Chapter 1: Studying and Vacation Within School Time

It was over, the great and long week of the Dark Tournament… it made Underworld Tournament seem like nothing. Of course they were fighting for real and not in the virtual world. Nearly died twice in his whole life of being the secondary Spirit Detective and he was damn proud of it, however, his school life was being more hectic and his mother was staring at him strangely. Though naturally he had been to place for a long period of time that she wasn't use to. It was one thing staying out till late and it was another being gone more over a week.

He was just sitting in his kotatsu as he was trying to study for his algebra test, his mother was in the kitchen preparing their dinner for tonight, this was however rare within the Kuwabara family, as he usually cook for the two of them. His mother was a university teacher and was mostly in the other city most of the time, his father was nonexistent as far as he was concerned and his sister worked depending on her shifts.

So mostly, if not always, he was alone at home. His sister would only come to see if he was alright before leaving with her friends. If she didn't see him within three days of time, she would find him and kill him herself, under her beautiful face was a monster far worse than Demon Lord: she had the claws to prove it. He also had the nightmares and the scars to prove it: if nobody believed her. The attitude came with a relationship always ended up with a failed love attempt from another. The Kuwabaras' were a strongly knitted family in their own long-distances way. How long had it been before such peace had arisen from the old life that was left behind? Maybe, though, he was the only one who thought that…. But he swore he never become like that failure of a man…

Staring down at the question, with each tick sounded from his pencil ticking onto the paper slowly made a small black dot. He wasn't getting anywhere with it… he would never be a computer nerd, that's for sure.

His head fell down in his difficulty "Oh man… I'm not getting anywhere with this."

From the counter she looked at her son as she cut the lettuces suggesting "Why don't you call your friend Suichi? He's a pretty smart kid. He also goes to a private High School, isn't it wonderful to have such well-minded friends?"

Kurama was amazing in everything he did: great in every subject in school plus physical labor, it was annoying how all the girls would follow him like a lost puppy. He could only sigh, it was such a minor problem that comparing to what Kurama did for Koenma, he didn't feel like he should ask such a favor. After all it was just math… it wasn't the end of the world.

With a cigarette in her mouth, his sister spoke up "Sure, why not? His school isn't that far… you could go with him to whatever is most convenient for him. Suichi isn't a guy to say no… and you shouldn't hold yourself back, don't you want to make it to university?"

"But still… Suichi's a pretty busy guy."

His sister counterattacked in seconds "Isn't that why you should do everything in 'HIS' conveniences? He won't say no that's for sure."

Before he knew it, he was at Kurama's home and sitting in a western table, with Kurama by the side. He ended up asking the busy dude, his family seem to be against him, as he had no choice of the event that was to occur. This always happen when his sister and mother were together: they were absolutely undeniable.

"I'm sorry about this Kurama… I know you're pretty busy and all." He could only apologized for the hundredth time.

Kurama merely waved his hand in a peace signal "You mustn't worry… I'd be happy to help you. I'm entitled to help an ally in any way I can."

" Hmm… really?" Kazuma gave an apprehensive look as he thought deeply 'But-… Koenma, if what Hiei said is true… then my problems are particularly minor. Hmmm… I don't like it.'

Kurama gentled laugh echoed "I'm not going to have to repeat myself again, am I? If I was truly busy then I would kindly refused you. I treat everybody equally… It's nothing new for me to be tutoring a student, the only differences is that the student I'm helping is in another school. It's no real problem."

He let out a breath of relief "If you say so. I just don't like bothering other people who are doing more bigger things in their lives. I mean I should be able to get this… Leaning on people every time won't make you become a well independent man."

His friend titled his head "Well… that might be very true: when we move and grow.. but we should also depend on one another: isn't that why Yusuke won the finals?"

"Yeah… maybe standing in a demon's standpoint. But the human realm is all about surviving the ordeals that put in front of you. You can't always use your fist: you need intelligence, looks, talent and power… that's how our world works anyway. You demons only need power to rule a world and that's kind of enviable. Demons got it real easy…" He leaned back onto the chair as he stared at the ceiling, stretching his arms our letting out a yawn.

