Fourth's the charm. I feel like the original version, while amusing is not exactly right. There's too much going on that just shouldn't be. Kurama is not about to get scared watching movies or order a pizza for Jin and Touya nor be consumed by popcorn. So, I really want to try and stir this story into the proper direction before finishing it. I do not plan on getting rid of all the jokes, just some of the complete nonsense. Not that I'm going to completely get rid of all of it, it just needs to be redone.

Warnings: Shonen ai. Kurama's "secretly" in love with Hiei.

Notes: (X) is pov of change and or time jump

' ' will be mind speech

Italics are thoughts.

Entry, 1: The Departure

Kurama smiled, the fresh cool air met him as he stepped out into the bright light of what was the first day of summer. He had been waiting for this day for so long he could hardly believe that it was finally here. No more having to pretend to study, no more dodging questions about his whereabouts, no more tutoring students and pretending to be nice. No, he was now free to be himself.

He closed his eyes breathing in the air. The sun graced his face, the warmth feeling like an embrace. The scents of flowers, trees, and summer in general drifted past his nose. The sky was bright and blue, not a cloud out there and as far as Kurama was concerned, he was going to make the most of it.

Movement from the corner of his eye and a sudden energy signature registering in his mind had him shifting into a ready stance. His eyes narrowed, his hand going to his hair as if he was merely tousling it, his aura spiking. He was ready for anything, until of course he noticed that it was Hiei standing a few inches from him looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

Feeling like a complete fool, Kurama dropped his hand letting out a breath. Of course it was Hiei, who else would it be, besides perhaps Yusuke? He allowed his energy to fall, no need to scare Hiei off even more with his sudden jump into fight mode.

"Kurama?" Hiei asked finally when the fox said nothing. The red head just shook his head though a smile forming on his lips. How foolish he'd been to jump to such conclusions, yet there was nothing he could do. He no longer felt safe even in the human world, not after the dark tournament.

"Summer break is finally here," he said more to himself than the fire demon. He didn't exactly know where to start. He hadn't seen Hiei in months. The last thing he'd heard about his partner was that he would be going to Genkai to watch over his sister and heal.

Well that's what happens when you're not worth his time, Kurama thought with a snicker. Of course he was well aware that the only thing on Hiei's mind was power and his sister. Where could someone like Kurama possibly fit in?

"Hn," came Hiei's usual greeting after he seemed sure Kurama wasn't going to strike at him. Kurama admitted he deserved that. Hiei didn't deserve that sort of welcome, even if he was a bit annoyed with the demon. Despite knowing that, Kurama walked past the fire demon into his backyard silently. If Hiei wanted to talk, he could follow. Kurama had things to get done.

He dropped his bag onto the ground and walked over to the roses beneath his window. They were already in full bloom, a lot of the other flowers showing the same signs of life, their buds nearly all opened. Kurama took one of the rose blooms in his hand and stroked the flower petal gently. The flower instantly stood up straighter as the fox demon released some of his energy into it. As Kurama moved to repeat the action with the next flower, Hiei appeared at the gate entrance looking around. As Kurama went from flower to flower he felt himself relax, not only from the release of some of his energy, but just seeing all the beautiful flowers made him happy.

When he was finished tending to each one, both with energy and water, he was surprised to see Hiei sitting, his back against the tree he'd planted especially for Hiei. The tree was just large enough so the branches would not only hold the fire demon, but lead straight to Kurama's window. Realizing that the fire demon wasn't about to leave until they talked, Kurama walked over to him wondering what in the world he could possibly want.

"Hello Hiei," he said trying to get the confrontation over with. As much as he loved seeing the fire demon, breathing in his scent, looking into those blood red orbs, he couldn't deny the pain he felt at not being able to claim those things for himself, not to mention he was slightly hurt that Hiei could go four months without needing to see him.

"Hn," came the fire demon's default answer.

'Everything is so perfect. The weather, the day, and of course that wonderful energy signature…he needs to leave,' he told himself closing his eyes so he could to get himself back under control. There was no sense in trying to read more into the situation than there was. Hiei never showed up at his house unless there was a reason, he had probably just not wanted to get in Kurama's way while he was tending to his plants. Though how I'd love for him to just come and see me for once. Seems I'm only worth his time though when it's getting ready to rain.

"Why are you here Hiei?" Despite trying to be decent about the entire thing, Kurama couldn't keep the edge out of his voice. He'd known from the start Hiei had merely wanted him for a fighting partner, but that didn't mean he had to enjoy that reality. Hiei didn't even treat him as a friend anymore! That got the fox demon frowning then. Of course Hiei didn't think of him as a friend, demons rarely had friends. It seemed the human culture was messing with him far more than he'd realized. Shaking his head he moved away from the fire demon to a group of spider lilies that he pretended he had miss.

