It suddenly felt like his skin was on fire...

Then it melted away.

Yusuke nearly collapsed from relief, his body shaking and he sank to his knees. He realized that the porcelain had started to spiderweb under his fingers. He slowly stood back up and glanced in the mirror. All tiredness was replaced with surprise, finding his demon markings had appeared on his skin. He touched the ones under his eyes, then found the one on his chest. His shoulders and arms were also decorated. He opened his pants as well and also found similar ones down his legs and over his hips. He panicked a little and checked his hair.

His hair was still damp and short. He sighed in relief and stumbled out of the bathroom, his legs still a bit shaky. He was caught by a scent that was... thick and musky. He took in a deep breath, finding it pleasant and alluring. His skin tingled and his fingers curled. He wasn't sure how long he was standing there, just breathing. It was long enough for his shirt to start drying. This was a new sense. It surrounded him in the house and he felt...

Yusuke snapped out of his dazed and headed back outside, though looking back he didn't know why he didn't just go back to the bathroom. He was already starting to feel pleasantly aroused. But no, he headed outside, towards the scent. Outside, everyone was at the grill getting their orders from Shizuru.

It all happened within a few moments. The first thing that happened was that Hiei's hackles rose and he stood from the table. Kurama also sensed Yusuke and observed his markings and energy. Kuwabara also sensed the new energy and looked up, seeing Yusuke walking towards them.

"Hey, Urameshi, you feeling any-"

All at once Shizuru, Yukina and Keiko looked up, finding Yusuke lip locked with Kuwabara, his fingers digging into the orange curls. Shock permeated the air, and mouths were agape. Shizuru's cigarette fell onto someone's burger.

Yusuke pulled back slowly, eyes hazy and a serene smiles played on his lips. A moan akin to a purr escaped him, the fresh scent drugging his senses. Kuwabara's floored and blank expression told a different reaction. It was if his brain was unplugged for a moment. There was no reaction to move, so Yusuke pulled on Kuwabara's hair, pulling him down again, lips so close to touching again. He ached for it.

Kuwabara came back to himself and put his hand on Yusuke's chest to shove, but he didn't get a chance to; Yusuke was hauled back by his arms and pinned to the ground by Hiei and Kurama. Yusuke's temper flared and he thrashed in their grip; but both demons could hold him.

"W-what the fuck Urameshi!" Kuwabara was angry and startled, and didn't go any closer to Yusuke, but pointed an accusing finger at him. Yusuke didn't answer, throwing obscenities and badly angled kicks at Hiei and Kurama. In normal circumstances he could probably have thrown them, but his mind wasn't focused enough. Kurama grunted and knelt on Yusuke's arm for a moment, digging out a packet of seeds he always had with him. He ripped it open with his teeth, the seeds scattering.

"We have to allow this to pass." Kurama said and focused his energy. Vines sprouted from the ground and they started to wrap around Yusuke's limbs, torso, and neck, "I'm sorry Yusuke, but you'll thank us later." Yusuke was screaming bloody murder, but then Hiei knocked him over the head hard and he silenced. Kurama held his face in his hand and sighed. "How are we to know when it's over if he's unconscious, Hiei?"

"At least he's quiet now." Hiei said. They were distracted from their short argument by Kuwabara's insistent 'harrumph'.

"Will someone tell me what's going ON?" Kuwabara demanded, his expression bordering on freaking out. "why did Urameshi KISS me!"

"Ah, well..." Kurama winced, seeing all eyes were on them. "what unfortunate timing..."

"What happened to Yusuke?" Keiki found her voice, "why is he covered in tattoos?"

"I'd like an explanation." Shizuru said, lighting up another stick of nicotine. Yukina blushed, and her hands on her cheeks.

"Oh dear," She said, "Yusuke is going through his first heat." And that was when the chaos and questions really started.