"I supposed… The demons and the humans have a different amount of lifespan. Since we live so long there's always a challenge that's awaits us. The human world and The Spirit World have no similarities… a hundred years is a lot in your opinion… to me it's the same as watching the four season come and go in a single year. If I weren't so attached to my human side… I'd could go to the demon world and completely forget you for nearly a thousand years and it wouldn't make a difference. So I understand Hiei's feelings… Botan and Yukina are quite particular… Especially if you considers Botan's job and title."

For a moment they sat in silence… pondering upon the words spoken. They probably weren't on the same wave link.

A clap of the hand to bring themselves to attention of their original reason of being together, Kurama said finally "We should get studying… around six I have cram school, so let's go."

"Oh yeah…"

They started with the basic of the formula of the problems, it shouldn't be so surprising on how Kurama made it all seem simple, they continued until he could get the first three answers corrected. Kurama was only inches taller than Yusuke and held a trait that most men didn't have: some would call it elegance and many would call it femininity for his long red hair with his well curved face. He used big words but easily transcended between complex to simple. Already at five they were leaving the Mininato Residences.

The sun was already fallen down beside the river, a reddish orange color painted the sun as the skies of blue faded into pink and purple as the few puffy cloud glazed the skies.

"By the way Kurama… how come you have such long hair? Is it a style thing or a demon thing?" He couldn't help but ask as his head turned to Kurama.

Kurama didn't seem at all bothered by such a question "An animal doesn't shed its skin unless necessary… to me the hair is the same thing. Mammals are my origin… If I cut it it's only because it's time to. Sure it's bothersome in the summer as it gets greasy and attaches too much… but it's simple something I'm use to… it gives me a sense of home."

"That's a weird way of saying it."

"Well… this is from an animal's perspective. I'm a thief by nature I do what is best to gain what I desire: even if I do have to trick every shark in the sea or skin my body." He looked far in the distance with the comment standing and flowing in the air.

It wasn't easy to understand, not because it was difficult, simply for empathy needed did not exist in Kazuma for him to understand. Humans, demons and spirits… they truly all lived in different dimensions. He didn't bother to ask anymore as they were halfway there to the station. They began to depart once passing the station Kurama waved his goodbye and promise they met the next day.

Going the next district where his buddies hanged out, since it been a while they've been a tight-knitted group, Kawanashi Street was a decent part of the district but still held many gangs without any prior problems. The people of this street were mostly in a neutral protocol, so even if fights did start they wouldn't continue on this street. His gang wasn't the most notorious of their city but they were know to a certain decree neither liked or hated. Urameshi by himself was pretty infamous… rumors over rumors were spreading like wildfire since Urameshi was a very talented fighter who almost never lost. Gangs knew to stay away from him, he was like the Oni who were told by their mother to frighten the children at night, gangs did the same thing with him.

He finally arrived at the pub getting one another a drink with their allowance. Cheering and acting like idiots while they still have the chances to. They talked about the stupid things, once every while cheering the ideas of another confrontation with a particular gang.

Finally it was nine and they departed only to meet tomorrow at school. Being at home just to finish some more homework. He heave a sigh, at least, it wasn't math his problem now. Not that he go and bother Kurama with this. He did survive the last time the teachers gave him trouble and worked all week. He was pushed so far the edge yet made himself to contain from kicking the crap out of that crappy teacher. He honestly thought that maybe when Urameshi was sleeping, his soul talked to him and he was grateful, not that he'd ever tell him though.

Needless to say this time it wasn't just impressing the school itself: it was the grades and conduct that had to be improved if he wanted to go to a good university. Shizuru had made it there but fail in her third year not once ever given thought of returning and finishing what she started. Luckily their mother was the understanding type and as long as his sister pulled her weight she could live in their home. The Kuwabaras were the hard working type… no judgment as long as you do what you must. He was lucky to still be young, he could do what he want until the time came, his mother just made him remember that only days ago. But if his father was here… that man was pretty spoiled by his mother. He really was the worse type of man in existences. Kazuma couldn't understand why he was having these recollections of the past as his internal feelings were mixing like oil to fire, he just couldn't stop having this bad feeling. Was it his spirit awareness or was it just some old lingering feelings that were stabbing at his heart and soul?

"Geez… I'm going to get gray hair if I continue on like this." He mumbled to himself as he stopped looking at the scheme for the moment. If he could ask anything at all from god was that he could stop reminiscing of the past and live in the present or if his intuition was correct: he'd hope for the first time in his whole life that he was wrong.