"What makes you think I'm not just here to talk," he asked sounding slightly offended. Kurama knew better of course. Hiei could try to trick him into thinking he wanted to be there, but the he knew better. Hiei never came to his house without purpose, never, as much as he wished for it.

"Regardless of how stupid you believe me to be, I am not," he said looking at him from one of the flowers. Why beat around the bush? As much as he enjoyed Hiei's company the longer he stayed around, the crazier it was driving him up a wall. If he could swallow his pride and tell Hiei everything….No, whatever Hiei was there for it had to be important or he wouldn't have waited all that time. Kurama's words seemed to amuse him, Hiei's smirk showing one of his fangs before he gave a quick nod.

"Yusuke wanted me to tell you something," he said.

Of course, another mission was exactly what it had to be. Hiei did seem to be the designated messenger of the group, most likely a result from his speed. Kurama wasn't entirely sure how he should react to this one though. While his body had completely recovered from the dark tournament, save for a few scars that would probably never heal, his mind was still mending. It had taken so long and been so dangerous that it'd taken him weeks to just be able to walk properly again and not to mention the problems with Karasu…

He jerked his head trying to banish the images from his mind as quickly as they'd come. He'd been doing so well at forgetting, but now that Hiei had come with the mention of a mission, it was almost like the dark tournament had only ended a day ago. Hiei seemed to notice this as well, because he was standing by the fox demon looking at him as concerned as an emotionless face can be.

"Kur-"

"Spit it out," he growled, the fire demon taking a step back. When he managed to get the memories placed shoved deep enough back into his mind he opened his eyes again. Hiei was standing there, this time a frown clearly on his face.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I'm just tired," he lied as he tried to get everything back in check. His energy had shot up again and as a result his plants were all in attack mode. No doubt the reason Hiei seemed so worried. Kurama lifted one hand, the plants relaxing instantly. That done Kurama motioned to the back door that would lead into his house. There was no sense in allowing Hiei to be eaten by one of his plants, just, because he couldn't keep his emotions under control.

He shut the door behind Hiei and pulled a chair out for the demon to sit in. He quickly took note of the clock. His mother wouldn't be back for another hour or so, enough time for him to figure out what in the world Hiei wanted and throw him out.

"It's not a mission," Hiei said after he'd ignored the chair and walked towards Kurama.

This of course got Kurama's attention. Hiei didn't come over for visits; Hiei came to tell the other spirit detectives when something was going on or to…

"Hiei I can't spar right now," Kurama groaned. He hadn't meant to, but he had and the fire demon was again giving him an odd look.

"Are you sick?" he asked when Kurama offered no explanation.

"No," he said mentally cursing when he realized that would have been a wonderful explanation to all of his weird reactions. "My mother leaves today to finish her studies. She'll be gone for three months," he explained choosing a different lie. Everyone knew how close he was to his mother and he doubted would question him no matter how odd he acted with that in mind.

"Hn," once again. This time however the fire demon was shaking his head, his shoulders now relaxed. At the very least Kurama knew he'd dodged a bullet. "Why not go with her?"

"She wishes for me to say and take care of the house."

"And you'll do as she says?"

"Perhaps there is another reason," Kurama offered. He never remembered Hiei being so concerned with his personal life, perhaps his being around Yukina had changed him, of course at the worst possible time for Kurama. "I do however need to take her to the airport later. If this is important you need to explain now."

"Kitsune no baka," he said as he had so many other times. His tone was actually playful and Kurama couldn't help offering a slight smile at that. "Yusuke is having this thing called a party to celebrate summer."

"You're delivering party invitations now?" Kurama asked raising his own eyebrow this time and trying hard not to laugh. He wondered how Yusuke could have possibly tricked Hiei into doing such a nonsense task, but decided some things were better left unknown. There was always the chance that if Hiei found out what Yusuke was really using him for he would kill the spirit detective.

"He needs to know who can attend," Hiei snapped.

"Who is attending?" Kurama asked wanting to know ahead of time what he would be getting himself into if he agreed to go.

"Everyone."

Kurama waited for Hiei to actually define who everyone was, but when the demon started to fidget in place, the fox demon knew he was the reaching his limit. Hiei never did like to stay in one place long unless he was asleep or watching his sister.

'Everything is about his sister,' he thought angrily.