He study till midnight with only a partial understanding

"Hahaha-! Just right, isn't it Kuwabara?" Urameshi laughed at his after their little 'training' event. He fallen straight down on his ass. He just couldn't help himself as challenging Urameshi was fun for him. The losing part wasn't but at least he could kick any other human besides Urameshi.

Keiko was not happy about such an event as call to him "Yusuke! We have school to go to, don't you ever thing, you blockhead!"

"Yeah, yeah… don't let your panties get tight up your ass." He scoffed at her. He was being even more decent than usual with his vulgar talk.

Kazuma could never understand how those two worked together, but he guess it was fate, if only he could have Yukina than god would be rewarding him greatly. Yukina just had the charm that no other girl he had ever met and didn't immediately reject him, just like Botan, though she had nothing if compared to the lovely Yukina.

"So anything new from Koenma-sama?" He didn't usually use honorfics if he could help it, but when he thought of it Koenma had brought back Genkai and that was no small task. Not to mention he ruled over all of humanity and what becomes of their souls.

Yusuke gave him a skeptical look, laughing a bit awkwardly "Ehe-ehe.. so you're calling him –sama now? How strange, he's nothing less than a toddler."

"Well he does rule over all of humanity's destination after death, no?"

"Half of the time he doesn't even know anything, much less Botan, so I wouldn't take it all to seriously. That is… if you ask me." Yusuke said as he put his hands behind his head leisurely while walking to the entrance of the school with Keiko beside him, who was still a bit mad.

"Well I wasn't. A Yama and a Repear… you'd think they would know more."

"Hm…" His archrival shrugged with a not-that-important look.

"hmm…" He could ponder this for a hundred years and he still probably wouldn't get the answer he desire for.

The held three hours of class and lunch break occurred, taking out his bento he ate happily with his group to pass the time, just before the bell ringed though he saw a fast black mark passing the trees of the front yard. There could only be one person that fast, with that realization he quickly said bye to his friends and ran up to the roof were just opening the door he saw Hiei and Yusuke talking.

"Tch… it's the big oaf. What do you want?" Hiei spoke cold as always as his glaring eyes had not changed at all from their little departure.

"I was just wonde'ing what you all are doing here. Is it a new mission?" He asked with a bit of excitement.

"Not for you at least. It's only me and Yusuke this time and Kurama awaiting you anyway. So buzz off." The demon spoke with finality yet how did he know anything about his study time with Kurama? They had just started… then again Hiei and Kurama were usually together in most cases. They both taught him how to become a better fighter… so even when Hiei acted the way he did, Kazuma just couldn't help but secretly respect the little bastard. If he spoke it out loud, he'd never heard the end of it from Hiei, in the worst case scenario: neither would Yusuke would leave it alone.

Yusuke surprise show from his expression "You're studying with Kurama? Since when?"

He could only answer plainly as his lips thin, not like it was his idea to begin with "Since yesterday."

His friend narrowed his eyes at him "No wonder you weren't fretting over that algebra test… I thought you were too smug to begin with."

"Hey! I could of done perfectly well without Kurama! Hmp! My family made me do it anyway!"

Hiei gave a smug smile saying in a low but hearable voice "Then why did you look over the same formula seven times? You should be grateful he helped you get so far in such a small amount of time."

It almost sound like he was laughing at him. Kazuma couldn't help but growl angrily, this only made Hiei look more like he was going to laugh. He closed his eyes and the snickering came out mumbling "Stupid oaf…."

He didn't like Yusuke smug look either which only him yell "Hey! It's not like you got any good grade! I bet I got an eighty percent while you got a seven!"

Yusuke got up with his hand in his pockets saying nonchalantly "Not like I care… one way or another I'm not really going anywhere with the life I'm having now."

That was pretty depressing in his opinion, it did seem realistic in Yusuke's case, the boy had never had any dreams of being anything in the world. Ever since he became a spirit detective he was becoming a wonderful person, being wonderful didn't make a differences in this money filled world, if Kazuma had to say anything it was being a spirit detective was the perfect job for Yusuke. Being yourself in the working world was nearly impossible and that was the miracle of being a spirit detective: Yusuke Urameshi was Yusuke Urameshi in every way and form. Yeah… he could even pity Koenma in times like these.