"I will come," Kurama said after giving it a moment's thought. He could use the distractions and truth be told, he didn't exactly like the idea of being alone right now. The last time he'd been alone…He managed to stop himself from flipping out before it happened. At least he was getting better at that. "Time?"

"Nine," Hiei instructed and was gone.

Kurama looked to where the fire demon had been standing for a second then walked over to the opened door and slammed it shut. He locked it and started going from door to door, window to window making sure everything was shut tightly and locked. He would no doubt be adding stronger wards once his mother was gone too.

(X)

"Do you have everything you're going to need mother?" Kurama asked setting the bags down onto a trolley. He was at the airport already with his mother, wishing he was greeting her as she returned rather than saying goodbye. Didn't she understand how much he needed her right now? Even so he wasn't about to beg her to stay, but he wished she would somehow sense that he wanted her to and would cancel everything.

"Shuichi stop worrying. I have everything," his mother promised him. Of course she did, Kurama had made her a list of everything she could possibly need and helped her pack it all, had even gone through the bags and list a second time the night before just to make sure. That didn't make him worry any less however. Despite it all he nodded and she smiled giving him a kiss on the forehead. He hated goodbyes, especially when it concerned his mother. The problem wasn't so much about being separated, as it was her being so far away and possibly in the danger of demons. The last thing he ever needed to hear was that his mother had been kidnapped again or worse, murdered, because of some demon he'd angered before taking on a human form. The only thing that did bring him some comfort was the ward he'd managed to sneak into her belongings just in case something went wrong. The ward should work well enough for him to be able to get to her before her life was truly endangered.

"And Shuichi please don't overwork yourself while I'm gone. Your studies are important, but don't be afraid to take a small break," she begged him. He knew she was referring to a few months back when he had claimed to be trying so hard to balance school work with "other things", being a spirit detective, that he had gotten himself bed ridden. The truth was he'd been trying to recover from the dark tournament.

"I promise," he assured her giving her a tight hug. "I will take breaks and Yusuke is celebrating the beginning of summer with some friends from school. I'll be relaxing over there. So there's nothing you need to worry about. Make sure to stay safe while you're there. If you have any questions about the language, call me."

"Shuichi, you're worse than I am," she laughed giving him another hug. "Go have fun with your friends. I can take care of myself."

"Alright. Call me the first chance you get after you've arrived at the hotel."

His mother started laughing again, but said she would and climbed onto the plane. Watching her vanish into it made him wonder why he just hadn't gone with her. She'd offered, but he couldn't get himself to leave in case another mission came up or he accidentally caused problems in America. It was better that he would be remaining in Japan, even if it would be slowly driving him mad.

(X)

Now with two hours left until the party Kurama decided he needed a shower before heading anywhere. He had a feeling if he showed up in his school uniform Yusuke would rip it off of him in defiance of summer or some weird reaction like that. That was alright with Kurama however since he had a closet full of clothes he enjoyed having, but rarely got to wear he figured he might a well wear some of them. Deciding what to put on actually ended up being quite a task and he ended up choosing a basic pair of blue jeans and a white dress shirt. The shirt sleeves were long and puffy, the cuffs opening at the end like one might see on a pirate in a movie. The top was cut low to show just a hint of the chest, enough to tease basically without actually giving anything away, white strings crisscrossing to hold it together.

He took his shower then, the lights on, the door opened. This had become a horrible habit of his since he'd returned. Often enough he would shower before his mother returned from work in order to avoid getting caught. If this turned out impossible for the day, he would take a shower as fast as possible before pulling pants on and darting to the door and opening it. Enclosed spaces were just not one of his favorite things anymore, at least not ones with doors.

He looked over at his clock as he walked into his bedroom still drying his hair with a towel. He still had a good hour to waste before heading off so he walked over to his desk and pulled out the small book he'd been using as a dairy. The point of this thing had been an attempt to rewire himself to stop panicking every five minutes, especially the nightmares. Of course this had only worked so well and eventually the writing had become more of a habit than any kind of solution to his mental state.

He grabbed a pencil, made his way over to his bed, the towel left behind on his desk, his shirt still on the hanger waiting to be adorned. It wasn't like he needed it right now anyway. He was calm and it felt good to sit down on the covers clean and for the first time in a while, feeling relaxed.

Journal Entry 58: Today Hiei showed up when I arrived home from school. He was acting a little strange. I'm sure it didn't help that I was acting like a freak around him. I had another accident with a power surge, my Aura flaring up as well. Even the plants went into a berserk state. I'm glad Hiei had enough sense to stand still so they didn't attack him, but the truth is I'm worried that it happened at all in the first place. If I can't get myself focused I'm going to need ask Koenma for help. Perhaps I'll ask him about it at the party I'm going to tonight at Yusuke's house. There must be some solution and if not a direct one, one that will suit my purpose enough to keep me from causing my plants to kill innocent people.

He was just about to start another sentence when he noticed a new scent suddenly being introduced into his living space. He jerked up to see who exactly had made it into his room only to see Hiei standing in front of his bed staring down at his book.

"HIEI!" He slammed the dairy shut nearly snapping the pencil in two with his other hand and glared at the fire demon. How dare he enter into Kurama's lair without as much as a knock? Even more concerning was how did he get pass the wards and Kurama was sure he'd locked his window before getting onto his bed.

"What?" Hiei asked looking at him curiously.

Kurama couldn't help chuckling at the innocent face Hiei was making. He looked so adorable. Of course Kurama knew better, even the laugh had earned him a glare from the smaller demon.

"What?" Hiei growled

"Nothing really. What are you doing here Hiei?" he asked shaking his head. He didn't want to admit to Hiei that he was unnerved about his breaking into his house. He would figure out how he managed later and fix it when the demon wasn't around.

He climbed off the bed then and placed the diary back into the desk. Slightly paranoid given the fact Hiei was there, he locked the drawer before slipping the key into his jean's pocket. It wouldn't stop him, but it would give Kurama a heads up if the fire demon was trying to get to it so he could retaliate.

"So…" Hiei climbed onto Kurama's bed and sat down on top of it. "What were you doing?"

Kurama mentally frowned at the fact that Hiei had completely ignored his question. The fox demon couldn't even understand why Hiei was there to begin with. He couldn't even remember a time Hiei had ever visited more than once a day, unless he was coming to cancel Kurama's invitation?

"Was the party canceled?" he asked not sounding very concerned. The truth of was, he was desperate to get to that party really, he'd planned on attending an hour early before the sun had completely set, but if something had come up, what could he do? It would be weird for him to show up anyway more awkward if they were still having the party and just simply decided to un invite him.

"No," Hiei said his eyes shifting from the desk back to the fox demon.

"I was writing," he admitted since he knew there was no way around that look. Hiei had caught him in the act anyway and it wasn't like he had to be ashamed. Many demons and humans partook in the hobby of writing.

"It said something about asking Koenma something. What were you going to ask him?"

Kurama's eyes widened then wondering how much Hiei had seen before he'd noticed the demon standing there. When had the fire demon even learned the human language for that matter? If Hiei had seen all of it and knew that his little slip that afternoon had not been due to tiredness…

"Hiei…How long were you standing there?" He asked hoping he hadn't seen the page he'd been working on the day before. Yesterday's entry contained some very graphic dreams that Kurama never needed Hiei to find out about.

"About two minutes," he said looking annoyed.

Two minutes that Kurama hadn't noticed a thing change around him. He'd promised himself he wouldn't let his guard down anymore and yet here was Hiei. Of course the fire demon was the least of his problems. It was what else could possibly sneak in while his thoughts were elsewhere. A white hand came for him, that long raven hair. He involuntarily shuddered at the thought. Why wouldn't they just go away?

"I see," he said. What else could he say? If he started to panic then Hiei would no doubt try to get the diary and start going through it. That wasn't something he needed. He was in no state to fight.

"Are you going to tell me or not Kurama?" He asked again glaring.

"There's nothing to tell," he lied. "It's just a story I'm playing around with." It was so easy to lie to him anymore, a smile forming on the fox demon's lips as he did so. He knew if he didn't get Hiei off his trail things could go bad. Besides, it wasn't as if it was Hiei's problem. He'd made it quite clear at the dark tournament that he wasn't interested in Kurama as a mate.

Another streak of memories had the fox demon cringing and it took everything he had not to just scream as he had so many times before. It was insane how much he dwelled on everything. It had been four months, none of it should cross his mind again and yet he couldn't keep it away for even a few minutes.

"Can I read it?"

"Re, read it?" Kurama stuttered fear building up again. It seemed so odd for Hiei to take interest in anything that Kurama did beyond fighting. And I'd love to have had this attention a few months ago, but not now! He leaned against the desk then trying to figure out anyway to get the conversation to go in a different direction. "You wouldn't want to read this," he said running a hand through his hair. "It's just a silly hobby. It has nothing in it that would interest you."

"And how do you know that?" Hiei asked sounding annoyed. He started walking towards the desk, but Kurama held his ground. There was no way he could allow Hiei to see something so private, not again. He didn't think he could ever bare himself again the way he had.