"What's with that agreeing look?" Yusuke's interrogating look was only inches away. He screamed as he jumped back a bit before falling down.

"What the hells wrong with you? Being so close to a guy… geez…" He got up and dusted his uniform for dirt.

"You didn't answer the question."

"Well… haha… Well I was just pitying Koenma. That's all."

Yusuke left with a cold laugh before going downstairs and Hiei had already disappeared when he looked only to see the skies scenery.

"Leavin' me behin' and everything. –tch-." He complained with the only person who would listen to him. Kurama seem like he was holding back with his charming smile.

"Your school life is just as important as any spirit mission. You're choosing school and at you age that's really a nice trait. I don't work all that hard and helping just makes me feel like I'm doing something good. So don't be mad… I told Koenma that we were busy as it was."

Kurama was being nice but that made him frown only the more "Yeah… so you lied about not being busy. You don't have to take me in and pretend I can't do it on my own."

Only from the corner of his eyes did he see Kurama's face darken in expression. When he turned his head Kurama was still in his peaceful mood. Maybe he had seen an illusion… creepy…

"It isn't lying. I didn't know there would be a mission the day before yesterday. How could I lie about something I didn't know?"

"I guess you're right."

They finally arrived at the Mininato's residents to hear Kurama's human mother "Honey Dear you've already arrived? Do you want some tea?"

Kurama turned to him with a delicate questioning look asking "Would you Kazuma?"

"Yeah I guess." He answered with a quiet voice.

"Yes mother. Kuwabara-san would like one as well." Kurama called to her as he placed his back on one of the chairs.

"Then I'll get you some cookies as well." His mother spoke sweetly. Not before long as their books were out on the table, she had already placed down two cups of steaming how green tea and bought rice cookies.

"It's sure nice to have such an active mom." He commented as he took a bite out of the cookie given to him.

"Is your mother not around mostly?"

"Yeah… she usually at the university she works at, if she's home it means her class is out for a small amount of the time."

"Ah… what University?" Kazuma merely shrugged at the question with a simple response:

"I never asked… all I know it's in the other district city."

Kurama took a bite as well while he listen. His mother had already left and half hour ago. They mostly talked about some events in their families but nothing really specific.

"But you mustn't tell my sister or she'll kill me." Kazuma spoke with true fear in his heart.

Kurama merely titled his head "You better hope she doesn't sense that I know then. She can read people as easily as we can open a book. Or seeing the skies."

"Geez… how can you stand that your mother remarried? If my mom did then it would be pretty hard to take." He could only complain of the possibility.

"It isn't so bad… as long as mom is happy I could care less about anything else. Ristus-san is a good man and he honestly cares for her. I have a new step brother so… it's interesting if I must say the least."

"Well… as long as the person you love is happy, you couldn't ask for more I guess. But should you compromise your own feelings for that some-one? I just don't know…" He sighed sadly… his feelings were welling up again and he didn't know how to control it.

"That is difficult to say. It depend to situation to situation… from friends to single mothers. Love itself is full of difficult compromise if you don't find mister or misses right and even if you do… there will always be comething to fight for, no?"

"So you had a dating life?"

"I am a couple thousand years old. I've had my fair share of lovers… as Suichi however…. I've yet found the 'one'. And I don't want to date an over-eagerly loved-filled girl who cares about this 'façade' of humanity in me. If I find love as a human than it better be worth it, you know? Suichi Mininato will die and I will be free once more or I will always have this form but gain most, if not all, my old demon strength. I've yet to know the answer to that question… but I'll wait when I truly need to know such an answer." He explain with a look of his sadly deprived eyes, like all hope was lost for some reason.

"Hmm… well I thought you were pretty lucky to have all those fangirls. If I could get a single girl to date me than I be pretty lucky. Then again… not once have I've been accepted my feelings of love. Valentines just sucks."

"Well… It could always be worse, no?"

"I suppose."

They started to study after that. It was just a typical day in the end of all things

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AN: LOL… I don't know. I'm rewatching the series and enjoying it. XD This is between the second and third season. This will be KuramaxKuwabara… and it will mix with the canon one way or another.

Hieibara is nice, but Kuramabara is also interesting. Yusuke and Keiko are perfectly fine in my opinion… I think they're a nice couple X3 but that's just me.