"You just don't understand," he said his shoulders slumping, hand going to his eyes. He was so confused at the fire demon's drastic change in behavior that he almost didn't put the pieces together. They already know, he thought his stomach knotting up. They knew he was having problems. It wouldn't take a genius to figure it out, his energy had been spiking at all hours of the night when he woke up from nightmares or when he saw shadows that looked like so much more. Perhaps this so called party was their way of getting him to spill his guts. He frowned looking out the window instead. There was no question about his needing some kind of help, but he would much rather keep it private than explaining it to everyone. "Just what is it that's making you act so different?"

"That's my secret kitsune no baka and perhaps." He started smiling evilly at me again. "You to find out. Sooner or later." With that Hiei took off running out the window leaving Kurama sitting there alone and very confused. The way he was acting was so different something must have happened to him. The question was what.

"What if he found a mate?" he asked out loud. The thought ate away at him quickly any chances of a good mood coming back destroyed. You fool. He was gone for four months, of course he found someone else to spend his time with.

What could he possibly do though? The last time he'd tried to open up to Hiei, had thought the fire demon may actually truly care for him, he'd been left behind in a hotel room tending to his own wounds barely able to move. The only reason he'd managed to get himself completely bandaged was thanks to Yukina and Genkai.

He felt completely sick now. The one person he'd truly thought he could hand himself over to had not only turned his back on him, he'd gone and done it again. He couldn't take it any longer and ripped the shirt off the hanger. Luckily he didn't rip the shirt, not that he really cared right now. He put it on and grabbed his house key, not that it really mattered. He could get in even if he didn't have it.

Growling, he started for Yusuke's house as soon as he was sure everything was locked up safely again in his own house. He didn't know what he'd accomplish by going to this party anymore. There was no way he was going to be able to have a good time, there was a good chance everyone thought he'd lost his mind already, not that anyone had been trying to help him before he'd lost mind. They knew what had occurred during the tournament, shouldn't they have been checking up on him sooner? Didn't he deserve that at least?

Perhaps they really hadn't wanted him there. They may have just asked to be proper, but hadn't thought he'd accept it. He was already close to Yusuke's house and he could sense the others within. Despite being told to come at nine, it seemed like everyone else was already there. He walked towards the door about to knock on the door and give everyone a piece of his mind, but stopped himself. He could no longer think of a single reason as to why he should be at the party. The people he'd thought he could trust were no better than the demon's he ran into in Makai. He lowered his hand slowly, unsure of what his next move should be. Surely someone inside had noticed his scent or energy already.

He took a step back his eyes focused on the door. No one seemed to be coming towards it. Another step, another missed chance at stopping him. He turned on his heels and started back home. He didn't belong there. Everyone inside had been laughing and having a good time, he'd merely ruin it right now with his dark mood. Yusuke had wanted to celebrate the summer and that wasn't something he was capable of at the moment.

(X)

Kurama let out a breath as he finally shut the door behind himself, tears flowing freely down his face now. He'd tried hard to not let anything get to him, but realization of his reality was quickly setting in. When his mother finished her schooling she'd have a new family, a real family. Everyone else part of the spirit detective group had someone, everyone, but Kurama. He was the oddball out. Usually something like that didn't bother him, but it did now that he knew without a doubt that it was true. Besides that he was always used to having some kind of partner, not that he was exactly well known for having partners with long life spans.

"Kuronue," he whispered as he headed back for his bedroom. "I should have gone with you," he said collapsing onto his bed. "I want you back…you're the only one who ever understood me, who I could be with. I knew I'd be alone after you were gone, but I never realized how much that would hurt, even so many years later." It had been years since he'd truly thought of his old partner. It usually hurt to think of him and so he'd only allowed himself to remember a thought here or there of them doing something together, being happy. Now however it didn't seem like he'd be able to just grasp the edges, he was getting hit full on with all of it. "Kuroune I hope you've been able to forgive me by now. I do love you," he whispered lying his head down on his pillow. "Not that it matters does it? Hiei was right, I'm a complete fool. I've gotten myself so tangled up in human emotions." He raised botho f his hands up, one going to his eyes to wipe the tears away, the other to go behind his head. "And I know I deserve every bit of it…perhaps I'll join you soon enough my dear Kuronue."

TBC

Very different and much shorter. I think this works out better in the end though. It will also make for the rewriting and finish to be much easier for me. Sorry if you were a fan of the original with all the jokes. I thought this was much more appropriate. Will get around to chapter 2 later this week hopefully.